An Analysis of the Diver Down album and "Hide Your Sheep" Tour By Scott Essman This year marks the 30th anniversary of Diver Down, Van Halen's fifth album. Some are quick to criticize the album because it contains several covers. However, Diver Down had moments that matched the brilliance of nearly anything the band has released, and 1982 was one of the most spectacular … [Read more...]
Van Halen News
Upcoming Japanese Van Halen TV Special to Contain New Interviews
We have some exclusive details about the upcoming Van Halen Japanese TV Special airing next week. Here's everything we know: *It will be broadcast in Japan, Tuesday, August 7th on BS-TBS. It is part of the SONG TO SOUL series. The entire show focuses on Van Halen's #1 hit, "Jump." *The show is nearly one hour long - much longer than other "Song to Soul" episodes. *All … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen Talks Bass
Yesterday we featured an excerpt from Guitar World's recent interview with Wolfgang Van Halen (August 2012 issue) where he describes the birth of the new Van Halen album, "A Different Kind Of Truth." The following is another excerpt where Wolfgang talks bass, influences, and more. Interview by Chris Gill. The current version of Van Halen is to music what a street rod is to … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen Describes the Birth of “A Different Kind of Truth”
The following is an excerpt from Guitar World’s recent interview with Wolfgang Van Halen. The full interview can be found in the August issue. As impressive as Wolfgang's playing and singing is, what's even more extraordinary is how his addition to the band has given Van Halen a new vitality. While it seems like a miracle that "A Different Kind Of Truth" was even made, what … [Read more...]
Van Halen Retrospective 1978-2012 Fan-Made Video
This Van Halen video is a retrospective of their entire career, made by lennonfan101((*J*)). Don't let the words "fan-made" turn you off... he did a great job and it's worth watching! Enjoy! … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s “Jump” Voted Most Popular Sporting Song
From NME.com: Van Halen's "Jump" has been voted as the most popular sporting song in a new poll. PRS for Music, the organization which collects royalties on behalf of 90,000 songwriters and performers, polled its members to find out what the most popular sporting song was in the run up to the Olympics. The Top 20 also includes "The Winner Takes It All" by ABBA, "Eye of the … [Read more...]
Van Halen “Unchained” 1982 Lip-Sync
Here's a rare treat. A little-known clip of Van Halen lip-syncing "Unchained" for Spanish TV which aired in 1982. Keep in mind that seeing Van Halen on TV was something that almost never happened back then. And when you did actually get to see a great rock band on TV, it was often a lip-sync performance, which was standard practice, since the TV studios usually didn’t have … [Read more...]
Watch Van Halen’s First Unplugged Performance from This Day in 1993
Updated 11/6/2016: We've just updated this article with professionally filmed video of this complete performance On this day in 1993 (Nov. 6th), Sammy Hagar and Edward Van Halen performed together at Neil Young’s Bridge School Benefit concert in California. Professionally shot footage of the five-song performance can be viewed below. Here's the recap we wrote way back … [Read more...]
Dweezil Zappa’s Ongoing Tribute To Van Halen
When Dweezil Zappa's "Zappa Plays Zappa" tour hit Raleigh, NC, Earlier this month, Zappa shared the story of how he met Eddie Van Halen, much like when he shared the story during his tour three years ago. This time he played "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" as well as "Eruption". From Raleighmusic.com: There was a musical aside when Dweezil grabbed a black guitar with yellow … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s 40th Anniversary
Special thanks to Pasadena Magazine for sharing their article with VHND readers! Pasadena, CA, July 2, 2012 — Pasadena Magazine is proud to celebrate the 40th anniversary of hard rocking local boys Van Halen with a cover story by writer, musician and air guitar champion Dan Crane (star of Air Guitar Nation), pegged to the release of their latest album, A Different Kind of … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Promoting Tour And Sword Training In Japan
We're excited to report that David Lee Roth is currently in Japan doing promotions for the upcoming Van Halen dates. He is also sword training with a Shungendo monk, Sueyoshi Akeshi. Three Japan Van Halen Concert dates have been officially announced by the band so far, as part of their "A Different Kind Of Truth" World Tour: November 20: Osaka (Sold out) November 22: … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s “A Different Kind Of Truth” Sixth Best Selling Rock or Pop Album Of 2012
Van Halen's critically acclaimed new album "A Different Kind Of Truth" is the sixth best selling rock or pop album so far this year. From Billboard: Top Selling Pop/Rock Albums Year-To-Date 2012 Artist / Title / Year to Date Sales* 1. Gotye /Making Mirrors / 538,000 2. Bruce Springsteen / Wrecking Ball / 425,000 3. The Black Keys / El Camino / 424,000 4. … [Read more...]