The Johnny Beane Podcast

WOLFGANG VAN HALEN Unleashes MAMMOTH's Explosive Third Album "The End" — New Single "The Spell" Out Now! Wolfgang Van Halen is back, and he's louder, sharper, and more unstoppable than ever. His powerhouse band MAMMOTH (formerly MAMMOTH WVH) has officially announced its third studio album, "The End", arriving October 24 via BMG. This 10-track sonic journey, clocking in at a lean, electrifying 39 minutes, marks a bold evolution in Wolfgang's already remarkable solo career. Recorded at the iconic 5150 Studios and produced once again by trusted collaborator Michael “Elvis” Baskette, "The End" finds Wolfgang pushing his creative boundaries. As always, he wrote every song, played every instrument, and sang every vocal, proving once again that he's not just carrying the Van Halen legacy — he's forging a new one. Fans can pre-order "The End" now in a variety of collector-worthy formats, including limited-edition colored vinyl, a signed insert edition, and exclusive retailer bundles.

Tonight on Exclusively Van Halen, we're back with Part 2 of our special 3-part series featuring two very special guests: Michael “Myko” Gutierrez and Robert Stoltz. They're here to dive deep into the story of one of the rarest Van Halen guitars ever — a nearly unknown Kramer Baretta that was built and custom-painted in 1984 at 5150 by Eddie Van Halen himself and his then-guitar tech Rudy Leiren. This wasn't just any Kramer — it was Ed's personal studio-use-only guitar, played exclusively at 5150 and never meant for public hands. Incredibly, this guitar found its way into the wild when Michael won it in a once-in-a-lifetime contest sponsored by Kramer Guitars and Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine. Even more amazing: Eddie personally handed Michael the guitar at the 1985 NAMM Show in Anaheim, California. Robert, who has contributed to multiple Van Halen-related publications, first wrote about this guitar back in 1997 for The Inside magazine. He's recently completed a detailed follow-up article, packed with new insights into the guitar's history, which will be published online soon. Don't miss this deep cut into Van Halen lore — only on Exclusively Van Halen.

Today we're diving into the brand-new Harley Benton ST-80 series – Superstrats with serious '80s shredder vibes!

What happens when one guitar god pays tribute to another… and it backfires? In this episode, we dive deep into the surprising fallout between Eddie Van Halen and Eric Clapton — two of rock's most legendary players. It all started with a jam session in 1983, featured on Brian May's Star Fleet Project, where Eddie and Brian recorded a slow blues track called “Blues Breaker” — dedicated to Clapton himself. But Clapton hated it. He called it “horrible.” He said Eddie and Brian “can't play” the blues. And he delivered a scathing verdict: “If he was that tuned into me and missed that point… then he missed the whole point.” This video explores the tension between technical brilliance and emotional expression, the strict “rules” of blues as Clapton saw them, and how a friendship built on admiration ended with hurt feelings, harsh words, and never speaking again. We also revisit Dave Davies of The Kinks and his own complicated feelings about being imitated — including a jab at Eddie Van Halen's version of “You Really Got Me.” From tribute to tension, from respect to rivalry — this is the untold story behind one of rock's coldest guitar feuds.

Van Halen – Balance (Expanded Edition) | Official 30th Anniversary Reissue Rhino celebrates 30 years of Balance with a deluxe Expanded Edition, arriving August 15. This limited-edition set features Van Halen's 10th studio album fully remastered (from 2023's The Collection II) and packed with rare audio/video content, wrapping up Rhino's spotlight on the Sammy Hagar era.

This episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV was PACKED with tone, tribute, and giveaways!

Our guests on "Exclusively Van Halen" tonight are Michael “Myko” Gutierrez and Robert Stoltz. They will talk about one of the rarest Van Halen guitars ever — a little-known-about Kramer Baretta built and painted in 1984 at 5150 by Ed and his then-guitar tech Rudy Leiren. This guitar was Ed's personal studio-use-only guitar that he played at 5150. And it's one of the only Kramers owned by Ed that's found its way into the wild. Michael won this guitar in a “dream-come-true contest” sponsored by Kramer Guitars and Guitar for the Practicing Musician magazine, and Ed himself gave the guitar to Michael in person at the 1985 NAMM show in Anaheim, California. Robert has worked on several Van Halen-related publications and first wrote about this rare guitar in 1997 for The Inside magazine. He recently wrote a lengthy follow-up article, one delving into more details about the guitar and the history behind it. That article will appear online soon. Tune in to hear more! #exclusivelyvanhalen #kramerguitars #eddievanhalen #vanhalen #johnnybeaneTV

