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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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 !!!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 & 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..
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!
+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.
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.
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.
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)!
@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
Seeing this now, I am totally hoping that he doesn't fall of the wagon anymore. I became a VH fanatic around the time this was filmed. But watching it now. . . amazing he survived, really.
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" .
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.
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!!
It's cool to see him young, and playing around. Still a kid at heart. Gotta love him!!!!
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.
If there was ever anybody put on this earth with the sole purpose of playing guitar, Eddie Van Halen is that person.
The smoker you drink, the player you get.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Just one of the best guitar players ever!!!
even when he's high or drunk he can still pull a mean solo
i can't believe how clearly he speaks while that high
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!
Outside of him being stoned, he said something I always thought, Jump is Panama, only on the Piano
I don't think I ever saw Eddie to an interview when he wasn't wasted or concert for that matter.
I love Eddie, he was amazing, when he first come in nobody sounded like him truly an innovator.
Did anybody think that one of the most influential, original, and talented rock guitarists of our time would be normal?
Drunk, high or not Eddie is consistent. He has always prefered non-finished oiled necks instead of painted or varnished
that somebody that he saw was the legend Jimmy Page
Page came too my mind when he said that.
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 !!!
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.
Damn, Eddie is so adorable.
I've never heard him speak before. He's so cool
I almost cried when he said nobody would spend the time with him to teach him anything.
LOL
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.
Eddie van halen you are the man!
he was so blasted during this interview
it seems he is a happy guy. always smiling.
THATS OK EDDIE , I WAS BAKED ON THAT DAY TOO
Now this is awesome!
Thanks for posting!
The funniest part is watching the guy from Kramer guitar wishing Eddie would give a straight answer.
this is so heavy and amazing not everyone understands how amazing this is
He's all shy and whatnot wanting the camera to turn off well it's nice to see Eddie smile.
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. :)
lol when he starts tapping the interviewer looks amazed
This interview always make me laugh, Rock In Peace Eddie
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.
Love Eddie when he's a bit hammered.
Eddie speaks with his guitar. When he tries to talk through the vapor, he's gone. Gotchya moments, while wasted.
Thats what I call a class act. Rip you nice man.
A guy like Joe Satriani able to give an intelligent, humble, entertaining interview that respects himself, the interviewer, and the fans.
I love this guy, best guitarist ever!
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.
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 was a genius, don't let the drugs and alcohol fool you...
This is how you can act when you have tons of money and don't have to take any shit...
He's lit.
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
Wow what a paradigm shift from the 80's and now. Holy shit lol
That was a lot of fun
OMG! I love eddie's smile!
Such a cool guy... Such an awesome guitar player...
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!
6:18....the "New" thing!! Fucking awesome!!!!
Are you kidding? That was the best interview ever. LOL!
My favorite guitarist , for sure!
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..
Smashed again Ed..
At about 5:46 when he mimics "somebody do this years ago" it was Jimmy Page. Two of my favorites :D
♥.♥ he was so hot
a soul that hurts....great player.!
EVH totally adorable. :)
Eddie was in the moon in that interview
There is only one Picasso. There is only one Edward Van Halen.
Wow what a modest, down to earth guy
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!
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
Damn smokes. RiP
he is goooonne
Not sure if I should laugh or cringe. So I'll just laugh.
Exactly how I feel.
Definitely cringe
Smoke another joint eddie!!!!!!!!!!
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
Cant believe all these whiners... He was fucked up and being sarcastic. It was all in good fun. As said, Eddie is a genius.
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.
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.
I think Eddie is just being a genuine human being...
I LOVE YOU, EDDIE FOREVER!!!!
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.
probably the best interview I've ever seen
EVH is and always will be the best badass guitarist who still lives!
The icon for this vid of Eddie's face cracks me up everytime I see it LOL!
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)!
I love the comments on this video, great stuff.
@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 love him
now he's with fender
eddie has never said he invented it or tried to start something. he just did it, and made it his own thing which it became his signature sound.
Guitar God
Seeing this now, I am totally hoping that he doesn't fall of the wagon anymore. I became a VH fanatic around the time this was filmed. But watching it now. . . amazing he survived, really.
Eddie is a comedic genius! 🤣🤣
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" .
"Oh he made an inappropriate joke!"
"Oh heaven's he's drunk."
"Is he smoking?"
What a bunch of grandmas in these comments.
I LOVE YOU EDDIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Stoned out of his mind. Love him, but what a jerk during this interview.
Who still believes that the lead singers were the problem children of Van Halen?
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.
"Thanks for sitting here with us" lol