Great Interview that covers the very beginning- about Eddie Practicing at Breakfast- They learned a lot from Noel Monk on their first tour - who started as their road manager- then Manager - California was the place to be in 1978
Rock really needs to be central to our culture again. I think 20, 25 years of pop and rap as the dominant forms of music in our culture is more than long enough. All that should've crashed and burned a long time ago
In 1980 I was walking down Pine Street here in Seattle, where I still live. As i pass 9th Ave I'm passing the Paramount Theater and on the marquee it says "Blizzard of Ozz," w/ Motorhead. A ticket was seven or eight dollars and I got a ticket. Motorhead was something else ...When I first saw Randy standing fifteen feet in front of the three white Marshall Stacks he had... I was 14 years old and my life and my discovery of this beautiful little seemingly magic guy changed my life and the way I listen to and process music to this very day. I saw Van Halen in 79 here in Seattle as well.
Hey, next time you talk to him, tell him I'm a HUGE fan. I still say he's one of Dio's best guitar players, and I really wish we could have had a few more albums with the Dio lineup he was in. His live stuff especially is jaw dropping. Just amazing, and the Angry Machines album that got so much criticism is one of my favorites... Because of that harsh stacato sound he delivered.
I fully understand what Tracy is saying here.....I heard Eruption at 15 and thought - "hmmm, well, let's put this thing away now" . I am 100% convinced EVH was sent here by God to show the world what was capable with an electric guitar - and it worked....EVH elevated the game by an immeasurable amount.
@@bigbadbamboo1 yea….I was 15 in 1978 when I got that album - Cleveland, Ohio…in my bedroom fixing my bed and hearing Eruption for the 1st time and thinking “I just spent a whole summer trying to play this Jimmy Page stuff, slowing this GE Wildcat record player down and now what, you fuck! You fuckers, gimme a break here” I will never forget that moment….neither will millions of other guitar nerds like me 🥶😂🤣
I was like ten or eleven when I first heard 'Eruption'. My older brother had it on cassette and I thought it was keyboards, but nope, it was Edward. R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen.
33:47 "Look, fuck3r..." That sums it up perfectly. Ya demoralize us mere mortals by just ....playing. An' now you pull.... whateverthefuck THAT is... outtayerass. Hilarious.
Love Tracy Gs playing. I was at the Golden West Ballroom for the July 1976 Bicentennial gig. The line-up was Yankee Rose, Stormer and Van Halen. Jimmy Bates was lead for Stormer and Don Simmons was lead for Yankee Rose. I went to that gig for those 2 bands. Never heard VH before that. Eddie with that Destroyer, no trem, no tapping. It was like being at a Top Fuel event. I'm 3 months older than Eddie. Playing since I was 8. I've known Donny Simmons since 9th grade. My bass player (Ray Boggs) from my High School bands (Stained Glass & Bitterseet Hex) started Stormer. Those days were so awesome. The music scene in San Gabriel was stellar.
TracyG, that was a fantastic interview! You're truly a class act. I'm honored that you mentioned me. By the way, I was the drummer of Phaze, and we were fairly close friends. We even attended school together, and played on La Puente's varsity basketball team. Do you recall those days, Tracy? LOL. Keep up the rocking, my dear friend!
Hey bill I remember you were eating chocolate chip cookies across sparks elementary School you and Tracy played in my backyard back in the 70s highschool days I had mentioned to Tracy have you heard from bill Watkins and he told me I just talked with him this when he had band epic around 2005 I was his personal trainer Ronnie lira and big Jim Montoya were always with Tracy by the way this is Richard Nieto you guys jammed day of the eagle robin thrower and burn deep purple later dam good LP
Excellent interview and details of those early Van Halen days. Tracy was often cited in VH Rising and this interview highlights much of that. Top notch!
@@FinalResonanceTV- I subscribe and love to see your passion for Van Halen. Changed my life as it did yours. I gigged all through college and my 20’s and awesome to see you still doing it. I somehow became an accountant but still have my Boogie and 100W Marshall. 🙌🏻🤙🏻
Great interview. Been friends with Tracy for two decades. He’s as genuine as they come. He’s made me a better guitar player, sometimes just from sitting and talking. The greats have a way of making everyone around better in so many ways 🤘🤘🤘
Tracy G is awesome. One of my favorites. Your comment about the greats reminds me of Tony Iommi's friendship with Eddie, and in his book he said Eddie showed him some things on guitar. (Iommi, my actual favorite- like Tracy's!)
When Eddie passed, I was just numb for days. This guy was my inspiration and a muse for decades. And a really nice guy based on the time I met him in person. Just a loss to humankind overall.
I never heard of this guy before but I got to say this guy gives the best interview about Van Halen and Eddie I've ever heard, some people just know how to tell something and this guy is the best at telling the Van Halen story I've ever heard.
58:19 I don’t understand why common knowledge says Sammy’s era sold more than Dave era, it’s 3rd times I’m hearing people say that. I think they confusing it with birth of number 1s albums. Sammy’s era was/is more successful than Dave era (although if Eddie wouldn’t play on Thriller maybe maybe maybe 1984 would be number 1 !!!) - but I’m a Sammy fan too, not that Dave era got hands dawn best VanHalen albums or maybe rock history (imo✌🏻), but Dave era released even on 8tracks!! People bought those records 3-4 times, also they remastered Dave era too! Good interview as usual man 🤘🏻 Can’t wait for next one as you announce it on instagram Cheers 🍻 Big fan from Iran
First time ever hearing this man speak. I became a fan when WWIII came out. I wore that cassette out. I ended up using Call Me Devil in the set for a while and I love his tone. I had no idea he played for Ronnie till last year when I saw him live w Ronnie. A unique voice for sure is Tracy. As for all the VH stuff Yet another guy just speaking about the legend and rise of the best to ever plug in. The Mighty Van Halen.
