Then the guy goes, "Now boys before I hand over the keys you've got to promise me that you'll handle this car resonsibly and follow these 3 simple rules. Rule number 1- No sex in the car; Rule number 2- No drugs in the car; And rule number 3- No rock and roll in the car. Can you boys promise me that?" Backstage in Midland, Texas, 1979. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Spaghetti Time
The Van Halen brothers eating spaghetti. ("Hey, they're just like us! They eat spaghetti!") Seriously, THIS is an "All Access" photo. What's more behind-the-scenes than Van Halen eatin' spaghetti? This is a another never-seen shot from an former VH roadie. By the way, the guy in the orange shirt is Dennis from the lighting crew. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a … [Read more...]
Eddie Van Halen’s “Top Down” From ‘The Wild Life’
Another Van Halen News Desk exclusive! Here's what we call "Top Down", 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. In the movie, the guys where blasting this song while … [Read more...]
VHND’s All Access Photo: Backstage Guitars
A never seen photo of the band's guitars backstage during the '82 Diver Down tour. Three rarely seen guitars of Ed's, one of Dave's and five of Michael's basses. “All Access” Van Halen photos is a weekly feature at VHND.com. Every weekend we will be posting a photo from a roadie, friend, or band insider. Many will be exclusives that have never been seen anywhere before. … [Read more...]
Steve Vai on Van Halen: “It is only the most elite of elite musicians whose unconventional approach becomes convention.”
"I first heard Van Halen on the radio at a party in college, and it sounded like electric adrenaline. When this sonic elixir hit the country, it unleashed hard rock hysteria. At that time, the identity of most drummers was buried in triggers and reverb. But when you heard Alex, his sound and energy were undeniable, and the tone quality of Michael Anthony’s background singing … [Read more...]