Michael Anthony Opens Up About His One Big Regret: Van Halen Deserved a Thunderous Farewell, Not a Whimper For Michael Anthony, former Van Halen bassist, the ride with one of rock's most electrifying bands was nothing short of a dream — until the ending, which still haunts him. In a recent episode of Get on the Bus, Anthony revealed his biggest career regret: how Van Halen's legendary run came to an unceremonious close. “It should have gone out with a fricking bang that shook the world,” he said, “and it was more like a whimper, the way everything ended.” Though he described the band's heyday as “living the dream” and even “a fairy tale,” the behind-the-scenes reality was far from perfect. As years went by, tensions and personal rifts—particularly with guitarist Eddie Van Halen—created a lasting fracture. “Unfortunately, Eddie and I never made amends,” Anthony shared. “We had some issues, and I'm sure that if he had not passed when he did, we would've reconciled… we would've calmed all that stuff down.” In a bittersweet twist, Anthony revealed that there had been talks of a massive reunion tour featuring the original members — a true full-circle moment in the making. “I talked to Wolfgang [Van Halen], and he said there were plans to bring everyone back together,” Anthony recalled. “At that point in Ed's life, he was more like, ‘Hey, the past is the past... water under the bridge.'” But time ran out. Eddie Van Halen passed away in 2020, and with him went the final chance for the ultimate Van Halen reunion. Now, years later, Anthony holds onto the music, the memories — and the what ifs. “That's the only regret I have,” he said. “We were supposed to go out with thunder. Not silence.” Michael Anthony - The TRUE Van Halen Story You've NEVER Heard! https://youtu.be/oKzjBY-OarA?si=TXZlTWyqxHjeu_tB EVH Van Halen guitar keychains - https://www.vanhalenstore.com/page/VH/Little-Guitars/KEYSET-456

"It was pure rock ‘n' roll heaven." That's how guitar legend Pat Travers describes the most unforgettable gig of his life—a scorching summer day in 1978 at Oakland Coliseum, sharing the bill with Aerosmith, AC/DC, Van Halen, Foreigner, and his own Pat Travers Band. Five powerhouse bands. One stage. Over 65,000 screaming fans. “It was the best show I ever played,” Travers told Rick Beato. “It started at 11 in the morning and didn't let up. Just hit after hit, band after band.” Van Halen. AC/DC. Nobody remembers who went on first—and it didn't matter. What mattered was the energy, the music, and the wild backstage scene, where legends mingled like it was just another day in the park.

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we talk about Sammy Hagar's bold invitation to Wolfgang Van Halen to join him for a special Van Halen-themed residency, the dream that inspired his emotional tribute to Eddie, and why he still holds out hope for more musical magic—even without Alex Van Halen. Sammy Hagar is turning up the heat again—and this time, he's calling out to Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang, with a heartfelt and electrifying offer: “Hey Wolfie, let's do a residency someday—just one show of Van Halen songs!” In a new interview with WRIF, the Red Rocker didn't hold back his admiration for Wolfgang, praising the Mammoth WVH frontman for blazing his own trail. “He's not trying to be his dad, and I love that,” Hagar said with genuine pride. “Let that boy boogie!” Despite Wolfgang's past statements that he won't perform Van Halen songs live, Hagar is holding out hope for a one-night-only celebration. But that's not all. Sammy revealed something even more surreal—his new song Encore, Thank You, Goodnight was inspired by a dream he had where he wrote a song with Eddie Van Halen himself. “I had a friggin' dream and wrote a song with Eddie!” Sammy shared. “That's as real as it gets.” He describes the track as a final chapter, a spiritual jam session that gave him the closure he needed. “The ‘what if' is gone now. I feel good. Healthy, even.” The track features none other than Joe Satriani, who Sammy says completely captured Eddie's essence. “The intro… I don't even try to figure out what Joe's doing,” Hagar laughed. “I ain't torturing myself with that.” One person not involved? Alex Van Halen. “Al and I… we've got a problem,” Hagar admitted. “You'd have to ask him what it is. I don't know. But I knew he probably wouldn't be part of it.” Still, when asked if he regrets his time in Van Halen, Sammy didn't hesitate: “Oh, hell no! The only regret I have is that we didn't make more music. Eddie and I were just getting started. We were capable of so much more.” And as a bonus, Hagar revealed he'll be part of Black Sabbath's farewell show, originally planning to sing No More Tears until Ozzy Osbourne himself asked to sing Hagar's Rock Candy! So now? Sammy's cranking up the volume on Flying High Again. You won't want to miss this episode of Exclusively Van Halen—packed with heart, history, and one seriously rocking dream. #VanHalen #SammyHagar #WolfgangVanHalen #MammothWVH #EddieVanHalen #JoeSatriani #AlexVanHalen #OzzyOsbourne #BlackSabbath #RockNews #ExclusivelyVanHalen #JohnnyBeaneTV Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard: https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4906555367489536

In this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we take a trip back in time to May 29, 1983, the day Van Halen headlined Heavy Metal Day at the iconic US Festival in San Bernardino, California. This legendary performance drew over 300,000 fans and solidified Van Halen's status as a dominant force in rock history.

