Van Halen - Backstage & Interview 1988

Van Halen
Portland Memorial Coliseum
Portland, OR
1988-11-24
Van Halen Interview (Japanese Subs)
Pre Show Footage Portland, OR
Building The Stage
Light At Show (Technician Interview)
Al's Drumkit (Technician Interview)
Van Halen Interview Before The Show
Eddie & Sammy's Guitars (Technician Interview)
Keyboards (Technician Interview)

[@rick3747]

We were very lucky to have lived during Edward Van Halen's lifetime. RIP Edward.

[@j_freed]

Long live the king of guitar!

[@trrrythomas1834]

That's one of the best short phrases / statements I heard since October ! Very well put my good man . I am just now coming around , and becoming able to listen to the Music. I knew it would hit me hard but , the concrete is hardening and I'm struggling to accept that I , all other hardcore fans, fellow musicians , and especially those who were privileged to know him personally , or luckier yet call him friend , and I'm not touching a family quote on that , it's to sensitive. But it's hard to comes to grips with the fact that we now live in a Eddie Van Halenless world ! I prefer the previous version . It's an against the wind , uphill battle that seemingly has no or a dim future. The World's connection with the human spirit has been knocked off its foundation , & guess what. Billie Eillish might not , but the rest of us do..........we've NOTICED. ! IT SUCJS knowing WE'LL NEVER BE THE SAME. I KNOW I WONT . GREAT QUOTE FRIEND !

[@TheAxe4Ever]

Absolutely! I’ll go one step further and say, blessed!

[@leonskum.5682]

absolutely.

[@johnny-r]

You could have said that he lived during our lifetimes. I like the way you said it better.

[@bonefunkenstein8411]

Rest in Peace Eddie, what a ride you gave all of us through music and magic

[@tiffanyroseangeles7517]

Bone Funkenstein love this comment!! 😘🌸✌🏻👍

[@53catfish]

Yes I am so very sad that Eddie Van Halen has passed, but his legend will sound out loud for everyone to enjoy. Rock it in heaven Eddie.

[@rayfabris2512]

what would the 80's of been like without EVH glad we'll never know

[@Popwarner-x1w]

I seen them 4 times ,. Once with Sammy. Good Times

[@rickybattle6230]

Yes, Eddie you were great! you certainly made a wonderful impact on the guitar by creating sounds that no one knew could ever exist! very few guitarists can say that? Then you had the two hand tapping and I once heard you make your guitar sound like an elephant! and everything was self taught! also the skills to play and pretty much build your own guitar "Frankenstein" from other guitar parts! and everything sounded great! and again SELF TAUGHT! you were like Albert Einstein but on guitar, I'm glad that you did exist, but I'm still going to miss you. You were great!

[@jeffwynings3782]

RIP Eddie Van Halen. No one did it better and no one ever will.

[@AZ-kr6ff]

Bullshit.

[@kristinasativa]

@@AZ-kr6ff what you say is what you are!!!

[@AZ-kr6ff]

@@kristinasativa Clever.

[@afistfulofpimples1745]

He was just a cancerous guitar player enslaved to cigarettes. Many other guitarists did it way better white not smoking. Smokers are are foul minority that need to disappear.

[@blackorpheous]

@@afistfulofpimples1745 music's what matters man...

[@tommyschultz1207]

God please take me back to the 80’s and 90’s so I could attend just one more Van Halen concert!! RIP Eddie, you surrounded my soul.

[@ILSRWY4]

......So I could just attend one more RUSH concert.. RIP Neil!

[@Sixft6]

During the time this interview was filmed Van Halen was personally responsible for keeping a small village in Bolivia alive and flourishing.

[@crusheverything4449]

Just what are you implying? 😆

[@paulaporter778]

@@crusheverything4449 😤

[@crusheverything4449]

@@paulaporter778 - I always thought that emoji was snorting IN. 😆

[@8Junio76]

very true

[@GreggRoberts]

I have no idea where I was. But this video was obviously made before his hip transplant.

[@TheSgtX]

I just can't believe he's gone, I'm heartbroken...

