In late December 1979, Eddie Van Halen phoned Guitar Player editor Jas Obrecht to catch up. Van Halen had just wrapped up the eight-day recording session that became the band’s third album Women and Children First, and Eddie wanted to see how his friend was doing and give him the scoop on the album. Upon learning Obrecht was working on a DIY guitar-building piece for Guitar Player, Eddie offered to impart his unique insight on the subject. He called back a couple of days later to discuss homemade guitars as well as to rant a little about copycat builders and blatant knock-offs of some of his innovations and playing style. Read the full transcript of the conversation, only part of which eventually ran as part of the Eddie Van Halen cover story of the April 1980 issue of Guitar Player.
Enjoy!
Happy 57th Birthday, Edward Van Halen!
Van Halen - “Tattoo”
Here’s the video for “Tattoo,” the fist single from the upcoming Van Halen album A Different Kind of Truth, the first full release from the VH brothers in 13 years and their first with Diamond Dave in 28 years. At first blush, the guitars and vocal harmonies sound great, but the song itself is just not doing it for me. I doubt I’ll pick this one up, at least not on its release on February 7, but I’m going to keep my eye on Van Halen to see where this thing goes. It may prove to be more interesting than I’m giving it credit for.
Enjoy!
Read what Eddie Van Halen referred to as his “first major interview”—a low-key chat with then Guitar Player assistant editor Jas Obrecht after the writer had been blown off by Pat Travers. Believe it or not, the July 23, 1978 interview took place after a friendly one-on-one basketball game between the two on a makeshift backstage court, each one unaware of who the other was at first.
Enjoy!
Officially-licensed EVH Flip Flops at VanHalenStore.com
Happy Birthday, Edward Van Halen! Photo by Alan Light.
I don’t know how you can manage to screw up Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” but somehow Pearl Jam manages to do it in the following clip. I much prefer the Minutemen cover on the SST compilation The Blasting Concept Volume II.
