Eddie Van Halen Interview By Steve Rosen

Steve Rosen Interviews Eddie Van Halen

[@67goldtops]

This is fantastic. I love that this clip really highlights Ed's rhythm chops from the 2nd album. I've always felt that his rhythm playing is what separates him from the untold legions of players that he inspired. If every solo he recorded was suddenly wiped off record, he'd still be one of my favorite players based simply on his rhythm parts.

[@cheothegeo2742]

big fax

[@sparkster65]

💯

[@bonganoguitars]

Basically a private guitar lesson straight from The Man himself. I wouldn't ask more from life.

[@myworstenemy680]

Most guitar players trying to pull off VH songs miss the little things he does with his rhythm playing imo. Eddie plays the guitar like a piano. His sense of melody and timing are incredible.

[@donaldyoung9901]

thank you ..somebody gets it..it's a shame these new guitarist today think eddie is about tapping..that's like reading the cover of a book and think you know everything that's in the book...I listen too eddie alot..I hear something new everytime...amazing.

[@myworstenemy680]

Donald Young Well said!! I could go on all day about his sense of rhythm. I play every day for hours, and the better I get, the more amazed I am with his playing. I can play a lot of notes fast, but it means nothing without feel, timing and technique(whatever technique works for you). I've Never heard ANY musician do more with three chords than Eddie VanHalen. Thank you for the great Reply Donald!

[@gmlasam]

+MyworstEnemy, Amen brotha. Aside from Eddies melodic lead work, his guitar rhythm playing and technique was also very melodic. No one played like Eddie and Eddie did not sound like anyone else....a true musical genius.

[@myworstenemy680]

gmlasam Agreed. I wonder if we'll ever see another guitar player have as much impact on music and musicians as Eddie VanHalen?

[@qua7771]

Yep. I used to play that way. Adding in details changes everything.

[@Sennanchie]

The beginning of "Women in Love" is one of my favorite intro's to play on guitar more than any other song ever. Not just a VH tune. Even my GF loved it when I played that, every time.

[@johncalderon6225]

This is so cool listening to this. Makes me wanna pick up my guitar and sell it.

[@jmgmarcus808]

the guys who got to witness him up close when he first came out must have thought he was from another planet

[@jimmyraidjames]

lol @3:32 ' See right now im not warmed up ' I cant play lol ...as he scorches the fretboard

[@iresentdoingthis1550]

Thank you for such a wonderful and heartfelt tribute to our King Edward. The Missus woke me up crying and for the entire day we couldn’t listen to a note of King Edward without the waterworks comin’ - so many good times with his music -it felt weird We found watching interviews with him and other kind folks like yourself paying tribute to Eddie makes it somewhat easier to bear. We literally had a day of intensely mourning. It might sound daft but Ed’s playing and attitude is hugely responsible for inspiring me to be the person I am. There’s a Bad Religion ( Punk Band ) Lyric that says it al “ Everyone you love leaves a mark on your soul, The world is a little less bright without King Edward Im fighting cancer and depression and its been especially tough with the news of Eddie’s passing but hearing all these wonderful tributes and reaction and the love and joy he brought and is bringing….makes it a tad bit easier Much love and respect! Thank you for honouring our King Edward. Eddie's music touched us so deeply because of his love for the instrument and the innovations he has done. To us, it feels like the brightest and best brother, Uncle, friend mentor you ever had is not in our realm anymore. You have Nothing but love from the rock/metal / guitarist community, respect for your tribute to EVH, Rock n Metal does not get the exposure and respect that other genres get. So, you are forever in the hearts of many a Rock / Metal / Guitar fan's hearts. Stay safe & all the best wishes to you. Watch this Video Interview and you'll see why we're hurting so much...The world is a little less bright without King Edward This is a brilliant interview if you haven’t seen it kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5OVZ3dul6eNeJo&ab_channel=Z%C3%B3caloPublicSquare most people don’t know the King Edward was a bi-racial half Asian / half white Immigrant and that his lifelong friends were the black kids who stood up for them when they came to the US. A definitive American Dream story. Eddie played the solo on Michael Jackson’s Beat it, re-arranged it so it sounded more ‘Rock’ and introduced Michael to a wider audience for free. Eddie buried Dimebag Darrell from Pantera with his original Bumblebee Guitar when Dime’s life partner Rita asked him to make a Copy Ed said “an Original deserves an Original” Vinnie Paul ( Pantera ) Dimebag’s brother says the last words his brother said to him was Van f+*in Halen’ their nightly ritual before hitting the stage. He gave Jerry Cantrell 5150 Stacks after touring with Alice In Chains and the last concert he went to was TOOL and a TOOL fan asked him to take a picture of the fan in front of Tool’s stage and he did, The fan had no idea who Ed was and Ed was chill with it. Frank Zappa loved and respected Eddie and got him to teach Dweezil who was obsessed with ED When Frank died Ed was THE 1st first to call with condolences and to offer any assistance. He did the same for Chris Cornell Guitarist Pete Thorn when Chris Passed He got Allan Holdsworth signed to Warner to introduce Allan to a wider audience He was the 1st to mod his guitars in such an extreme way chasing tone, Creating the Super Strat - Humbuckers in Strat style guitars, Waxing Pickups, Variac on his amp and did his first 2 albums with the original Fender Whammy which led to the creation of the Floyd Rose Whammy Bar. Les Paul Said Ed, him & Leo Fender are the only guys who know how to make guitars His 5150 Amp is still THE go to amp and sound of Modern metal, Gojira use the EVH 5150 His Rhythm Playing was funky, tasteful and rockin’ and his songwriting is the reason his loss is affecting grandparents, parents, kids and all ethnicities alike as Van Halen songs will live forever. He bravely and quietly fought cancer for 20 years Much love to Alex Wolfie, Valerie, Janie, Dave, Michael, Sammy & all the fans that lost this Brother from another mother Enjoy EVH kzbin.info/www/bejne/gmrVXoGuqr6msMk&ab_channel=Hazardteam