[@maria-kw9hg]

Me 2 buddy I love that man he was 2 good rock on Eddie in peace ❤

[@TonyHislop]

Me too bro’ … still can’t get over it

[@qua7771]

He seems to still live in all of us.

[@Anthony-nk4ky]

Interviewer: “you don’t have the fast finger moving solos you did in the previous albums” Eddie: “maybe your ears have slowed down” hahahaha love Eddie

[@AZ-kr6ff]

If your ears slowed down it would sound even faster, so it doesn't make sense.

[@tongyeong]

Or maybe he's just hearing it slower, that how I took it, prob how evh meant it

[@AZ-kr6ff]

@@tongyeong I know. I was just breaking it down literally.

[@NickNicometi]

@@AZ-kr6ff That's why you never get anything.

[@AZ-kr6ff]

@@NickNicometi I don't? What dont I get? I just got a delicious looking plate of fried clams set in front of me about 20 seconds ago. Doesn't that count as getting something?

[@kgnchristine]

We got in a car accident on the way to this show and missed the opening act but made it for VH!

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

Exactly. Nothing...NOTHING...would stop you if you had tickets and had been waiting six mo's to see a show like this. Floor seats, baby!!

[@AZ-kr6ff]

@@jupiterlegrand4817 Floor *seats?* Talk about lame.

[@AZ-kr6ff]

@ihate names Floor seats are still lame. Who wants to sit down and watch Van Halen?

[@FantasyFilms100]

Lean like a Cholo me

[@m.b.9565]

@@AZ-kr6ff I don't remember anybody sitting at van halen shows in the '80s, regardless of whether or not you had "seats" ya dumbass kid lmao

[@waterislife5109]

My heart is broken. RIP I will always love you. Rock on Eddie rock rock on 🤘🎸🎸🎸❤️

[@dougsteeleguitar]

I wish they had this kind of coverage for the first four albums.

[@JoshuaJonesGuitar]

Doug Steele Guitarist it’s all in the vault

[@badmonkey2222]

@@JoshuaJonesGuitar not really there isn't really one hi fi recording of a live show from the Dave days

[@adrianlopez2215]

I agree too much Sammy and his antics happy go lucky boxing in place I'm the best blah blah Dave and the band Starwood days till Fair Warning tour baby

[@charleskandrut7022]

Too much Rothtard as it is...

[@karenbilyk-vogel6553]

I grew up with van Halen and Sammy Hagar, I miss seeing them in concert. 😢😢so talented, such great memories!

[@splash5150izy]

^^^@Karen Bilyk-Vogel .. Wow you are so lucky to have seen Ed and the boy's Live, Eddie played a Show here at my City of Auckland a few year's ago, Man I was so Pissed when I heard Van Halen had played and Gone, cuz VH was the very Band i'd so longed to See Ever :D] .v ..

[@therealwilfreddierkes9980]

Go see Sam n Mike next time they come around. They CRUSH. I balled up my very first concert shirt I got when I was 16, and threw it onstage. Sammy signed it, and then broke out his rum, and gave a lot of us in the front, shots. 🤘🏼

[@jimbrookfield9011]

@@therealwilfreddierkes9980 sure it wasn’t tequila.?

[@TheLoveSignGuy]

Great guitar tech, 110 shows and only one broken string. Give that man a raise.

[@splash5150izy]

^^^@William Najger .. Oh I thought the guitar tech was sayin, one string broken between the two guitar player's if it was I'm thinkin' Sammy broke his string, cuz Eddie is too much of a Guitar Master to have Broken his Ha!!! :D} . v ..

[@TimObert]

I believe that was Matt Bruck, who is now basically the VP of Eddie’s EVH guitars.

