Eddie Van Halen is said to be on the mend after undergoing surgery to treat increasing pain in his left hand.

“During the last leg of our tour, I started developing pain in my thumb and my pinky. I didn’t think much of it at the time,” the guitarist says. “It got progressively worse to the point that about three months ago I wasn’t able to play at all. My pinky and my thumb were totally locked up and felt like there was something broken.”  

Van Halen sought out specialists in Düsseldorf, Germany, who initially began treating the guitarist for arthritis, but soon discovered a bone spur, twisted tendon and a cyst in the joint of his left thumb.  

“They said the only way to fix it was surgery, which of course scared the shit out of me, but I was told it was the only way to fix it,” Van Halen says. “Surgery was a success, now I just have to let it heal. I am totally jazzed that they found the problem, fixed it and in about four months my hand will feel like I am 18 again. Thank God.”  

Van Halen is said to be recovering nicely, having already regained his reach and full spread of his hand. He’s said to be taking his recovery slowly, however, to insure he heals properly. His rehabilitation should be complete in 4-6 months.  

“In the meantime I am able to write a bit, but can not overexert my hand because it needs to heal properly,” the guitarist says.  

His stitches come out in a few days, and he’s confident he’ll be able to play at maximum intensity when he completes his recovery.  

Article courtesy of Rolling Stone
Photo courtesy of Cohen/WireImage

Guitar virtuoso Eddie Van Halen is no longer a solo: Saturday night he married Janie Liszewski, his girlfriend of three years. 

The ceremony took place in the garden of his seven-acre estate in the hills above Studio City, Calif., starting at 7 p.m., when Liszewski walked down the aisle to Van Halen's "When It's Love," performed by the Sonus Quartet.

The 54-year-old groom's 18-year-old son, Wolfgang, served as best man, while brother Alex Van Halen, an ordained minister, officiated at the 20-minute, nondenominational service. Among the 100 guests: Van Halen's ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli (they divorced in 2006, after 25 years of marriage.)

The bride, 39, was given away by her mother under the watchful eye of Kano, the 15-year-old Pomeranian who walked Liszewski down the aisle. This was her first marriage and Van Halen's second.

Liszewski wore a champagne and pink custom-designed Hanna Hartnell gown with matching Bulgari earrings and bracelet. Her sister, Jennifer, served as maid of honor. Eddie and Wolfie dressed casually in Sy Devore cotton pants, un-tucked buttoned-down shirts and flip-flop sandals – as did the bride and wedding attendants.

The couple wrote their vows and designed the rings – Janie's, a platinum band beside a nearly three-carat diamond engagement ring; Ed's, a gold band with yellow diamonds.

Non-Alcoholic Bar!  At 7:30 guests were served appetizers such as mini hamburgers and corn dogs, roasted garlic-parmesan, French fries, and an assortment of nonalcoholic beverages from the lemonade bar. Later on, diners were treated to organic fare such as heirloom tomatoes, baby arugula salad, Niman Ranch Filet Mignon, orange and rosemary glazed grilled chicken, Mojito-marinated prawns and grilled vegetables.

The simple, elegant wedding cake was layered with white chocolate, strawberries, whipped cream and decorated with white hydrangeas. The bride and groom toasted with non-alcoholic French Sparkling Apple Cider and Sparkling Pear Juice honoring Eddie's year and a half of sobriety.

The evening’s entertainment ranged from an aerial tissue performance to a contortionist in a clear plastic ball on top of the pool. After dinner, Ed chose Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful" as the traditional first dance. Next came Janie's choice, Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time, " as she invited the guests to join them. DJ KMP provided the rest of the music as the bride and groom boogied into the night.

As the party ended, each guest received Calvin Klein and Kate Spade vases and flowers. They were also treated to old-fashioned-style candy, including ring pops, candy necklaces, pop rocks, wax lips and custom printed M & M's.

The couple plan to honeymoon in New York, Germany and the Netherlands, where Eddie was born. 

Article courtesy of People

Photo courtesy of US Magazine

(Las Vegas, NV) April 23, 2008 - “We are here to listen to one of the greatest bands in history. It is my honor to introduce you to VAN HALEN!”  

