Billy Sheehan says there was a line you couldn't cross with David Lee Roth and that line was made of duct tape. Below is an article on Sheehan's comments regarding Roth's 1988 Skyscraper tour. It was contributed to the Van Halen News Desk by Ultimate-Guitar's Greg Prato: One of rock's great "What ifs?" will forever be, "What if David Lee Roth's 'Eat 'Em and Smile' band … [Read more...]
Van Halen News
Satriani Continues To Unravel The Mystery Of Edward Van Halen’s Technique
With the upcoming Sammy Hagar "Best Of All Worlds" tour less than four months away, Joe Satriani says he's still working hard to capture the unique guitar style of Edward Van Halen. A task he admits is quite daunting. Below is an excerpt from Satriani's recent interview with Classic Rock's Gary Graff. Joe Satriani is in the midst of a tour with longtime friend, and former … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar (Super) Sunday Coming To TV
An all-day celebration of Sammy Hagar is coming to AXS TV next month! The network released the following press release on Friday (3/28): (AXS TV) The Red Rocker, beloved music icon Sammy Hagar, will be celebrated by AXS TV with an all-day marathon, Sammy Super Sunday, packed with powerhouse performances, insightful sitdowns, unforgettable jam sessions, and more-airing … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen Brings Out Father’s Frankenstein Guitar On Podcast
Wolfgang Van Halen recently showcased his father's famous Frankenstein guitar. He joined Foo Fighters guitarist Chris Shiflett on his podcast “Shred with Shifty”. During the interview, Wolfgang brought out Edward's famous red, black, and white guitar when discussing its history. From Shred with Shifty: The well-known heir of rock royalty breaks down his own takes on his … [Read more...]
Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony Discuss Van Halen’s ‘5150’ Creation
In a newly released video, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony look back on the making of the Van Halen album released 38 years ago this week - 5150. Hagar posted the video, which you can watch above, along with his and Anthony's thoughts on the album: "You can hear the joy we had making this record when you listen back even now. You had four talented people on the same page, … [Read more...]
Billy Sheehan On Roth’s Initial Guitarist Choice Before Vai
Before there was Steve Vai, there was another Steve on David Lee Roth's radar when it came to choosing a guitarist for his solo band. During a recent podcast interview, former David Lee Roth bassist Billy Sheehan talked about the formation of the Eat 'Em and Smile band and the guitarist Roth initially had in mind before hiring Vai. Below is an excerpt from Greg Prato's … [Read more...]
‘Van Halen II’ Anniversary Celebrated On ‘In The Studio’
On March 23rd, 1979, Van Halen released Van Halen II. In celebration of its 45th anniversary, the syndicated radio show In The Studio with Red Beard has shared its original documentary on the album. Below is what host Red Beard has to say about the album 35 years later along with the special: The quintessential American hard rock band Van Halen's 1978 debut probably … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Gets Up For New Cover Of ‘Jump’
There's a new cover of Van Halen's "Jump" and this version's got David Lee Roth up. About a month ago, solo artist Alex Melton recorded an "Acoustic Alt-Pop Indie Rock Cover" of Van Halen's number one single from 1984. Today, Roth showed his approval by uploading a video featuring Melton's version, which you can see above. In it is archival footage of Roth and his late … [Read more...]
Happy Birthday Wolfgang Van Halen!
Edward Van Halen lit the fire in the group that bears his name. Now his son is blazing his own trail as a solo artist. This is the story of Wolfgang Van Halen. Born March 16th, 1991, named after the classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Wolfgang William Van Halen is the son of Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli, and the … [Read more...]
When Gene Simmons Asked Ace Frehley To Play Eddie Van Halen’s Solo: ‘He Was Furious’
Gene Simmons recently once asked Ace Frehley to play a guitar solo exactly like Eddie Van Halen on a KISS track and it's safe to say that didn't go over well with Ace. Below is an excerpt from a recent article written for Ultimate-Guitar by Greg Prato: Producer Ted Templeman is often credited with discovering Van Halen and helping them sign a deal with Warner Bros. … [Read more...]
Five Kids, One Dream: Seeing Van Halen Live
Forty years ago this month, five Cincinnati, Ohio kids barely in their teens got the chance to witness their very first Van Halen concert. The biggest band in rock and roll came to the Cincinnati Gardens and gave them an experience that would last a lifetime and it's all told in the brand-new book Jump: 40th Anniversary of Attending the "1984" Van Halen Concert by author Jim … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen Already Planning Third Mammoth WVH Album
Expect to hear a third Mammoth WVH album in the future, it's just a matter of when Wolfgang Van Halen can find the time during a hectic touring schedule. Wolfgang recently told Ultimate Classic Rock's Matt Wardlaw he's in the early process of coming up with the music for a follow up to 2023's Mammoth II and it won't hit shelves until the second half of 2025 at the … [Read more...]