[@chrisseanbaldwin]

@@TimObert It is actually Zeke Clark. He was Sammys tech and took over when Rudy Leiren left. Matt Bruck entered the picture much later, in the 90's

[@KeenanNeighbors]

@@chrisseanbaldwin Yes that's Zeke he was my neighbor when we all lived in Sherman Oaks at Woodman and Moorpark. EVH was just 2 miles away and on some late nights he would call Zeke and we would have to take him some coke to sober up. Photo is me and Zeke with Eddie's Monsters of Rock guitar photos.app.goo.gl/ijcKep2Qt2dd7FKa7

[@KeenanNeighbors]

@@chrisseanbaldwin And I was the concert photographer in Memphis and got to shoot everyone. You can see in my gallery and several VH tours even the first one from 1978 plus Randy Rhoads 6 months before his death goo.gl/photos/ymTxzKcsLaPFVUMB7

[@qua7771]

It's mind blowing, they set all this up for a 2 hour show, every show. I mean, all the peole, equipment, and transportation involved. I was fortunate enough to see 1984, and 5150. Unforgetable.

[@theridgeman2]

I love how Eddie is always carrying a guitar & noodling during interviews

[@bobjones2041]

tap tap tap random noodle noodle screeeee screee tappy tap tap

[@pw510577w]

He never knows when inspiration might strike, gotta be ready.

[@edsnotgod]

@@pw510577w gotta take a hit of coke, too, cuz that inspires. Oh, and a swig of beer. Thats what inspires rock stars. Now for some inspirational, genius inducing weed.

[@iamperplexed4695]

Eddie has probably fucked every guitar he owned.

[@mrmaxxproductions9758]

True story..2006 Eddies is at dave house eatin ribs with a guitar around his neck...finally realizes the conundrum he is in and laughs!!

[@humanityrising9378]

The best guitar vibe in Rock n Roll. RIP Eddie. My personal favorite guitarist!

[@XMattingly]

I miss the good old days when Van Halen was a functional, productive band, and kicked out an awesome album that was great for blasting while you drove around with the top down.

[@devilsrejects7058]

R.I.P. Eddie!! Thank you for everything.

[@briandetweiler2864]

And no music today could hold a candle to thier hard work. Alex, Eddie, Mike and Diamond Dave! Eddie will always love on!!!!!!🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@georgeloveless4176]

Im still in disbelief that Eddie is gone and Van Halen is done. I can't help but think that he "still wasn't done" in terms of blessing us with more music. When you think about how it ended, it's kind of a bummer. But, the fact that I rode out the entire ride, from start to finish, is a gift in itself. I was a kid when that first album hit the airwaves, Van Halens music was the soundtrack to my teen years, and it kept trucking through til now. Here I am, 49 years old, seen them live, listened to every album inside and out, and here I am realizing how lucky I was. Thanks Eddie!! Thank you Van Halen!! RIP King Edward.

[@jennydoucette2538]

yes

[@tityhuisman1478]

He was the most gifted guitarplayer and very unique in its style.. He did it.

[@AudoBot1]

There’s no wonder why Eddie is one of the greatest ever. He doesn’t even sit and do an interview without the guitar strapped to him

[@mattwarrensocal]

Never realized Alex was such a character. Reminds me a lot of Gene Simmons in how he speaks. More animated though. Great solid drummer. Doesn't get respect of Peart but solid and part of rock legend pantheon.

[@chriscampbell9191]

I recently read a bio of Eddie in a newspaper -- one of the LA ones -- and the guy said that with Alex playing drums, Eddie had a drummer who could follow him wherever he went, and wanted to go, musically. And really, that about says it right there.

[@crusheverything4449]

@James Smith That’s quite a Top 5, with 15 drummers.

[@crusheverything4449]

@James Smith - I agree with every word of that! I was just joking around.

[@stephenneville7841]

A v h is definitely one of my favorite drummers ever. Peart on a whole different level as far as skill . Watch a peart solo, plays four different time signatures all at once, perfectly. Haven’t seen anyone else do anything close to that.

[@crusheverything4449]

@James Smith - All are great drummers who have their strengths. Variety is the spice of life, after all. Sucherman is definitely deserving of those accolades and anyone of a certain vintage can vouch for Carl Palmer’s abilities. It’s possible Neil may be so beloved because he was one of rock’s best and most prolific lyricists, in addition to being a monster drummer. Those things are virtually impossible to compartmentalize, IMO.

[@furyss1tv184]

Saw them in LA in 88 at the monsters Of rock tour. I will Never forget it. It was awesome.VH for life.

[@tomitstube]

great video and interview. shout out to all the roadies, techs, electricians, engineers, etc. it's always great to hear the guys treated you good.

