December People is a side project where some famous musicians rock up Christmas songs in a classic rock vein and puts on classic rock Christmas shows every December. Watch their Van Halen-ized "Jingle Bells" video below. Note that two members of December People were in Sammy Hagar's solo band. Gary Pihl (now the guitar player in Boston) and David Lauser. Gary Pihl talks … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s ‘On Fire’ Covered by Marzi’s “Heavy As Texas” featuring Tim “Ripper” Owens
Footage of Marzi's "Heavy As Texas" featuring Tim "Ripper" Owens performing Van Halen's "On Fire" can be viewed above. This performance was Saturday (Nov 21st) at the BFE Rock Club in Houston for Marzi Montazeri's Metal Massacre Vol. I. How do you think they did? "On Fire" was the song Van Halen opened with on their very first tour, back in 1978. Learn more about the song … [Read more...]
Van Halen’s ‘Jamie’s Cryin” Gets Jazzy Makeover
Love "Jamie's Cryin'" as much as we do? Want to hear a jazzy makeover? Sure you do. Now, keep an open mind! We appreciate it when bands that aren't primarily rock 'n' roll take a chance with their own interpretation of a Van Halen song. The Erica Lyn Everest Trio from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania took on the Van Halen classic ahead of the band's show at Hershey this … [Read more...]
Watch Foo Fighter Taylor Hawkins Cover Van Halen — Back in High School!
The folks at Loudwire discovered a video of 15-year-old Taylor Hawkins — future drummer of the Foo Fighters — rocking the drumkit on a cover of Van Halen’s “Panama” as part of a High School Battle of the Bands competition in Laguna Beach, Calif. Loudwire writes: The more things change, the more they stay the same. Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins has been known to rock Van … [Read more...]
Watch Billy Sheehan, Jeff Scott Soto & Others Perform Van Halen Set at Ultimate Jam Night
The place to be on Wednesday Nights in Hollywood is the Ultimate Jam Night at Lucky Strike. This Wednesday, some of Hollywood's biggest rock musicians did a whole set of music dedicated to the Mighty Van Halen! Bringing VAN HALEN songs to life were Jeff Scott Soto (Journey, Yngwie Malmsteen), Billy Sheehan (David Lee Roth, Mr. Big, Winery Dogs), Ray Luzier (David Lee Roth, … [Read more...]
Video: Van Halen’s ‘Hot For Teacher’ Covered By Nuno Bettencourt & The Atomic Punks
UPDATED with more photos 5/28/15: Guitar legend Nuno Bettencourt jumped onstage unannounced to jam the Van Halen classic "Hot For Teacher' with The AtomicPunks.com on the Beach Stage of the 2015 Monsters Of Rock Cruise. The Atomic Punks — the longest-running and most popular Van Halen tribute band — were thrilled when the Extreme's guitarist jumped onstage for … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth Appearance in “Hot For Teacher” Music Video by Trisha Paytas
Where is David Lee Roth? He's right here! And we’re guessing he doesn’t feel tardy... Keeping you abreast of the latest Van Halen oddities – here’s Diamond Dave offering up an introduction to Trisha Paytas’ top-heavy spoof of Van Halen’s “Hot For Teacher” video. "Hot For Teacher" is the new single and video released today by Trisha Paytas—a YouTube celebrity/blogger who … [Read more...]
Van Halen “Mean Street” Acoustic Folk Cover
And now for something completely different...here's another Van Halen classic that's been turned into an acoustic folk song! Nashville-based duo State Room interprets Van Halen's epic opener to the Fair Warning album—"Mean Street"—recorded live, in their shower, and in one take. As far as people covering Van Halen, we prefer the risky covers that are totally unique and … [Read more...]
8-Year-Old Drummer Tackles Van Halen’s ‘5150’!
8-year-old drumming sensation Avery Molek returns with an outstanding version of Van Halen’s “5150.” One look at the video and you will clearly see that the Van Halen force is strong with this one. In addition to playing along perfectly with the beat, Avery can seen smiling exuberantly as he lip syncs to the words and plays a little air guitar on a drumstick during an … [Read more...]
Video: Billy Idol Covers Van Halen Classics
Below are 3 videos of Billy Idol (with guitarist Steve Stevens) covering Van Halen. Two performances of “Jump,” and one of “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love.” How do you think he did? “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” performed by Billy Idol with ‘THE BIG BALL STARS’ @ Club Vodka, Hollywood, Ca 3/29/2009. The photo below is from when Eddie and Billy performed together at NAMM in 1987. … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen’s “Spanish Fly” Guitar Solo Covered on PIANO! (New Video)
Updated 4/20/16: NEW, better video below! This is amazing! Watch the video below of famous keyboardist Derek Sherinian cover Eddie Van Halen's acoustic guitar instrumental "Spanish Fly." Hearing this on a piano is like hearing it in a whole new light. It really shows what an incredible piece of music this is! Eddie Van Halen got the idea for this instrumental after … [Read more...]
Foo Fighters Cover “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”
From NME: Foo Fighters headlined the Firefly Music Festival in Delaware Friday night, finishing their set with an encore filled with cover versions. Dave Grohl and his bandmates played their only scheduled date of the summer at the event. Click above to watch their cover Queen's 'Under Pressure'. Elsewhere in the encore, they covered School's Out by Alice Cooper, Miss … [Read more...]