Alternate VH “Mean Street” Dweezil Zappa explains on The Roundtable w/ Drew Dempsey

[@MobiusBandwidth]

I could listen to Dweezil talk about Eddie all day.

[@marksavage2310]

Have you heard about his podcast “Runnin with the Dweezil”? He talks about all things Eddie and the minutae of his guitar playing album by album, song by song.

[@jamesball5743]

Good things there are 1000 hours of it.

[@meyou-dv8ns]

I like when Ian Anderson talks about Mozart. and when John Lennon talks about Chuck Berry. but this video. is great too

[@froggy556]

@@MobiusBandwidth well, I think the tongue bath is downright embarrassing, myself.

[@fireloks6362]

Dweezil is a sorely underrated guitar player! He's a monster! \m/

[@joewhitehouseiv3300]

He is a monster and plays his ass off

[@rihamy2nd]

And I’ve never seen an interview or clip of him talking where he doesn’t come across as a genuinely nice person, too.

[@danscott3880]

When your pops is Frank. You got to pick up something...

[@joepinto509]

​@@danscott3880Eddie taught Dweezil very very well ...go listen to Dweezil Zappa rubber band....you can here it you think Eddie made it and played it..

[@sPi711]

He may have been underrated before he started tackling his dad's stuff, but I hardly believe that's true now. It's difficult to imagine that anyone who listens to Dweezil could fail to be knocked out by his playing.

[@SealedOrPorted]

Nothing better than catching that moment a guitarist surprises themselves with a lick, sound, tone, whatever. Eddie and Frank enjoyed so many in their careers.

[@mcpappysgolden]

"Mean Street" has always blown my mind, not simply because of the tapping and harmonics in its beginning, but because of what it segues into. That beautiful "danh danh danh, dunh danh danh, dunh de danh dahna danh danh dunh de duhhhhh...x2, and then the flanger, "chunkachunkachunkachakowwwww." It is amazing how many skills he brought to bear in this intro.

[@jonstirling9169]

Edward VH changed my world. Listening to those first albums taught me everything. I now can play with more intention. He built beautiful musical constructs. I’m no EVH, but I tried really hard. And that’s why I love him. You can’t fake that pure joy.

[@briandavis9921]

Dweezil's no slouch either, one of my favorites, very soulful

[@funhistory]

Here's the extended intro for Mean Street during Edward's solo in Greensboro mentioned by Dweezil: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJXbmmOIYshmntE

[@frankrichards3089]

Wow

[@edwardcoit9748]

Thank you

[@MobiusBandwidth]

thanks, mindblowing. @_@

[@Ojb_1959]

Wow, Thank you🤘

[@kristynsdad]

Thank you Dweezil for your love and respect for Edward. Glad you got to have a personal connection with Ed, the rest of us are just true fans.

[@adamchaifetz5876]

Saw Dweezil when he played all of his Dad's stuff. He is a consummate performer, like his father with unbelievable skills. Killer musician.

[@MrLuigiFercotti]

“ He is a consummate performer, like his father with unbelievable skills.” Technically, he’s a better player than old man.

[@LForehand]

​@@MrLuigiFercotti technically, he's not nearly as creative as Frank on the guitar. I've seen him live a dozen times, not once did he come close to achieving what Frank did in Helsinki '73, or '76 Boston.

[@Twobarpsi]

Mean Street intro still blows me away. I play guitar, seen the tabs and video of Ed playing it. To have composed it is mindblowing! How did he think of that! Wow!

[@jmad627]

Agree it is great, and I don’t even know how to play guitar.

[@seanking2871]

I had read years ago in one of the guitar mags that Eddie said he was trying to mimic funk bass players with the thumb and index finger section of that. If you had never heard a guitar or your reference was something a little more old school blues based, imagine listening to that for the first time in 1981. Its from another planet.

[@longlivebytor]

In the final seconds of hte video, Dweezel calls out exactly what I live for in playing music. That unique moment in time when everything magically comes together. I call it "the zone" in improvisation.

[@Louisthefur]

I played "mean street" for a buddy of mine that didn't really know van halen. He simply said right after the intro... "what the fuck was that?" I just had the biggest grin lol

[@ThatKa5p3r]

I've been listening to 'Mean Street' for over 30 yrs & I STILL say that.

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

@@ThatKa5p3r same here

[@damone70]

A big grin... like you wrote it. Hahaha... clown 🤡

[@noahstrodtman6121]

glad to know we aren't alone

[@robertfrederick4714]

Completely agree with the statement about mean street! Just incredible! Great job fellas. Thankyou

[@barrykarpowich731]

MR D THANK YOU YOUR A GENTLEMAN, LOVE TO HERE YOU 😊

[@charlesmayer7097]

Thank you sunset sound for ANOTHER awesome interview video!