[@splash5150izy]

^^^@tomitstube .. And the Rigger's, Stage Set-up Crew, Trucker's that brought the gear in by road, (Btw which I do) Management which supply Bottled Water, Soda, Snack's, Lunch and Dinner and so on, :D] v ..

[@johnny-r]

At 14:44, Alex explains the future of music. And the future is here. Thank God for real bands who knew how to play, record and perform. RIP Eddie, there'll never be another.

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

I was at that show. Just turned 18. The best days in human history were from 1983-1989.

[@badmonkey2222]

79 to 89

[@sixslinger9951]

@@badmonkey2222 76-89 for me

[@lalaneko2309]

"Best hit USA" ヴァン・ヘイレンと小林克也さん、懐かしい 小林さんは79歳になり、今も現役でこの洋楽番組を1981年から続けてる。 安らかに…　　エディ

[@drexel11041]

Jeez..... this was 30 years ago! Seems like yesterday

[@tonybranton]

Yeah man. I was a teenager. Or in my early 20’s. I’m 57 now

[@seanfagan4996]

The band the ruled the 70s and 4 into the 80s got their panties in a bunch and cried and wined like the little girls they are instead of being four men and dealing with the bullshit they turned a half way decent band into a glorified bar band aka van hagar. They got over making noises and sorta riffs. Only guitarist who has been playing the same solo for 40 years. Lol

[@nonyobussiness3440]

Sean Fagan yeah that’s why roth left. He wanted Eddie to play heavier stuff

[@badmonkey2222]

@@tonybranton if your 57 you were 27 in 88.

[@tonybranton]

Alan Peters 26 on August 25, 1988. Born in 62. I’ve been a rock fan and guitar player from 1976 to 1981 and raised 3 children and wife didn’t work, couldn’t keep a guitar, became a sign painter and striper and airbrush guy, screen printed everything from shirts to posters 4 ft by 12 ft and built all my own equipment, no family inherited or influenced. I built guns that won world championships and I just read and watch stuff and live my 3 dogs that demand a lot of time but, I am old and still enjoy everything I did at 16. Y’all peace out and rock on!

[@OfficialGrizzly]

My parents were dating and got to see Van Halen during this tour on November 15, 1988 in El Paso, TX. It was my Mom's first concert and my Dad's third. They saw them again on the F.U.C.K. tour in '92 when I was 2 years old. I'm obviously a big fan as well, even got the EVH shoes and flip flops.

[@sttarch5150]

The way you treat "the help" tells the whole story about you.

[@judithmagill1449]

"Panama" sounds great here, you can see how much energy every band member puts out.

[@jupiterlegrand4817]

Gosh I miss the days of big arena shows. The lights, the staging and of course the great bands, music and fans. Never caught VH, but starting in '72 there was The Who, Yes, Alice, ELP, Purple, Jeff Beck, Zep...good times. All gone now.

[@evhvariac2]

And the smells

[@georgemorris4142]

Hadn't listen to VH 2 in years couldn't beleive how good , modern & innovative it sounds 40 yrs ago,WOW!!

[@Musabe009]

Rip Eddie!! Thanks for all the ladies that loved your music! The 80’s were wild!

[@R_Thomp]

Van Halen is one of my favorite bands, epitome of 2 of the greatest decades in modern history, the 70's & 80's but have persevered through the 90's, 2000's & beyond. Such talent.

[@bobjones2041]

spoken like a typical white male buffoon. ADKOT was shite. "Jump" charted next to Boy George and his "Karma Chameleon" and that was Eds biggest hit ever.

[@stevensteely9868]

Eddie always has a guitar in his hand an extension of his body that is why hes so great

[@phoenixmichaels]

Hendrix too, his guitar would be on his bed next to him, and he would wear it to breakfast and play in between bites of cereal.

[@aurora3067]

Phoenix Michaels Where’d you hear that?

[@phoenixmichaels]

+WhateverForever Interviews with Ernie Isley. Jimi lived in their New Jersey home from 1963 to late 1965 as a youngster playing for The Isley Brothers.

