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Guitar World Presents: Van Halen
(Guitar World Presents). No musical entity has been more closely associated with Guitar World magazine over the years than Edward Van Halen the man who, in the late seventies and early eighties, changed the course of guitar history. This collection of classic and new interviews with the great Edward tells the real story behind his earth-shaking technique, brilliant songwriting, and relationship with both David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar. This is the authoritative book revised and updated with new exclusive interviews and information on one of the greatest rock bands of all time and the guitar god at the center of it all.
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 6, 2020
Re-reading this book in November 2020 (19 years after the first time I read it).
While reading the EVH/Billy Corgan interview from 1996, I come across this passage (p. 171) and it hits me like a ton of bricks. Tears in my eyes after reading it:
"I think my desire to do my own thing came from my dad. He was a real soulful guy. He played sax and clarinet like a motherfucker. Unfortunately, he was also an alcoholic who died when he was 66. But he lived a full life. My mom, on the other hand, is 80, but she doesn't live. So I'm trying to find a balance between them. I don't want to be like my mom and live to be 80, and not live. And I don't want to die at 66 like my dad."
RIP Edward Van Halen
While reading the EVH/Billy Corgan interview from 1996, I come across this passage (p. 171) and it hits me like a ton of bricks. Tears in my eyes after reading it:
"I think my desire to do my own thing came from my dad. He was a real soulful guy. He played sax and clarinet like a motherfucker. Unfortunately, he was also an alcoholic who died when he was 66. But he lived a full life. My mom, on the other hand, is 80, but she doesn't live. So I'm trying to find a balance between them. I don't want to be like my mom and live to be 80, and not live. And I don't want to die at 66 like my dad."
RIP Edward Van Halen
July 19, 2023
A total pleasure to revisit these conversations with the guitar great, most of which I remember reading in the pages of Guitar World in their original form. Great insight throughout to his unique approach to his "brown sound" that was so unique to him (and his brother, drummer Alex Van Halen).
Reading the interviews now, I was struck by both EVH's consistency and inconsistency. He was consistent with things like his love of his family -- his adoration for his son in particular -- as well as his more or less complete bafflement at his own musical genius. Over and over, when asked about his songwriting, he chalks it up his amazing riffs and unforgettable guitar solos to simply sitting down and plinking around until something good comes out.
Inconsistencies are just plentiful, however. In one early interview, he completely throws VH bassist Michael Anthony under the bus, saying he brings nothing to the creative table. Later, in a different chat, he profusely praises Mike. Chalk it up to a bad day, or a personal beef, but it's strange to take such a negative stance publicly for the world to read. Same thing for his ongoing feuds with Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth -- he oscillates between respect and hatred -- often within the span of a single interview.
In all, it was great to revisit these interviews with a true musical original. Also: 5150 is the greatest Van Halen album; don't @ me.
Reading the interviews now, I was struck by both EVH's consistency and inconsistency. He was consistent with things like his love of his family -- his adoration for his son in particular -- as well as his more or less complete bafflement at his own musical genius. Over and over, when asked about his songwriting, he chalks it up his amazing riffs and unforgettable guitar solos to simply sitting down and plinking around until something good comes out.
Inconsistencies are just plentiful, however. In one early interview, he completely throws VH bassist Michael Anthony under the bus, saying he brings nothing to the creative table. Later, in a different chat, he profusely praises Mike. Chalk it up to a bad day, or a personal beef, but it's strange to take such a negative stance publicly for the world to read. Same thing for his ongoing feuds with Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth -- he oscillates between respect and hatred -- often within the span of a single interview.
In all, it was great to revisit these interviews with a true musical original. Also: 5150 is the greatest Van Halen album; don't @ me.
October 12, 2019
I LOVED this book. This is exactly what I want to read when it comes to a book about a musician - no nonsense about banging groupies, or what planes they like to fly (looking at you Bruce Dickinson!) or drugs or other boring sensational tabloid stuff.
Here we get guitarists interviewing Eddie about guitars and music and gear and writing songs and it's great! I think we all know the guys in Van Halen sometimes exaggerate their accomplishments or whatever, but even if Eddie didn't invent all the things he has credited himself with over the years, he IS a legend and the finest guitar player of his generation, probably.
This book really gives you an insight into what made him tick and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Here we get guitarists interviewing Eddie about guitars and music and gear and writing songs and it's great! I think we all know the guys in Van Halen sometimes exaggerate their accomplishments or whatever, but even if Eddie didn't invent all the things he has credited himself with over the years, he IS a legend and the finest guitar player of his generation, probably.
This book really gives you an insight into what made him tick and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 19, 2020
This isn't the first Guitar World presents book I've read. But its by far the best. Since passing of eddie , its given great in sight on what he was thinking and feeling during the mali g of each album up to a different kind of truth. I recommend this book to any music lover. But especially if your a Van Halen fan.
July 27, 2018
Nice compendium of Guitar World articles with Eddie Van Halen. Each chapter, including a few unpublished nuggets, focuses on a different Van Halen album and the genesis of various tracks. This book is for hardcore fans only.
April 21, 2018
215 - 2018
December 17, 2012
17 word review: Essential for diehard Eddie fans. I’ve read these interviews before, but this thorough compilation is worth re-reading.
September 10, 2013
Several of the articles in the book repeated themselves. Otherwise it was a good read. From the beginnings of Van Halen up to Gary Cherone joining and the release of Van Halen III.
December 5, 2020
Not a biography but a collection of interviews from Guitar World magazine. Great insight into the mind of one of the greatest guitarists in music history.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews