Credit: Neil Zlozower Joe Perry named Eddie Van Halen among the eight guitarists who helped shape his sound. The Aerosmith guitarist recently shared his list of influences with Guitar World and had this to say about Eddie: If you listen to Eddie's playing, it's just so inspiring, you know? When Van Halen's first album [Van Halen] came out, Eddie really opened things … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Opens Up In Candid Post-Van Halen Interview From 1997 [AUDIO]
A never-published interview with Sammy Hagar from 1997 has been posted by The Tapes Archive. This wasn't the best of times in Van Halen history. Hagar had a well-publicized falling out with Eddie and Alex Van Halen the year before; this after a decade fronting Van Halen. In this interview, he candidly gave his side of the story regarding the breakup, how he still looked … [Read more...]
Desmond Child Reveals How David Lee Roth Blocked Him From Writing Songs For Van Halen
For nearly three decades, songwriter/producer Desmond Child has reigned as one of music's most successful hitmakers for the biggest bands like Bon Jovi, KISS, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Ratt, and Joan Jett. According to Child, Van Halen could have been another band on his resume, but David Lee Roth prevented that from happening. Child, a recent guest on Darren … [Read more...]
How Wolfgang Van Halen Is Honoring Late Dad Eddie on New Album [VIDEO]
Wolfgang Van Halen recently appeared on “Extra" to promote the latest Mammoth WVH album Mammoth II, which includes the track "Take A Bow". As Wolfgang explains in the video above, it has a special connection to his late dad Eddie. Wolfgang also talks about his appearance on the soundtrack to the hit film Barbie, his current tour, and his upcoming wedding. … [Read more...]
Unearthed 1995 Interview With Alex Van Halen Offers Insight Into Van Halen Past, Present & Future Expectations [AUDIO]
The Tapes Archives channel has unearthed another hidden gem - an exclusive audio interview with Alex Van Halen from 1995. The interview (above) was conducted by Canadian music journalist and author Steve Newton as Van Halen was preparing to perform in British Columbia, Canada. Alex talks about growing up and playing with his brother Eddie, the drummers he was a fan of early … [Read more...]
Andy Summers On Eddie Van Halen’s Unmatched Genius: ‘Nobody Did It Better Than Him’
Police guitarist Andy Summers says Eddie Van Halen was heavily copied but never duplicated. "I do think Eddie Van Halen was a great player. Wonderful. So musical. An absolutely one-off," Summers said during a recent appearance on Johnny Beane TV. "I never saw [Van Halen perform] but, of course, I was aware of [Eddie's] playing as they surfaced early on. Summers … [Read more...]
Wolfgang On The Possibility Of Alex Van Halen Playing Live Again: ‘I Don’t Know If He Really Has That Desire As Long As My Dad’s Not Here’
Credit: Neil Zlozower The prospect of Alex Van Halen performing live without his brother is slim, according to Wolfgang Van Halen. During a recent Q&A interview with AllMusic's Greg Prato, Wolfgang addressed the current status of Alex and the possibility of future releases from the Van Halen vaults. Prato shared the excerpt below with the VHND: AllMusic: … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen’s Metallica Moment: ‘We Were All Just Kinda Shocked’ [VIDEO]
Wolfgang Van Halen still can't believe his band Mammoth WVH are touring with Metallica. Maybe even harder to believe - the enormity of Metallica's stage setup. "Yeah, they have a really crazy stage so, it's definitely a first," Wolfgang said during his recent appearance on KLOS FM's New & Approved show with Matt Pinfield. "I'm very excited and honored to be a part of … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar Says Van Halen-Heavy Setlists To Get Even Heavier (VIDEO)
Sammy Hagar says fans can expect more touring in his future, and the Van Halen-heavy setlists will get even heavier. During an appearance on the YouTube show That Rocks! yesterday (7/12/23), Hagar said he plans on going out on tour next year and continue to pack his setlist with Van Halen songs. "I do plan on going out and touring...I plan on doing even more … [Read more...]
‘Star Fleet Project’ Reissue Released With Alex Van Halen’s Blessing
Credit: Neil Zlozower Brian May says he wouldn't have released the upcoming Star Fleet Project reissue featuring Eddie Van Halen without Alex Van Halen's support. In a new interview with Cleveland.com, May said he thought about releasing the newly expanded and remastered box set shortly after Eddie's passing in October 2020 but decided the time … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar On Van Halen Manager Ed Leffler: ‘He Kept The Band Together’ (AUDIO)
Sammy Hagar says late Van Halen manager Ed Leffler was the glue that kept the band together. When Lefller passed away, everything fell to pieces. Leffler managed Van Halen from 1986 to 1993, when he lost his battle with cancer. During an appearance on The Bob Lefsetz podcast, Lefsetz asked Hagar how Leffler's death affected the band. "It totally broke up Van Halen," Hagar … [Read more...]
Steve Vai Says It Would Have Been Foolish To Compete With Edward Van Halen (VIDEO)
Credit: Neil Zlozower Steve Vai didn't feel the pressure of competing with Edward Van Halen when he became David Lee Roth's guitarist in 1986. That was simply because he never bothered to compete. "Having, I'll say 'the shadow' of Edward hanging over me, I didn't feel pressure," said Vai during a recent appearance on the Vintage Rock Pod. "If I would have felt … [Read more...]