[@dyanvandino5416]

Wow! You put alot of thought into what you wrote! You enlightened & informed me about EVH! He was a talented, compassionate & generous man...RIP EVH! Fly with the Angels, now you got your Wings!

[@iresentdoingthis1550]

@@dyanvandino5416 Thank you very much Dyan, greatly appreciated. We didn't just lose one of the most amazing influential Guitarist / Musician ever, but we lost an amazing human being. Thank you for the kind words man, greatly appreciated, Ed definitely lighting up the sky in the heavens jamming with his Dad, Vinnie & Dime from Pantera, Randy Rhoads, Frank Zappa, John Bonham, Chris Cornell, Mozart & Beethoven. Take Care, Stay safe, Stay frosty & rock on \m/

[@roberttornello8062]

This is Eddie & Steve jamming before the interview at Steve's home in Laurel Canyon,LA,December 28th 1978.

[@skyprop]

TY I wondered when this was recorded

[@freakysattic5234]

Perfect interview! Eddie answers every question with his guitar!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

For anyone that is interested it has been found that eddie was still playing the first black.white strat as it is seen on the frist record for this interview with its original neck and B/w striped paint job. He had not yet painted it red/white/black, The guitar even unplugged sounds very strong and alive.

[@odgeUK]

Steve says it's a 66 Strat with a 5-way in this interview? When Ed says it's a neat guitar?

[@odgeUK]

Oh I see, they both have a guitar in this interview. My mistake.

[@ruiplas]

without tapping, Eddie still blow my mind easily

[@rikshredder]

This sooo awesome hearing him do his stuff through a clean amp! Sounds the same.

[@skyprop]

Clean amp or NO amp at all!!!! :)

[@twj1964]

Great stuff, love it when the vaults are opened up a bit.

[@cheothegeo2742]

6:22 . try to play that right. it's just an A major scale pattern we were all taught when we first picked up the guitar. but try to play that while articulating and swinging those notes at that exact speed (WITHOUT cheesing it with a buncha hammer ons btw). THAT'S why eddie deserves all the respect and admiration he gets. he doesn't just play incredibly fast. there's a lot of subtlety to the WAY he plays incredibly fast. and not many people have THAT much subtlety when they're going that fast. that's why a lotta shredders play fast but it sounds so fucking stale and tasteless. cuz that's all they're doing: playing scales very fast.

[@Iknowthelaw13]

Fantastic point. Ed plays the guitar like a piano. So much feel and soul. His tone has incredible depth.

[@wanderdworld]

Uhhh, even more amazing with the juice just barely on. you can hear every note!!! Wow Ed you were the show. RIP KING EDWARD

[@MsMelindarobbins]

Those were the good old days. You still rock, Rosen!

[@surfsup5757]

The man of a million riffs. I bet Ed sleeps with his guitar.

