You have to remember Eddie had a HUGE problem with alcohol back then, he is obviously drunk here. I know I have been an ass plenty of times when drunk. He has since quit drinking, had a child, battled cancer, had a hip replacement and seems to have grown to be a thoughtful, respectful person. I met him back stage in Montreal last year after a show during which someone stole my jacket. Eddie took off his hoodie and gave it to me to wear home. We had never met before. He's a good guy.
i had a friend that was the same,brilliant guitar player pissed drunk or straight but he didn't have the direction or song writing ability.he could solo flawlessly at any given moment,then in a drunken stupor , completely disapeer for a few years.
In my opinion, Eddie Van Halen is the absolute best guitarist ever. I’ve been a fan of his work since 1983 when I was 13. Rock on, Eddie! You’re the best!
You nailed it! He has always struggled with social anxiety. The spotlight is painful and he just wants to play and hides behind the guitar. I'm not sure he even knows that he is a guitar genius.
Eddie's such a badass. Can you really imagine going to numerous interviews and being asked the same questions twenty times? Get real, if I were him I'd go to my interviews half in the bag too.
In all fairness I would like to say that I met Eddie and Michael and Alex in 88 i was a big fan in total awe of them it was after the last show of monsters of rock and they were the nicest most down to earth guys.
This is why a lot of artist do not do interviews. He just does not have the room for the formalities. I think he has given enough of his soul to the world. Nothing more is needed!
There a few guitarists that can play faster than eddie but there is no one more musically clever than him. And he did it with the cheapest shit. It's all in the hands.
People need to give Eddie a break. A lot of the great musicians have been known to be shy and nonsocial introverts. There's even a theory on how many of the great inventors/innovators of the world portray autistic symptoms. I think it's a gift, and as Dave once said when asked about Ed's awkwardness compared to his charismatic attitude: "You have to have your yin and yang." Not everyone is good at everything, but Ed sure is damn good at what he does best, and that is, play guitar.
Congratulations to every guitar magazine editor and interviewer in which an EVH article/interview was published, and I have read most of them since May of 1984 GFTPM with EVH on the cover and countless others, I had no idea what writers and editor's had to proof read and edit in order for me to enjoy a cohesive EVH interview. Thank you again. Hang em high !!!
To alpha1shadow: I agree with you. I went to school with a guy who's Dad suffered from alcoholism. My Friend wrote ED Van Halen a deeply personal letter regarding the problems he had with his Dad, & Ed Van Halen Wrote Him Back! He would not let me read it, but He did show me Ed's Signature. It was the "real" deal. Ed is a very humble, & giving person when the spotlight is not on him.
B A K E D During the 70s,early 80s you stood out if you were not. Some people danced to disco,some giggled alot and later pigged out.Some just slept through it all. This guy wrote eruption,reinvented the guitar and VH became the biggest band in the world.Now 30+ yrs later I am glad they are still with us.
As a VH fan, as well as someone who doesn't have time to read the comments on a video that has nearly half a million views, I'll just say this. For anyone complaining about Eddie's behavior: Do not blame someone for their past faults if they've learned the error of their ways. Eddie himself sure has. Oh, and the new album ROCKS!!!
Eddie is way shy and hates interviews or playing on stage without drinking. I believe he is sober now. 10/14. Not saying years of alcohol abuse is right, but it seems it does help him play in public. Most awesome hard rock guitarist ever. Saw him live with Van Hagar in '88. A fuckin' machine!
I've seen VH 3 times: Once with DLR in '82 on their Diver Down tour, on their first tour with Sammy (5150) and again on the Monsters Of Rock tour at the LA Colosseum in 1988. Great shows! And yes...the last time I heard, Eddie has been clean for some time now and he seems to have adjusted...enabling him to play.
Eddie was & maybe somewhere deep down still is the sweetest guy in the world..It's beyond strange how this world fucks with people, or fucks up people..
@cobias Ive been a fan since day one and I must say that as much fame and recognition as the band got it should have gotten more,especially in the early days,where they were basically ignored by the mainstream media,and the old guard was threatened by them.As far as eddie ragging on other guitar players,its not like these other cats have been very nice to him.Ive never really heard clapton or beck say anything flattering.Personally i THINK HE BLOWS THE OLD GUARD AWAY INCLUDING HENDRIX
I support when Eddie says that he isn't blown away by any guitarists at that time because everyone was trying to do what he was doing. Only if Eric Johnson or Buckethead were around.....I think Eddie would be blown away with their style!