[@splash5150izy]

^^^@Steven Steely .. After Jimi there was absolutely no one until Eddie Came by and Blew The Guitar World Apart, Revolutionizing Guitar Style of Finger tapping, hammer on/s and pull-off's, Unique riffing, guitar tone/s and Speed Picking and more @ Phoenix Michaels Eddie slept with his Guitar Like Hendrix did and Talked, ate, and Freaking Breathed Guitar Ha!!! :D] .v ..

[@elonmust7470]

@@phoenixmichaels I can understand that feeling a lot. It's instant stress relief.

[@jasonbates2687]

I saw Van Halen on the Monsters of Rock tour that Alex is talking about at the Orange Bowl, I was 17, changed my life

[@dalestrachan9894]

I was there at both sites I had a t shirt that said vandalized s0 many compliments they were wow......

[@hillaryforincarceration4404]

1988, that was a great year.

[@gsxerwhite]

Hillary for Incarceration 87 and 88 saw some of the best rock/metal albums in history. Appetite, Justice for All, Hysteria, Girls Girls Girls, State of Euphoria, Whitesnake

[@michaelponce7326]

Hillary for incarceration...I'm with ya and I'm also with on "Hillary for incarceration

[@8Junio76]

8 has been my lucky number. I still remember the 8/8/88 but nothing happend that day 😐

[@willswitchcraft]

brings back so many memories. I was on a VH tour for all of 1986 (5150). So great to see the same crew at work backstage....

[@rapman5363]

Who was the crew member who got married in August of 1986 in Worcester,MA? Sammy made a huge deal out of it at the show I saw that day and there was a cake and the crowd was encouraged to give the bride and groom a raucous Massachusetts cheer! Sound familiar?

[@willswitchcraft]

Yes, I totally remember. I was at the wedding.......If you watch one of my videos, you'll see a photo taken at the wedding....however in that video, I think I mentioned the WRONG name - The person getting married was Bob Daitz - I believe.....(one of the VH crew noticed the mistake in my video and contacted me to remind me of the error)

[@rapman5363]

@@willswitchcraft wow!! I was a 19 year kid and my memory of that concert was a wedding. Lol Thanks for getting back to me with that little tidbit. I appreciate it.

[@willswitchcraft]

no problem!

[@yngwievh]

これは懐かしい‼️ベストヒットUSAですね。確か昔、betaに録画してたな。KZbinに感謝です！

[@christopherbraune04]

Watching this on thanksgiving day!! Rest In Peace Eddie Van Halen

[@chrisporter1001]

1988-That was the year they headlined the Monsters Of Rock. I saw that gig at JFK Stadium in Philly. Man I miss that place.

[@YAMISOOLD2009]

wow. 30 years ago. Happy Times for us all!

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Incredible footage. Thxs for the upload! ✌️

[@rg2027x]

It was all about live music then...no internet

[@jarecl]

ever heard of a record player?

[@01_SPACE_C0WB0Y]

Ok boomer

[@arandommetalheadontheinter6249]

Why are boomers are so anti internet

[@Charlie-RZ]

このベストヒットUSA、中学生の時にリアルタイムで見てました。 ビデオに録ってなかったのが心残りだったので、今また観れて嬉しいです。

[@476429]

I saw them on that tour in Charlotte, NC. I'm not sure I realized at the time that he would become legendary. He was already a massive star, but I didn't realize he would be ranked with Les Paul and Jimi Hendrix as an innovator.

[@hveguitar]

R.I.P. Eddy, I still can't believe you passed away, thanks for the awesome vibes and music 🙏🙏🙏

[@chriscampbell9191]

Fun watching Eddie noodle about on his guitar while they're being interviewed, and look at that reach his fingers have got over the fretboard. Interesting glimpse into the pre-grunge rock era as well. I liked the bit with the guitar tech. Always great to see in interview vids like this.

[@rapman5363]

Eddie was so socially awkward he needed his guitar like a security blanket to help him get through interviews, he’s mentioned it several times over the years.

[@nyhtopossu4858]

I noticed the reach of his fingers as well. Hadn't noticed earlier he had Paul Gilbert hands.

