This is an excerpt from the all-new January/February 2014 issue of Guitar Aficionado magazine. A Different Kind of Trove: Cool, unusual, and full of surprises, Ed Van Halen’s extraordinary guitar collection reveals the legendary player’s endless fascination with the tools of his trade. By Chris Gill | Photo by Kevin Scanlon Most guitarists and fans who have paid close … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen News
31 Years Ago: Eddie Van Halen Collaborates with Michael Jackson for Thriller
31 years ago today (Nov 30) Michael Jackson's colossal album, Thriller, was released. Eddie Van Halen collaborated with Jackson on the album's third single,"Beat It," and wrote and performed the guitar solo for the song. Upon the song's release on the radio, Eddie remembers standing in line at Tower Records when ‘Beat It’ started playing. “The solo comes on, and I hear … [Read more...]
Eight Steps to Becoming a Legendary Hair Metal Guitarist
Guitar World recently made a pretty funny list, Eight Steps to Becoming a Legendary Hair Metal Guitarist. Just try to read through this list without thinking of Eddie Van Halen! Here it is: From fashion trends to movie remakes, the '80s are back with a vengeance. But are neon-colored Wayfarers and tiger-print bikinis enough to bring back the decade’s most recognizable … [Read more...]
‘Brian May and Friends: Star Fleet Project’ with Eddie Van Halen
The "just for fun" Star Fleet Project project consisted of Queen's Brian May, Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alan Gratzer (of REO Speedwagon), Phil Chen (session bassist who played with Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart), and Fred Mandel (session keyboard player who also played as additional keyboard player on Queen's Hot Space World Tour and The Works). Roger Taylor, Queen's drummer, … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen Donates Guitar For ‘Last Chance For Animals’ Auction
Eddie Van Halen is donated two items for a live auction this Saturday, Oct 26th, for Last Chance for Animals. Eddie donated a signed EVH Stripes Series guitar (Ed signed the head stock and the body) and a personalized Hockey Jersey that he owned. Rumors are that Eddie might attend the auction Saturday. Last Chance for Animals (LCA) is a national, non-profit organization … [Read more...]
A Very Special Gift From Eddie Van Halen
Yesterday, Eddie Van Halen visited his friend, photographer Christopher Ameruoso. Ed presented him with a a very special gift - a signed EVH Stripes Series guitar! Christopher tells VHND, "Eddie has been so cool with me since we did the photos shoot together for the Elvis tribute. I love the guitar and Eddie did sign it to me on two spots on the guitar the head stock and the … [Read more...]
This Day in 1982: Eddie Van Halen Fractures Wrist
On this day in 1982, Eddie Van Halen hurt his wrist while “horsing around” in his hotel room. That same day, his right wrist was x-rayed at Hand Surgery Associates in New York, NY. A broken hairline fracture is found that results in the postponement of three shows on the band's Diver Down tour (two in East Rutherford, NJ and one in Uniondale, NY). The tour resumed for a … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen’s OUTRAGEOUS House Party & Backyard Concert!
On this day in 2006, a grandiose event occurred at the famous 5150 estate. Eddie Van Halen hosted an extravagant and decadent party to celebrate the release of a friend's movie release. The friend was Michael Ninn, and the movie was Sacred Sin. The movie was actually adult film, and much to everyone's surprise, Eddie Van Halen contributed two music tracks to the … [Read more...]
Jeff Beck Praises Eddie Van Halen
Here's what legendary guitarist Jeff Beck has to say about Eddie Van Halen: “I suppose what people are pointing at is Van Halen for being the innovator and the one that committed tapping, hammering-on and harmonic screams to tape before anybody else. That’s quite right. It’s something he should get credit for.” — Jeff Beck, from an interview in Guitar magazine “I … [Read more...]
33 Years Ago: Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar First Perform Together
In a way, the birth of "Van Hagar" was exactly 33 years ago today. It was during the summer of 1985 that rock fans heard the devastating news that Van Halen and David Lee Roth had split up. There were rumors that the band was going to look for a new singer, but that's all that anyone knew. It was September 22, 1985, when "Red Rocker" Sammy Hagar performed at the first Farm Aid, … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: 5150 Studios, 1985
Eddie Van Halen feeling at home in his 5150 Studios, 1985. We published this photo in The Inside magazine, but it's never appeared online until now. “All Access” Van Halen 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...]
Exclusive: Eddie’s “(Nearly) Good Enough” Instrumental from ‘The Wild Life’
Another Van Halen News Desk exclusive! Here’s what we call “(Nearly) Good Enough”, written and performed by Eddie Van Halen in 1983. This track is part of the musical score from the movie The Wild Life, released in 1984. Eddie wrote the entire musical score for the movie, playing guitar along with his electronic drum machine. This piece features some of what ultimately … [Read more...]