[@mariamarin8152]

That interview is a TREASURE!! Thank you so much! !

[@charlesmayer7097]

Dweezil nailed a lot of things right on the head. I can totally see eddie writing the way he stated.

[@MoodyBlue42..]

I remember reading a interview with Ed when I was a kid and he said that he got the inspiration for the intro to mean streets from slap bass players. It was like a veil being lifted. Ed revealing his magic tricks. Love the channel and I'm glad I finally got to see Dweezil play live on the experience Hendrix tour in Hsv Alabama front row!! Thanks Dweezil!!

[@rick3747]

I love all guitar sounds, players but as a 12y snot-nosed punk in 1978, Edward touched my soul. I walked around blasting VH on a GE Cassette recorder with a Maxwell House can hooked to a better speaker...loud and clear on my BASF and TDK tapes. Thank you Edward for sharing your God given talents with the world. RIP ❤

[@kipponi]

Just same age us. First heard him playing 1978 too, what was that? Amazing. And bought my first electric guitar. Then I played most Stranglers, The Jam, Sex Pistols, British punk bands.

[@thn91506]

The spontaneous thing happened with Eruption. I’ve never heard EVH play it the same way as it was done on the record. That recorded version blew me away.

[@StONed-mb1iv]

MeanStreet intro affect on the ears was soooooooooooooo well described here

[@andrealarocco4941]

Awesome interview Drew!! Love Zappa Love Eddie!! Van Halen is summer in Long Beach Indiana!!!! So proud of you friend. ✌️💗😊

[@spaceghost8995]

I bought motorcycles from LaRoccos

[@damone70]

Shut up, Becky. 🤣🫵🤡

[@lanemeyer9350]

Dweezil is such a music geek like me, I could listen to him all day long

[@EdCosico]

My theory on the genesis of the intro on mean street is that it’s a drum paradiddle. I had read that he started playing drums before guitar. And I noticed after learning drum exercises I was applying paradiddles to my rock piano riffs. Such an awesome solo. I feel like that what a synth is to an electronic musician is the same for Eddie and his guitar

[@JimReuterskiold]

I just listened to the Greensboro guitar solo that Dweezil was referring to; it's about 2 minutes into "Eruption." The word that comes to mind is "stupefying."

[@bcpme8637]

Another cool thing about that live version is the ending (in that performance) would become the ending to 'Hot for Teacher' a few years later.

[@palacerevolution2000]

It made me re-listen to VH tracks. What is so amazing is that it is usually his guitar in one channel, and maybe f/x on other, and Michael.

[@k.c.3567]

The introduction to "Mean Street" sounds like Edward is shooting sounds out of an automatic machine gun with his guitar. Unmatched. Untouchable. Unsurpassed. The greatest guitarist that ever lived.

[@charmcrackermusic4250]

It’s definitely a original nobody had done anything like that’s before or the Cloud Sound that he makes as kid I could hardly weight for the next Eddie invention sound

[@k.c.3567]

@@charmcrackermusic4250 I appreciate you appreciating Edward's unparalleled skill & genius. You're familiar with good music. In the mid-80's, a coming-of-age film entitled "The Wild Life" had a great soundtrack attached to it (as did every film in the 80's). One song on the album, an instrumental track - "Donut City" stands out. *Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKTHp3iHeZKkotUsi=hVNaa2vUTd0unmgi

[@k.c.3567]

@@charmcrackermusic4250 Furthermore, Edward endeavored in something called "The Starfleet Project." He partnered with several ace musicians. One in particular came from a very excellent band. A band named "QUEEN." The lead guitarist, Brian May, refused to do ANY side projects with just about every other ripping guitarist at the time except one. Edward Ludwig Van Halen. Enjoy this to the MAXIMUM. Here's the title track from the album: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/h362pZRsZdObj5o&pp=ygUTc3RhcmZsZWV0IGJyaWFuIG1heQ%3D%3D

[@yogiblair22]

Digging that little bit from 1981’s Greeboro show

[@buddywilliams5650]

Once again, Sunset Studios for the amazing videos I always look forward to seeing the next post of videos 👍. It's been a very extremely rough year for us all. Let's all really hope 2021 will get a whole lot better. You guys have a great new years and stay safe. Cheers you guys and gals out there 😉 Buddy a big fan and, most importantly friend.