Well, it took me a couple of days to get through this one. I had to keep going back to absorb it all. Tracy, man, what a lucky soul to have been "around" in the heyday of VH! And, his memory and descriptions of what was happening at the time is truly incredible! FANTASTIC interview Jeff! 🤘❤🤍🖤🎸👑
They opened for Black Sabbath in 77 or 78 by the time Sabbath came out every person there Was Floored absolutely Blown Away an just stood there Speechless I’ve been a fan ever since. We didn’t know Van Halen going in but we damn sure knew who they were coming out 🔥
I always thought Rusty Anderson (Eulogy) was the best of the bunch…but he was into the Beatles and Bowie (Mick Ronson) and the masses were more into the party band Van Halen (who I love too) and the metal guys like Rhodes (guitar genius) and Lynch…Eddie came up with his own unique tone, wrote killer riffs & songs, had the best frontman, and had the smile and awesome stage presence. He had the whole package. Give credit to Alex VH too…underrated drummer.
Outstanding interview. I have many videos of Tracy G when he was with DIO. I really love his different playing style as he's not a copy of every other guitar player. Ronnie says in one of the videos that this version of DIO was his favorite. No drama, everyone doing their thing and getting along great. Truly a unique player and a great guy. Great stories about VH. Thanks for interviewing one of my guitar heroes! Rock on Tracy G.
Dio was the only one who thought that. It wasn't because the band or the material was better, but as you mentioned, the camaraderie was there. Dio knew he had to go back to a fully developed guitarist.
Man, I can't believe there's another person who thinks like me. 👍 Strange Highways and Angry Machines are both amazing- and those live shows with Tracy G on axe we're just mind-blowing to me. I think I love the fact that Tracy G doesn't copy, he makes the songs and solos his own. He didn't cover the previous material, he improved it. (My opinion- like what he did with Mob Rules)
In 1978 i heard running with the devil verry loudly. I was 10yrs old and never heard anything like that from all the other famous bands of the time...i totally understand what everyone at that time had experienced...we were so lucky to have experienced that.
Tracy thank you for sharing this incredible story…I really Dug hearing your first hand account of meeting Eddie…That’s incredible how cool he reacted to you as well..Having met a few of my musical heroes has been a mixed bag of excitement and utter disappointment…Keep those beautiful memories alive
Tracy G just became one of my Best Friends !😅 What a Phenomenal Interview! Tracy G has a Marvelous Memory and Recollection of Details ! One of The Best Van Halen Stories / Interviews i ever seen or heard of ! Thank you Tracy G for the Memories of The Greatest Guitarist that Ever Lived !!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
This is a incredible interview, and illustrates how big an impact and on what individual level Ed and VH was at. I was impacted the same way when I first heard VH1. Can still remember that moment.
Great interview! Thinking about where I was when I heard about Eddie’s passing. And it just hit me that I was maybe only a mile and a half from where I first heard Eddie when I was a kid-sometime in the late 70s. I was pulling into McDonald’s in my hometown when the first text came in to me about Ed. All my memories of hearing early Van Halen are of me either in my room or laying on the floor in the living room with these big old headphones on listening to that first album. 😝🤘🏻🎸
i met Tracy a few times, i was friends with a childhood friend of Tracy's and i'll tell you Tracy is also a beast on the guitar as EVH was, loved watching him shred. i knew he met Eddie but i never heard the story, better late than never.
THANK YOU ,what an intriguing interview with TRACY ,him describing his first V.H. experience had me teary eyed ,I would have loved to witness those early days of V.H...Thanks for unleashing these stories, you can never get enough V.H.
I didn't even understand EVH when I 1st heard him at 14, and I was new to playing. A year later, I started to understand it, but it was beyond me. I was leaning ACDC. By the time I could play it, I stayed away from tapping, Kept it out of my tool box. Too many doing it. Imo.
I was playing in the Tracy G group at the troubadour before his Dio days & myself on Bass & a guy named Mike played a all instrumentel set showcasing Tracy,. We must of did a good job cause Dio people asked about the entire band...God bless Tracy
Great story I like the way this guy tells the story in detail I got to meet Eddie's guitar tech Rudy back in the day he got us backstage at Madison square garden
you guys are fantastic man - I love hearing all of your history and stories and you are right - all of our interests and likings from this time period have us connected and you are so right-on dude EVH was the man- then Yngwie came along and left his fingerprint.... Lynch was wicked too and we all got to see them way before - they will be they forever - period....
Im Listening to Man on the SilverMountain 76 Now the Guitar Solo at the Show had No Taping but incredible Delay unbelivble Still one one the best Eruptions even before ED Recreated The Insturment
Fantastic interview! Tracy G, one of my FAVORITE players, brought a new angle to Heavy Metal, like a pioneer. I didn't get to see VH until 91 unfortunately, but Eddie was still, well, Eddie. Women and Children First was one of my first albums ever. And to hear such an amazing player speak with such admiration of VH is really cool. But describing how he was blown away by VH the first time hearing them, reminds me my reaction to the first time hearing Jesus, Mary and the Holy Ghost on Strange Highways. And Tracy G live on the Angry Machines tour is some of the best stuff I've ever heard. So imaginative and over the top...
excellent interview and very interesting. A couple of things that got very overlooked in my opinion about VH is Alex is a very distinctive drummer and a great rock drummer. He had a very identifiable style, tuning and sound. Michael was great too, as well as that strong high full voice harmony. And his personality live too! Yea they had it all, the timing of the era and the synergy of the collective in the band. Good looking young lads too I might add
worked stage for Vinny Appice back in 1991 when he was in a band called WWIII and Tracy G was the guitarist along with Jimmy Bain on bass....Tracy had a very cool sound....lots of funky noises and shit...loud...didn't really talk to the dude himself ALL day but he had a very unique style...lots of tricks....
