Summertime's almost here babe, and Classic Rock Magazine already has something to keep things cool. They've listed the 50 best Van Halen songs that make up the ultimate American party soundtrack. At the top of the list is the only song we can think of that would want a kid to go to summer school - "Hot For Teacher." Here's what they had to say about the song and … [Read more...]
Michael Sweet Thanks David Lee Roth
Stryper's Michael Sweet posted a great tribute to Van Halen's singer and frontman on his Facebook page. Here it is, for your convenience and reading pleasure: If you don't know already I'm one of the biggest Van Halen fans on the planet. When I heard VH I for the first time not only did it change my life as a guitarist, it changed my life as a frontman/performer too. David Lee … [Read more...]
Don Dokken Scared After First Seeing Van Halen
"The first time I saw Van Halen it changed the way I looked at music and performing forever. It was 1978 and I had just formed my own group, Dokken. We were opening up for them for two nights at the Starwood in Hollywood. I was standing in my dressing room when they went on. Their first record wasn’t out yet, but they hit the stage like they had already made it. I could hear … [Read more...]
Jeff Beck Praises Eddie Van Halen
Here's what legendary guitarist Jeff Beck has to say about Eddie Van Halen: “I suppose what people are pointing at is Van Halen for being the innovator and the one that committed tapping, hammering-on and harmonic screams to tape before anybody else. That’s quite right. It’s something he should get credit for.” — Jeff Beck, from an interview in Guitar magazine “I … [Read more...]
Steve Vai on Van Halen: “It is only the most elite of elite musicians whose unconventional approach becomes convention.”
"I first heard Van Halen on the radio at a party in college, and it sounded like electric adrenaline. When this sonic elixir hit the country, it unleashed hard rock hysteria. At that time, the identity of most drummers was buried in triggers and reverb. But when you heard Alex, his sound and energy were undeniable, and the tone quality of Michael Anthony’s background singing … [Read more...]
Tom Morello: It Doesn’t Get Better Than Early Van Halen
Tom Morello (guitarist for Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave) contributed to the hardcover photo book, Van Halen, by Neil Zlozower. The Van Halen News Desk has the exclusive on how highly he regards Van Halen: "When I first heard 'Runnin’ with the Devil' on the radio, I was stunned and found myself dizzy, walking through my high school hallways thinking, “What was … [Read more...]
Def Leppard Members Praise Van Halen
The Van Halen News Desk has the exclusive on what members of Def Leppard have to say about Van Halen: "I heard “Runnin’ with the Devil” and nearly shat myself!" — Joe Elliott "I still remember the night in 1978 when my friend rushed over to my house and insisted I listen to this album by this new, unheard-of band. He promised it was going to blow my mind. Well, he … [Read more...]
Aerosmith’s Joe Perry on Eddie Van Halen: “He Redefined Guitar Playing”
Van Halen shared the stage today with Aerosmith for the first time since 1979. Recently, Aerosmith’s Joe Perry contributed to the hardcover photo book, Eddie Van Halen, by Neil Zlozower. The Van Halen News Desk has the exclusive on what he had to say about the first time he saw Van Halen in concert: "Aerosmith was rehearsing for another record when Van Halen’s first album … [Read more...]
Eric Singer Praises Alex Van Halen
KISS's Eric Singer contributed to the hardcover photo book, Van Halen: A Visual History, by Neil Zlozower. The Van Halen News Desk has the exclusive on what he had to say about the first time he saw Van Halen in concert: "Alex the Animal. The first time I heard Van Halen was “Runnin’ with the Devil” on the radio on WMMS in Cleveland. I remember thinking (along with everyone … [Read more...]
Ted Nugent: “Godspeed, Eddie Van Halen”
Ted Nugent contributed to the new hardcover photo book, Eddie Van Halen, by Neil Zlozower. VHND.com has the exclusive on what he had to say about Eddie Van Halen: "Van Halen opened up for my band in the late 1970s, and this fuckin’ kid started playing shit I’d never heard before, and I was like, 'Oh, I think I’m a bad motherfucker, but there may be an element of me sitting … [Read more...]
Vinnie Paul on His Favorite Band, Van Halen
Vinnie Paul (Pantera, Damageplan, Hell Yeah) contributed to the hardcover photo book, Van Halen: A Visual History 1978-1984, by Neil Zlozower. The Van Halen News Desk has the exclusive on his story: "Van Halen was and still is my favorite band of all time. Me and my brother always modeled ourselves after them. They were without a doubt our biggest influence. We … [Read more...]
Peter Frampton: “Eddie Van Halen Blew Me Away”
Peter Frampton contributed to the new hardcover photo book, Eddie Van Halen, by Neil Zlozower. VHND.com has the exclusive on what he had to say about Eddie Van Halen: "Ed reinvented the electric guitar for us with his tapping style, which he took further than anyone before him. He plays with such fluidity. It’s so ear-catching to me. It’s inspiring to so many guitarists. And … [Read more...]