From Billboard: Eddie Van Halen is a guitar virtuoso. In his 2015 Billboard cover story, Van Halen revealed he doesn’t listen to much of any new music. But some classic riffs have certainly shaped him. For Billboard’s Greatest of All-Time interview series, the Van Halen ax man shared his favorite guitar riffs, but not before asking if he could mention some of … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen News
Video: MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Pedal Demoed by Guitar World
The folks at Guitar World made a great video demo for the new EVH 5150 Overdrive. The MXR design team has collaborated with Eddie Van Halen to deliver a full range of powerful saturation and hyper-driven tones right at your feet. The resulting EVH 5150 Overdrive joins hand-adjusted multi-stage MOSFETs with a full complement of controls to deliver overdriven tube-like … [Read more...]
EVH Gear Introduces “Lunchbox” Sized 5150III 15W LBX Head
New from EVH Gear! Don’t let the size of the new EVH 5150III 15W LBX guitar amp head fool you. The easy-to-carry “lunchbox” head is a mighty sonic force to be reckoned with, its packed to the gills with searing tone! Armed with five ECC83S (12AX7) and two EL84 tubes for incredible high gain sound, it performs like an arena-filling champ. Two flexible channels, the famous EVH … [Read more...]
Van Halen Halloween Costumes 2015! (Updated)
Update 11/3/15: Gallery added with 33 more photos! Here's our collection of 40 creative photos of Van Halen, or VH-related costumes that people sent us this Halloween. Enjoy, and start thinking about your costume(s) for us to feature on VHND for next year... Diamond Dave in purple spandex. Note the fury boots, circa 1980! Love the attention to detail! Do you prefer … [Read more...]
New MXR EVH 5150 Overdrive Pedal Delivers “Whole Spectrum” of Eddie Van Halen Guitar Tones
First came the phaser, followed by the flanger, then the wah… and now Eddie Van Halen finally has a signature overdrive pedal to his name in the form of MXR's EVH 5150 Overdrive. Benicia, CA (October 27, 2015) -- The MXR design team has collaborated with Eddie Van Halen to deliver a full range of powerful saturation and hyper-driven tones right at your feet. The resulting … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen SLIP-ON Sneakers Now Available!
Announcing the new EVH Slip-Ons! Eddie Van Halen's iconic guitar stripes on a classic slip-on shoe! Just slip 'em on and hit the ground runnin'! Currently available only at VanHalenStore.com, where they are in stock & shipping now. Order yours here! Low profile, slip-on canvas shoe similar to Vans. Elastic side accents for a nice fit without the hassle of … [Read more...]
‘VAN HALEN RISING’ is Coming!
Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal is a new book coming this October that solely focuses on Van Halen’s incredible rise during the ‘70s. We have an advance copy, and trust us — this book is absolutely loaded with wild and interesting details on Van Halen’s beginnings that even the most knowledgeable fans have never heard. It's … [Read more...]
Solo Endeavor: Tapping into Eddie Van Halen’s 15 Greatest Guitar Solos
Doug Fox from the VHND and The Daily Herald has put together his list of the best Eddie Van Halen guitar solos ever, and we have to say this is our favorite list ever written on the subject! So dive right in....and naturally, be sure to listen to the solos as you make your way down the list... we KNOW you'll be totally blown away by Eddie for the zillionth time! Solo … [Read more...]
Van Halen Erupts in ‘Minions’ Movie!
Adding to a long list of musical cameos in film, it will not be difficult to spot an homage to a Van Halen classic in “Minions,” an animated comedy premiering today across the country. Here's a little VHND exclusive as we head into the weekend... “Eruption,” Eddie Van Halen’s explosive guitar solo that turned the music world on its ear in 1978, makes an entertaining … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Calls Eddie Van Halen a Liar — Contradicts Himself?
In a recent video, Sammy Hagar goes off on Eddie Van Halen, specifically in response to Eddie's claim in the new Billboard interview that he had to constantly show Michael Anthony what to play on bass. In his two-minute video rant below, Sammy says, "For Eddie to say he had to show him what to play and had to teach him all those songs, that is the biggest line of bullshit … [Read more...]
Video: How Eddie Van Halen Switched From Classical Pianist to Shredding Axeman
The legendary guitarist talks to Billboard about his rock 'n' roll start as a kid and how a good guitar riff "engulfs you." … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen on Surviving Addiction, Why He’s Still Making Music and What He Really Thinks of David Lee Roth (and Other Past Van Halen Bandmates)
From Billboard.com, By Chuck Klosterman Eddie Van Halen doesn't listen to music. This is not a fake-out or a misdirection, nor is it a seemingly straightforward statement that actually means its opposite. Eddie Van Halen does not listen to music. “I don’t listen to anything,” he tells me from a greenish couch inside 5150, the expansive home recording studio built on his … [Read more...]