Wow! How Frank Zappa felt about Eddie Van Halen. Dweezil Zappa explains on Sunset Sound Roundtable

On the Sunset Sound Roundtable, Dweezil Zappa shares his insights on what his father Frank Zappa thought about Eddie Van Halen.
Link to full episode:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJPXqYmsmtJ2aK8
LIMITED EDITION "ERUPTION" WORK ORDER
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Dweezil Zappa: www.dweezilzappa.com
Host: Drew Dempsey dfdproductions
Filmed at Sunset Sound Recorders Studio 2
Merchandise: sunset-sound-merchandise.myshopify.com
Instagram: sunsetsoundrecorders
Facebook: @sunsetsoundrecorders
Website: www.sunsetsound.com
#vanhalen #eddievanhalen #frankzappa

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@bigdogaxis]

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.

[@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

[@briandavis9921]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@mariamarin8152]

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

[@charlesmayer7097]

Thank you sunset sound for ANOTHER awesome interview video!

[@charlesmayer7097]

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

[@robertfrederick4714]

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

[@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!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@topJimmyP1984]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@yogiblair22]

Digging that little bit from 1981’s Greeboro show

[@StONed-mb1iv]

MeanStreet intro affect on the ears was soooooooooooooo well described here

[@keithp8521]

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

[@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.

[@johnstarr8858]

FRIGGIN AMAZING THANK YOU 🌅🤘

[@lanemeyer9350]

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

[@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.

[@keithp8521]

Dweezil Keeps the torch burning !!!

[@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

[@terrypussypower]

I first saw the Dweez playing with his daddy in 1988 at the Wembley Arena, the first of 4 gigs I saw on Frank’s final tour. Fortunately, I had my trusty Sony Professional Walkman and microphone with me to record the shows! I still listen to them these days….😎

[@gkniffen]

Greatest KZbin channel... EVAR!! 😎🔥👍

[@jameslemley1758]

Bless you man...respect

[@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

[@HikeColorado]

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

[@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.

[@SIXX49ER]

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

[@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

[@johnb.3476]

Shout out to Greensboro NC!!

[@nellawell4976]

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

[@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.

[@thisklik]

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

[@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.

[@kajem575]

"Great Googly Moogly"🙂✌❤

[@geraldskinner63]

You beat us to it!

[@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

[@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..

[@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.

[@willwaggoner8805]

Dweezil carries the torch with real class

[@darthhull85]

The Greensboro 81 bootleg is the best from that tour.

[@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.

[@denmac19]

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

[@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.

[@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🤘

[@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👍

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

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

[@andybaldman]

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

[@DanielPearsonRoseCityWriter]

yes

[@frankrichards3089]

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

[@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.

[@huppmoile]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 !

[@dornelli1]

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

[@DaryllHurst]

"Phone's ringin' Dude."

[@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.

[@jesusdaniel8707]

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

[@michaelprice7005]

Edward goes cosmic in Greensboro.

[@rihamy2nd]

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

[@sunsetsoundrecorders]

Its included in this clip

[@Zero_thehero]

Dweezil!

[@kevinogracia1615]

Didn't Steve Hacket and Brian May tap before Eddie? Answer - yea. And a lot of jazz cats. Love you Dweez! Peace on earth.

[@Daneiladams555]

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

[@sunsetsoundrecorders]

Yes there was

[@todd8155]

Alan Holdsworth! I totally saw that coming...

[@likenothingdo]

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

[@CrazyBxDon]

Yep! When I played the intro to mean street back in ‘81 I was like WTF? How TF is he doing that????????

[@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.❤

[@rjdc61]

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

[@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

[@ijustgottasaythis]

3:17 ..."because how could you not?" Poignant.

[@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 😮

[@clicheguevara5282]

Dweezil sounds exactly like Duncan Trussell. Lol

[@spaceghost8995]

WHO the hell is that?

[@carloslozada470]

Where's don johnson

[@tyryztoll]

Thought you were bringing in Ted Templeman a while back?

[@sunsetsoundrecorders]

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

[@LRD113]

Dweezil is one of my favorite guitar players and he is NOT under rated by people who plays guitar 🎸

[@nathanwalsh3028]

Quick tip. Don't eat the yellow snow!👌

[@zoltar7274]

Too late

[@councilofgiants1031]

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

[@25dollarbill24]

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

[@markmadruga5121]

Whatever the conflict that’s going on behind Zappa plays Zappa needs to end because this guy needs to be on stage. He’s too damn good not to be .

[@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?

[@christopherreed2694]

Eddy made all that cool shit by recording himself on a tape recorder then playing along side it its how I figured out eruption no tab no guitar lessons at 12 years old back in 1992 get familiar with your playing gives you power 😉

[@JohnnyBeane]

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

[@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

[@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

[@Heaven-dy9lj]

Frank and Eddie both thought Allan Holdsworth was the man.

[@onemotherpucker]

Jimmy Page had one of those unique moments, and it was recorded. WHOLE LOTTA LOVE. Nobody has been able to reproduce that solo since, including Jimmy Page.

[@leaveitorsinkit242]

Eddie was a terrific improviser, but there was little to no improv in that last tour Van Halen.

[@thomasrudder9639]

See ya in August in Denver Dweezil.

[@seanx666]

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

[@The-F.R.E.E.-J.]

Interesting BUT, the title IS clicky-baity