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Mike Rutherford's Secret Tapes: Lost Recording Sessions with Eddie Van Halen Revealed!
In a stunning revelation for the guitar world, Genesis guitarist Mike Rutherford has disclosed that he secretly recorded several songs with Eddie Van Halen during the late legend's prime.
This news comes on the heels of former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony's comments that Eddieâs son, Wolfgang Van Halen, is safeguarding a massive archive of demos. âWe recorded every idea we had,â Anthony explained. While Alex Van Halen earlier this year released the final song he worked on with his brother before Eddieâs passing in 2020, Rutherfordâs revelation hints at even more unheard Eddie Van Halen recordings than fans ever imagined.
Speaking with My Planet Rocks, Rutherford shared that it wasnât his guitar playing that first caught Eddieâs attention but rather an unlikely aspect: his voice. âEddie heard a song from my second solo album, Acting Very Strange [1982], which I sang,â Rutherford recalled. âHe called me up and said, âWill you do some writing?â My voice, of all things!â
The collaboration brought Rutherford to Los Angeles, but he quickly found himself out of sync with Eddieâs nocturnal creative process.
âI brought some gear and went to his studio,â Rutherford said. âEddie told me, âCome over about 1:30.â And I thought, âThatâs perfect, just after lunch.â But he meant 1:30 a.m.! He started at night and worked through the early hours. I just couldnât do it.â
Despite the late hours, Rutherford took the opportunity to work with Eddie. âWe had some sessions. We wrote songs. Bits and pieces,â he revealed.
Surprisingly, Rutherford has yet to revisit the recordings. âIâve got two boxes of cassettes. Iâm not sure Iâm mad enough to go through them!â he admitted. âEddie was an incredible player, and we had a great time, but working through the night wasnât my style.â
Rutherford, now preparing for a UK tour with Mike + The Mechanics, noted that late-night sessions often didnât yield productive results. âYouâd show up the next day and think, âWhat was that all about?ââ
Eddie Van Halenâs collaborative spirit extended to many other artists, as Alex Van Halen has also revealed. Earlier this year, Alex shared that the Van Halen brothers attempted a project with Chris Cornell and even considered an Ozzy Osbourne-fronted Van Halen lineup, though both ideas ultimately fizzled.
While Rutherfordâs tapes remain untouched, the prospect of lost Eddie Van Halen material continues to fuel excitement, adding another layer to the legendâs enduring legacy.
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