[@PaulRhodes420]

Alex stated in another video, "I'm not sure because I don't watch him shower, but I think he must shower with it because it's always in his hands!" ✌😎🎸🎶✨🎶💥💨 R.I.P. Eddie! 1955 💔 2020

[@mnwst87]

As it has been mentioned several times, to hear him noodle around without an amp is breathtaking. It has been inspiring to hear him do the ending to YRGM over and over flawlessly. For 32 years I've been listening to and learning his stuff. But this made me go back and rework my VH techniques, which I thought I had down-hahaha!!

[@RyanMaziarz]

This is seriously amazing - lifelong EVH fan and I've never heard him just sit and play stuff unplugged like this. This is proof as far as I'm concerned that it really is all in his hands. Do you have anything more like this? Would love to hear it if so.

[@donaldyoung9901]

If you don't know rhythm..you will never know eddie. My guy.

[@brownscream]

Very Cool. What a gem. Thanks Steven for the download. I guess this was 1979. VH was completed in 2 weeks. Amazing...not just how fast he plays...but how clean and melodic it is. "just like ringing a bell"!

[@bz1bz1]

Amazing how that guitar has the exact tone heard on the record!!!

[@ciadella1971]

Eddie sounds so fresh and inspired in this. Thanks so much for posting Steven.

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

who in the hell disliked this??? if they didn't like ed then why in the hell did they even listen to this then?WTF? I thought this was priceless hearing him play by himself with out his famous plexi. the dude sounded amazing just sitting there noodling around and impressed the shit out of me!! I always loved ed's playing but i heard him on a new level on this vid! thanks for posted this! got any more??? LOL!

[@jacoscofield5150]

This is a treasure thanks for posting ! RIP EDDIE my hero

[@budman178758]

I like that he says "Aw its so simple" a lot.

[@MrJonswift200]

I read just about every interview with eddie you did with ed starting back in the 80s. I learned so much just from reading. specially where he said you should develop your own style. those interviews where like being there. thanks steve. still have those magazines. btw.

[@kristinasativa]

Love you forever Eddie 😥❤🧡💛💚💙💜

[@DKR-1881]

Amazing! Oh, to be sitting there watching this ...

[@razorjules]

This is absolutely stunning! I would have killed for something like this, when i was a kid.

[@skullduggery3377]

the most innovative guitarist in history, i think. even better when he's plugged in.

[@vbassone]

No, Allan Holdsworth is the most innovative, and the guy Eddie took a lot from and admired most.

[@vbassone]

@Kent Horvath You are a complete moron. ASk EDDIE what he thought of Holdsworth, see what he tells you. Didn't have an impact?? Ask Vai, Malmsteen, Lifeson, Scott henderson, and EVH. You are one of the idiots that doesn't REALIZE the impact Holdsworth had on the evolution of electric guitar. As far as what EVH took from Allan, he COULDN'T take much because he couldn't FIGURE OUT WHAT ALLAN was doing. He has admitted to attempting to play an Allan-like solo on certain things from Fair Warning so you couldn't be more wrong!!! LOL.. You can go argue with EVH HIMSELF who said this. There is no doubt about it, Holdsworth was one of the FIVE GREATEST INNOVATORS EVER IN THE HISTORY OF GUITAR, alongside, Hendrix, Wes Montgomery and a few others. No one is telling you to instantly love Holdsworth, but you have shown your ignorance by denying the magnitude of his impact among NON-Jazz and Jazz/Rock guitarists such as EVH and MANY OTHERS, and his impact on the evolution of the electric guitar in general. Trust me, if we were all in a room together, myself, you, Vai, Lifeson and EVH, they would COMPLETELY DISAGREE WITH YOU.....

[@bumzigan]

@@vbassone It is such a shame that Allan Holdsworth will remain unknown and unaccredited for so much of what he brought to the world of guitar. Those that know, know. Even Fredrik Thordendal from Meshuggah brings Holdsworth's innovation to the heaviest of music, Holdsworth influence cannot be measured. And you are absolutely correct about his influence on EVH and Eddie's reverence for Holsworth's playing.

[@vbassone]

@@bumzigan Thanks for your supportive words my friend. More importantly, thank you for REALIZING the scope of Holdsworth's influence. Holdsworth also influenced Kurt Rosenwinkel, who is a genius and innovator himself. It's incredible how far the shadow of Holdworth's influence stretches over disparate musical and guitar territory and genres.Exactly as yo u said; those who know, know. However I would say to you that I have always sensed through deep intuition that Holdsworth's influence, and the scope of it over countless important subsequent players will gradually come more and more to light in the future.

