Gregg Bissonette tells Rolling Stone his Van Halen and David Lee Roth stories: I know your earliest professional gigs were with Gino Vannelli and Maynard Ferguson, but tell me how you wound up in the David Lee Roth Band. I was doing an audition for Vinnie Vincent of Kiss. He was starting the Vinnie Vincent Invasion. I went down with Myron Grombacher from Pat Benatar’s … [Read more...]
Van Halen News
Listen to Eddie Van Halen Join Scandal On Stage in 1984
Not many people are aware that Eddie Van Halen joined Patty Smyth's band, Scandal, on stage in 1984. Eddie Van Halen and his then-wife Valerie Bertinelli were good friends with Patty Smyth as Scandal was still riding a wave of popularity after 'The Warrior' became a Top 10 hit song. During Scandal's 1984 tour, Eddie - impromptu - joined Scandal on stage for two songs in … [Read more...]
Quarantine Cover Video of the Van Halen’s ‘Loss Of Control’
Bassist Billy Sheehan, singer Jeff Scott Soto, guitarist Phil Demmel and drummer Dave McClain have teamed up to cover “Loss Of Control," the deep track from Van Halen's third album, Women And Children First. This is their seventh "Collab-A-Jam." Guitarist Phil Demmel explains, "This a song Dave and I have been jamming for a while. It had to be covered. While I was touring … [Read more...]
Patty Smyth Regrets Turning Down Offer To Join Van Halen
Regrets. She’s had a few. Not being lead singer of Van Halen is one of them. Patty Smyth has enjoyed a successful career as both the singer of Scandal (“The Warrior”, “Goodbye To You”) and later as a solo artist (“Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough”) but she could have added another major accomplishment to that list. Back in 1985 Eddie Van Halen and wife Valerie Bertinelli … [Read more...]
Who Decides If Eddie Van Halen Tours Again? ‘It’s Not DLR’ Says Wolfgang
If you’re wondering whether Van Halen will ever tour again don’t ask David Lee Roth. Wolfgang Van Halen made that very clear. Wolfgang recently responded to comments from Roth, who in a recent interview with The New York Times, said, “I don’t know that Eddie Van Halen is ever really going to rally for the rigors of the road again. I don’t even want to say I’ve … [Read more...]
Wolfgang Van Halen: “I’m Not Trying To Be My Father, I’m Trying To Be Me”
Wolfgang Van Halen has taken to social media again lately, to try to make it clear to fans that he's not making a "Van Halen" album, he's making a "Wolfgang Van Halen" album. Wolfgang recently responded to the question on his Instagram page as to whether or not he views his father's legacy/reputation as a gift or a curse. Wolfgang said, "That's a great question. It's really … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Is Letting His Art (Mostly) Do the Talking
Huge new DLR piece in The New York Times today! Since the Covid-19 pandemic forced him off the road, the singer has been making comics at his Los Angeles home, and calling it performance therapy. The Van Halen frontman and solo musician David Lee Roth has devoted himself to making art while quarantined and off the road. Typically, David Lee Roth spends his days, or at … [Read more...]
Epic Eddie Van Halen Guitar Solos Performed on Keyboard
Here's a real treat for the ears! Derek Sherinian is lauded around the world for his distinctive “guitaristic” approach to his keyboard style. Watch him perform classic Eddie Van Halen guitar solos on keyboard. Sherinian's ivory wizardry of guitar on keyboard is a feat that once witnessed, will leave you speechless. Listen to three keyboard interpretations below. Hopefully, … [Read more...]
‘And the Cradle Will Rock…’ Drum Cover by Avery Molek
Watch 13-years-old drummer, Avery Molek, below, cover Van Halen's "And The Cradle Will Rock..." from Van Halen's third album, Women And Children First. Check out Avery’s covers of more Van Halen classics, “Girl Gone Bad!” “Outta Love Again” "I'm The One" "Everybody Wants Some" "5150" "House of Pain", and "Hot For Teacher" at age 6 and 13. You'll be amazed! Keep … [Read more...]
Michael Anthony’s Birthday Show, 6/20/81 Fabulous Forum
Happy Birthday, Michael Anthony! To celebrate "Cannon-mouth's" birthday today, we feature an audio recording of Michael's birthday show during the Fair Warning tour. Listen to Van Halen LIVE at the Fabulous Forum, recorded on June 20th, 1981 in Inglewood, CA, on Michael Anthony’s 27th birthday, below. (Photo Credits: Both photos taken by Mike Romy on … [Read more...]
Video: Van Halen ‘Monsters of Rock’ Buffalo NY, June 19th, 1988
32 years ago today, Van Halen's "The Monsters of Rock" summer stadium tour came to Rich Stadium in Buffalo, New York. This year, a good-quality audience-filmed bootleg surfaced on YouTube. Watch Van Halen's full set, embedded above. Setlist:A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)Summer NightsThere's Only One Way to RockPanamaBass SoloRunnin' With the DevilWhy Can't This Be LoveMine All … [Read more...]
Watch the Earliest Known Van Halen Video Interview!
On this day in 1978, a very young Van Halen was filmed during an interview in London for the Australian TV show, Countdown. This is the earliest Van Halen video interview that has ever surfaced online, and it's an ABSOLUTE GEM! Enjoy! Watch the interview, embedded above. … [Read more...]