Van Halen • “Unchained” • 1981 [Reelin' In The Years Archive]

Reelin’ In The Years Productions has available for licensing over 30,000 hours of music footage spanning 90 years. Additionally, we have more than 8,000 hours of in-depth interviews with the 20th century’s icons of Film and Television, Politics, Comedy, Literature, Art, Science, Fashion, and Sports.
To search for footage please visit ‪our online database at reelinintheyear...​.
Note: these clips are available on KZbin for producers, directors, researchers and clearance companies for potential use in their projects. Our website on the screen is to protect the footage from being used without our consent and so industry professionals can find us to properly license the footage.

[@CanuckQuest]

This song still gives me chills after 10,000 listens!

[@janeporter818]

I love VH. RIP Eddie. Miss you so much💔🌹

[@stephengamber7000]

louder! Louder! LOUDER!

[@TANTRUMGASM]

I saw Van Halen in backyards in 76 -77 with my older brother when I was 14 ? in Pasadena , I am a Rock guitarist and it was my career since '84 because of seeing Edward Van Halen and Randy Rhoads, I saw VH on the strip when I snuck into clubs, saw every tour 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, US Fest, 84.. Bought every bootleg album while overseas in japan and europe, Germany, in the 80-90s vinyl, vhs, cassette... I have almost every piece of rare live footage, including my own film... I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS OMG THANK YOU MOST OF THE EURO LIP SYNCH VIDS ARE KIND OF LIKE VH DOESNT GIVE A FCK AND JOKE AROUND THIS ONE IS PRIMO VH

[@DVincentW]

Too bad you dont post videos of your Rock Guitar playing.

[@davidst6979]

Mad respect for still posting theese

[@user-ro6bi5mu8l]

Thought all rock stars were like these guys at the time.Was I ever so wrong.These guys were the best of the best.

[@GaelDT]

It’s always a good day when « new » old =VH= is unearthed. ❤️🤘🏻

[@Petenati2010]

Thank you very much.

[@johnhurst1169]

Rolling down the road in my 68 Barracuda with my best friend back when this came out going to deshoots (sp) falls... What a time to be alive.

[@robertkroberjr.157]

Miss you Eddie! RIP 😎✌❤

[@ToriS61910]

RIP eddie we miss you but your still here for us

[@cpirazzo]

Thank you for posting this!!

[@VardHalen]

This is AWESOME!!!! I don’t think the record executives (or even the rest of the band) realize that ANY footage of them is always welcome, in fact, it’s encouraged. “New” footage? Yes please. Restored footage we’ve already seen? Definitely. Backstage/studio footage of absolutely nothing even remotely interesting going on? Of course. Just looking at this band puts a smile on your face.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

2 years ago? Only just saw it. Had to wait till 2023 to see this.

[@JohnnyBeane]

Awesome clean footage! Wish it was actually live!

[@whitelion1111]

Excellent upbeat vibe 80's ROCK!

[@chebrneck]

Never saw this before. Super cool thanks.

[@PA-uf4wd]

Just one of Eddies many Masterpieces. Awesome song. 👍

[@robf7537]

Fantastic!!!

[@getwhatyougive]

[Live footage, album version of the song. If you were fortunate enough to hear an actual live recording from the Fair Warning era, you'd witness the Mighty VH at their absolute peak.]

[@goring19]

I was fortunate enough. Saw the Fair Warning tour twice. Once in LA at the Forum, and then down in San Diego at the Sports Arena. Paid $20.00 for 11th row on that one. Both were awesome shows, seeing Van Halen in their prime.

[@seancompton5393]

@@goring19 I live in San diego not far from sports arena I always wanted to see van halen my mom wouldn't let me go I was in the 3rd grade lived in point loma around that time much respect 👍

[@diamondd2778]

Wow what an awesome band

[@Taylor-hu2no]

Warner Bros. contracted VH to appear on various European television market variety shows between ‘80-82; many guest-appearing artists were mandated to lip-sync their songs during this era.

[@Studanski]

Shame they dubbed it, the video itself was shot really well. Great lighting and camera movement, fantastic set, dynamic shots of DLR and VH abounding, what more could you ask for? Would have been even better with them actually playing.

[@DVincentW]

They are lip syncing for a promotion. They couldnt play live because they are TOO LOUD for the venue.