[@jojomcgee3430]

Great video! I could listen to his noodling all day! I hope, before I die, they release some of the 5150 tapes. But don't blame them if they don't.

[@DRUMTOY2002]

My all time favorite guitar intro of Eddie's!

[@judyannlemay618]

WE LOVE YA ALEX VAN HALEN...WE SEND YA BIG HEART FELT HUGGS!! SO SORRY FOR THE LOSS OF SUCH AN AMAZING BROTHER. WE ARE SO GLAD YOU TOOK EDDYS DRUMS ;] WE LOVE YA & ARE THINKING OF YOU...GOD BLESS YOU...STAY STRONG...STAY WELL

[@pauletes]

Absolutely amazing! Thank you for this!!!

[@DogDaze66]

How can you have not video of this!, What a incredible , best interview of Eddie ever !!!! Id love to have been you chilln with the Sickest Guitarist in the World.

[@SuperJS1974]

Awesome guitar playing. You know it's the mighty EVH playing. Just check out the confidence in his playing!

[@roberttornello8062]

... thank you Mr. Rosen. You're a lucky man😀

[@Champane97]

This is a real find & awesome stuff!! Damn wish you had a video camera to film KING EVH doing his thing back then in 78/79!!

[@RichardFriendartist]

well that was awesome...thanks for sharing Steven!

[@davidf5501]

He seems to genuinely care back then. Seems so jaded now. What a treat. Thanks for sharing!

[@JohnnyBeane]

Very cool Steven!

[@ApeLikeCreature]

This is priceless!

[@akfreed6949]

I nice nugget of a soundbite . Thank you from one of many fans .

[@mapleblackdrums]

Eddie probably does know it but we would love him to do this on video and we'd watch hours of it.

[@ee5150]

just started to read your book and then to hear what I just read..... sooooo amazing !

[@KowankoMusic]

GENIUS AT WORK

[@jerseyhomeguy]

This is great!!

[@jimwgt]

This is amazing. Thanks so much for posting.

[@Aright231]

Damn, Eddie's so gracious in this interview, and navigates that humility despite probably completely flooring Rosen. He's what, 24 years old here and playing like he's known the instrument for 50 years? He's the man.

[@skyprop]

True Many years before he got his Ego and His Cockiness......... He was Very Humble during these early years for sure

[@gmlasam]

+SpikeMichaels. I can tell you were there and saw it all. You experienced the time when Van Halen broke out in the late 70s and how Eddie single handedly he changed how the electric guitar was to be played since Jimi Hendrix. Younger generation don't comprehend how much of a big influence Eddie was in his contribution to Electric Guitar playing and the music gear industry.

[@MrJonswift200]

good questions steve this is what all of wish we could ask.

[@odgeUK]

He's definitely plugged in guys, but some sort of little amp clean, at really low volume.

[@fuzzingaround]

WOW, GREAT STUFF, THX SO MUCH

[@joes5150]

I think the women in love tapped harmonics intro is Val’s fave. She’d ask him to play it for me and he knew what she was talking about according to her latest book

[@Xeladrive]

WOW!! This is crazy !! Thanks for posting.

[@leonaparker1642]

My grandson almost 16 loves him and slash, he's played guitar, self taught about a little over a year. He's the son of a fallen hero, he's so into this it takes him away. Great kid, no anger, finds fun , laughter and positivity in his world love the kid, maybe one day he can meet his hero's. Bless music for saving us all

[@incubus866]

INCREDIBLE! EDDIE JUST FUCKIN AMAZING, THANK YOU FOR UPLOADING THIS!!!

[@thepracticingguitarist]

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

[@bruceniblett959]

3:53 is a cool lick. I think it is one of those badass licks lost in the Hagar yrs

[@tracylove2263]

Always made it sound as if there was two guitar players, how did he come up with the combos is amazing

[@MikeHimmel]

Simply Freakin Awesome! Thanks Steve!!

[@dougsteeleguitar]

Brilliant. All the five note things; wow!!!

[@martynapalm4950]

Yo Doug, your one of the best guitar teachers on the internet, and your the best EVH player besides EVH himself. I urge everyone who is watching this video, to go check out Doug Steels guitar lessons, you wont be disappointed, he is a true virtuoso and EVH fan.

[@frankdrebin1023]

Ed redefining the guitar from 1978 to present..... Pretty amazing. Seems more humble.

