Nuno Bettencourt on Playing for Eddie Van Halen

[@tomasrusso2285]

Love how Nuno is like a kid telling this storys, pure gold!

[@dixonworld]

My son and I saw extreme a few years back in Newcastle England. The gig ended and most people left,,..we noticed people hanging back so we did too. The entire band came back out , went into the pit and shook hands, said hello and basically spent ages having their photo taken with everyone there.. it was absolutely wonderful and I've never seen another band of their stature do such a thing. Wonderful people.

[@robertodepor3970]

I saw Living Colour doing the same thing. I am from Spain. After the best show I have seen in my life. And they were absolute nice and humble guys. I could not believe what I was seeing. You have to support that kind of truly musicians that at the same time are so respectful to their fans.

[@oh_my_gauze]

They did that too during the se asia tour a few years ago. I mean the band didn’t have to do it and it wouldn’t hurt as most of other bands just bow and leave but this shows how they really appreciate their fans.

[@markr.devereux2713]

Really good to hear that. The bassist is the most charming and personable guy youde ever want to meet. That opening RIFF on. GETTHE FUNK OUT goes into the bass players hall of fame

[@jonathanlocke6404]

I like that he is humble enough to not have any hesitation about expressing his admiration for another guitarist...

[@gabrielp9646]

I don´t know of a single guitarist who isnt... Even the supposed "assholes", like Yngwe Malmsteem or Dave Mustaine, talk about other guitar players they like, with no problem.

[@SavyBajaBuster]

From day 1 Nuno has expressed his admiration for Eddie and Brian May and I don't know if he realises it but for many guitar players Nuno is up there with them.. he's in my top 5 alongside the previously mentioned🤘🤘

[@bobpadilla3889]

I love that he admires Eddie but sounds nothing like him.

[@philipreedwallace]

JONATHAN LOCKE I never knew how cool he was .

[@bigmike2464]

@@SavyBajaBuster Throw in SRV and we can talk

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

Nuno is a monstrous player in his own right, he can stand next to anyone.

[@WEEKEND-AT-BURNIES]

100%

[@thanossnap4170]

Oh yes! Nuno is phenomenal!

[@JosephN14445]

@@thanossnap4170 Never understood why Van Halen and Extreme never collaborated!! Could you imagine?

[@freebirdcf1]

1000% if that's possible

[@patriciosilvarobalino9832]

He had already showed respect for EVH, when he was still alive. The way it must be.

[@KingPepeLePew]

nice to know Nuno gets the sweats too, when put on the spot and asked to play infront of Eddie, gotta love that humility.

[@kidrum13]

Holy shit!!! He kissed me on the lips too!!! Swear to God!!! I toured with VH when I was the guitar tech for Monster Magnet. For some reason Eddie really took to me and hung with me often. On the last day of the tour he literally grabbed me by my ears, planted one on me and said "I'm gonna miss ya kid!!!". The MM guys' jaws dropped. I got a few great stories about Ed from that tour. Absolute highlight of my touring career. He is sorely missed. RIP EVH.

[@oscillations5234]

Now that’s cool. I didn’t know monster magnet toured with Van Halen! I love that song “melt”

[@cliffordamey4822]

I think Nuno is one of the greatest players around today but Eddie is well Eddie

[@OfficialFatLip]

Your a fool if you think that, half the artists you heard of paid cash to promote themselves

[@drummer7557]

And Vito Bratta wherever he may be hiding.

[@corys5855]

@@drummer7557 You rule for knowing Vito.

[@drummer7557]

@@corys5855 Yeah i wish I did KNOW him i'd be like get out here and play your ass off!!! He was/is the man. ;O(

[@tiffanim547]

Definitely...Nuno is a Beast

[@scarymike51]

Nuno is such an absolute class act and one of the greatest guitar players out there. I am glad for him that he had that experience.

[@flashy5150]

Eddie VH was so good, my teacher, my mentor. I can see how Nuno loves his playing. Me and Nuno and plenty of others are students of EVH.

[@billlonee9470]

Nuno is a brilliant guitar player in his own right, and it's awesome to hear the respect and awe in his voice as he tells the story of meeting one of his heroes. It's all so low-key and brilliant.