This was such a different time then. People were not taking anything serious at all. He was drunk(obviously) and at least he's in a good mood. He also was with Sammy at the time and they were a non-stop party machine! He probably hadn't slept in days. I understand, I've been there(the 80s were a great time for me too)!
eddie being eddie... the man's a legend to me, no matter what! my childhood resembled quite much of his.. at 6, playing piano for some years and learning to read notes.. now, in my 20's I've forgotten that long lost skill. however, still like to play my superstrat lefty ibanez and keyboards :D
Drugs n alcohol dumb people down yeah it's hard to communicate verbally and all that - what's amazing is what he did on guitar both live & in studio when he supposedly was drinking around the clock etc. that it was so tight and good is truly amazing.
@aaronbergAPB Very true. Yes, he is NOT comfortable in his own skin. The drinking helped in that area but ruined so much in the process. Imagine if Ed had stopped drinking around this time for good. I think we would have had so much more music from him. I too owe Ed a lot. He is a true genius to me. If he had been born a 100 years earlier I bet he would have been another Debussy/Classical genius pianist. He was born to produce incredible music regardless of the time period IMO. Long live Edward!
Eddie was chatting with me before he got on the tour bus very well and was very succint and detailed in his answers about the past few years, but when I asked him about 1985 he made groaning noises and his head tilted back and some drool came outta his lip. His handler whisked him away and said , " he appreciates your support" .
+Bicho Maledetto Totally true. Ed's an artist in every sense of the word. Most people don't get artists because artists produce, whereas most people consume.
The greats, as you put it, owe most of what they do on a guitar to EVH. He has had more impact on rock guitar than anyone else in his lifetime. Van Halen 1 blew people away and for the next 30 years every guitar hero was trying to sound like Eddie. I'd say he has given plenty.
As much as I love EVH he should stick to playing guitar. In the interiew he reminds me of the typical "surf/skater dudes" I knew from Jr. high which is basically what Ed is and has always been...
Eddie at the time was not very happy with Kramer guitars as the company during this period was at the top of its game, however began to make cheaper products post-EVH endorsment, leaving him very bitter eventually playing other guitars all together.
You have to remember Eddie had a HUGE problem with alcohol back then, he is obviously drunk here. I know I have been an ass plenty of times when drunk. He has since quit drinking, had a child, battled cancer, had a hip replacement and seems to have grown to be a thoughtful, respectful person. I met him back stage in Montreal last year after a show during which someone stole my jacket. Eddie took off his hoodie and gave it to me to wear home. We had never met before. He's a good guy.
" if i can do it, anybody can do it" well geez ed, i'll keep trying
Damm Eddie had one of the best hairs in the day...that look is the shit!!
Eddy remained drunk for the next 26 years.. And still nailed every solo. Go figure.
i had a friend that was the same,brilliant guitar player pissed drunk or straight but he didn't have the direction or song writing ability.he could solo flawlessly at any given moment,then in a drunken stupor , completely disapeer for a few years.
It's cool to see him young, and playing around. Still a kid at heart. Gotta love him!!!!
If there was ever anybody put on this earth with the sole purpose of playing guitar, Eddie Van Halen is that person.
In my opinion, Eddie Van Halen is the absolute best guitarist ever. I’ve been a fan of his work since 1983 when I was 13. Rock on, Eddie! You’re the best!
my man is most definitely high or drunk or maybe both in this interview. but it did put a smile on my face!
You nailed it! He has always struggled with social anxiety. The spotlight is painful and he just wants to play and hides behind the guitar. I'm not sure he even knows that he is a guitar genius.
Eddie is being a clown. If I never heard of Eddie I wouldn't want to be a guitarist. It's nice to see Eddie smile, it also puts a smile on my face. :)
Eddie's such a badass. Can you really imagine going to numerous interviews and being asked the same questions twenty times? Get real, if I were him I'd go to my interviews half in the bag too.
In all fairness I would like to say that I met Eddie and Michael and Alex in 88 i was a big fan in total awe of them it was after the last show of monsters of rock and they were the nicest most down to earth guys.
The smoker you drink, the player you get.
This is why a lot of artist do not do interviews.
He just does not have the room for the formalities. I think he has given enough of his soul to the world. Nothing more is needed!
There a few guitarists that can play faster than eddie but there is no one more musically clever than him. And he did it with the cheapest shit. It's all in the hands.
Drunk, high or not Eddie is consistent. He has always prefered non-finished oiled necks instead of painted or varnished
People need to give Eddie a break. A lot of the great musicians have been known to be shy and nonsocial introverts. There's even a theory on how many of the great inventors/innovators of the world portray autistic symptoms. I think it's a gift, and as Dave once said when asked about Ed's awkwardness compared to his charismatic attitude: "You have to have your yin and yang." Not everyone is good at everything, but Ed sure is damn good at what he does best, and that is, play guitar.