This was fantastic!! Man, I swear, I said the same exact thing! And all I usually get is, "Oh, I like the later stuff better 🤢) There was something VERY special about Eddies playing right around the time of that first album. I've spent hours online listening to old live footage of VanHalen and listened to Eddie evolve. It was absolutely amazing how fast and far he advanced in just a couple of years up to that first album. But after that second album that specific magic was gone for me. Like mentioned in the interview by Tracy, he still put out some incredible stuff but it was just not the same after around the second album.
Very cool interview! I wish I had met Ed at some point, but that dream never came true. This was a great insight into the early VH days. Thank you for this interview Jeff. It is priceless!!
Diver Down was the first VH album I purchased and I still love it. Love every VH album up to F.U.C.K. I checked out after that. But the reunion album with DLR was great, save ‘Tattoo’. Blech!
That was another amazing, very passionate and interesting interview Jeff! I don't know how you manage to track them all down, but you always find the perfect witnesses! 🤘🏻😉
I was in a band called Angel with Jimmy Bates back in the day.We played the same bars VH played The Connection and Louise Night Gallery and we would go see each other's band play. I remember Eddie would turn his back to the audience when he did his guitar solos. I think he didn't want people seeing what he was doing. I also did gigs with them when I played in a band called Yankee Rose. And Tracy G is from La Puente where I also live he is a great guitarist.
I first saw VanHalen in 1984 in Ohio. I believe EVH was the "Jimi Hendrix" of my generation. It was him, and then everyone else. Just like Neil Peart. It was him, and then everyone else.
no, Dave was not stupid, his was brilliant- period... And they blew away anyone the opened for - and any of those headliners will tell you exactly that - don’t ever forget it man. That went on until they only headlined - .I saw them on the first tour and they totally destroyed mega hero’s Black Sabbath
This guy Tracy talking with many silent pauses was driving me crazy. I’m thinking “WHAT!?! SAY IT, COME ON “ I had to stop it and move on. Or else I would’ve turned into an old man. Whew ! Next
Oh yeah. VH opened for UFO, M Schenker, another long time guitar inspiration, and as noted twice by MS and the singer, Phil Mogg, VH blew the roof off (The Goldenwest). A legendary pre-signing 😮VH show!
Ed and Alex have performed live since they were 4-5 years old kids, sometimes with their father, a pro classical cellist. Both grew up playing piano, deep into Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt, baroque and classical music. Ed’s tapping runs are frequently intervals derived from baroque piano runs. And he largely credits Alan Holdsworth as a tapping influence and fusion jazz/progressive rock master. Of all celebrities, I cried the most when Ed passed. I was driving and had to pull over bc I couldn’t see due to the flood of tears. RIP Ed. The world misses you 😢. I’ll see you again some day.
Their dad played clarinet, not cello. There is no proof that Ed and Alex were virtuosic piano players. Ed's piano playing is more reminiscent of a noodler, a guy that stopped playing at like 12 years of age. No one remembers him as some prodigy. Tony Macalpine IS an amazing classical pianist that did attend a musical conservatory and has classical pieces like Chopin on his records. Make no mistake, Ed did not have the keyboard chops to replace Jordan Rudess in Dream Theater. Even Alex playing and writing 'Ride the Wind' can tell that Alex didn't have those chops either.
My 2nd concert was Van Halen (1984) and I've seen zillions of shows since and I cant tell you much about those shows... but I can tell you everything about that VH show from the jump!
Bless this guy's heart ... tho he is one who could use some guidance and direction in terms of solidifying his experiences... I love all of your many posts; they're all very interesting and informative.
Jimmy Lyon from Eddie Money - what a great great and tasty player - technique is nice, but that was EVHs thing - Jimmy Lyon's playing was precise and molded to the song. I loved his playing
@@joerectifier I love that song I just came across it in the last year or two I wasn't a big fan of EM I was into Y&T and Night Ranger along with the Red Rocker Sammy I do play guitar and play along with it really cool
Dave is the ONLY singer for the Mighty Van Halen.. period! Fan since 1978, I was six. My brother turned me onto them. My favorite hard rock band of all time. Different kind of truth is truly in my top 3 VH records.
Haha i saw a few good shows at golden west ballroom. The first time i heard of van halen they were playing at "cars of stars" museum rock event in buena park. My friend who was a shredder his band was playing lead up. I left after my friends band was done knowing no one was going to shred better than him. Maybe I was wrong haha maybe i should have stayed
Another great interview! Tracy G is cool and I always liked the WWWIII album despite some of the cheesiest lyrics ever. Great riffs and some unique, cool leads!
I love this rare information about the Mighty Van Halen. I was a 10 year old guitarist in 1978, playing sabbath and cream, chuck berry ... The day I heard Van Halen my entire life became dedicated to guitar.
@ T ANT RUMGASM I remember the first time hearing EVH. It was 1978 and my own idols were ( and still are ) Page, Billy Gibbons, and Joe Walsh. My friend Joe Quinn played Eruption for me. I said "that is not a guitar" "You can`t make a guitar sound like that" "It has to be a synthesizer". After I heard the whole album, I was so stunned at the speed, the attack, the whole deal, I just could not understand it as a 12 year old guitar player. So I became a VH head. The stakes had just jumped up to a new level. I began taking my playing very seriously. I still love all of my favorite players, and they all made me a better player. But EVH turned the world on it`s ear.
