On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen on Johnny Beane TV, we have some incredible Van Halen news to talk about — including the first official release of one of the earliest Van Halen recordings ever made!
🎸 “GLITTER” — THE EARLIEST VAN HALEN RECORDING?
Today, we’re delighted to reveal what will feature on the exclusive 7-inch picture disc accompanying the VAN HALEN Collector boxed set.
The record will feature “Glitter,” a previously unreleased Van Halen demo from 1974.
Here’s what makes this recording so special:
• 🎸 Recorded in 1974 — “Glitter” captures Van Halen at the very beginning of the band's story.
• 🤘 The original lineup — The recording features Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth and original bassist Mark Stone.
• 🔥 An historic recording — “Glitter” will reportedly become the earliest Van Halen recording ever to be officially released.
• 📀 7-inch picture disc — The recording will be released exclusively with Alex Van Halen’s signed limited-edition VAN HALEN Collector boxed set.
• 🎨 1984-inspired artwork — The picture disc features artwork based on the band's iconic 1984 tour design.
• 🎙️ Alex Van Halen spoken-word recording — The record will also include a specially selected spoken-word recording from Alex, taken from his interviews with Genesis for the book.
⚡ 40 YEARS OF “ERUPTION”
We’re also looking back at another monumental moment in Van Halen history.
September 8, 1977 — exactly 40 years ago — Eddie Van Halen recorded the legendary instrumental “Eruption.”
The recording date was uncovered by Van Halen biographer Greg Renoff through his extensive interviews with Van Halen producer Ted Templeman.
Here’s what happened:
• 🎛️ Eddie was working through his guitar solo for an upcoming Whisky show.
• 👂 Ted Templeman heard Eddie practicing and famously asked, “What the hell is that?”
• 🎙️ Eddie explained that it was something he did live as his guitar solo.
• 🚨 Templeman immediately wanted to record it: “Shit, roll tape.”
• 🎸 Eddie didn't initially think the solo would even be included on the album.
• 🥁 Eddie, Alex and Michael Anthony quickly recorded the track.
• 🔥 Eddie later recalled playing it only two or three times, with the take that “seemed to flow” being chosen.
• 🤯 The finished recording introduced the world to Eddie's revolutionary two-handed tapping technique, along with his incredible use of harmonics, tremolo bar techniques and rapid-fire picking.
• ⏱️ “Eruption” runs only 1 minute and 43 seconds, but its impact on guitar history is enormous.
• 🎸 Even Eddie wasn't completely satisfied with his performance. He later said he felt there was a mistake toward the top of the solo and believed he could have played it better.
• 🎶 Despite that, Eddie recognized that the recording sounded completely unique — almost like a classical instrument.
From a previously unreleased 1974 demo featuring the original lineup to the recording of “Eruption” in 1977, this episode takes a look at two incredible moments from the early history of Van Halen.
#VanHalen #EddieVanHalen #Eruption #AlexVanHalen