[@Geraksatriashakti]

Thank you for this

[@zublacus]

What 3 people are really stupid for hitting DISLIKE?? If you like Eddie Van Halen, this is HISTORICAL and amazing. If you don't like Eddie Van Halen, why would you even start playing the video in the first place. So this makes those 3 people...REALLY stupid.

[@McHale72]

That picture of Steve is distracting... and creepy.

[@rockercater]

ya,you could put eddie up when you interviewed him...

[@Betrayerslayer]

Agreed. Tell him to shit in hiz hat.

[@jimmyfreeman9133]

Steve, I'm glad you were there. Apparently Ed really needed a friend like you at times.

[@chrismyers9273]

Blows the mind hearing him play turned way down! Absolutely amazing!

[@TheTheratfarmer]

all of the remakes that VH did sound better than the originals. that's the only band in this world that i can state that about... "dancing in the streets" is king man.

[@dominiphillip]

incredible

[@keithmurray8241]

Fantastic!

[@Maxwell-is-Smart]

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS INTERVIEW!💕💕💕

[@KhrissBliss]

Not to mention Edward unveiled alot of the guitar vocab he's known for on VH2; imagine jammin with him at the time & asking how he plays that..... In 1980... Thats a "haopy place"

[@NickMass35]

Yes, please answer Steve!!

[@_kunkle]

Musically inspirational as all hell

[@philipbowley8374]

this is brilliant

[@dougsteeleguitar]

This is pure gold, even if you know the techniques.

[@metalmulisha0143]

cant believe how different he sounds now!

[@siskokidd]

Excellent! There's at least an album's worth of unused juicy licks there.

[@johnhernandez1505]

Absolutely awesome!

[@jamesbutterson5218]

Awesome interview 👊! RIP EVH 🎸🎼🎵🤘

[@MikeMcAdam623]

Ed is such a savant! He can't articulate anything he does, but its awesome!

[@FrankSpeer66]

Spot on, he had absolutely no idea how to explain his technique or musical thought process, but MY GOD the brilliance!!

[@dieselyeti]

I could die happy after a private lesson like that :)

[@billydtahoe]

ill prob listin 2 this over nd over 4 the next 3 hours.. wat a gem..

[@dutchman063]

Holy crap! If only there was video of this...

[@goongoon9290]

fascinating!

[@Za7a7aZ]

Wish I could see what's he is doing with his hands...such strong fingers and accuracy

[@bgandjsco1]

Ive heard that Steve Rosen wanted to write a book on Eddie,but ED just couldnt understand why anyone would want to read it.Its a darn shame cause this guy probably could have written a darn good one . He hung out with Ed alot and im sure he had some great insight.

[@philo1234sophie]

Cool interview. EVH guitar tone always sounds amazing even without a plexi!

[@DirtyBlues8]

What year was this awesome interview?

[@tyryztoll]

Sounds like late 78 or 79.

[@JameyLane]

Van Halen's greatest hits and there's no video.

[@gregeaster2479]

I'm not sorry.......wow sounds like a VANHALEN song right, look I'm probably the greatest VH fan in every galaxy there is.I will say this confident and strong, Eddie V an Halen simply is the best , greatest, most guitar player that's ever lived.... Period

[@ekru333]

Early 1979. =vH= II came out in Late March; this is just before. AWESOME.

[@andycummings-music]

Dance The Night Away. Not Panama. He's playing mainly stuff from the second album. This interview is circa 1979.

[@kristinfield-macumber5899]

Is there a metronome in the background? Anyway, this was fantastic - hard to describe how happy it made me!

[@rockercater]

little guitars ...what a MASTER, EV YOU ARE KING

[@xpz25nfh]

Around 13:40 Eddie's telling a story about Dave's breaking his foot....and quietly destroying the fretboard while talking. Holy...

[@skyprop]

lol :)

[@SquirrelTheater]

This is what a true musical genius sounds like.

[@InsanityMediaProductions]

great interview

[@KhrissBliss]

THIS ...is frckn AWESOME!!! The man himself shows Steve how to play much of VH1&2, (then Steve plays it the way the rest of thought it was! :D) 2 things: Ed plays SO Ed-LOUD& CLEAR! (on both gtrs), says he values improv but in fact can execute his most precious leads flawlessly. Humbling, from a guy who hardly recorded any licks twice. Also, DOES care abt Blackmore. thanks so much Steve Rosen