[@ernestoortiz8672]

His reach over the fretboard is crazy

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

What an amazing time to be alive !!!!! The world was a different place.

[@JohnnyBeane]

AMAZING FOOTAGE!!!!!

[@stevebracher6998]

Miss you Ed, you were loved brotha.....

[@raywt3237]

I've never seen a 12-string Tele before, very cool!

[@Slicklickz]

It's a Tele body with a Coronado 12 neck on it.

[@drby0788]

He used it for Cabo Wabo

[@tiffanyroseangeles7517]

Love watching this but I feel sad. Miss you Eddie,though I never never personally knew you...I felt I did through your lyrics & guitar. RIP GUITAR GOD WITH A SMILE ALWAYS ON HIS ADORABLE FACE!!!! Also I found out later in life he used to help kids,with cancer too. Learn to play golf,he had such empathy,patience. Same with Wolfie,his son. Sadly,his beloved,leaving behind,who as we all know wrote the tweet, was at his dads bedside with his mum,Valerie ...THE 2- true REAL LOVES OF HIS LIFE. I'm glad,that when he passed on,his true loved ones where right there by his side. Thank you,Eddie,for taking all the hours,I'm sorry for all your pain ( both from the addictions & of course......the cancer) you were a hell of a fighter,man!!! I'm very sad though cancer got you so young! Us fans well,were all ya know most of us 40-50 something like that I'm 59 yrs young I'm cool with that. I've had plenty cool times plenty bad. ( like Led ZEP Good Times Bad Times!) Haven't all of us VH fans?!!!! RIP SWEET EDWARD FROM ABOVE

[@mikegallant3572]

The reaction of michael anthony at 9:58 when the interviewer says Eddie Don't have the fast finger moving solos he used to

[@seaskiff20]

I was there Thanksgiving evening 1988 at the old memorial coliseum. Those were the days.......

[@scottklepper5262]

The Memorial Coliseum had so many great shows in the 80s

[@seekah1]

Great seeing crew footage, glimpse of Ed warm up etc, more of this if you can, thanks!

[@steveknutson7464]

se ekah1

[@tonymilam206]

I saw VH in '88 at Monsters of Rock in Memphis, Tennessee. Good times. Good times.

[@tylerdurden4]

Michael Anthony reminds me of Ray Jackson from bloodsport

[@annawatanabe9711]

Edward Van Halen! Eddie, Dude, Edinho! Don' t forget to remember...I can't stop lovin' you...Forever! 🌺💕🎸💕🌺😍

[@WestCoastRoller]

love these old interviews man.....😁

[@icuabc1235]

Michael Anthony 2051: Still looks the same, playing Panama with Grandkid Halen band.

[@shawnmarko7131]

Forever thankful to Eddie for backing Holdsworth.

[@LuckyDogProductions]

It only took me 30 years to learn how to play like ED, and I will always be working on it.

[@cornflakesbaby]

From 14:42 - 15:06 Alex/Sammy predict the future of "popular" music lol.

[@Jedizen07]

The " Panama " concert footage and some of set up video is DEFINIETLY from Sacramento, CA, November 22, 1988 ( Portland Oregon was the next day or the day after, I forget ). MY VERY FIRST VH show!! But that's Arco Arena alright ( I have an old VHS copy from the ABC news station in Sacramento which showed the camera crew filming the band during " Panama "). I remember those blue seats in the back. Saw TONS of shows at Arco: Van Halen, Metalica, Dire Straights, Paul Simon, Yes ( Union 1991 tour was AMAZING ), Rush, Primus, ZZ TOP, etc. . . Great days. I'm told by a camera buddy that the interview was done at the San Francisco show prior to Sac and Portland. Who knows. . .I wasn't there for the interview but it's a TREASURE that we all have this. Thanks for this post!!! Made my day!!!!

[@waitindelaney]

Yep, I'm from Sac. Seen a ton of shows there myself: Clash of the Titans (Slayer/Megadeth), Metallica, Queensryche, Tool, Prince, Yes, you name it

[@Anonymous-ux3tu]

Sammy: I dont get pumped up before the show. Sammy: (shadow boxing preshow)

[@stevemundy9886]

Tomorrow will be two years I’m sorry Ed your gone I play your music every day I listen to Van Halen

[@craigharrison5406]

wtf was that interviewer talking about eddies solos getting slower...I don't know any albums with slow eddie van halen solos.