[@GiveMeYourNachosButthead]

Love this era of the mighty V.H!! 🤘 unfortunately it’s not live, but it/they still sounds great lol.

[@mckenziesmall6275]

Amazing how Eddie and Michael's vocals are picked up by David's mic.

[@dsdaniels4727]

This is definitely not a live recording.

[@weibernipple]

👍 good catch lol

[@cheallen1626]

Can't fool you, huh?

[@diamondd2778]

You were on to it immediately.....

[@panavisionnot7180]

and upon seeing this, all aspiring young guitarists experienced a near brown trouser moment !

[@michaelrenkes4463]

This is the album version. DLR does all of his lyrics. Never happened on stage. He was too busy strutting.

[@tianlee3487]

Would have been even better if Eddie’s guitar was plugged in 😂

[@rcranky64]

Sounds just like the recording that’s amazing

[@timw.6910]

Good Lord they’re lip-syncing 🤦🏼‍♂️ BUT, everyone did. American Bandstand, Solid Gold, Soul Train, etc.. oh well. Makes for strange entertainment, but still better to have this than not : )

[@demi12342002]

Unbelievable

[@andreluizsilvahenriques9360]

Tava nesse tempo eu vi😊😊😊

[@patrickoneill666]

For sure dubbed over, is it possible they're lip syncing for TV?

[@bobbuilds1403]

I think they was lip-syncing

[@stevemann3080]

Yes In Deeeed !! 🤘

[@RustyKeys72]

Dude. It's standard practice to mime (instruments as well as vocals) in the industry. Almost every band you've ever seen on TV is miming. Don't you think that the fact that none of the instruments are plugged in and most of the band has no microphone in front of them is a bit of a giveaway? It's not like you're 'catching them out' or noticing anything that is supposed to be a secret or hidden from view. As I said, it's standard practice. It's how things have always/are currently/and will always be done.

[@stevemann3080]

@@RustyKeys72 True Mate ... But we are ALL anticipating a Rare Live Video and are sadly Mistaken !! 🤘🤘 ✌✌

[@RustyKeys72]

@@stevemann3080 Yeah, you're right. That is a bummer. And what a great band they are! Cheers, Steve.

[@alexanderc.broche4017]

@@RustyKeys72 WELL YHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE WHEN ALL THE GROUPS REFUSE TO LIP-SYNCH ALL THEIR VIDEOS THEN IT’LL CHANGE A CAN RELEASE ITS VIDEOS WHE’RE NOT DEPENDENT ON NETWORKS ANYMORE THEY HAVE LOST SLOT IF POWER IF YOU’RE A GROUP YOU CAN MAKE YOU OWN VIDEOS THE ARE REAL NOT FAKE SHIT THE FUCK WITH THE NETWORK AND THEIR HEGEMONIC CONTROL-FREAK-ATTITUDE-TOWARDS-LIP-SYNCHING TO THEIR VIDEOS

[@andreluizsilvahenriques9360]

😊😊😊muito legal 😊😊😊

[@jackziemer8538]

lmao the lip sync doesnt even line up and it makes me uncomfortable

[@Carloscda40]

One thing for sure they're not a lip-sync band the need to be live!! And Dave looks bored as hell, that stage is to small for him!

[@UnchainedEruption]

Great video, but really what a stupid watermark plastered over it.

[@dragongold7732]

More

[@williamlindh6244]

Very disappointed in this I’ve watched reeling in the years for 5 years love there video’s but please don’t put a video up that is not done live. You guys are better then that in fact one of my favorite videos is Otis Redding not long before his death is try a little tenderness I think it was in Stockholm 1967

[@brettthebassist]

DLR can’t lip sync to save his life!🤦🏻👎🏻🎤

[@michaelrenkes4463]

This is a lip synch to the album version, I have little doubt.

[@nightheron5892]

I do Cocaiiinnne!!

[@alanpartridge3972]

such a fat bass line

[@TheHardStyleLife]

;)

[@loudechant7034]

What is the obviously and poorly lip-sync'ed bullshit? Doesn't do the song any justice. Do you see the look of contempt on DLR's face?

[@billh3254]

At the time. We thought DLR was so cool. You watch these old clips and he was embarrassing then.

[@sdime9858]

To bad it's not actually them playing live