I completely understand what you're saying. I was born in 1981 and started playing guitar at 6 years old. I was mostly influenced by Hendrix, SRV, Santana, Cream and blind faith (Clapton) I remember being in a music store and hearing eruption on the speakers in the background. Probably around 1992 or 1993. I knew of two hand tapping and I was familiar with Yngwie, Satriani and Via but Eruption shocked my soul. I'd never heard it before. This is all way before the internet.
@@bulldog11881 You knew of those guys and never heard Eruption? you need to go punch your teacher in the dick!! LOL wow, that is odd my friend. I guess I understand how a younger dude , you i mean, could hear those guys first. Very very rare though. Cheers !
I cant play unless I palm mute....went and looked at Terry's time with Dio. I like his guitar playing. Does he stay in touch with Vinnie Appice? I'm just now getting into Carmine's playing (I'm a drummer). Everyone should check out the song 'Stop In The Name of Love' It was the last song all 4 members of Vanilla Fudge did together before Tim Bogert died. It's good.
Tracy keeps in touch with nobody he has a zero personality & not the sharpest tool in the shed, ungrateful as could be, never bothered to thank Dio for putting him on the map never spoke with Dio since his departure from the band ... crickets even when Dio was on his death bed, Tracy had nothing mainstream before or after Dio..Dio was great before, during, & after Tracy..I played in the Tracy G band ( bass) before his Dio days so I know first hand what a ungreatful & self centered the sumo wrestler is..
Tracie missed that Roth was center stage behind the curtains , and after the announcement, pulled them aside “Is everybody ready?” Also: Ed played a white Strat that was already modified with a PAF. VH plays in a weird sub E flat. More like D sharp, but most tuning instruments don’t have it. It’s unique to Ed’s preference. And DLR could sing more comfortably, although it wasn’t meant for his comfort. It just sounded girthier and played more comfortably. I was friends with George and Randy. Both have been to my house. RR was an extremely sweet person and phenomenally talented and *formally music educated guy. A few weeks later I saw him in Quiet Riot. We thought Randy was the only reason to see QR and thought he has a bigger future ahead. I didn’t predict getting with Ozzie. Even less that he would so young die, which is not just a tragedy for the music world, but for humanity. Then what this mom? She was still alive, and for a mother to suffer a child’s death is unbelievable, life-shortening emotional pain. Ughh! RIP Randy 🪦😢😢😢 I took several lessons from George and met both of divorced parents. His mom met mine. Later I accidentally formed a band with two of his childhood friends. Great formative and fortunate years for me. And now those memories coincide with historic moments in rock guitar music.
Totally agree re: Nuno. I saw the tour with Vai, Zakk, Yngwie, Nuno .. Nuno really had it all playing-wise. And he was laid back and funny to boot. Tasteful always, rippin when needed, and every once in a while he'd sprinkle in a mind-blower. Def one of the greats. A robot (or about 743 Japanese 14yr Olds on YT) can mimic N-F-N solos. Yawn... it ain't got no soul, Eugene. These kids need to get a VHS of Crossroads (and get off my lawn).
Hey cousin Trace, great interview. I remember you telling me this story about V/H.
Great Interview that covers the very beginning- about Eddie Practicing at Breakfast- They learned a lot from Noel Monk on their first tour - who started as their road manager- then Manager - California was the place to be in 1978
Even in 74 He was burning, Godlike
Rock really needs to be central to our culture again. I think 20, 25 years of pop and rap as the dominant forms of music in our culture is more than long enough. All that should've crashed and burned a long time ago
NO DOUBT! AMEN BROTHER!
Agreed
Great description of the Golden West show.
In 1980 I was walking down Pine Street here in Seattle, where I still live. As i pass 9th Ave I'm passing the Paramount Theater and on the marquee it says "Blizzard of Ozz," w/ Motorhead. A ticket was seven or eight dollars and I got a ticket. Motorhead was something else ...When I first saw Randy standing fifteen feet in front of the three white Marshall Stacks he had... I was 14 years old and my life and my discovery of this beautiful little seemingly magic guy changed my life and the way I listen to and process music to this very day. I saw Van Halen in 79 here in Seattle as well.
I was at that show. Tracy G and I became good friends years later. Tracy is one of the coolest people and one of the finest musicians on the planet.
Hey, next time you talk to him, tell him I'm a HUGE fan. I still say he's one of Dio's best guitar players, and I really wish we could have had a few more albums with the Dio lineup he was in. His live stuff especially is jaw dropping. Just amazing, and the Angry Machines album that got so much criticism is one of my favorites... Because of that harsh stacato sound he delivered.
Dennis Alvarez is every bit the guitar player/ musician Tracy is.......I played with them both
I thought it is Eddie Van Halen....
I fully understand what Tracy is saying here.....I heard Eruption at 15 and thought - "hmmm, well, let's put this thing away now" . I am 100% convinced EVH was sent here by God to show the world what was capable with an electric guitar - and it worked....EVH elevated the game by an immeasurable amount.
✌️💛🤘
18 and 1978. Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa Fla
@@bigbadbamboo1 yea….I was 15 in 1978 when I got that album - Cleveland, Ohio…in my bedroom fixing my bed and hearing Eruption for the 1st time and thinking “I just spent a whole summer trying to play this Jimmy Page stuff, slowing this GE Wildcat record player down and now what, you fuck! You fuckers, gimme a break here” I will never forget that moment….neither will millions of other guitar nerds like me 🥶😂🤣
I was like ten or eleven when I first heard 'Eruption'. My older brother had it on cassette and I thought it was keyboards, but nope, it was Edward. R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen.
When asked (in front of me) where he got his talents, Ed responded, pointing up “From the man above “.