[@splash5150izy]

^^^@Craig Harrison .. Absolutely Man :D] .v ..

[@BAND-MAID-USA]

He didn't know the correct terminology apparently. 5150 & 0U812 Eddie got more melodic & more focused in solo writing. A lot of solos just had less notes & more bends & octave changes.

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

@@BAND-MAID-USA Yep. Also, his playing to me altered a touch after the first van halen record. The guitar playing on that record up and down etc. was an onslaught of in your face of playing. From VH2 on, his tone and playing changed a little bit.

[@lievliberant6019]

@@robertgoodwinr6523 I agree, and I think it had alot to do with the tapping. He only began dabbling with it a short time prior to VH1, so at that time he still played very much in his original style, with tapping being a new addition to the arsenal. Over time tapping become more and more prominent, where early on he was mostly playing straight blues, but really fast, along with some of his own oddball licks. To my ears he really peaked with Fair Warning but I still have a huge hard on for those fleeting magical moments on VH1.

[@robertgoodwinr6523]

@@lievliberant6019 Totally nailed it, Joe, good point. Yes, for sure, the tapping became more prominent after the first record and Fair Warning is basically my really last favorite album out of the Roth/VH era. I agree the VH1 fast picking of all the pentatonic shapes really still is my fav and holds up to this day. Genius

[@wanderer3444]

The good ole days of Van Halen!!!

[@ThatKa5p3r]

5,280lbs sounds ironically specific for the custom drum riser. "It goes 18 feet in the air, it's...uhhhhhh...16 feet wide, it spins 360 degrees. And weighs 1 mile."

[@geraldhartley]

Eddie if you're out there watching... PLEASE recognize that you don't have much time left to make things right. Bury the hatchet. Do the right thing and give us one last tour with Sammy and Mike.

[@paulprice6330]

The real heroes are the production crew!

[@Glass_Caskets]

Paul Price they usually are

[@garybrandt2376]

Omg VH no words to explain of awesomeness those stage crew dudes deserve WAY more recognition but hey what ya gonna fo especially the guy in beginning of this video sliding down a metal cable upside-down

[@vendmaster7107]

Ahh yes, a truly laid back ,easy going ,kind ,Edward Van Halen....last 15 years........nnnnnot so much!

[@keep_walking_on_grass]

Eddie, the most charismatic rock star EVER. beside being the guitar God.

[@DVincentW]

In his own words, "a musician". He even said, "what is a rock star?". When I first saw them in 1979, I heard and saw a musician, but that is because my family were working professional jazz musicians. He has a serious musical foundation.

[@keep_walking_on_grass]

@@DVincentW you're right, I read that several times about his dad who was a saxophonist or clarinet player. I am not sure. Surprisingly enough, Eddie couldn't read notes and did not know a lot about music theory when he was learning the guitar. which is perhaps the reason for all the freaking stuff that he came up with. That's what Eddie said, I heard him saying that in an interview. But, many of the greatest musicians didn't know music theory, Paul McCartney, Hendrix, Steve Miller come to my mind.

[@DVincentW]

Yes indeed. @@keep_walking_on_grass On that note, The last time I met Edward was in 2014, at the Smithsonian in DC. (Its on my channel btw).. I gave him a 1913 OBarber half dollar that I had since I was 5 years old. I told him he was the reason I kept playing guitar. To have the belief in my own playing. I have a notion that Wolfgang has that coin somewhere that I gave Eddie. Wish you the best be well!

[@johngraham5722]

I was pissed with Van Halen came out, I've been busting my ass for years before they came out keeping up with Led Zeppelin Aerosmith and you name it whoever was out kiss you name it and then this guy shows up, with these Floyd Rose locking systems damn they were hard to get and those days the guy knew how to make his amps work . cried when I heard he died sitting on my motorcycle. He will always be with me💗

[@sengle1013]

Eddie with the strat, don't recall seeing before, not surprised with the song Finish what ya started but still don't recall seeing him play one aside from some backstage stuff, the GOAT.

