The Nashville Drummers Jam 7 is a charity event that pulls in top players in Nashville that honors a drummer while donating to a charity. Past drummers have been Stewart Copeland, Neil Peart, Jeff Porcaro, Jerry Gaskill, and John Bonham. This year it's Alex Van Halen! And the organizers say it's gonna be the most epic Nashville Drummers Jam yet. Al was cool enough to send … [Read more...]
Alex Van Halen
Alex Van Halen’s 2015 Ludwig Classic Maple Drum Set (PHOTOS)
Ludwig presents a behind the scenes photo tour of Alex Van Halen's 2015 Ludwig Classic Maple Drum Set! A huge thank you to Ludwig for giving this rare glimpse of Alex's "Heavy Artillery"! Check out Ludwig-drums.com and their Facebook page, which is where these are from. … [Read more...]
‘VAN HALEN RISING’ is Coming!
Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal is a new book coming this October that solely focuses on Van Halen’s incredible rise during the ‘70s. We have an advance copy, and trust us — this book is absolutely loaded with wild and interesting details on Van Halen’s beginnings that even the most knowledgeable fans have never heard. It's … [Read more...]
Photos: Alex Van Halen Inducted into Hollywood Rockwalk Hall Of Fame
The most individual and under-celebrated drummer in the world, and a man who simply and sincerely enjoyed pounding on things — Alex Van Halen — was inducted into the Hollywood Rockwalk Hall Of Fame on this day in 1991, alongside Ginger Baker, Carmine Appice , John Bonham, Keith Moon, and Buddy Rich. Thats pretty good company! Alex Van Halen places his handprints in cement as … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Shares his Musical Journey at Smithsonian Event (Video)
Eight years ago today, the legendary Edward Van Halen appeared at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington D.C., headlining an event that was part of the national “What It Means to Be American” program. The three-year initiative is aimed at engaging leading public thinkers and Americans in all walks of life to explore how the nation has become what it … [Read more...]
No Esquire Interview
We just spoke with Esquire magazine, and they do NOT have an interview with Van Halen in the works. It's a widespread rumor as of last night, but it's false. We apologize for the error. … [Read more...]
Eddie & Alex Van Halen’s Gift to Paraquat Kelley (UPDATED)
UPDATE #1: Scroll down to see MORE PHOTOS that we added today. UPDATE #2, from Paraquat: Paraquat tells the Van Halen News Desk, "Thanks to my brothers Eddie and Alex for stopping bye for a hang with Paraquat Kelley today to support Melody Rogers and me for the upcoming Mighty Met Acoustic Flashback on Dec 14 @ the Canyon Club in Augora Whoo Ya!" Here's photos and video … [Read more...]
Alex Van Halen Drum Intro is Voted Best Ever
The drum intro to Van Halen classic "Hot For Teacher" has been voted the best of all time – ahead of work by Led Zeppelin, Rush, Guns N’ Roses, Nirvana, and Queens Of The Stone Age. The team at Rhythm magazine have pulled together a massive list charting the 101 greatest ever drum intros. From Dave Grohl's iconic 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' pick up fill with Nirvana to the … [Read more...]
Friends of the Boys: Visiting Jan Van Halen (35 Years Ago Today)
The home where Eddie and Alex Van Halen grew up in Pasadena, as it looked in 2013. (Photo: Karen Nuremberg Sonner) A very unique story from 35 years ago today, by VHND contributing writer, Doug Fox. Written for VHND and The Editing Room Floor: Click, snap, clack, pop, clink ... There's a lot of things that go through a teenager's mind while standing on a doorstep at … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Returning to Holland, 1978
The Van Halen brothers in Holland on May 5th, 1978. This stop, two months into their first world tour, was their first visit back to their home country. Photo by Kees Baars. “All Access” 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...]
Jan Van Halen’s Story
By VHND contributing writer Kevin Dodds, author of Edward Van Halen: A Definitive Biography Jan Van Halen—the patriarch of the entire, extended Van Halen family—was a perpetually working-class musician until the release of Diver Down in 1982. He was over sixty years old when he finally landed his biggest gig: tracking a song in a recording studio with his two sons for a band … [Read more...]
7-Year-Old drummer Avery Rocks Van Halen’s “Everybody Wants Some!!”
Our favorite little drummer is back! And this time Avery is kicking some butt on the Van Halen drums-filled classic, “Everybody Wants Some!!” Avery says, "Playing the same fill pattern over and over again was really hard to do. Hope you like it." How do you think he did? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Avery's t-shirt: Avery is rockin' a really cool … [Read more...]