Congratulations to every guitar magazine editor and interviewer in which an EVH article/interview was published, and I have read most of them since May of 1984 GFTPM with EVH on the cover and countless others, I had no idea what writers and editor's had to proof read and edit in order for me to enjoy a cohesive EVH interview.
Thank you again.
Hang em high !!!
Just one of the best guitar players ever!!!
even when he's high or drunk he can still pull a mean solo
that somebody that he saw was the legend Jimmy Page
Page came too my mind when he said that.
Did anybody think that one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of our time would be normal?
i can't believe how clearly he speaks while that high
I almost cried when he said nobody would spend the time with him to teach him anything.
LOL
Outside of him being stoned, he said something I always thought, Jump is Panama, only on the Piano
The funniest part is watching the guy from Kramer guitar wishing Eddie would give a straight answer.
To alpha1shadow:
I agree with you. I went to school with a guy who's Dad suffered from
alcoholism. My Friend wrote ED Van Halen a deeply personal letter regarding the problems he had with his Dad, & Ed Van Halen Wrote Him Back! He would not let me read it, but He did show me Ed's Signature. It was the "real" deal. Ed is a very humble,
& giving person when the spotlight is not on him.
B A K E D
During the 70s,early 80s you stood out if you were not.
Some people danced to disco,some giggled alot and later pigged out.Some just slept through it all.
This guy wrote eruption,reinvented the guitar and VH became the biggest band in the world.Now 30+ yrs later I am glad they are still with us.
This is how you can act when you have tons of money and don't have to take any shit...
THATS OK EDDIE , I WAS BAKED ON THAT DAY TOO
I love Eddie, he was amazing, when he first come in nobody sounded like him truly an innovator.
I don't think I ever saw Eddie to an interview when he wasn't wasted or concert for that matter.
Damn, Eddie is so adorable.
this is so heavy and amazing not everyone understands how amazing this is
I've never heard him speak before. He's so cool
Eddie speaks with his guitar. When he tries to talk through the vapor, he's gone. Gotchya moments, while wasted.
As a VH fan, as well as someone who doesn't have time to read the comments on a video that has nearly half a million views, I'll just say this. For anyone complaining about Eddie's behavior: Do not blame someone for their past faults if they've learned the error of their ways. Eddie himself sure has.
Oh, and the new album ROCKS!!!
He's all shy and whatnot wanting the camera to turn off well it's nice to see Eddie smile.
Cant believe all these whiners... He was fucked up and being sarcastic. It was all in good fun. As said, Eddie is a genius.
There is only one Picasso. There is only one Edward Van Halen.
This interview always make me laugh, Rock In Peace Eddie
it seems he is a happy guy. always smiling.
Eddie van halen you are the man!
Eddie was a genius, don't let the drugs and alcohol fool you...
he was so blasted during this interview
lol when he starts tapping the interviewer looks amazed
Love Eddie when he's a bit hammered.
Eddie was just trying to be funny. There are much worse artists with mean intentions!
Eddie is way shy and hates interviews or playing on stage without drinking. I believe he is sober now. 10/14. Not saying years of alcohol abuse is right, but it seems it does help him play in public. Most awesome hard rock guitarist ever. Saw him live with Van Hagar in '88. A fuckin' machine!
You are one of the luckiest people on Earth....
I've seen VH 3 times: Once with DLR in '82 on their Diver Down tour, on their first tour with Sammy (5150) and again on the Monsters Of Rock tour at the LA Colosseum in 1988. Great shows!
And yes...the last time I heard, Eddie has been clean for some time now and he seems to have adjusted...enabling him to play.
Eddie is an ultimate guitar beast drinking or not. It is all amateur night to him.
Not sure if I should laugh or cringe. So I'll just laugh.
Exactly how I feel.
Definitely cringe
Wow what a paradigm shift from the 80's and now. Holy shit lol
A guy like Joe Satriani able to give an intelligent, humble, entertaining interview that respects himself, the interviewer, and the fans.
♥.♥ he was so hot
Kramer Guitars are some of the best Guitars I've ever played, Eddie for Kramer back in the 80s was what Les Paul was for Gibson!
Thats what I call a class act. Rip you nice man.
Eddie was & maybe somewhere deep down still is the sweetest guy in the world..It's beyond strange how this world fucks with people, or fucks up people..
That was a lot of fun
I think Eddie is just being a genuine human being...
Stoned out of his mind. Love him, but what a jerk during this interview.