[@Rnrf5150]

Apart from EVH, Nuno & vito bratta's tone pleases my ears, these two are fun to listen.

[@NoahRichardHarris]

Their both Ada Mp1 guys! (Aside from EVH)

[@yesnickcarter]

that solo for Song For Love. mmmmmm.

[@RobertSmith-lg7jp]

Absolutely and RR get a honorable mention . 👌😜

[@lazarus1672]

vitto bratta totally under rated. I agree right up there with nuno and eddie

[@EDEN-LIMINAL]

The true heirs of Eddie's "play lead while playing rhythm", second to none the 3 of them

[@okolekahuna3862]

Nuno and Extreme, one of my favorite rock bands.

[@RonjonTimmons]

What a great interview! There will never be enough words to say how much I love Van Halen. Nuno is amazing too

[@wchriscarson]

More than words is all you'd have to do to make it real. Then you wouldn't have to say that you loved them cause theyyyy'd al-rea-dy knoooow, la di da, da di da, di dai dai da 🎶 etc.

[@unknwn_usr3077]

Rip

[@robertbordevik5072]

The guitar solos on pornographity STILL does it for me. Nuno is one of a kind!

[@rossmarlin4947]

Respect for the greatest guitar player of all time That's love

[@gonedeep43]

I've heard that story a few times. I still enjoy hearing it.😊

[@no3rdseat]

So humbling that even the mighty Nuno can be in awe of another guitar player and even be terrified that he's going to eff up in front of his hero. Much respect, Nuno.

[@picazzo5150]

I can listen to these stories all day

[@masterworks71]

The first half of the guitar solo for Extreme's new single, 'Rise', TOTALLY channels EVH, and in the most complimentary way possible.

[@traviskrinkle6548]

Wow. This really was an amazing moment to listen to. It's fun to hear great players talk about meeting other GREAT players.

[@DSK12345y]

RIP EDDY ! YOUR LEGACY of INFLUENCE , JOY AND GUITAR MASTERY WILL LIVE ON FOREVER !!!!!

[@Col_MULLY]

Nuno will never see this, but, I have a similar story, which can back up what he just said about the kissing and the paying attention to things around him. I had made virtual friends with Valerie through a Van Halen fan group online way back in the mid to late 90's. I live in Japan. When VH came to Japan on that tour in 1998 I was given all access passes via their tour manager at the time, Scotty Ross, he was also in the group. On the first day at the Budokan in Tokyo I was standing backstage watching the people working and I was trying to stay out of the way. The curtain opened and God himself walked in. He was no less than 30 feet from me. Someone pointed me out, he came over, bear hugged me, kissed me on the cheek and said "That's from the old lady". I was stunned to say the least. At the end of the tour I gave him a lighter, sorry that I contributed to your cancer, Ed, Ed collected lighters and this one was really cool. It had this thing you unscrewed, pulled out, struck like a match, then put back, and it had a belt clip thingy on it. A few weeks after the tour was over I got a call in the middle of the night and it was Valerie. I'm stunned again. Anyway, while we're talking I heard the man walk in the room. He said "Who you talking to, Hon?" and she said "I'm talking to MULLY in Japan". I said to her "Tell him I'm the one that gave him the lighter in Yokohama". She did, and he said "Yeah, I know who he is". Holy Crap!!! FWIW, she told me that he had the lighter hanging on his belt when he came home......I never told her it could be hung on the belt loop. The dude was actually using the lighter I gave him. For anyone that doesn't believe this story, what more proof do I need? Rest In Peace, Eddie!! The world seems worse without you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ7Gg4J4j5yVhM0

[@Jorg-ug3ie]

This is wonderful in so many ways!! Seems to me that both Eddie and Valerie where sweet people. Mully, thank you for this great story, treasure these memories always....

[@josepharchuleta3129]

That's a really cool story bro 👌!

[@fuzzo73]

That is awesome, man. It can be a touchy thing, virtual friendships with any sort of celebrity. Seems Valerie could tell you were the real deal and an okay dude. Much respect;)

[@dpt318]

Awesome story!

[@kensurrency2564]

Eddie was out of this world. Certainly on a higher plane of existence. He knew who he was, and definitely touched as many people as he had time to. Time is the limit. It’s a miracle we had him as long as we did. RIP.