In this packed episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we dive deep into a pivotal moment in Van Halen history — the day Eddie Van Halen nearly left the band to join Kiss. Gene Simmons claims it happened on the same day Eddie played him a demo of “Jump,” a song that shocked the Kiss co-founders with its lack of guitar. “So you're going to add guitars?” Gene asked. “No, that's it,” Eddie replied — marking a bold shift in his musical direction in 1983. We trace the history of Gene Simmons' involvement with Van Halen, from the band's early days at Gazzarri's on the Sunset Strip to the now-famous Zero demo he produced. We also discuss the internal friction between Eddie and David Lee Roth that led Eddie to consider jumping ship and joining Kiss — a move Gene ultimately talked him out of. Then, we shift gears to honor the legacy of Rick Derringer, the American rock icon who passed away recently. Known for “Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo,” Derringer played a surprising role in the Van Halen story. We talk about the early days when Van Halen covered Derringer's songs live, and we revisit the unforgettable moment when Rick Derringer and Eddie Van Halen jammed together at NAMM, a rare and electrifying meeting of guitar heroes. It's an episode full of deep cuts, rock history, and behind-the-scenes stories that link Van Halen, Kiss, and Rick Derringer in unexpected and unforgettable ways. I showed off some of my Van Halen striped guitars talked about each one a little bit.  And thank you to Bay Area Rich we unboxed a mystery “canned good item”. 

OU812 (pronounced "Oh You Ate One Too") is the eighth studio album by American rock band Van Halen, released on May 24, 1988. It is the band's second album to feature vocalist Sammy Hagar, following the success of 5150. Van Halen began work on OU812 in September 1987 and completed it in April 1988, just a month before its release.

Our guest on "Exclusively Van Halen" is none other than the Van Halen tone king himself — Jim Gaustad! A lifelong disciple of the Brown Sound, Jim's obsession with Eddie Van Halen's tone began the moment he dropped the needle on Van Halen I. From gigging at age 12 to reverse-engineering Marshalls and launching the Brown Sound Quest YouTube channel, Jim has spent a lifetime chasing that iconic tone. Now, Jim Gaustad & IK Multimedia bring that passion and precision to “The Brown Sound 78/79,” the first in a limited series of three TONEX Signature Collections. This set dives deep into the explosive sonic DNA of Van Halen I and II — with 50 meticulously modeled tones that feel like the records.

Wolfgang Van Halen Honors Alex Van Halen's Legacy at Drumeo Wolfgang Van Halen joins Drumeo for a powerful and personal tribute to his uncle, the legendary Alex Van Halen. This one-of-a-kind episode dives deep into Alex's drumming legacy through rare photos, untold stories, and jaw-dropping solos. Wolfgang shares exclusive insight only family can offer—exploring Alex's unique drum setups, unforgettable performances, and iconic gear from the bombastic kits of the '80s to the electronic innovations of the '90s. For the first time ever on camera, Wolf plays through eight of his favorite Van Halen tracks on drums, including: “On Fire” “Panama” “Jump” “Right Now” “Drop Dead Legs” “Romeo Delight” “Hot For Teacher” “Loss of Control” He opens up about life growing up surrounded by rock icons, what it was like being in Van Halen with his dad Eddie and uncle Alex, and why he believes Alex is one of the most underrated drummers in rock history. Whether you're a die-hard Van Halen fan or discovering Alex's genius for the first time, this episode delivers a deep, heartfelt, and high-energy celebration of the man behind the thunder. Chapters: Intro Why Alex Van Halen Matters Drum Kit Philosophy & Early Setups "Romeo Delight" – Performance 1986 Live Without A Net Drum Solo Thoughts on "Hot For Teacher" – Performance "Loss Of Control" – Performance Wolf's Favorite Drum Kit "Sunday Afternoon In The Park" – Performance Hide Your Sheep Tour Kit 1982 Burnin' in Buenos Aires Drum Solo Why Alex Used Simmons Electronic Drums "Drop Dead Legs" – Performance 5150 Tour Kit How Wolf Joined Van Halen "On Fire" – Performance Rehearsing with Van Halen 2013 Live at Stone Music Festival Drum Solo Jump Story from Japan "Jump" – Performance Taylor Swift Intro at Billboard Awards "Panama" – Performance Behind the Jimmy Kimmel Live "Panama" Set Is Alex Still Playing Drums Today? "Right Now" – Performance Outro

We did something wild—swapped the neck on the gold Leo Jaymz Stratocaster and dropped in a Telecaster neck thanks to the one and only Bay Area Rich!

