VIDEO: Eddie Van Halen on Coming to the U.S. as a Child

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

January 26th, 2020 12:00 AM

Today (January 26) is Eddie Van Halen’s birthday, and while he’s one of the greatest guitarists to ever pick up the instrument, he also might be one of the most fascinating figures in rock history.

Eddie Van Halen took part in the Smithsonian series “What It Means To Be American” back in February 2015. He sat down for an interview for nearly an hour discussing how he came to America as a young boy and the obstacles he and his brother, Alex, had to overcome as immigrants.

The entire interview is embedded below, and if you haven’t seen it yet, it will likely give you a whole new appreciation for the legendary guitarist.  Also, you’ll learn how and why he came up with certain playing techniques, which countless guitarists have imitated over the years.

Van Halen and Other Band Origin Stories

• Van Halen

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  Obviously, this story starts with brothers Eddie and Alex, but those two came across David Lee Roth, because they would often rent his PA system.  Roth at that time was in a band called the Red Ball Jets.  The brothers Van Halen, in an effort to save money, asked Roth to join the band and bring his PA with him.  The rest is history.

• Motley Crue

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  Sixx and Tommy Lee formed Motley Crue in 1981.  Shortly thereafter, the two came across Mick Mars’ infamous “Loud, rude and aggressive guitar player available” ad.  The weird kismet moment, of course, was that Sixx and Mars met before in a liquor store where Sixx worked as a cashier.  It’s all in The Dirt.  If you haven’t read it yet, shame on you!

• U2

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  Drummer Larry Mullen, Jr., who was only 14 at the time, posted a note on a bulletin board at his high school saying he was looking for musicians to start a band.  Six people responded to the note, and among them were Paul Hewson (Bono), David Evans (The Edge) and Adam Clayton.  Who would have thought that a simple note would evolve into one of the biggest bands in history?
• The Rolling Stones

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  The Stones earliest beginnings can be traced back to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, who were school friends when they both lived in Dartford, Kent, England. However, the two drifted apart due to Jagger and his family moving away to a different town, but the two would fatefully meet again about six year after the move on a platform at the Dartford Railway Station. The station even has a commemorative plaque on display at the station marking the historic moment.

• Nine Inch Nails

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  NIN really came to be because Trent Reznor was a janitor at a recording studio whose owner let him record for free during open studio time.  The lesson?  Even if your job isn’t exactly in your desired field, you never know what might come from it.

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Music

Tags:

Eddie Van Halen,Remembering Eddie Van Halen