Alex Van Halen

[Sonic Temple]

Great read - won't spoil it for those who are fans but c'mon Alex! Looking forward to his book.

Eddie Van Halen: The Joy and Pain of Rock's Last Guitar Superhero

We retrace the life and career of Eddie Van Halen, rock's last guitar superhero, from his earliest days to his final triumphs.

www.rollingstone.com

 

[onomatopoeia]

I was fortunate to have seen Van Halen live in July, 1980, (Women and Children First tour). We were close enough to the stage near the end that one of my friends caught the guitar pick that Michael Anthony threw into the crowd.

I don't know if it was different in Toronto, but at Montreal Forum shows in the 1970's/ early 80's, most of the people with 'floor' seats would stand as close to the stage as they could for the encore songs. In addition, the ticket collectors were only paid until about 10 PM or 10:30, and when they went off duty, they would move the turnstiles so that anyone hanging around in the lobby could walk in and see the end of shows for free. I saw the last half hour of KISS and Santana that way in 1979.

 

[Insidious Von]

The Van Halen Bros represented their ethnic mix well, Eddie was more Dutch while Alex had more of an Indonesian look. Eddie was always set on a musical carrer, Alex wasn't so sure.

Then he heard this, unreal bass kick.

 

[JeanGary Diablo]

The Van Halen Bros represented their ethnic mix well, Eddie was more Dutch while Alex had more of an Indonesian look. Eddie was always set on a musical carrer, Alex wasn't so sure.

Then he heard this, unreal bass kick.

This is an extremely good remastering job on this track!

The original sound quality on Vol. 4 was absolutely awful -- the record sounded like it was recorded in a metal garbage can.

 

[Robert Mugabe]

Fave drummer. Not that I am an expert, but I know enough to know what I like. Seemed like a nice guy all in all. Will probably get around to reading it though I doubt he will shed much new light. Being the quiet one and all. Read a blurb today where he was saying how much he respected Diamond Dave and the three of them were game changers. Seems like once again Mikey is getting thrown some shade. Which is shameful considering the shameful way he was treated and the fact that he's a really nice guy.

 

[underground]

Mikey always seems to get the benefit of the doubt. Apparently Eddie was disappointed that Michael Anthony always arrived right at the scheduled time for rehearsals. Never showed up early to be part of a creative pre-jam with Alex and Eddie.
And Eddie was also disappointed the Michael never used the 4 track recorder that he gave to him, and the many tapes with riffs and song ideas. Eddie said Michael never even opened the box and it sat unused for years.

 

[Insidious Von]

This is an extremely good remastering job on this track!

The original sound quality on Vol. 4 was absolutely awful -- the record sounded like it was recorded in a metal garbage can.

100 % agreement. I have the vinyl from the 70's, it was top heavy and almost un-listenable, Geezer and Bill sounded like mud.

I wonder what Bill Ward and AVH would make of Ethan Torchio? Without him Maneskin would sound like a silly pop band.

 

[JeanGary Diablo]

100 % agreement. I have the vinyl from the 70's, it was top heavy and almost un-listenable, Geezer and Bill sounded like mud.

I wonder what Bill Ward and AVH would make of Ethan Torchio? Without him Maneskin would sound like a silly pop band.

Have you ever heard why Vol. 4 sounded so awful? I'm assuming they just didn't have a good studio to work in or the engineering was just really bad. Master of Reality and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath bookended Vol. 4 and the sound quality on those two albums is amazing.

 

[Robert Mugabe]

 

[Sonic Temple]

Mikey always seems to get the benefit of the doubt. Apparently Eddie was disappointed that Michael Anthony always arrived right at the scheduled time for rehearsals. Never showed up early to be part of a creative pre-jam with Alex and Eddie.
And Eddie was also disappointed the Michael never used the 4 track recorder that he gave to him, and the many tapes with riffs and song ideas. Eddie said Michael never even opened the box and it sat unused for years.

Nice tidbit of info - never knew that.

 

[tml]

Mikey always seems to get the benefit of the doubt. Apparently Eddie was disappointed that Michael Anthony always arrived right at the scheduled time for rehearsals. Never showed up early to be part of a creative pre-jam with Alex and Eddie.
And Eddie was also disappointed the Michael never used the 4 track recorder that he gave to him, and the many tapes with riffs and song ideas. Eddie said Michael never even opened the box and it sat unused for years.

I'd like to hear Anthony's version of this before passing judgement.