This week in 1984, Van Halen began an incredible 5-week run at the top of the Billboard charts with their colossal hit, "Jump!" Here's a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the unforgettable video. Pete Angelus [Van Halen road manager, lighting director, 1978-84]: I think we spent less money making "Jump" than we did on having pizzas delivered to the set of "Hot for … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Shares his Musical Journey at Smithsonian Event (Video)
Four years ago today, the legendary Edward Van Halen appeared at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington D.C., headlining an event that was part of the national “What It Means to Be American” program. The three-year initiative is aimed at engaging leading public thinkers and Americans in all walks of life to explore how the nation has become what it … [Read more...]
35th Anniversary of ‘1984!’ Eddie Looks Back on Van Halen’s Landmark Album
Van Halen's 1984 was released 35 years ago today! Van Halen’s 1984 album and tour were the pinnacle of Van Halen's popularity. To this day, the album remains an absolute classic, and the tour goes down in history as on of the biggest and most extravagant (and costly) rock tours of the decade. Even into the nineties, the staff of Guitar World magazine proclaimed it the #1 … [Read more...]
Michael Anthony Talks Van Halen in New Interview
Former Van Halen and current Chickenfoot bassist Michael Anthony was interviewed by Eddie Trunk last week. Listen to the hour-long interview HERE. Michael was his usual amiable self—laid back and candid, and shared his disappointments about being estranged from Van Halen—without sounding bitter. It’s a must-listen. Some highlights: Michael hasn't spoken to the Van … [Read more...]
Watch Joan Rivers Interview David Lee Roth (Twice)
Rest in Peace, Joan Rivers. Joan sadly passed peacefully today, surrounded by family and close friends. As a tribute to Joan, we're featuring videos of both times she interviewed David Lee Roth back in the '80s. The interviews from 10/31/85 and 10/9/86 are embedded here.. … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Interviews Les Paul
Famous musician and inventor Les Paul would have turned 101 years old today (born 6/19/1915). We look back to 1986, when Guitar World put Eddie Van Halen and Les Paul together in the same room to talk about what they knew best. From Guitar World: Almost three decades ago, Guitar World writer Steven Rosen brought together Les Paul and Eddie Van Halen for a quick chat. It … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s Early Days at Gazzarri’s—As Told by The Band, Bill Gazzarri, Rodney Bingenheimer, and Childhood Friends
In April of 1974, Van Halen hit the Sunset Strip, playing their first shows at Gazzarri's! MUST-READ: Eddie and Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, Bill Gazzarri, Rodney Bingenheimer, and childhood friends discuss Van Halen's formative years playing Gazzarri's on the infamous Sunset Strip (1974-1976). .Bill Gazzarri: Van Halen was the best band that ever … [Read more...]
Backstage with Van Halen at the CaliFFornia World Music Festival
Here's our FUN look back at the 40th anniversary of a giant rock concert in the late seventies, involving Van Halen, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Cheech and Chong, midget security guards, and a chimpanzee. Van Halen co-headlined the 1979 CaliFFornia World Music Festival, and it was amazing! All photos on this page are from the festival (excluding the Aerosmith photo). Van … [Read more...]
Exclusive: David Lee Roth on Van Halen’s “College of Musical Knowledge” (Audio)
David Lee Roth was inspired by our article 40 Years Ago Today – Van Halen Hits the Sunset Strip! so much so that he sent us an exclusive audio describing how important it was for Van Halen to spend years playing Gazzarris in the mid seventies. He calls it their "college of musical knowledge." Listen to Dave's 5-minute recording above. Big thanks to Diamond Dave for sharing … [Read more...]
Unearthed: Earliest Known Van Halen Interview (1977)
Exclusive: Before Van Halen exploded in 1978 and started being featured in national music magazines, a small rock fanzine covering mostly local Los Angeles bands scored an interview with the lead singer of Van Halen. This interview took place backstage at the Whisky A Go-Go, in September of 1977, nearly half a year before Van Halen's first album hit the record stores! Raw … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Interview with Allan Handelman, 1980
Allan Handelman sets up the interview: It's was Sex, Drugs and Rock n Roll. Recorded at the Hampton Coliseum in Virginia during the tour to support their third album, Women And Children First. It was out of control madness that turned out to be a radio classic. David is still a regular guest on my show with over 8 appearances over the years. This one (the first one) was a … [Read more...]
Unearthed: Van Halen 1988 Raw & Uncut Video Interview
VOX POP has released their full, unedited 1988 video interview with Van Halen. This was filmed in the spring of '88, as the band was starting to do press for their upcoming "Monsters Of Rock" stadium tour. The crazy thing is that they weren't even finished recording OU812 yet! It was crunch time, as their album had to be out by the time the tour started in late May. For the … [Read more...]