[@kevinsbott]

Amazing when you look back on those old extreme videos. Fantastic music and fantastic energy. You know it’s not just a great guitarist, but a classi A back up vocalist.

[@leonskum.5682]

This made me smile so much!! An Eddie story that I hadn't heard before. May there be many more.

[@ktyther]

Nunu is an amazing player imo. Part of the amazing 80s guitar talent that is to this day...unmatched. not just technically but also melodic sense. So much crazy talent in 80s and part of early 90s.

[@daveg4236]

Agreed. Wish extreme had come out a few years earlier

[@guitarlido6046]

Nuno is a fantastic guitar player and, or so it seems, a great person. About Eddie, thanks master, every guitar player owes you something. R.I.P. in the arms of God

[@michellegiardinobast7471]

Love Nunos interviews.❤ He is so talented and has such respect for fellow musicians.

[@sfoster711]

VH, Extreme...❤️ you guys! .

[@TylerDurden-oy2hm]

One of my heroes talking about HIS hero.. Its OK nuno pound for pound youre every bit as good as Eddie...much respect to you Sir

[@dadadruma]

Nunos solo on Rest in Peace is such a rollercoaster of ear piercing blissful joy!!

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

Tyler Durden, Far better than Eddie, in my opinion.

[@quackeroats8173]

David Bruce Paul Gilbert has dedicated a song to eddie van halen called "3 Es for Edward". He said he has heard things in eddies studio that blew half his hearing but was worth it. In the dedication text for this song for eddie, he wrote something like he saw visions of courage (or something) regarding eddies music. I wouldnt discount eddie's talent, just coz hes not as technical as todays players like nuno (not taking away from nuno). If paul gilbert says that about eddie, i believe it. www.vhnd.com/2008/08/25/paul-gilberts-tribute-to-eddie-van-halen/

[@daveg4236]

David Bruce agreed. Tapping and the Floyd elephant pull back. Big deal. The stuff Nuno plays is amazing

[@douglasgrosch228]

its the groovy brown sound and real bluesey runs Eddie let me here that again say what sound that Eddie brings to the table always doing his own never someones else.. respect that.. he doesnt read music all what ever feels good type..

[@Roman-od3iy]

Finally someone with a personality... great job Nuno!

[@KickflipGnasty]

Always saw him as a funkier EVH, with some Brian May influence as well

[@pingponghappytime]

I think Nuno is a sweetheart. He's a fantastic player, and I might even go so far as to say that he IS the band Extreme. I bet that's mostly his project. Gary's great, but Nuno is the brains of the operation. I personally am not a huge fan of the band Extreme, and I don't really think anybody can compete with EVH, but I truly think Nuno deserves all his successes and hopefully more yet to come.

[@RodClark]

That was so cool. I love hearing heroes talk about heroes.

[@TheQuadrum]

Am I the only one who ever thought Eddie was #1 and The King but Nuno was The Prince? Their career and life similarities are pretty eerie. Both born in Foreign Countries. Both put their own, iconic guitars together. Both sing and play piano/keyboards. Both set-up on stage left. Both played on Jackson hits (Eddie on Beat it by Michael and Nuno on Black Cat by Janet) Both shared the same Frontman/Lead singer in Gary Cherone.

[@innnews6299]

I can totally feel Nuno. It doesn’t matter how good you are, in front of your hero, you turn into a kid again. But what an awesome once-in-a-lifetime thing to experience. Thanks for sharing. I would love to know how Nuno’s tune was on legendary Eddie Van Halen’s rig.

[@bobpadilla3889]

Here come all the armchair guitar players commenting on who is "better". Both Eddie and Nuno are amazing with their own unique sound. Music isn't a competition.

[@granthambeard]

Well said! 😉

[@bobpadilla3889]

@J Wil there will always be rankings by morons who don't understand that music isn't about who is "better"

[@Me-qp8vz]

Then why did Eddie make it a competition.

[@timishere1925]

​@@Me-qp8vz You'd have to ask Eddie.

[@jjmah7]

I don’t even see one comment stating one is better lol yours is the closest

[@55Porter]

The guy hasn't aged in 30 years.

