Here are a few interesting tidbits about Eddie Van Halen and his great band.

 

Eddie Van Halen
Getty Images / Kevin Winter
Eddie Van Halen
Getty Images / Kevin Winter
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Yes, it is a Van Halen weekend on New Jersey 101.5.  We are giving away tickets to see this legendary group perform at the PNC Arts Center on August 9th.

Here are a few facts about Eddie and his troupe.

Edward Lodewijk Van Halen was born in the Netherlands on January 26, 1955.  Eddie's middle name is the Dutch version of Ludwig.  Eddie's dad, Jan, gave Eddie his middle name in honor of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Jan, by the way was an accomplished clarinetist, saxophonist, ,and pianist.

The Van Halens picked up their European roots in 1962 and moved to California.

It's hard to believe, but true, the band was formed way back in 1972 in Pasadena California.

From 1974 to 1985 the band comprised lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, and bassist Michael Anthony.  In 1985 Sammy Hagar replaced Roth as the lead singer.

During the early 1980's Van Halen was one of the most successful groups of all time.  As a matter of fact, the group made the Guinness Book of World Records as the highest paid band of all time.

I'm sure most of you know that Eddie was married to actress Valerie Bertinelli.  They had a son, Wolfgang, who is now the band's bass player.

Here's one final Van Halen factiod.

Eddie performed one of the most recognizable guitar solos of all time on Michael Jackson's 1983 monster hit, "Beat It."

I hope you win those tickets!  Here's a little taste.

 

 

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