[@chrislambden2689]

I found a guitar pick on the road and shut one eye as I held it up to block out the sun .It made me think about it

[@JohnDoe-jc3cl]

Not just talk Historical documentation. Thank you Sunset Sound Dweezil is a rock guitarist fan like the rest of us. I remember Dweezil from the song “Valley Girl “ in the 80’s. Not too much excitement from me. Then he started doing Zappa Plays Zappa concerts a while back. Much respect for him as a lead guitarist. Like his dad.

[@SD-kp1yk]

very cool the part where he talks about evh adding little pieces live is so true . I was just listening to Best of Both World live from Conn. He adds the coolest little lick toward the end of the song. true talent always going the extra mile to make himself smile and us as well.

[@topJimmyP1984]

Love the insider knowledge on my favorite band! Thanks!!

[@re8746]

Fair Warning is my favorite of all the VH albums. First time seeing VH was in 82 on the Diver Down tour in Austin. The set list during the Diver Down tour can not be beat. Those first five albums are hard to beat.

[@luckydog-287]

I love that Dweezil loves his dad. An accomplished artist, in his own right, Dweezil, loves his dad. Awesome.

[@HikeColorado]

I love the guitar solo that Dweezil did with Steve Vai on Zappa’s Universe and Mike Keneally “HAT” That’s priceless!

[@EddieReischl]

"Hear About it Later", one of my favorite songs of all time, definitely sounds like it could have been written on piano, especially that beautiful intro.

[@SIXX49ER]

Unchained on the piano...Wow..what a trip.I'd love to hear that.

[@nellawell4976]

I remember a promise Ed made many years ago, "If you spend $ to see our show, it will only be better.

[@willwaggoner8805]

Dweezil carries the torch with real class

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

Frank really played his cards close to his vest in the press. I never once got the impression he was this friendly with EVH. Whenever he would compliment a guitar player, it would always sound dispassionate and backhanded. I remember when he covered Stairway to Heaven, I immediately assumed it was an insult... especially since he arranged the guitar solo for horns. But later on, someone asked him why he did that song and he said, "I just like the song." I never quite believed him until many years later when Moon Zappa revealed that Frank loved the Spin Doctors. Even she couldn't understand it.

[@perryneum]

I have an interview with Frank where he says he really liked Eddie, but was disappointed about his drug use and wished he would stop.

[@shannynwells2068]

Just saw Dweezil play in Denver 4 days ago. He is awesome.

[@johnstarr8858]

FRIGGIN AMAZING THANK YOU 🌅🤘

[@johnb.3476]

Shout out to Greensboro NC!!

[@thisklik]

Frank Zappa quote about Eddie reinventing electric guitar was even printed in Yugoslavian magazine:STUDIO at that time!!

[@keithp8521]

When a great guitarist has the strength to be gracious about another guitarist which is the sign of true greatness!!!

[@gkniffen]

Greatest KZbin channel... EVAR!! 😎🔥👍

[@kajem575]

"Great Googly Moogly"🙂✌❤

[@geraldskinner63]

You beat us to it!

[@jameslemley1758]

Bless you man...respect

[@rihamy2nd]

For those interested, the clip of Mean Street from Greensboro that Dweezil is referring to is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ioGVgHlrlLmkbtkm20s

[@Roundtablewithdrew]

Its included in this clip

[@sbrave]

So This Is Love has a keyboard track and hand claps, when you hear the isolated tracks.

[@pmorley7734]

Awesome isn't it! The hand claps remind me of the stock music you'd hear on some Skip Ad recyclable straw commercial. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJ_Eh3Z5ftVlhbs

[@mvl2232]

Three of my favorite guitarists Frank,Eddie and Dweezil.

[@SingleEndedTriode45]

Don't forget Holdsworth!

[@paradox7743]

What is amazing is that Frank who set an impossible Standard as a Musician of all Genres is that he was a Huge fan of Tony Iommi calling Supernaut the Greatest riff ever n said Eddie reinvented the guitar. That’s hardcore Praise coming from a guy who was writing impossible music for philharmonic Orchestras. He took Steve Vai to school literally. Great post!

[@thomaskinne2357]

Oh & I got to see "Zappa Plays Zappa" rehearse at Center Staging (Jumpy & Grumpy's) & it was some crazy shit!

[@softhotty]

To Dweezil's point on spontaneity at 11:13 to 11:27 in the 12:53 min. vid on youtube of Lynyrd Skynyrd performing Free Bird in Germany (1974), Ed King spontaneously does a flare or embellishment that Ive never ever heard in any of there performances that just is so groovy-gravy-yummy...man...oh maaan. So good. Excellent example in my mind to the point you made regarding spontaneity in playing and feeling in the moment. I encourage anyone familiar with and a fan of that song to check it out...at the 11:13 mark through 11:27. It;s in the moment and he goes there and I for one caught it like an unexpected strike curve ball thrown by a pitcher in base ball. It's killer ! Lynyrd Skynyrds California connection... Mr. Ed King R.I.P. Signed: Skynyrdville(Jacksonville Fl) rez. 62 years. Van Halen Fan since 1978.

