In a new interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, legendary bassist Billy Sheehan (The Winery Dogs, Talas, Mr. Big, David Lee Roth) talked about his moments sharing the stage with Van Halen, a dream which would eventually lead to a full-time gig with Roth’s solo band in the decadent Eat 'Em And Smile lineup that also featured guitarist Steve Vai and drummer Gregg … [Read more...]
Van Halen News
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...]
Watch The Van Halen Brother’s Instrumental Jam at the US Festival
Enjoy this clear footage from the US Festival, 32 years ago! Through the intense instrumental "Girl Gone Bad," to Ed's melodic tapping of "Women in Love," to a reworked "I'm So Glad," the Van Halen? brothers take us on a ride that we don't want to end! A new, high quality 9-minute video clip of Van Halen's performance at the 1983 US Festival has been released online and can be … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: 5150 Studios, 1985
Eddie Van Halen feeling at home in his 5150 Studios, 1985. We published this photo in The Inside magazine, but it's never appeared online until now. “All Access” Van Halen 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...]
Eddie Van Halen Talks to Girlfriend (Animated Video)
An animated Eddie Van Halen lets his fingers do the talking in this entertaining animated relationship primer. When it comes to saying just the right thing to your significant other, we could all take a page out of the Eddie's songbook! Watch the video embedded above. This funny cartoon is in the vein of Beavis & Butthead, Saturday Night Live, South Park, Robot Chicken … [Read more...]
This Day in 1992: Van Halen Scores 3 MTV Video Music Awards For “Right Now,” Including ‘Video Of The Year.’
View image | gettyimages.com On Sept 9th, 1992, Van Halen took home three MTV Video Music Awards for their smash hit "Right Now," including 'Video Of The Year.' Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, and the video's director and producer talk about making the music video for "Right Now" (the quotes below are from the book, I Want My MTV: The Uncensored Story of the Music Video … [Read more...]
This Day in 1991: Van Halen Performed “Poundcake” on the VMAs
On this day in 1991, Van Halen opened the MTV Video Music Awards with a live performance of "Poundcake." The show's host, Arsenio Hall, enthusiastically introduced the band as "The Greatest American Rock And Roll band EVER!" More about Poundcake: Three main guitar tracks make up this song, from the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge album. They include two tracks of … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Backstage in Midland
Then the guy goes, "Now boys before I hand over the keys you've got to promise me that you'll handle this car resonsibly and follow these 3 simple rules. Rule number 1- No sex in the car; Rule number 2- No drugs in the car; And rule number 3- No rock and roll in the car. Can you boys promise me that?" Backstage in Midland, Texas, 1979. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Spaghetti Time
The Van Halen brothers eating spaghetti. ("Hey, they're just like us! They eat spaghetti!") Seriously, THIS is an "All Access" photo. What's more behind-the-scenes than Van Halen eatin' spaghetti? This is a another never-seen shot from an former VH roadie. By the way, the guy in the orange shirt is Dennis from the lighting crew. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Backstage Guitars
A never seen photo of the band's guitars backstage during the '82 Diver Down tour. Three rarely seen guitars of Ed's, one of Dave's and five of Michael's basses. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a weekly feature at VHND.com. Every weekend we will be posting a photo from a roadie, friend, or band insider. Many will be exclusives that have never been seen anywhere before. … [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...]
“Thanks for a great tour!” (New Video from David Lee Roth)
David Lee Roth just uploaded a new video which thanks us for another great tour. Likewise, we'd like to give Van Halen a very heartfelt thank you for a truly mind-blowing album and, as Dave said, another great tour in 2012-2013!! … [Read more...]