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A review by hopecobblepotworld
Van Halen at 50 by Martin Popoff
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
5.0
When I was about 15, my friend who hooked me up with a tape of a new band. I sure hadn't heard of them before but Wow! They were amazing. The guitar was fresh, like nothing I'd ever heard before. I knew. I played guitar. So this group knocked me back! Over the years my tastes would change, but I always loved Van Halen.
This gorgeous book from Martin Popoff isn't your Mom and Dad's coffee table book. This has some teeth in it. With some serious history lessons in all things Van Halen, from their club gigs to the disputes with Diamond Dave, The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar and into the blip of Gary, this explores aspects even seasoned fans may not have known. Did you know Dave appeared on the Letterman show with his nose bandaged not because Alex slugged him finally but because he dropped a mic stand on his nose. Learn about the stories behind the Monsters of Rock tour, Sammy's tequila , rum, cocktails. The how and why Dimebag ended up with the exact guitar Eddie gave to Rita to put in his coffin. Eddie's wedding day! Wolfgang in the band.
I definitely would want to get my hands on the hardback edition of this. Seeing this on your screen is one thing. Seeing it and holding it is another.
The one line I found odd was about 'those in the axe position, you hear about Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen and really no one else. I think Eric Clapton said it best when he would get asked what it's like being the best guitarist in the world:
"I don't know. Go ask Prince."
King Edward certainly earned his right to glory. His son is creating quite a name for himself as a virtuoso. There are other guitarists but I won't name them here. This book is Van Halen country.
I'll leave you, dear reader, with a quote from a conservative Christian woman in the 80s who happened to catch a sober David Lee Roth with a tan hat and army green button down shirt on doing an interview:
"Well, sure, he has long hair but he's brushed it and he's put himself together nicely in the latest fashion and speaks clearly. He seems reasonable." ~ my Mom
This gorgeous book from Martin Popoff isn't your Mom and Dad's coffee table book. This has some teeth in it. With some serious history lessons in all things Van Halen, from their club gigs to the disputes with Diamond Dave, The Red Rocker, Sammy Hagar and into the blip of Gary, this explores aspects even seasoned fans may not have known. Did you know Dave appeared on the Letterman show with his nose bandaged not because Alex slugged him finally but because he dropped a mic stand on his nose. Learn about the stories behind the Monsters of Rock tour, Sammy's tequila , rum, cocktails. The how and why Dimebag ended up with the exact guitar Eddie gave to Rita to put in his coffin. Eddie's wedding day! Wolfgang in the band.
I definitely would want to get my hands on the hardback edition of this. Seeing this on your screen is one thing. Seeing it and holding it is another.
The one line I found odd was about 'those in the axe position, you hear about Jimi Hendrix and Eddie Van Halen and really no one else. I think Eric Clapton said it best when he would get asked what it's like being the best guitarist in the world:
"I don't know. Go ask Prince."
King Edward certainly earned his right to glory. His son is creating quite a name for himself as a virtuoso. There are other guitarists but I won't name them here. This book is Van Halen country.
I'll leave you, dear reader, with a quote from a conservative Christian woman in the 80s who happened to catch a sober David Lee Roth with a tan hat and army green button down shirt on doing an interview:
"Well, sure, he has long hair but he's brushed it and he's put himself together nicely in the latest fashion and speaks clearly. He seems reasonable." ~ my Mom