Here's a ton of INCREDIBLY COOL Van Halen photos this day in 1981! Van Halen’s mind-blowing performance at the Sam Houston Coliseum in Texas is captured in these many photos by Rockin’ Houston. This Texas show was the last show of the third North American leg of the Fair Warning tour, after which, the band was able to enjoy a two week break before the fourth leg began in … [Read more...]
Van Halen News
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...]
40 Years Ago: Van Halen Conquers ROKLAHOMA!
Forty years ago today, (Saturday, Sept 6th, 1980) Van Halen played the very first "Roklahoma" (Different from the "Rocklahoma" festivals held in Oklahoma today). Roklahoma was a rock festival held for a few years at Owen Field at the University of Oklahoma. The bands kicked off at noon and were, in order of appearance, Sammy Hagar, Pat Benatar, Van Halen, and the Doobie … [Read more...]
Vote For Van Halen in the UCR Hard Rock Football League Championship Tournament
From UltimateClassicRock.com: Van Halen‘s Eruptions take on Motorhead‘s Motorheads in round one of the first-ever Hard Rock Football League championship tournament. And you decide who prevails! Why should Kiss and Motley Crue‘s Vince Neil be the only rock stars to own football teams? With the NFL season kicking off this month, we’ve decided to team up with Loudwire to … [Read more...]
When Van Halen’s Original Lineup Reunited on MTV
In the summer of 1996, Van Halen parted ways with Sammy Hagar, leaving Eddie, Alex, and Michael without a frontman as the band reached out to original singer David Lee Roth to record two new tracks (“Me Wise Magic” and “Can’t Get This Stuff No More") for the band's first greatest hits compilation. Even though Roth wasn't officially back in the band, it seemed everyone assumed … [Read more...]
This Day in 1984: Van Halen’s Original Lineup Plays Final Concert
On this day in 1984, the original lineup of Van Halen—Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, and Alex Van Halen—played their very last show together. Five ‘Monsters of Rock’ Festival dates in Europe were to be their last shows of their massive 1984 tour. Those festival dates kicked off Aug 18th in Leicestershire, England, and ran through Sept 2nd in Nuremburg, … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Responds to Jason Becker’s Ice Bucket Challange & Donates (Again) to ALS
UPDATED 9/26/14: A month ago, Jason Becker, the famous guitarist afflicted with ALS, challenged David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, and John Mayer to do the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Mayer filmed his ice bucket challenge, and Roth publicly made a donation and urged others to do so. No one heard from Ed Van Halen. A week later, Jason said, “It doesn’t matter. Eddie has done so much … [Read more...]
Photos: Van Halen at the Philadelphia Spectrum, Aug 1978
In 1978, the members of Van Halen were thrilled to be opening for the legendary Black Sabbath. "The Sabs," as they called them, were part of their musical youth. To share the stage with them was a dream come true. Ozzy Osbourne, Sabbath's singer at the time, remarked many years later that Van Halen had a profound effect on him. "One of the reasons I left Sabbath was because … [Read more...]
Video & Photos: Van Halen at Monsters of Rock Festival, Castle Donington, England
Updated 8/18/19 with more photos On this day in rock history, Van Halen performed for 65,000 sweaty heavy metal fans at the 'Monsters of Rock' Festival at Donington Park in Castle, Donington, Leicestershire, England. This show was the first Monsters of Rock show out of five the band played to wrap up the 1984 tour. This was also Van Halen’s first U.K. appearance since 1980. The … [Read more...]
Backstage Van Halen Photos From 1979
Legendary rock photographer Ross Halfin has shot Van Halen many times over the years. Here's his backstage shots from Newcastle upon Tyne’s City Hall, June 26th, 1979. The band was three months into their second world tour—their first full tour as headliners. Van Halen II had already gone platinum, and their third work, Women And Children First, would come out just nine months … [Read more...]
Van Halen Plays a Converted Barn on This Day in ’78! (UPDATED)
On Thursday and Friday, August 10th & 11th, 1978, Van Halen performed at a small bar in Wisconsin that was a actually converted barn. Yes, a BARN! The band arrived in a van and played on a small stage up in the hay loft! Tickets were six bucks, burgers were a dollar, and hay covered the floor. This show has to be one of smallest and most unique gigs of their entire … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Mike & Playboy Bunny Backstage
We'd like to think that if you were to walk into the hallowed backstage area of an early Van Halen gig at any given time, you'd be greeted by something like this. “All Access” Photos is a weekly feature at VHND.com. Every weekend we feature a photo from a roadie, friend, or band insider. Many are never-seen-before exclusives. Tune in every weekend for more! … [Read more...]