33:47 "Look, fuck3r..."
That sums it up perfectly.
Ya demoralize us mere mortals by just ....playing.
An' now you pull.... whateverthefuck THAT is... outtayerass.
Hilarious.
Love Tracy Gs playing. I was at the Golden West Ballroom for the July 1976 Bicentennial gig. The line-up was Yankee Rose, Stormer and Van Halen. Jimmy Bates was lead for Stormer and Don Simmons was lead for Yankee Rose. I went to that gig for those 2 bands. Never heard VH before that. Eddie with that Destroyer, no trem, no tapping. It was like being at a Top Fuel event.
I'm 3 months older than Eddie. Playing since I was 8. I've known Donny Simmons since 9th grade. My bass player (Ray Boggs) from my High School bands (Stained Glass & Bitterseet Hex) started Stormer. Those days were so awesome. The music scene in San Gabriel was stellar.
TracyG, that was a fantastic interview! You're truly a class act. I'm honored that you mentioned me. By the way, I was the drummer of Phaze, and we were fairly close friends. We even attended school together, and played on La Puente's varsity basketball team. Do you recall those days, Tracy? LOL. Keep up the rocking, my dear friend!
Hey bill I remember you were eating chocolate chip cookies across sparks elementary School you and Tracy played in my backyard back in the 70s highschool days I had mentioned to Tracy have you heard from bill Watkins and he told me I just talked with him this when he had band epic around 2005 I was his personal trainer Ronnie lira and big Jim Montoya were always with Tracy by the way this is Richard Nieto you guys jammed day of the eagle robin thrower and burn deep purple later dam good LP
What a great interview. My favorite was "look fucker, your already better than everyone now you do this?!" Classic!
Lol that was awesome
“He was just like a guy in battle with a sword about to kill everybody”
Lol love that
Excellent interview and details of those early Van Halen days. Tracy was often cited in VH Rising and this interview highlights much of that. Top notch!
Thanks! I loved hearing all these great stories
@@FinalResonanceTV- I subscribe and love to see your passion for Van Halen. Changed my life as it did yours. I gigged all through college and my 20’s and awesome to see you still doing it. I somehow became an accountant but still have my Boogie and 100W Marshall. 🙌🏻🤙🏻
My first concert was Van Halen on their first headlining tour 7/8/78 at the San Diego Sports Arena.
Great interview. Been friends with Tracy for two decades. He’s as genuine as they come. He’s made me a better guitar player, sometimes just from sitting and talking. The greats have a way of making everyone around better in so many ways 🤘🤘🤘
Tracy G is awesome. One of my favorites. Your comment about the greats reminds me of Tony Iommi's friendship with Eddie, and in his book he said Eddie showed him some things on guitar. (Iommi, my actual favorite- like Tracy's!)
When Eddie passed, I was just numb for days. This guy was my inspiration and a muse for decades. And a really nice guy based on the time I met him in person. Just a loss to humankind overall.
I was a roadie for Stormer it was the most amazing time in my life .
I never heard of this guy before but I got to say this guy gives the best interview about Van Halen and Eddie I've ever heard, some people just know how to tell something and this guy is the best at telling the Van Halen story I've ever heard.
Thanks! I loved this so much! He was great! Thanks for checking it out!
Tracy played guitar for Ronnie James Dio in the mid 1990s. He looked a lot different back then
58:19 I don’t understand why common knowledge says Sammy’s era sold more than Dave era, it’s 3rd times I’m hearing people say that. I think they confusing it with birth of number 1s albums. Sammy’s era was/is more successful than Dave era (although if Eddie wouldn’t play on Thriller maybe maybe maybe 1984 would be number 1 !!!) - but I’m a Sammy fan too, not that Dave era got hands dawn best VanHalen albums or maybe rock history (imo✌🏻), but Dave era released even on 8tracks!! People bought those records 3-4 times, also they remastered Dave era too!
Good interview as usual man 🤘🏻
Can’t wait for next one as you announce it on instagram
Cheers 🍻
Big fan from Iran
Daves era definitely sold more ! The original lineup had 2 diamond records in the U.S which is 10 million
First time ever hearing this man speak. I became a fan when WWIII came out. I wore that cassette out. I ended up using Call Me Devil in the set for a while and I love his tone.
I had no idea he played for Ronnie till last year when I saw him live w Ronnie. A unique voice for sure is Tracy.
As for all the VH stuff
Yet another guy just speaking about the legend and rise of the best to ever plug in. The Mighty Van Halen.
great great great stuff Yes Sir Tracy G
Excellent episode! Long live the king EVH!
Tracy G, this was great!
Being from the era and from Pasadena I was totally aware of the EVH band. We had a feeling they would go places and they sure did.
I love all of the Van Halen Stories interviews on the channel but I think this one is my favorite.
Tracy is the coolest! 🎸
Awsome!!!! Thank you!!!!
Your Welcome
"looked like a guy in battle with a sword that looked like he was going to kill everybody" haha had me rollin
Wow!! What a fantastic interview my friend. Just all out fantastic!! =\//-/=🎸🤘🎵🎶🤘🎸
Well, it took me a couple of days to get through this one. I had to keep going back to absorb it all. Tracy, man, what a lucky soul to have been "around" in the heyday of VH! And, his memory and descriptions of what was happening at the time is truly incredible! FANTASTIC interview Jeff!
🤘❤🤍🖤🎸👑
Love the history interviews keep the good work up brother.
They opened for Black Sabbath in 77 or 78 by the time Sabbath came out every person there Was Floored absolutely Blown Away an just stood there Speechless I’ve been a fan ever since. We didn’t know Van Halen going in but we damn sure knew who they were coming out 🔥
This is so damned charming. Informative too. I love it.