At about 5:46 when he mimics "somebody do this years ago" it was Jimmy Page. Two of my favorites :D
@cobias Ive been a fan since day one and I must say that as much fame and recognition as the band got it should have gotten more,especially in the early days,where they were basically ignored by the mainstream media,and the old guard was threatened by them.As far as eddie ragging on other guitar players,its not like these other cats have been very nice to him.Ive never really heard clapton or beck say anything flattering.Personally i THINK HE BLOWS THE OLD GUARD AWAY INCLUDING HENDRIX
Eddie's drunk, he thinks he's being funny. But he's a genuinely warm human being, and that shines through here
yes this is edward van halen drunk and one should never do interviews drunk!
I would say more being stoned as balls. lol
he smoked weed anyone can tell. I had to laugh about the paraplegic crack. am I awful?
Who still believes that the lead singers were the problem children of Van Halen?
Alcoholism is bad mm'kay?
Glad he got his stuff together.
I support when Eddie says that he isn't blown away by any guitarists at that time because everyone was trying to do what he was doing. Only if Eric Johnson or Buckethead were around.....I think Eddie would be blown away with their style!
This was such a different time then. People were not taking anything serious at all. He was drunk(obviously) and at least he's in a good mood. He also was with Sammy at the time and they were a non-stop party machine! He probably hadn't slept in days. I understand, I've been there(the 80s were a great time for me too)!
eddie being eddie... the man's a legend to me, no matter what! my childhood resembled quite much of his.. at 6, playing piano for some years and learning to read notes.. now, in my 20's I've forgotten that long lost skill. however, still like to play my superstrat lefty ibanez and keyboards :D
Eddie was in the moon in that interview
He's lit.
I dunno, I laughed. Maybe it's because I joke around like that too.
The real Edward. Great interview. The interviewer is even in a little not sure what to to think shock. What substance? Or just the rock-n-roll.
As much as I like Eddie.....that was painful to watch.......
I love this guy, best guitarist ever!
Drugs n alcohol dumb people down yeah it's hard to communicate verbally and all that - what's amazing is what he did on guitar both live & in studio when he supposedly was drinking around the clock etc. that it was so tight and good is truly amazing.
Now this is awesome!
Thanks for posting!
@aaronbergAPB Very true. Yes, he is NOT comfortable in his own skin. The drinking helped in that area but ruined so much in the process. Imagine if Ed had stopped drinking around this time for good. I think we would have had so much more music from him. I too owe Ed a lot. He is a true genius to me. If he had been born a 100 years earlier I bet he would have been another Debussy/Classical genius pianist. He was born to produce incredible music regardless of the time period IMO. Long live Edward!
EVH totally adorable. :)
6:18....the "New" thing!! Fucking awesome!!!!
Eddie was chatting with me before he got on the tour bus very well and was very succint and detailed in his answers about the past few years, but when I asked him about 1985 he made groaning noises and his head tilted back and some drool came outta his lip. His handler whisked him away and said , " he appreciates your support" .
If you're not an artist, a genius or a rockstar, you won't understand a guy like Eddie.
+Bicho Maledetto Totally true. Ed's an artist in every sense of the word. Most people don't get artists because artists produce, whereas most people consume.
or u could just be a normal person lol
+Bicho Maledetto or a drunk
Eddie Van Halen is Eddie Van Halen no matter what !!! he is like everyone makes jokes, drink liquor, and smokes like a normal person!
I think he did those last two things to extremes to cover up an insecure disposition/immature personality.
Such a cool guy... Such an awesome guitar player...
Eddie is a comedic genius! 🤣🤣
OMG! I love eddie's smile!
Eddie said himself that he didnt have anything in the form of a social life during his teens, he was constantly playing guitar. So i guess your right
The greats, as you put it, owe most of what they do on a guitar to EVH. He has had more impact on rock guitar than anyone else in his lifetime. Van Halen 1 blew people away and for the next 30 years every guitar hero was trying to sound like Eddie. I'd say he has given plenty.
Wow what a modest, down to earth guy
Smoke another joint eddie!!!!!!!!!!
My favorite guitarist , for sure!
As much as I love EVH he should stick to playing guitar. In the interiew he reminds me of the typical "surf/skater dudes" I knew from Jr. high which is basically what Ed is and has always been...
Smashed again Ed..
The icon for this vid of Eddie's face cracks me up everytime I see it LOL!
Eddie at the time was not very happy with Kramer guitars as the company during this period was at the top of its game, however began to make cheaper products post-EVH endorsment, leaving him very bitter eventually playing other guitars all together.
EVH is and always will be the best badass guitarist who still lives!
his thing isnt talking. its playing guitar.
I'd rather hear him play than talk...
Oh man I've been there before, he's stoned out of his mind.
now he's with fender
I love seeing Eddie in interviews with vendors. They always have the same look of horror. What a drunk.