Sammy Hagar has shared his thoughts on David Lee Roth's recently announced 21-date summer tour, which will see Roth return to the stage performing classic Van Halen songs. With both former Van Halen frontmen now touring in 2025, fans are witnessing a rare moment in rock history where two distinct eras of the band are being celebrated simultaneously. Hagar, who is currently playing Las Vegas with a brand-new residency titled “The Best of All Worlds Stays in Vegas” at Dolby Live at Park MGM. —featuring Michael Anthony, Joe Satriani, and Kenny Aronoff—responded on Instagram, offering his take on Roth's upcoming shows. In his comment, Hagar acknowledged the timing of both tours and reflected on the ongoing legacy of Van Halen's music, emphasizing the excitement of seeing both frontmen bringing Van Halen's sound to stages across the country. Meanwhile, David Lee Roth's 2025 tour marks his return to live performance after several years away, and it's set to deliver his iconic take on the Van Halen catalog with the flair only Diamond Dave can provide. With both Roth and Hagar on the road, and a renewed spotlight on the music of Eddie Van Halen, this summer is shaping up to be a historic tribute to one of the greatest rock bands of all time.

On Friday, May 9, 2025, an unmanned dump truck crashed into the legendary Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, causing serious damage and chaos on Clark Street. We're breaking down all the details from eyewitness accounts to what this could mean for upcoming shows at this iconic venue. Thankfully, no injuries were reported — but it was a wild scene.

On this episode of Straturday Night… We're diving into the green Tease SBH-E Guitar that Bay Area Rich personally handed off when he came down to Santa Cruz on Thursday! We hung out, hit up the local guitar shop (check out the footage in the previous video!), and now it's time to get to work. This beauty came with all green accessories—strap, strap locks, even green strings! Tonight, we mod it, tweak it, and bring it to life live on the show! Huge thanks again to Bay Area Rich—this one's gonna be special.

On this episode, we're diving into some big news—David Lee Roth is hitting the road, and tickets are officially on sale! We run through all the tour dates and share our thoughts on his recent show-stealing performance at the M3 Festival. Plus, we've got something truly special from Wolfgang Van Halen—he just dropped a powerful clip of himself playing his dad's iconic Frankenstein guitar on his new track “The End.” Wolfgang says the guitar helps him feel closer to Eddie, and that every time he records with it, a piece of rock history lives on. And of course, we wrap things up by answering your awesome comments and questions. You don't want to miss this one! Exclusively Van Halen is the ultimate destination for all things Van Halen. Step into the world of rock and roll legends as we delve deep into the history, music, and trivia surrounding one of the most iconic bands of all time. Join us as we explore Van Halen's storied career, from their electrifying performances to the making of their timeless hits. Get to know the band members, their inspirations, and the stories behind the songs that have rocked generations. But that's not all – tune in for exciting giveaways where you can win exclusive Van Halen merchandise and more. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of Van Halen, this show promises to keep you entertained, informed, and rocking out from start to finish. Get ready to jump into the world of "Exclusively Van Halen" and experience the music like never before. Check out the Latin Percussion Alex Van Halen Signature Cowbell - http://sweetwater.sjv.io/7aXxey This affiliate link helps support these shows!

David Lee Roth is hitting the road — and tickets go on sale tomorrow! Get ready to jump, scream, and rock out with the legendary frontman in what promises to be an unforgettable tour. Don't miss your chance to see Diamond Dave live — it's gonna be wild! Setlist? • Panama • Drop Dead Legs • You Really Got Me • Unchained • Dance the Night Away • Runnin' With the Devil • Mean Street • Atomic Punk • And the Cradle Will Rock… • Jamie's Cryin' • I'm the One • Everybody Wants Some!! • Romeo Delight • Hot for Teacher • Ain't Talkin' ‘Bout Love • Jump Exclusively Van Halen is the ultimate destination for all things Van Halen. Step into the world of rock and roll legends as we delve deep into the history, music, and trivia surrounding one of the most iconic bands of all time. Join us as we explore Van Halen's storied career, from their electrifying performances to the making of their timeless hits. Get to know the band members, their inspirations, and the stories behind the songs that have rocked generations. But that's not all – tune in for exciting giveaways where you can win exclusive Van Halen merchandise and more. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of Van Halen, this show promises to keep you entertained, informed, and rocking out from start to finish. Get ready to jump into the world of "Exclusively Van Halen" and experience the music like never before. Check out the Latin Percussion Alex Van Halen Signature Cowbell - http://sweetwater.sjv.io/7aXxey This affiliate link helps support these shows!