Tuesday, June 12, 2012

VIDEO: Eddie and Wolfgang Van Halen talk music


The father-and-son team of Eddie and Wolfgang Van Halen are featured in a new video interview by USA Today.

Currently on the road touring in support of the band’s latest effort, “A Different Kind Of Truth,” USA Today caught up with the pair in San Francisco last week, where the guys talk about playing music together, the best musical advice they ever got, natural musical ability, and their mutual love of AC/DC.

Wolfgang was brought in to handle bass duties six years ago, in time for a reunion tour with David Lee Roth in 2007.

Ed concedes that his ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli, wasn't thrilled when he pulled Wolf out of high school to face the rigors of the road, but he didn't want to mess with what he considers destiny.

"Alex and I used to joke, why didn't Mom and Dad have another kid for a bass player? Well, now we have our own Van Halen bass player," says Ed. "So now I think, why didn't Valerie and I have another kid? Could have been the singer."

Both burst out giggling. Ed's is a rasp, a telltale sign of ongoing health scares. (He had cancerous growths on his tongue and throat removed last year and reports he's "feeling great.")

"There's a reason to be out there," he says, looking over at his son. "He's the reason I'm on tour, and probably alive, too."

Now on his second full tour with his father's band, Wolf says some disgruntled fans still malign him online, and speculate that he might be playing to a tape on tour.

Wolf shakes his head. "If some people think that what I'm playing and what I'm singing is so good that it can't possibly be me doing it, then thank you."

Read the full VH session at USA Today here.




Van Van Halen



See also:

AUDIO: Van Halen perform Light Up The Sky at soundcheck
VIDEO: Van Halen play Bottoms Up! for first time in 30 years
Sammy Hagar: Eddie Van Halen owes me an apology
Van Halen top the hennemusic Hot 10
Valerie Bertinelli blamed for Van Halen’s 1985 split with David Lee Roth
VIDEO: Van Halen discuss early musical inspirations
VIDEO: Van Halen – Watch complete Pittsburgh concert
VIDEO: Van Halen break out And The Cradle Will Rock in Minnesota
Former Van Halen bassist comments on band’s tour postponement
VIDEO: David Lee Roth explains Van Halen tour postponement
Speculation over Van Halen tour postponement continues
Van Halen postpone summer US tour
VIDEO: Van Halen – David Lee Roth busts fan for throwing garbage on stage
UPDATE: Van Halen announce several more US shows
Van Halen add more dates to US tour
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10 for 3rd week
VIDEO: Van Halen discuss the band’s early days
PHOTO: Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains attend Van Halen show
VIDEO: Wolfgang Van Halen plays Eruption
Rare Wolfgang Van Halen interview published
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10 for 2nd week
Eddie Van Halen’s dog is on Facebook
VIDEO: Van Halen – New York soundcheck