I always thought Rusty Anderson (Eulogy) was the best of the bunch…but he was into the Beatles and Bowie (Mick Ronson) and the masses were more into the party band Van Halen (who I love too) and the metal guys like Rhodes (guitar genius) and Lynch…Eddie came up with his own unique tone, wrote killer riffs & songs, had the best frontman, and had the smile and awesome stage presence. He had the whole package. Give credit to Alex VH too…underrated drummer.
Outstanding interview. I have many videos of Tracy G when he was with DIO. I really love his different playing style as he's not a copy of every other guitar player. Ronnie says in one of the videos that this version of DIO was his favorite. No drama, everyone doing their thing and getting along great. Truly a unique player and a great guy. Great stories about VH. Thanks for interviewing one of my guitar heroes! Rock on Tracy G.
Dio was the only one who thought that. It wasn't because the band or the material was better, but as you mentioned, the camaraderie was there. Dio knew he had to go back to a fully developed guitarist.
Man, I can't believe there's another person who thinks like me. 👍 Strange Highways and Angry Machines are both amazing- and those live shows with Tracy G on axe we're just mind-blowing to me. I think I love the fact that Tracy G doesn't copy, he makes the songs and solos his own. He didn't cover the previous material, he improved it. (My opinion- like what he did with Mob Rules)
Thanks, Jeff, for having Tracy on to share his stories.. and what cool stories they are!
The first time I ever heard Eruption I thought
" OH MY MY. WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE? LOL
First I heard eruption I was 11 years old and taking guitar lessons and has no idea what I was hearing? Mind boggled lol
In 1978 i heard running with the devil verry loudly. I was 10yrs old and never heard anything like that from all the other famous bands of the time...i totally understand what everyone at that time had experienced...we were so lucky to have experienced that.
Tracy thank you for sharing this incredible story…I really Dug hearing your first hand account of meeting Eddie…That’s incredible how cool he reacted to you as well..Having met a few of my musical heroes has been a mixed bag of excitement and utter disappointment…Keep those beautiful memories alive
Man l wish I could've been around for those pre signed gigs
I love this guy, great interview!
Tracy G just became one of my Best Friends !😅 What a Phenomenal Interview! Tracy G has a Marvelous Memory and Recollection of Details !
One of The Best Van Halen Stories / Interviews i ever seen or heard of !
Thank you Tracy G for the Memories of The Greatest Guitarist that Ever Lived !!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Hey, Tracy! I worked with you on some Dio! Also, i was living in Cerritos in ‘76 (close.)
This is a incredible interview, and illustrates how big an impact and on what individual level Ed and VH was at. I was impacted the same way when I first heard VH1. Can still remember that moment.
Killer interview as always bro. Will definitely have to check out Tracy's stuff too. Thanks Man. Peace!!
Great interview! Thinking about where I was when I heard about Eddie’s passing. And it just hit me that I was maybe only a mile and a half from where I first heard Eddie when I was a kid-sometime in the late 70s. I was pulling into McDonald’s in my hometown when the first text came in to me about Ed. All my memories of hearing early Van Halen are of me either in my room or laying on the floor in the living room with these big old headphones on listening to that first album. 😝🤘🏻🎸
Great VH story, great interview, way to let him tell his story at his own pace.
Thanks! I tried to just let him go for it!
i met Tracy a few times, i was friends with a childhood friend of Tracy's and i'll tell you Tracy is also a beast on the guitar as EVH was, loved watching him shred. i knew he met Eddie but i never heard the story, better late than never.
I saw Dio with Tracy G live I think 1996. I thought he was great in Dio. Really did a great job with the Rainbow songs I remember.
Hey Tracy, THANKS for all that info! BTW, I was in a drive-thru lane today in La Puente and a van in front of me had a TRACY G decal! You da man!
Must have been the donut hole
THANK YOU ,what an intriguing interview with TRACY ,him describing his first V.H. experience had me teary eyed ,I would have loved to witness those early days of V.H...Thanks for unleashing these stories, you can never get enough V.H.
I didn't even understand EVH when I 1st heard him at 14, and I was new to playing. A year later, I started to understand it, but it was beyond me. I was leaning ACDC. By the time I could play it, I stayed away from tapping, Kept it out of my tool box. Too many doing it. Imo.
I love Tracy's work with DIO Strange Highways and Angry Machines. Thank you Tracy, you kicked major ass bro. Tasty powerful writer/player, rock on bud
I was playing in the Tracy G group at the troubadour before his Dio days & myself on Bass & a guy named Mike played a all instrumentel set showcasing Tracy,. We must of did a good job cause Dio people asked about the entire band...God bless Tracy
Great story I like the way this guy tells the story in detail I got to meet Eddie's guitar tech Rudy back in the day he got us backstage at Madison square garden
you guys are fantastic man - I love hearing all of your history and stories and you are right - all of our interests and likings from this time period have us connected and you are so right-on dude EVH was the man- then Yngwie came along and left his fingerprint.... Lynch was wicked too and we all got to see them way before - they will be they forever - period....
Im Listening to Man on the SilverMountain 76 Now the Guitar Solo at the Show had No Taping but incredible Delay unbelivble Still one one the best Eruptions even before ED Recreated The Insturment
Ed Does the Tom Schultz thing Lol At Brake Neck Speed
Fantastic interview! Tracy G, one of my FAVORITE players, brought a new angle to Heavy Metal, like a pioneer. I didn't get to see VH until 91 unfortunately, but Eddie was still, well, Eddie. Women and Children First was one of my first albums ever. And to hear such an amazing player speak with such admiration of VH is really cool.
