Credit: Neil Zlozower A brand-new mini-documentary on the creation of Edward Van Halen's iconic Frankenstein guitar has been released and it's a must-see! The video, produced by Simon Alkin and posted on his YouTube channel Icons Remembered, is narrated by Edward himself, telling his own story of the path that led him to create Frankenstein between 1967 and 1977. … [Read more...]
Gene Simmons: ‘Paul Stanley Should’ve Taken My Advice And Signed Van Halen’
Credit: Neil Zlozower Regrets. Gene Simmons has had a few. One he often talks about is his missed opportunity getting a then-unknown Van Halen signed. Here's an excerpt from a recent article by Ultimate-Guitar's Greg Prato: Throughout the history of rock music, there have certainly been quite a few close calls and "What if?" scenarios. And high on the list would … [Read more...]
Sunset Strip Veteran Shares Front-Row Tales Of Van Halen’s Rise
Former Sunset Strip veteran musician Loren Molinare recently appeared on Final Resonance TV’s Van Halen Stories Podcast to discuss his front-row seat to the rise of Van Halen as the guitarist/vocalist for Detroit Rockers The Dogs. During the mid to late 1970s, The Dogs opened for Van Halen often, including a gig at The Pasadena Civic Auditorium, just after Van Halen signed … [Read more...]
Great White’s Mark Kendall: Van Halen’s Secret? Cold Calling
Credit: Neil Zlozower Eddie had his guitar, Dave had his mic. They also had a phone, which they put to very good use back in the day. During a recent appearance on the Booked On Rock podcast with the VHND's Eric Senich, Great White guitarist Mark Kendall shared a conversation he once had with David Lee Roth. It was at a time when Van Halen was a constant presence on … [Read more...]
A Look Inside: ‘Van Halen at 50’
'Van Halen at 50' is the new hardcover coffee table book by rock 'n' roll author Martin Popoff, coming May 28th, 2024. Here's an exclusive look inside! But do you need to wait until May 28th to get it? Not if you order it directly from Van Halen Store. They're shipping the book NOW, so it could be in your hands within a few days! 'Van Halen at 50' is a gorgeously crafted … [Read more...]
Could A ‘Van Halen Rising’ Movie Be Coming?
News broke today about the possibility of a movie based on the highly acclaimed book by Greg Renoff - Van Halen Rising - the book that charts the iconic band's journey from Pasadena locals to rock legends. What the chances are it'll happen, we don't know yet. But it's possible. Renoff has posted an update to Facebook: Some exciting news broke today, about me and my book … [Read more...]
Exclusive: Childhood Friend Recalls Eddie Van Halen’s Early Years
Credit: Neil Zlozower In an exclusive interview with the Van Halen News Desk's Jeff Goebel, Eddie Van Halen’s childhood friend Tom Broderick revealed private moments with Eddie and Van Halen from 1968 to 2019. Tom’s older brothers Rob and Rick were the first to meet Eddie doing paper routes in the Pasadena area they lived at. Rob, a drummer, even jammed with Eddie in … [Read more...]
George Lynch Recalls Early Van Halen Memories
Credit: Neil Zlozower George Lynch opened up about his earliest memories of a "hungry", "on fire", and "vicious" club-era Van Halen in a recent interview. Lynch (Dokken, Lynch Mob) told the Van Halen New Desk's Jeff Goebel he saw Van Halen for the first time at The Golden West Ballroom in Norwalk, California. Lynch said it was the best show he had ever seen by the … [Read more...]
David Lee Roth’s Temporary Sex Office
Credit: Neil Zlozower Don Dokken came a knockin' but David Lee was too busy knockin' boots. During a recent appearance on The Hook Rocks! podcast, Dokken revealed Netflix is currently "making a movie about Dokken from the '80s" akin to Mötley Crüe's 2019 Netflix biopic The Dirt. One story to make the film, according to Dokken, has to do with David Lee Roth getting … [Read more...]
Early Van Halen Stories With Great White’s Mark Kendall (VIDEO)
Great White guitarist Mark Kendall was the latest guest in Final Resonance TV's "Van Halen Stories" series. Kendall witnessed the rise of Van Halen from their backyard party days to becoming the biggest rock and roll band in the land. Kendall was a high school student in Huntington Beach, California at the time he first saw Van Halen perform at a junkyard for one dollar. … [Read more...]
Grand Funk’s Mark Farner Recalls Phone Call With Eddie Van Halen: ‘Nothing But Compliments & Love’ (VIDEO)
Original Grand Funk Railroad frontman and guitarist Mark Farner recalled an impromptu phone conversation with Eddie Van Halen during a recent podcast appearance. Farner's riffs were familiar to those who had the chance to catch Van Halen back in their club days as they covered more than a few Grand Funk Railroad songs. Years later, Eddie would have the chance to offer his … [Read more...]
Guitarist Tracy G On Seeing Van Halen In 1976: ‘It Just Ran Over Me Like A Truck’ (VIDEO)
Guitarist Tracy G recently recalled seeing Van Halen perform in 1976 at the Golden West Ballroom in Norwalk, California. It was literally a jaw-dropping experience. "It just ran over me like a truck and I'm just standing there with my mouth open," Tracy (Dio, Love/Hate, Riff Raff) told host Jeff Goebel during a recent appearance on Final Resonance TV. "This was a band. … [Read more...]