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

james b, nope. Nuno looks about the same as he did it his young 30s.

[@RandyWillcox]

Yeah, I'm pretty convinced he's a vampire.

[@rayerscarpensael2300]

Will he finally aged a little but yeah 3 years ago he looked 30 still amazing. Great guy and guitarplayer anyway

[@MonsterMetalManiac]

You’re exactly right dude. Nuno looks great !

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

james b, I saw them in 1989, I believe it was, at a small club in SFO, called The Stone. Sorry, but he still pretty much looks the same. If you look at videos of me playing, you’ll notice that I look younger than my age, which is 55. But he definitely looks way better.

[@RJReda]

Nuno deserves his flowers, such a vastly underrated player

[@ThePatsinaz]

I met Nuno and Gary after a show a few years ago. They're both very humble and very personable. Nuno said he used to watch VH videos in his bedroom as a kid trying to emulate The King. I am so glad I asked him about Edward. It is obvious watching Nuno play he was influenced by EVH. I can't get enough EVH stuff on here. It's nice to see he meant so much to so many. I am also reminded watching a lot of his material again that he was in his own little stratosphere as a musician. He's incomparable and will be missed.

[@LabH2ODawg]

Such a great interview. Nuno & Eddie (NOT referring to Trunk!!) in the same room, the amount of talent and kick ass music between them is amazing!! 🤟🏼🤟🏼

[@simonvanderheijden432]

I saw Extreme a couple of years ago in 013 Tilburg Holland and Nuno had major troubles with his rig. He blew up 4 Marshall heads in one night due to some electrical issues. Ithink it had to do with peak power. But he was a true professional. Even when his rig sounded terrible he never lost his cool and kept on playing and finished the show.

[@EllsworthBuck]

God! I love Nuno's playing. Just love it so much!

[@juanpablomarin5463]

this was so epic!! Eddie our greatest innovator and Nuno one of the greatest guitar heros in a studio recording...Phenomenal!!

[@gustabartok]

One of the best guitar players around.. tasty funky rhythm, super creative riffs, AMAZING LEADS AMAZING, great composing, great singing, and yes, he has a pact with the devil, hasn´t aged since the 90s, when he made the pact.

[@shaynebergwever6268]

Awesome to hear Nuno talk about Eddie!

[@petehernandez1476]

That's like one of the coolest stories I've ever heard!!

[@bobravenscraft5376]

I feel Ed and Dave are so admired cause they recognized each other on first jam. WOW. This is perfect Bands try combinations only thing close is Page and Plant

[@timallbritton7329]

Seems like a super nice guy. He's a hell of a guitarist in his own right.

[@lcwatts2971]

What a cool dude, very well spoken! I always loved Nuno's awesome tone...

[@kristenheller5840]

I love nuno❤

[@keolacam]

Genuine! He speaks from the heart. Mad props to you Nuno.

[@halbertking2683]

Nuno, I used to work at Cambridge Music. I knew Pat and your singers brother Mark.You and I have a mutual friend.He's passed away. Jimmy Mouradian. We worked together.We ate lunch together. We gigged in crappy blues bars. We ate stawberry wafles at Bickfords after the gig.The world seems like an empty place without him.Friends like him you can count on one hand . What an friend. He taught me a lot about friendship.He'd tell you when you did something good. He'd tell you when you were screwin up. A real friend.

[@mikekopmanis2099]

Nuno is a fabulous guitarist, but you see the respect he has for Edward, which illustrates how fantastic Ed really was. Guitarists 100 years from now will be talking about Ed's playing, mark my words. He really was that fabulous a player.

[@pawlpoche8736]

I remember just getting/having an A+ sound system. I owned Extreme debut, Janes addiction nothings shocking, Cro-mags, voivod, Last Carck, The Cure,Disintegration, Ministry, Kraftwerk What an amazing time

[@rossmarlin4947]

It's love to the greatest guitar player of all time EVH thank you

[@cchavezjr7]

That's a double show of respect from Eddie. First is knowing the interview to say that but also knowing that solo well enough to stop him as he's about to do the tapping.

[@cmgilbert82]

Incredibly humble dude. And a great guitarist.