But describing how he was blown away by VH the first time hearing them, reminds me my reaction to the first time hearing Jesus, Mary and the Holy Ghost on Strange Highways. And Tracy G live on the Angry Machines tour is some of the best stuff I've ever heard. So imaginative and over the top...
excellent interview and very interesting. A couple of things that got very overlooked in my opinion about VH is Alex is a very distinctive drummer and a great rock drummer. He had a very identifiable style, tuning and sound. Michael was great too, as well as that strong high full voice harmony. And his personality live too! Yea they had it all, the timing of the era and the synergy of the collective in the band. Good looking young lads too I might add
worked stage for Vinny Appice back in 1991 when he was in a band called WWIII and Tracy G was the guitarist along with Jimmy Bain on bass....Tracy had a very cool sound....lots of funky noises and shit...loud...didn't really talk to the dude himself ALL day but he had a very unique style...lots of tricks....
This was fantastic!! Man, I swear, I said the same exact thing! And all I usually get is, "Oh, I like the later stuff better 🤢) There was something VERY special about Eddies playing right around the time of that first album. I've spent hours online listening to old live footage of VanHalen and listened to Eddie evolve. It was absolutely amazing how fast and far he advanced in just a couple of years up to that first album. But after that second album that specific magic was gone for me. Like mentioned in the interview by Tracy, he still put out some incredible stuff but it was just not the same after around the second album.
no mention of Terry Kilgore🤔🤔🤔🤔 big influence he was to Edward Van Halen
I'm impressed that everybody was there. Everybody's an expert. I really like it when people fabricate .
Very cool interview! I wish I had met Ed at some point, but that dream never came true. This was a great insight into the early VH days. Thank you for this interview Jeff. It is priceless!!
Tracy G is awesome! Underated Dio guitarist.
Diver Down was the first VH album I purchased and I still love it. Love every VH album up to F.U.C.K. I checked out after that. But the reunion album with DLR was great, save ‘Tattoo’. Blech!
That was another amazing, very passionate and interesting interview Jeff! I don't know how you manage to track them all down, but you always find the perfect witnesses! 🤘🏻😉
I was in a band called Angel with Jimmy Bates back in the day.We played the same bars VH played The Connection and Louise Night Gallery and we would go see each other's band play. I remember Eddie would turn his back to the audience when he did his guitar solos. I think he didn't want people seeing what he was doing. I also did gigs with them when I played in a band called Yankee Rose. And Tracy G is from La Puente where I also live he is a great guitarist.
are the same band that released YOU REALLY GOT ME when you heard the VH demo?
@@scottglasson1957Yes bro.
Thank you! This is great!!!!
Cool interview! Tommy Girvin was the badass guitarist from Smile & yep he sure had it going on too.
excellent insight...thanks
Great interview
Great
Story!!lucky guy!
Jimmy Bates (Stormer) was a Gunslinger 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🤙🏼
I first saw VanHalen in 1984 in Ohio. I believe EVH was the "Jimi Hendrix" of my generation.
It was him, and then everyone else. Just like Neil Peart. It was him, and then everyone else.
no, Dave was not stupid, his was brilliant- period... And they blew away anyone the opened for - and any of those headliners will tell you exactly that - don’t ever forget it man. That went on until they only headlined - .I saw them on the first tour and they totally destroyed mega hero’s Black Sabbath
Well they also caught Sabbath at a horrible time. LOL Black Sabbath and Tony Iommi are the Godfathers of Heavy Metal.
This guy Tracy talking with many silent pauses was driving me crazy. I’m thinking “WHAT!?! SAY IT, COME ON “ I had to stop it and move on. Or else I would’ve turned into an old man. Whew ! Next
Oh yeah. VH opened for UFO, M Schenker, another long time guitar inspiration, and as noted twice by MS and the singer, Phil Mogg, VH blew the roof off (The Goldenwest). A legendary pre-signing 😮VH show!
Ed and Alex have performed live since they were 4-5 years old kids, sometimes with their father, a pro classical cellist. Both grew up playing piano, deep into Chopin, Beethoven, Liszt, baroque and classical music. Ed’s tapping runs are frequently intervals derived from baroque piano runs. And he largely credits Alan Holdsworth as a tapping influence and fusion jazz/progressive rock master.
Of all celebrities, I cried the most when Ed passed. I was driving and had to pull over bc I couldn’t see due to the flood of tears. RIP Ed. The world misses you 😢. I’ll see you again some day.
Their dad played clarinet, not cello. There is no proof that Ed and Alex were virtuosic piano players. Ed's piano playing is more reminiscent of a noodler, a guy that stopped playing at like 12 years of age. No one remembers him as some prodigy. Tony Macalpine IS an amazing classical pianist that did attend a musical conservatory and has classical pieces like Chopin on his records. Make no mistake, Ed did not have the keyboard chops to replace Jordan Rudess in Dream Theater. Even Alex playing and writing 'Ride the Wind' can tell that Alex didn't have those chops either.
No alcohol at the Golden West. At least when I was there.
This dude is straight reliving that moment like he was right there!!! He’s having a ball and has done some DOPE in his past for sure probably now
My 2nd concert was Van Halen (1984) and I've seen zillions of shows since and I cant tell you much about those shows... but I can tell you everything about that VH show from the jump!
Totally get the big frets thing! Better bending and control and less fingers slipping off stings.
Bless this guy's heart ... tho he is one who could use some guidance and direction in terms of solidifying his experiences... I love all of your many posts; they're all very interesting and informative.
Jimmy Lyon from Eddie Money - what a great great and tasty player - technique is nice, but that was EVHs thing - Jimmy Lyon's playing was precise and molded to the song. I loved his playing
That wasnt Jimmy Lyon was it ??
