Van Halen
All of the Van Halen related videos and podcasts we have.
In 1984, Van Halen experienced great success with their album “Diver Down” and a highly successful tour. However, behind the scenes, the band members were facing internal tensions and conflicts. The album included cover songs due to time constraints. During this time, Eddie Van Halen connected with Frank Zappa and had a jam session at Zappa’s studio. Eddie also produced a song for Dweezil Zappa. Inspired by their experiences, Eddie and his engineer, Donn Landee, decided to build their own home studio called 5150. The band’s relationships continued to deteriorate, leading to their separation after the Diver Down tour.
In 1984, Van Halen experienced great success with their album “Diver Down” and a highly successful tour. However, behind the scenes, the band members were facing internal tensions and conflicts. The album included cover songs due to time constraints. During this time, Eddie Van Halen connected with Frank Zappa and had a jam session at Zappa’s studio. Eddie also produced a song for Dweezil Zappa. Inspired by their experiences, Eddie and his engineer, Donn Landee, decided to build their own home studio called 5150. The band’s relationships continued to deteriorate, leading to their separation after the Diver Down tour.
Unraveling Van Halen’s iconic 1984 album, witness a legendary band’s musical brilliance, turmoil, and triumphs in this revealing documentary. And as the band basks in the glory of success, tensions rise, egos clash, and behind-the-scenes drama threatens to tear them apart, ultimately foreshadowing the heart-wrenching events that would eventually lead to Van Halen’s dramatic and tumultuous breakup…
The 1984 Van Halen tour marked the peak of their mainstream success, with the original lineup inching closer to their downfall. Despite grossing millions in ticket sales, the tour exposed cracks within the band.
After six albums and millions of concert tickets, David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen split. Did David Lee Roth quit? Was he fired, or neither? The original Van Halen lineup ended, and the band underwent significant changes with Hagar’s arrival, signifying a new chapter in their music career.
Rare Van Halen Interviews
In this episode, we have Van Halen’s Diamond David Lee Roth.. At the time of this interview in December 1984, Roth was 31 years old, and only months away from no longer being in Van Halen. In the interview, Roth talks about the future of Van Halen, his need for attention, whether he’s a bad role model, and what he wants on his tombstone. And in a Tapes Archive exclusive, Mr. Roth busts into an impromptu freestyle rap.
In this episode, we have the Red Rocker Sammy Hagar. At the time of this interview in 1997, Hagar was 50 years old, freshly out of Van Halen, and promoting his new album Marching to Mars and his upcoming tour. In the interview, Hagar talks in detail about how he saw the break-up between him and Van Halen, his dislike for manager Ray Daniels, and his new musician best buddy Mickey Hart.
This is one of the best David Lee Roth interviews I have ever heard. Down to earth, open, funny, intelligent, coherent, self-deprecating, and honest.
Plus bonus 1985 Eddie Van Halen interview
In the interview Van Halen talks about:
Van Halen days before being signed
Working with Ted Templeman
The best heavy metal band he ever saw play live
The future of Van Halen
And more…
In the interview, Hagar talks about:
His advice for Axl Rose
What he expects for Van Halen’s latest record
Why Van Halen fans trust them
The secret to Van Halen
The meaning behind the songs “Man on a Mission” and “Poundcake”
The dream that’s over
The guy who’s trying to build a house on the beach
And more…
Rare Van Halen Cover Song
17-year-old Eddie Van Halen, brother Alex, and Mark Stone cover Black Sabbath’s classic War Pigs, aka Walpurgis. Possibly recorded at the club Gas Company in Pasadena, California, in 1972. It may be one of the earliest known recordings of Mammoth.
Eddie Van Halen (RIP) – Guitar and vocals
Alex Van Halen – Drums
Mark Stone (RIP) – Bass
Special thanks to Jorge from vhvoaboots.jcink.net for uncovering this rare gem.
Van Halen lost articles and books
The article below originally published in the September 1982 Musician magazine. It was written by J.D. Considine.
The article below was originally published in the June 1984 Musician magazine. And was written by Charles M. Young.
An article that was originally published in the April 1985 Recording Engineer Producer magazine. And was written by 5150 studio designer Howard Weiss. Read it here
David Lee Roth freestyle from 1984
