That time I asked Alex Van Halen what the best thing was about being in Van Halen

By Steve Newton Here's the last excerpt I'm gonna post from my 1995 interview with Alex Van Halen. I'd like to thank author Greg Renoff for his help in getting these audio clips to the hardcore Van Halen fans. I highly recommend his book Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved … Continue reading That time I asked Alex Van Halen what the best thing was about being in Van Halen

That time Alex Van Halen told me how Van Halen would “raise a stink” across L.A. until it paid off

By Steve Newton If you want to know the real story of how Van Halen went from being a backyard party band to America's hard-rock kings, check out author Gregg Renoff's 2015 book Van Halen Rising. And for the condensed version, check out this excerpt from my 1995 interview with Alex Van Halen. Have a listen: … Continue reading That time Alex Van Halen told me how Van Halen would “raise a stink” across L.A. until it paid off

The ferocious fire of Eddie Van Halen lights up early soundboard recording

By Steve Newton Well, hey--good things come in pairs, I suppose. No sooner had I finished blogging about the possibility of the Foo Fighters playing some Van Halen in Vancouver tomorrow than I came across this newly uploaded video of VH performing the Kinks' "All Day and All Of the Night" live at the Pasadena Civic … Continue reading The ferocious fire of Eddie Van Halen lights up early soundboard recording

Van Halen “rock concert” flyer from early Pasadena High School gig unveiled by author Greg Renoff

By Steve Newton If you're anything like me—and by that I mean an old guy who grew up loving guitar-rock in the seventies—that first Van Halen album of '78 was one of the most amazing things ever. At the time, I could barely comprehend how raunchy it was. Eddie's guitarwork was inconceivably fierce. Diamond Dave's caveman … Continue reading Van Halen “rock concert” flyer from early Pasadena High School gig unveiled by author Greg Renoff