UPDATED with more photos 5/28/15:
Guitar legend Nuno Bettencourt jumped onstage unannounced to jam the Van Halen classic “Hot For Teacher’ with The AtomicPunks.com on the Beach Stage of the 2015 Monsters Of Rock Cruise.
The Atomic Punks — the longest-running and most popular Van Halen tribute band — were thrilled when the Extreme’s guitarist jumped onstage for the impromptu performance. Watch the video above.
Nuno was just relaxing on the beach when he decided to join the band. Punks guitarist Lance Turner handed over his red Frankie replica, and Nuno promptly took the stage barefoot, wearing only boardshorts and a “Keep Calm and Call Saul” tank top.
Despite being totally unprepared, the guitar virtuoso did a good job and had a blast. Halfway through the song, he said to the crowd, “I apologize. I haven’t played that since I was 14.” After the performance, he pointed to Punks singer Brian Geller and joked, “I think this guy needs to join Van Halen tomorrow.”
Lots of musicians came to watch the Punks serve up the vintage VH! Billy Sheehan, White Lion’s Mike Tramp, Derek St. Holmes, Lita Ford’s band, and the bands Stryper, Black ‘n Blue, and Faster Pussycat. Billy Sheehan later told Neil Zlozower that he should recruit the Punks singer, Brian Geller, and call up Greg Bissonette and Steve Vai and go out and do all the Eat ‘Em And Smile material!
Besides all the musicians that checked out the Punks show on the beach, two great guys from Van Halen’s early days entourage were there: photographer Neil Zlozower and Michael Anthony bass tech Kevin Dugan. Both “Zloz” and “Dugie” were telling us they were having some serious flashbacks to early Van Halen during the Punk’s shows.
The 2015 Monsters of Rock Cruise was quite an event! Some of the VHND staff were there, and we think the two performances each by The Atomic Punks and Extreme were the highlights of the jam-packed rock cruise.
Thanks to Punks bassist Joe Lester for putting together this video. Follow The Atomic Punks on their website and Facebook.
Photos: Most photos are by Igor Vidyashev. Who is Igor? Well, he is only Neil Zlozower’s favorite photographer! Check out all the amazing concert photos on Igor’s Facebook page and website, Rockxposure.com. Other photos by Iron Mike, Jeff Serpa, and Gunner Kal Rocktography.
Drummer Scott Patterson
