Our friend Jacob Deraps just posted "part 2" of his brown sound demonstration, and we need to share it. Crank it up! "Here it is, as promised, part 2 of my Brown Sound video, which has been my most popular video so far, thanks everyone! Hope you enjoy, crank it loud for maximum tone!" This video sounds amazing, and has us now breaking out our Van Halen albums... Keep … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen News
Van Houtte is to Coffee What Eddie Van Halen is to Electric Guitar
There is a surprise percolating in this new gourmet coffee ad. We wonder if this blend might go well with two burritos and a root beer float... Watch the new commercial by Van Houtte, entitled, "Become A Master With Van Houtte," which began airing this month. Not only is there a great Van Halen reference in the commercial, but we can confirm that it is actually Eddie Van … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday, David Lee Roth! Watch the Earliest Van Halen Video Interview Ever!
To celebrate David Lee Roth's birthday today, we've got a newly surfaced video interview of Van Halen in 1978! And it's the coolest thing ever! This was filmed in London for the Australian TV show, Countdown. This is the earliest Van Halen video interview that has ever surfaced, and it's a absolute gem. Enjoy! … [Read more...]
Video: Gene Simmons on the 3 Kiss Songs Recorded with Van Halen Brothers
In the video above, Gene Simmons talks about the three never before released (and never leaked or bootlegged) KISS tracks which feature Eddie and Alex Van Halen. Simmons will soon release a massive, limited-edition box set called The Vault. Among its one hundred and fifty tracks are three long-lost KISS demo recordings that feature Edward and Alex Van Halen playing alongside … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Jamming at Friend’s Birthday Party, 1968
Van Halen Rising's Facebook page posted this gem of a photo today, above. Another amazing early Ed Van Halen photo, this one circa '68, from the Broderick family vault. Here we can see Edward jamming with Bill Maxwell at Rob Broderick's 14th Birthday Party. Edward is playing a Maestro 12 string Guitar but with only 6 strings on it. Guitar was purchased at Lafayette Radio on … [Read more...]
Watch Wolfgang Van Halen Play ‘Eruption’!
You may be cool, but you're not "playing 'Eruption' on the original Frankenstein in honor of its 40th anniversary" cool. Wolfgang Van Halen just posted a short, seemingly casual video of him playing his father's classic guitar instrumental, "Eruption." His social media post reads, "In honor of Eruption being recorded 40 years ago today, here's me playing it on the guitar … [Read more...]
40 Years Ago: Eddie Van Halen Records ‘ERUPTION’
It was exactly 40 years ago today that Eddie Van Halen recorded the wildly innovative instrumental, "Eruption." The date of Sept. 8th, 1977 was uncovered by Van Halen biographer, Greg Renoff, during his extensive interviews with Van Halen producer Ted Templeman. Here's an exclusive excerpt about the day "Eruption" was recorded, from the pages of Renoff's Van Halen … [Read more...]
The Vault Cracks Open: Gene Simmons To Release 1977 ‘Love Gun’ Demos Featuring The Van Halen Brothers
We've got an exclusive from Van Halen biographer Greg Renoff for VHND today ... some pretty exciting news! Here it is: The list of “Holy Grail” archival rarities that Van Halen fans dream of is a long one. Frequently wished-for items include early studio demos, film footage drawn from Van Halen’s 1981 performances in Oakland, and concert recordings from the band’s golden age. … [Read more...]
When Van Halen Kicked Up ‘One Way To Rock’ Ten Notches
How do you turn a pretty decent rock song into an ABSOLUTELY EPIC guitar song? You just add Eddie Van Halen, of course. It was on this day in 1986 that Van Halen was filmed in New Haven Connecticut, which resulted in our favorite recorded version of "There's Only One Way to Rock." If you want to appreciate the difference Eddie Van Halen can make on guitar, just listen to … [Read more...]
1975: A 20-year-old Eddie Van Halen Plays Acoustic Guitar at a Wedding
First, we want to thank Greg Renoff, author of Van Halen Rising, for unearthing this absolute gem of a photo! This was posted on the VHR Facebook page yesterday. In this photograph from 1975, a 20-year-old Edward Van Halen plays acoustic guitar at a wedding. The piano player is Kenny Smith, who went on to become a music industry sales guru. Kenny and Eddie were playing for … [Read more...]
Racing With Alex, Guess Who Won!
For those not on twitter or Instagram, here's what Eddie just posted: Racing With Alex, Guess Who Won! #cars #Racing #music #Rock #vanhalen … [Read more...]
Gettin’ ready to turn ISIS into WASWAS
Father and son having some fun on a Sunday! Wolf Van Halen posted to Instagram tonight: "We out here gettin' ready to turn ISIS into WASWAS." … [Read more...]