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...]
Jason Becker Selling Guitar Given To Him By Eddie Van Halen To Raise Money For ALS Care
Credit: Benny Goodman Jason Becker is selling the guitar gifted to him by Eddie Van Halen in 1996 to pay for his ongoing care for ALS. Eddie gave the #69 Peavey EVH EVH Wolfgang guitar to Becker, diagnosed with ALS in 1989, during his emotional visit to Becker's home on August 31st, 1996. He signed it, with the inscription : "Jason. We will play guitar together in the … [Read more...]
LISTEN: ‘I’m Just Ken’ From ‘Barbie’ Soundtrack Featuring Wolfgang Van Halen On Guitar
The film 'Barbie' has arrived in theaters and so has the film's soundtrack, which includes the "Kenergized" guitar work of Wolfgang Van Halen. Wolfgang is joined by Slash on the track "I'm Just Ken" (above) sung by Ryan Gosling, who plays the character of Ken. Slash and Wolfgang were both asked to contribute by the soundtrack's producer Mark Ronson. "I sent [Slash] the … [Read more...]
Kip Winger On How David Lee Roth Influenced His Stage Performance
Credit: Neil Zlozower Take a bit of ballet, add a nice mix of Paul Stanley and David Lee Roth and you've got Kip Winger's stage performance approach. The Winger frontman and bassist stopped by the Paltrocast with Darren Paltrowitz to talk about the new Paramount+ three-part docuseries I Wanna Rock: The '80s Metal Dream. Paltrowitz asked Winger, who has a background in … [Read more...]
Mammoth WVH To Headline North American Tour With Nita Strauss This Fall
Wolfgang Van Halen and his band Mammoth WVH will head out on a headlining tour this fall with Nita Strauss to open each show. The tour, which kicks off on November 4th in Milwaukee, will support the brand-new Mammoth WVH album Mammoth II due out on August 4th. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday (July 21st). Head to the official Mammoth WVH … [Read more...]
The Most Streamed Van Halen Deep Cuts On Spotify
Credit: Neil Zlozower When it came to writing hit singles, Van Halen could definitely deliver. But, as Van Halen fans know well, there was much more to this band than just the singles. A recent article by Loudwire listed the most streamed deep cuts on Spotify by 50 rock bands as of July 9th. To clarify, "deep cuts" means songs not released as singles, did not chart on … [Read more...]
Def Leppard’s Rick Allen On Meeting Wolfgang Van Halen: ‘It Was A Really Wonderful Moment’
Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen recently recounted his first encounter with Wolfgang Van Halen, calling it a wonderful moment. Allen, who was a recent guest on the "Paltrocast" along with recording artist Lauren Monroe, got to meet Wolfgang when Mammoth WVH opened for Def Leppard and Mötley Crüe at three shows in the UK and Ireland. "I was very fortunate to meet Wolfie's … [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...]
Wolfgang Van Halen To Appear In Upcoming ‘Barbie’ Movie Soundtrack
Wolfgang Van Halen's "mammoth guitar sound" will be heard on the upcoming 'Barbie' movie soundtrack. According to a tweet from Wolfgang today (July 10), he lent his guitar skills to the track "I'm Just Ken", written by British producer/songwriter Mark Ronson and sung by Ryan Gosling, who portrays Ken in the film. Joining Wolfgang on guitar is Slash. Both the film and the … [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...]