Dreams Realized On April 26, 1986, 5150 officially reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200. It was anything but inevitable. By 1986, the band had already built one of the most powerful runs in rock. Six albums deep—all of them charting, and all of them shaping what Van Halen was. Yet none had taken that coveted top spot. Then everything changed. New lineup. New … [Read more...]
Gregg Bissonette Takes On Van Halen’s ‘Unchained’
Gregg Bissonette—best known to Van Halen fans for his time with David Lee Roth—is taking on one of Alex Van Halen's most iconic drum performances: "Unchained." In this new clip from Drumeo, Bissonette digs into the Fair Warning classic, locking into the groove that helped define Van Halen's heavier, more rhythmic edge in the early '80s. His performance highlights what makes … [Read more...]
Van Halen ‘Live in New Haven 1986’ Coming to Vinyl & CD June 5
Van Halen fans are getting another shot at Live in New Haven 1986—this time as a widely available release. A crystal-clear vinyl edition of the album was released today as part of Record Store Day and quickly sold out at many independent record stores. Now, a standard black vinyl version is on the way, set for release on June 5, along with the first-ever standalone CD … [Read more...]
Van Halen ‘Live Without A Net’ Watch Party
Van Halen’s classic concert film Live Without a Net is set to premiere on YouTube Friday! The 90-minute concert video will premiere on Van Halen's official YouTube channel at 8pm Eastern / 5pm Pacific Friday, giving fans everywhere a front row seat to watch it together in real time. We've embedded it above, and we're inviting everyone to crack open a cold one, and get … [Read more...]
Alex Van Halen Shares Personal Video Tribute to Donn Landee
Following the news of Donn Landee’s passing, Alex Van Halen has shared a brief, personal video tribute; a clip of himself hanging out and reminiscing with Donn Landee, offering fans a rare, candid glimpse of the legendary engineer in his later years. It's embedded here: The accompanying caption said it all: “Rest in Peace Donn Landee.” All of the recent … [Read more...]
Donn Landee, The Man Behind Van Halen’s Sound, Has Passed Away
Photo Credit: Warner Music Group Legendary recording engineer and longtime Van Halen collaborator helped shape the band's iconic sound from the very beginning. We are sad to report that the music recording world has lost an icon. Donn Landee, the recording engineer who played a pivotal role in crafting Van Halen's groundbreaking sound, passed away from natural causes … [Read more...]
5150 Expanded Edition is Out!
The 5150 Expanded Edition is out today featuring the 1986 live concert from New Haven and the Blu-ray debut of 'Live Without a Net,' along with rare b-sides, extended versions, and a deluxe 24-page book! Check out the live video for "Best Of Both Worlds" from New Haven, embedded above. And watch Sammy and Michael discuss making 5150, embedded below. "One of the the … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds Band Kicks Off 2026 Las Vegas Residency
Watch Sammy Hagar's Best of All Worlds band perform at the at Dolby Live at Park MGM, kicking off their 2026 Las Vegas Residency on March 11. Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani and Kenny Aronoff. Sammy Hagar March 11, 2026 Las Vegas Set List 1. "Soap on a Rope"2. "Mine All Mine"3. "Poundcake"4. "Panama"5. "There's Only One Way to Rock"6. … [Read more...]
Coca-Cola Revives Van Halen’s ‘Jump’ for the 2026 World Cup
Steve Vai Plays Eddie’s Iconic Solo On New “Jump” Cover For 2026 FIFA World Cup Van Halen’s classic “Jump” is getting a brand-new spin for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and guitar virtuoso Steve Vai is stepping in to tackle the legendary solo originally played by Eddie Van Halen. The updated version comes from Coca-Cola’s Real Thing Records in partnership with Capitol … [Read more...]
Going Mad in Wisconsin: Van Halen Destroys the 7th Floor of the Sheraton Inn
In 1978, Van Halen was a four-man party looking for a place to happen. For the third stop of their first world tour, the band checked into Madison, Wisconsin's Sheraton Inn. The problem was that the seventh floor didn’t survive their visit. Inside the liner notes for their second album, Van Halen II, the band thanks, among others, “The Sheraton Inn (seventh floor), Madison, … [Read more...]
Van Halen – Why Can’t This Be Love [Official Video]
The official remastered Live Promo Video for "Why Can't This Be Love" was released on Van Halen's YouTube channel today. This is part of the rollout for the Van Halen - 5150 (Expanded Edition), which arrives March 27! This was recorded live at the Hollywood Sportatorium, Pembroke Pines, Florida, on July 04th, 1986. Nearly 40 years ago! Watch the video, embedded … [Read more...]
Alex Van Halen Poses for Living Room Portrait by L.A. Artist
Los Angeles artist Robert Vargas recently shared a special behind-the-scenes moment with Alex Van Halen — and Van Halen fans are getting a glimpse inside. (Note that Robert Vargas is the artist who painted the epic Eddie Van Halen mural in Hollywood a few years ago. Yes, that guy!) In a video posted to social media, Vargas is seen sitting on the floor of Alex's living … [Read more...]