[@bakeone4406]

The part from 4:44 on describes what drives the addiction for lots of us. Holdsworth gave the audiences this in spades, (probably too much for most mortals to absorb). At a 2020 Dweezil show in Bend OR, he let a a guy who was doing vocals and keyboards flip out with some of the most twisted (and obviously) spontaneous guitar playing in history...stuff that can never quite be played the same again.

[@duster71]

That's why Frank was the greatest,his spontaneity,no solo was ever the same,you could go to an early show that would be totally different than the late show.Try soloing over The Deathless Horsie or Treacherous Cretins.

[@rjdc61]

Dweezil is older now than his father was when he died,

[@keithp8521]

Dweezil Keeps the torch burning !!!

[@GordonHighland]

I always thought "Hear About it Later" translated really well to piano. Or, the other way around, I guess.

[@johnmacbeth4148]

Agreed-pretty sure Ed mentioned that as piano song👍

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

HUGE respect for Dweezil. Rather than sit back and eat donuts on his dad's dime, he is out there working hard and Getting It Done. I remember reading an interview with Frank many years ago wherein Frank described his goal of playing live as creating "custom entertainment" for that audience in that paticular venue on that particular evening. I was very fortunate to see Frank and his bands play several times over the years. I've also attended several Zappa Plays Zappa concerts, and Dweezil is the real deal. There is nothing fake *at all* about him.

[@johnnyaxe2004]

when I first heard Frank Zappa say, on the You Can't Do That Onstage Anymore Vol 3 album, "my son Dweezil is going to play the guitar solo from a song on the Them or Us album called Sharleena", my first impression was I thought he sounded like Eddie Van Halen..what a coincidence! I would've never known!! Dweezzil is one of the most talented guitarists alive today..

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

So every other musician who knew him well called him Edward? Nice, very respectful.

[@25dollarbill24]

Frank Zappa invented saying Eddie Van Halen reinvented the electric guitar.

[@jcl00]

😂😂😂

[@kevinlowercase]

Dweez and Rick Beato have a very similar vocal cadence.

[@darthhull85]

The Greensboro 81 bootleg is the best from that tour.

[@jesusdaniel8707]

Eddie Van Halen was on top the world at that time the 1980s enough said!!

[@sPi711]

Frank Zappa's comment that Eddie Van Halen reinvented electric guitar most definitely came before he heard Alan Holdsworth; who at the time was Frank's favorite guitarist. And that came after Brian May, who Zappa was also a fan of.

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

Does peggy remember any of the making of Vanity 6 album and those sessions with Prince and the Time and especially with him bringing their voices together especially on Nasty girl, make up, bite the beat, and 3x2=6.

[@GTX1123]

It would have been great to be a fly on the wall in that meeting between Frank and Eddie - two GIANTS of innovation in their time. Eddie was THE guitar innovator of his day but Frank was an absolute musical and comic genius. Frank was writing what were the equivalent of symphonies around comic themes that were really funny. It takes a genius mind to pull off something like that.

[@Daneiladams555]

The title is wrong There was no question like this !?!?

[@Roundtablewithdrew]

Yes there was

[@ROCKNROLLFAN]

Does peggy or David Z remember any stories of Big Chick Huntsberry with Prince because I have his memoir that came out over a year ago.

[@huppmoile]

This got algorithmed into my suggesteds right between Yngwie and Nuno and I’m a better person for it.

[@TurdPlop]

I miss a lots of people but I miss frank the things he said were valuable 😢❤

[@denmac19]

Mean Streets def best VH album, the VH Eddie really wanted.

[@jrosner6123]

Dweezil is awesome. Frank often stated ( in interviews ) how EVH had a natural, unforced style. I think eddie also had a sense of time that was elastic, unique- like hendrix had in his own way.

[@frankrichards3089]

The 81 Greensboro show he refers to here is insane...

[@buickcityfilms]

Dweezil is a genius level guitarist.. I hope he knows that. He’s so good.

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Unchained written on Piano? Didn’t see that coming..

[@mumbles215]

Right. One of the best guitar riffs.....written on piano. Priceless. That’s why he’s the King.