[@ocpofficialrep7026]

i remember David lee roth wanted me to replace Eddie and i was like no way man i'm joining the Army

[@vanhouten7377]

I Don't think Eddie or Alex would let Dave Get away with that

[@paulieramos]

Good choice my friend, getting married to your sweetheart or seeing one of your kids born, declining that job was the choice of your life. MERICA

[@davidbrooks6599]

So you did, and now you’re in the army

[@fujiosuzuki4162]

Thanks to upload!

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

Those KRAMER "Baretta's" like sammy owned were amazing guitars! KRAMER wanted to sell a EVH sig endorsed guitar but he did not want to do it so that is when they made the "Beretta" as a get around to eddie's decision of not wanting to make and sell a signature KRAMER. I owned a few and they all sounded and played incredible.

[@mikesjunk00]

Those were the days.. Caught them during the 5150 tour in '86. Sammy was a madman.. climbed up to the top of the arena and was swinging around the upper catwalks.

[@artnerio5168]

we were at the gulf coast show where sammy went to the catwalk and a power supply blew and stranded him up there , techs were running around the stage grabbing up eddies gear and saying whers ed wheres ed

[@FantasyFilms100]

15:39 love that Eddie just wants to play his guitar hahah, I love him.

[@beverlysmith6539]

The best of the best! ❤ miss you Eddie!😘

[@robertrogers2395]

Wow,so much work.

[@oldguitarguy7528]

The man thats responsible for me never having to work a day!! RIP MAESTRO, ILL SEE YOU AGAIN.

[@Glass_Caskets]

Damn that guitar tech is badass with the strings.

[@joshuajohnson2216]

The metal god is in our hearts. Even if he's gone, his legend and the spirit of heavy metal lives on forever.💔😭 RIP 1955 - 2020

[@smkxodnwbwkdns8369]

Heavy metal? Isn’t it rock n roll?

[@joshuajohnson2216]

@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 that's 1950s. Way back before heavy metal. I already know by now. AC/DC is also rock n roll too. Because of the song Ice Cream Man, it is rock n roll.

[@smkxodnwbwkdns8369]

@@joshuajohnson2216 don’t you mean rockability?

[@joshuajohnson2216]

@@smkxodnwbwkdns8369 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Halen SEE FOR YOURSELF!!!!!!!😡

[@memyopinionsche6610]

TRULY LOVE VAN HAGAR. AND VAN HALEN with David Lee WITH

[@markv.3655]

N p t interested

[@robertnoone7256]

When I first saw live with out. I was still am amazed one guitar player also plays rhythm sounds perfect while running jumping sing.how unbelievable

[@ClarkHumancom]

Can we re-live the Summer of '88 again?

[@paulrivers6137]

ClarkHuman.com how about 1984

[@777jones]

I was a kid in 1988. It was heaven. Haha.

[@toneloc223]

can we relive the summer of 1983? way better...

[@thevideosinc]

Yeah enjoy that $3.50 an hour minimum wage. Enjoy gas prices biting you in the ass too you guys forgot about about that supposed "gas shortage"

[@interplanetarymusic7929]

I still am 😂🤘

[@derekalcock6897]

This is the way music took over,,,awesome band Eddie is the shit

[@williamwallace4879]

R.I.P Eddie!!

[@やんたけ-z6j]

エディって本当にギター好きなの伝わるわ！ずっとギター弾いてる！かっこいいわ！

[@nolafishr]

The Good Ole Days !

[@terenceclothier585]

I miss you Eddie 🎸🎶😎🙂Terry ❤💕💖

[@MarcoPolo-je5ej]

Wow. I was at this show. Cool!

[@hoody2141]

I was too, 2nd row. Was a Senior in Highschool. Ha! Funny to look back on it.

[@jabbagymfilms9044]

IM the biggest fan of van halen!... LOVE YOU EDDIE!

[@james_schneiderwind]

Loved the rig rundown towards the end.

[@agent19kentuckypotbaron15]

I was there too! a man named James gave me a filthy Sanchez under the stage! was it you?

[@marcelolima1666]

They were the best band at that time!