[@KevyNova]

“Gary was not the biggest Van Halen fan...” It all makes sense now!

[@JohnnyBeane]

Hey man!

[@gkniffen]

Makes sense. Van Halen fans aren't the biggest Gary Cherone fans either 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@KevyNova]

Hey Johnny Beane! Fancy meeting you here!

[@JohnnyBeane]

@@KevyNova Yeah i just happened to see your name here!

[@junkboxhero4825]

Think about it though, Eddie wanted a band, NOT a fan in his band. At least he didn't go with that female singer he was talking about, the one who did "Sometimes Love Just Ain't Enough" with Don Henley...whatever her name was.

[@gcrauwels941]

This was great. I still miss Ed every day.😔

[@SteveKaynan]

Wow, this was a nice surprise, great live interview!

[@comment.highlighted]

It’s amazing of Eddie Van Halen to say such a witty & memorable thing to his guest 🙂

[@dyerseve45]

Awesome story. Thanks for posting.

[@MrJackal43]

I dont care what anyone thinks, for the day =VH= was THE most kick ass party band EVAH!

[@23ograin53]

" . . . . . as a kid you never thought this through . . . ." THAT'S funny

[@bigmike2464]

and SO TRUE

[@joeysislandofmisfitsongs9634]

THE BEST line ever!! hahahaha

[@jackflash5659]

Thanks for sharing your EVH/VH stories Nuno.

[@saint7370]

Damn , trunk finally let a guest talk

[@nimim.markomikkila1673]

:D

[@godwillguideme.3773]

😁

[@prs149]

Yeah man what's up with that, guess it was just meant to be

[@Lior1973]

It always struck me .. No matter who you are, how famous and how good you are at what you do, you still get stuck when you meet your idol. R.I.P Eddie

[@steverherb]

Saw Extreme in a smaller venue a while back. Nuno was amazing and the band blew the roof off the place!

[@thecentralscrutinizerr]

Nuno Bettencourt is the modern day Pat Travers. One of the funkiest players alive.

[@daveg4236]

stringtension it's amazing how they aren't in the conversation more

[@mitch5699]

I just love that you mentioned Pat. I don't think I've ever had more fun at a show than a Pat show, or a player have more fun playing than Pat.. hehehe I kill me sometimes.

[@mitch5699]

@@daveg4236 hey man just for shits , do you mean "string tension theory "with billy sheean , mike portnoy , and tony McAlpine , or not that one, just wonderin on that ....

[@fortunatoofamontillado1059]

what does that make Pat Traverse?

[@bretviola6871]

Hell yeah, I love Pat Travers! As long as you’re going old school, Rick Derringer was a pretty funky rock guitarist too.

[@charlesdalberto4974]

Very humble guy.. RESPECT Nuno

[@LTD-7]

*Just to play a guitar set up by Eddie Van Halen would be awesome!!!*

[@jimiaviles271]

Dude, I think I would pass out...lol

[@davidbrucemusicvideo]

Oh my God, that was probably the best video I’ve seen with Eddie!

[@hamiltonburger4574]

Oh man, great story. I'd love to hear more!

[@mikewalker1885]

And even though he was playing through Eddies rig, Nuno still sounded like..................Nuno! It's all in the fingers man.

[@scottrussell4742]

Eddie sixsix nobody can play nuno like nuno

[@mitch5699]

Hahaha Yep, he sounds like him, you sound like you , I sound like me. It's all in the fingers. I think I vote yours Best comment

[@carlsteele2109]

Eddie influenced him, enough said

[@Libertarianist2112]

Nah. It is NOT all in the fingers. So tired of that bullshit myth. Lol

[@EthnHayabusa]

It has little to do with the fingers. It's in the ears. You react to what you hear. Timing and touch isn't controlled by the fingers, it's the brain getting information from your ears. If Eddie has high end hearing loss, he will probably pick harder than someone that can still hear above 13k.

[@garo52]

Nuno is a top shelf guitar player ..has no problem playing as good as evh

[@SealofPerfection]

"Playing like" =/= "Sounding like"

[@Enoch-Gnosis]

Awesome Story! Nuno Super cool talented musician!