[@mumbles215]

I know. I play both well....but how many other rock guitarists have written their riffs, and some of their best ones on guitar. It’s wonderful

[@Scopay73]

It's a very EVH style riff in his creative workhouse. The main riff in Jump uses the same chord type changes. It's possible these two riffs were written around the same time.

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

He has said in interviews, he put an organ through a Marshall amp and is how came up with Cradle Will Rock and Unchained

[@Boleskinebeatz]

@@buzzcrushtrendkill I knew he recorded Cradle Will Rock through a keyboard into a Marshall amp I just didn’t know he’d written unchained on the piano

[@jeanpoincelet]

You couldn’t get a round table for your segment entitled “Roundtable”

[@digitalfly772]

You can't forget the amazing contrast from VH to other artists at the time. During the REO Speedwagon, the Beatles and the Stones being played over and over again. Then Eruption hits the airways..... wtf is that. EVH changed everything..... Thank God 😮

[@davidaspinall496]

Dweezil's a great guy ...

[@andybaldman]

Where is the live concert clip he’s referring to?

[@omni-man4624]

First time I heard Intro to mean streets I was in college at a party...I was like WTF is this other worldly !

[@councilofgiants1031]

Mean Street Clip of Dweezil's Reference - kzbin.infoUgkxr3feQRnxwb1O6wUf9DsCEsxAoC9jW--5

[@rosecitywriter]

yes

[@todd8155]

Alan Holdsworth! I totally saw that coming...

[@DaryllHurst]

"Phone's ringin' Dude."

[@markpaul3898]

The solo/live VH performance Dweezil refers to is here, around an hour and 12 minutes in kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZiVlGyDj9mjf9k

[@mairey19]

No longer available :/ Do you know the concert details- date/venue/city?

[@kathys1285]

I remember an interview Eddie did and the guy asked him how do you do that with the guitar 🎸 I mean how the hell do you make those sounds come out like they do? Eddie was annoyed you could hear it in his voice he said you know I’m so tired of everyone asking this I just play and play and play half the time I don’t even know what I’m doing and Dave asked Mike asked I mean everyone asks me this ok ok here I’ll explain this the only way I know how so everyone will understand once and for all so take notes people cause I’m not telling you this anymore ok see the guitar 🎸 to me is just another arm except this one arm plays music 🎶 so you you know how your hand ✋ and arm is one well so is the guitar and on your one hand you can snap your fingers and your two hands you can put them together and clap 👏🏻 well the same is for me and the guitar I just play every day and come up with different unique sounds ok 👍🏻 after that and how he explain it I immediately got it the guitar is an extension of him the guitar was part of him he was one with the guitar 🎸 but than again you don’t ask gods why they do what they do RIP Eddie you were truly one of a kind

[@seanx666]

Here is Van Halen Greensboro 1981. Mean Streets starts at 1:05:32 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJXbmmOIYshmntE

[@itonlyhurtswhenilaugh4750]

No disrespect to EVH but “fretboard gymnastics” was the term Frank used to describe guitarists from that genre. I have an interview of Frank not recognizing a whole list of well known guitarists until the interviewer mentions Jeff Beck. One of the many biographies about Frank describes one day that Eddie came to the log cabin in Laurel Canyon and was hangin out with Dweezil when Frank was walking through on his way to the kitchen, and Dweezil calls out “Hey Dad, Eddie Van Halen is here” and Frank didn’t even look up. He just waved and kept on walking.

[@michaelprice7005]

Edward goes cosmic in Greensboro.

[@tyryztoll]

Thought you were bringing in Ted Templeman a while back?

[@Roundtablewithdrew]

We were just in a lockdown in LA. Well air it when we want.

[@vincentdelporte]

Greensboro, North Carolina, August 25, 1981 Mean Street at 1:10:40 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKfCh4qEiLx1bqc

[@petervandebor1828]

Edward van Halen is with Vai ,Satriani, and Frank Zappa the best of our World but do not forget Alex Lifeson of Rush I love his acords and solos all those guys. Man where music Gods so am I thank you.❤

[@tedmich]

The Aug 25 Greensboro NC 1981 Meanstreets rendition is actually in the Eruption/Cathedral solo section following Meanstreets (which has no into). Its here on YT kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKfCh4qEiLx1bqcsi=HUQtJtUzjems0Y22&t=4528

[@likenothingdo]

ain't that love... the eternal and ephemeral, Amen brother Zappa

[@JohnnyBeane]

I knew he wrote all that on piano for years because piano was his main instrument.

[@dornelli1]

evh had great admiration for alex lifeson, whom he praised as the best rock player in the world

[@richie231]

Never heard that, cool. Big Rush fan here.