@@bojangles713 On the video here? No - but they mentioned the guitar player from Eddie Money from back in the day and I commented.
ok someone else remembers Jimmy Lyon's cool and yes he had some cool stuff
@@rayfabris2512 Life For The Taking - clear, great phrasing and few if any notes wasted...great tone. I thought he was fantastic on those EM albums.
@@joerectifier I love that song I just came across it in the last year or two I wasn't a big fan of EM I was into Y&T and Night Ranger along with the Red Rocker Sammy I do play guitar and play along with it really cool
Dave is the ONLY singer for the Mighty Van Halen.. period!
Fan since 1978, I was six. My brother turned me onto them.
My favorite hard rock band of all time.
Different kind of truth is truly in my top 3 VH records.
Haha i saw a few good shows at golden west ballroom. The first time i heard of van halen they were playing at "cars of stars" museum rock event in buena park. My friend who was a shredder his band was playing lead up. I left after my friends band was done knowing no one was going to shred better than him. Maybe I was wrong haha maybe i should have stayed
Another great interview! Tracy G is cool and I always liked the WWWIII album despite some of the cheesiest lyrics ever. Great riffs and some unique, cool leads!
Very cool stuff ❤!😅
Everyone is telling you to interview this person and that person, including me, and now I want you to find the parachute guys and interview them! 🤣🤣🤣
I love this rare information about the Mighty Van Halen. I was a 10 year old guitarist in 1978, playing sabbath and cream, chuck berry ...
The day I heard Van Halen my entire life became dedicated to guitar.
@ T ANT RUMGASM I remember the first time hearing EVH. It was 1978 and my own idols were ( and still are ) Page, Billy Gibbons, and Joe Walsh. My friend Joe Quinn played Eruption for me. I said "that is not a guitar" "You can`t make a guitar sound like that" "It has to be a synthesizer". After I heard the whole album, I was so stunned at the speed, the attack, the whole deal, I just could not understand it as a 12 year old guitar player. So I became a VH head. The stakes had just jumped up to a new level. I began taking my playing very seriously. I still love all of my favorite players, and they all made me a better player. But EVH turned the world on it`s ear.
I completely understand what you're saying. I was born in 1981 and started playing guitar at 6 years old. I was mostly influenced by Hendrix, SRV, Santana, Cream and blind faith (Clapton) I remember being in a music store and hearing eruption on the speakers in the background. Probably around 1992 or 1993. I knew of two hand tapping and I was familiar with Yngwie, Satriani and Via but Eruption shocked my soul. I'd never heard it before. This is all way before the internet.
@@bulldog11881 You knew of those guys and never heard Eruption? you need to go punch your teacher in the dick!! LOL wow, that is odd my friend. I guess I understand how a younger dude , you i mean, could hear those guys first. Very very rare though. Cheers !
I cant play unless I palm mute....went and looked at Terry's time with Dio. I like his guitar playing.
Does he stay in touch with Vinnie Appice?
I'm just now getting into Carmine's playing (I'm a drummer).
Everyone should check out the song 'Stop In The Name of Love'
It was the last song all 4 members of Vanilla Fudge did together before Tim Bogert died. It's good.
Tracy keeps in touch with nobody he has a zero personality & not the sharpest tool in the shed, ungrateful as could be, never bothered to thank Dio for putting him on the map never spoke with Dio since his departure from the band ... crickets even when Dio was on his death bed, Tracy had nothing mainstream before or after Dio..Dio was great before, during, & after Tracy..I played in the Tracy G band ( bass) before his Dio days so I know first hand what a ungreatful & self centered the sumo wrestler is..
Tracie missed that Roth was center stage behind the curtains , and after the announcement, pulled them aside “Is everybody ready?”
Also: Ed played a white Strat that was already modified with a PAF.
VH plays in a weird sub E flat. More like D sharp, but most tuning instruments don’t have it. It’s unique to Ed’s preference. And DLR could sing more comfortably, although it wasn’t meant for his comfort. It just sounded girthier and played more comfortably.
I was friends with George and Randy. Both have been to my house.
RR was an extremely sweet person and phenomenally talented and *formally music educated guy. A few weeks later I saw him in Quiet Riot. We thought Randy was the only reason to see QR and thought he has a bigger future ahead. I didn’t predict getting with Ozzie. Even less that he would so young die, which is not just a tragedy for the music world, but for humanity. Then what this mom? She was still alive, and for a mother to suffer a child’s death is unbelievable, life-shortening emotional pain. Ughh! RIP Randy 🪦😢😢😢
I took several lessons from George and met both of divorced parents. His mom met mine. Later I accidentally formed a band with two of his childhood friends.
Great formative and fortunate years for me. And now those memories coincide with historic moments in rock guitar music.
Awesome!
Totally agree re: Nuno.
I saw the tour with Vai, Zakk, Yngwie, Nuno
.. Nuno really had it all playing-wise. And he was laid back and funny to boot. Tasteful always, rippin when needed, and every once in a while he'd sprinkle in a mind-blower. Def one of the greats.
A robot (or about 743 Japanese 14yr Olds on YT) can mimic N-F-N solos. Yawn... it ain't got no soul, Eugene. These kids need to get a VHS of Crossroads (and get off my lawn).
GOAT
great
I seen Tracy a couple times in WWIII . He was smokin'
Yeah I have The Bootleg is this the Show VH opened for UFO the Boot is Eating Schenkers LOL
I am in the minority because I never cared for Eddie’s tone but holy crap his playing was otherworldly. Miss him.
To this day I’m careful what company I’m in when I say “I don’t like Randy’s tone”. I could never listen to Blizzard of Oz from start to finish
@@trowerz I understand