[@pauljones4188]

My Grandparents lived down the street from Van Halen's home in Pasadena, Ca. One of my uncles is in the music biz and knew Al and Ed through the local rock scene. He said Ed was a "wild child".

[@lawndart188s]

Such an awesome interview

[@shable1436]

None of that silly stuff here, showing nuno that he (ed) was still a guitar geek and reads every guitar mag out there and has his thumb on the pulse. Im so happy that he is clean and sober now and has been able to keep his skills, so many musicians lose them to long term drugs and alcohol.

[@TheDarkEthereal]

Nuno looks like Samurai Cop! Great to see him still rocking his tremendous good vibes and overall charming spirit.

[@antneyfatts665]

I met him when I worked at GC Boston back in 99. He was trading in the black acoustic from the vids "More than words" and "Wholehearted". He was shorter than I thought. Same can be said about Sully from Godsmack.

[@JohnnyBeane]

Gary was great in Van Halen! Amazing record!!!!

[@ACCH-cm9ou]

cool to hear artists like him talking about their idols ,and how trhey met them...in the end we re all just music lovers

[@dardobartoli]

Awesome respect..

[@frankpaws]

Ed was a sweet guy, joker and professional. Will be missed into the next lifetime.

[@bretviola6871]

Tone and rhythm is what separated Eddie from all the other players imo. Everyone else hears the leads with the dive bombs, harmonic squeals, and two hand tapping, and I agree he was an amazing lead player, but my god what great fucking tone that man had!

[@Crystal-gn1ih]

Nuno is one if the best guitarists and my for ever love❤❤❤

[@pauljohnson1065]

Nuno is the ambassador for all great guitarists. He is the hub!!!

[@mike_w_21]

I could listen to musician stories all day long!

[@jamiee172]

Nuno is the coolest guy!!!

[@johnmcfayden9273]

My 1rst guitar was a nunu bettencourt 2 signature washburn, awesome guitar!

[@BigIsk52]

That was a great story. I miss Extreme. I used to jam their music a lot.

[@simonetruguilosanches4107]

I love them so much... Nuno, Haley... They're the best. From Brasil ❤❤🇧🇷

[@Wardell43]

I saw Nuno for the first time with Generation Axe at the Wilson Center. He's probably the most underrated guitarist in the past 50 years. An awesome player and a real nice guy and he'll play for Beer and Porn!!

[@dorianponcela9680]

I don't think Nuno is underrated. In fact, I see a lot of other monster players talking about Nuno being a huge influence (Rick Graham for example). Even Brian May has a video analyzing Nuno's solo on "Get the funk out".

[@ashleesue]

I live in the same town Nuno is from in Mass. and I can see his brothers home from mine.

[@markbarboza1407]

Nuno is one of the greatest guitar players of AALLL TIME! RIP EVH!!!!!!!

[@CentaurusRelax314]

That's a great story. Boggles my mind when people don't recognize the magnificence and impact Eddie Van Halen had. When guys like Nuno, superstars in their own right, wax reverential like this, it should be a perspective-shaper for the 'ignorant.'

[@stricknine8623]

There is nothing "ignorant" about liking or disliking something that is completely, 100% subjective such as someone's music. And you can go on and on about how Eddie changed this or that or he set new standards. It is null and void to those that dont like his music. It's not objective. It isn't an objective fact that certain music is good or bad. Its opinion based. You get to create your own reality, not everyone else's reality (opinion) "Water is wet" is an objective fact and anyone who disagrees, they are indeed, ignorant. Conversely,..your peddling the idea that certain music or a certain musician is great and anyone who disagrees is ignorant only confirms your own ignorance and not those you accused. I agree with you that Eddie was phenomenal. But people who may dislike Eddie or Van Halen are not "ignorant" Making the claim that they are, IS.

[@theoneleggedchef]

"None of that silly shit here!" This old guitarist just fell out her chair laughing!

[@JRP3music]

Interesting twist. Very cool to hear this story.

[@SD-kp1yk]

wow a humble nuno, thats awsome! Great interview Nuno is top 5 along with you know who

[@Grungefan2018]

Literally the guy has not aged in 30 years . how is that possible? Probably because he's dialed into the universe . His playing is transcendent.