These words came courtesy of golf legend Tiger Woods as he announced the band at Tiger Jam XI, a fundraising event April 19 at Mandalay Bay Events Center that helped raise more than $1.5 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation. 

Seconds later, the trademark hard rock eruption that's VAN HALEN was in full swing. And for two hours, Eddie, Dave, Alex and Wolfgang kept the event's energy and vigor at maximum velocity. 

“In all, VAN HALEN offered a great evening..,” reported Rolling Stone. “Everybody won - which in Vegas is normally an impossibility.” 

Woods, a longtime VAN HALEN fan, selected the supergroup to headline the show. Although his recent knee surgery kept him from dancing the night away, Woods caught the performance alongside a star-studded audience. 

Before the set, celebrity guests gathered for a special dinner and reception with its stage decked out in Eddie Van Halen's striped Frankenstein design. This year's Tiger Jam logo had another nod to VAN HALEN with the a “T” and “J” styled to look like the band's classic insignia. 

VIPs included sports greats Scott Hamilton and Julius “Dr. J” Erving, “Dancing With The Stars” performers Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas, NBA superstars Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat, and celebrity auctioneer Vivica Paulin Ferrell. 

Live and silent auctions had amazing items up for grabs including a 2008 Buick Enclave, autographed by Woods. Eddie Van Halen picked up the pen, too, and autographed an EVH Brand Frankenstein replica guitar donated by Fender. 

VAN HALEN reached into their pockets and aided the fundraising drive with cash donations. Both David Lee Roth and the Van Halens - Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang - each contributed $100,000 in support of the Tiger Woods Foundation and its programs. 

“Playing Tiger Jam XI has certainly been one of the highlights of the tour so far,” VAN HALEN said in a joint statement. “It was an honor to be involved and a pleasure to rock for a cause.”

LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--

Eddie Van Halen launches the all-new EVH® Wolfgang® electric guitar, available worldwide beginning Jan. 2009. The EVH Wolfgang guitar represents Eddie’s 35 years of experimenting with guitars, over two years of intense research and development, and a full year of brutal road testing during the top-grossing Van Halen 2007-2008 tour.

It was during the massive 2007-2008 Van Halen tour that the all-new EVH Wolfgang guitar went through extensive live “road testing” performance trials. The tour kicked off in fall 2007, and Eddie punished early versions of the new Wolfgang each night; playing every updated prototype onstage under the full, unfiltered spotlight of his fans. The results are reflected in the EVH Wolfgang guitar; produced to Eddie’s exact specifications and with features identical to the Wolfgang guitars he records and performs with.

“A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to beemotionally and spiritually connected to your instrument. I could have just stayed at home and built this guitar for myself. I do this because a lot of people ask if they can get what I use. Well, yes you can and what you get is identical to what I use,” commented Eddie. “From the basics of the guitar to painstaking aspects like the binding and everything else—we re-did everything on this guitar.

“Every aspect and component of this guitar has been examined and upgraded to the highest standards possible: stainless steel frets, double-potted custom-wound pickups, five-piece binding on the matching body and headstock, custom-made signature tuning machines and Floyd Rose® bridge, new low-friction pots, and the list keeps going … we left no stone unturned,” said Eddie. “Everything that I’ve built, destroyed, stumbled onto, learned and experienced is in this guitar.”

When Eddie Van Halen made his debut into the rock music scene in 1978, he did so with a homemade guitar (later known as “Frankenstein”). At a time when his monster technique and tone demanded a high-performance, indestructible guitar, he created his own to reach his own seemingly impossible standards. For over 35 years, he has continued to examine and improve every variable within the instrument, all culminating with the new EVH Wolfgang guitar.

In 2007, Eddie Van Halen and Fender® collaborated to launch the first EVH brand high-performance products, including the all-new EVH 5150III ™ amplifier, the limited run of Eddie Van Halen Frankenstein™ replica guitars and an array of high-quality EVH brand accessories.

For more information, exclusive photos, video and news updates, go to www.evhgear.com.

Fender
Jason Padgitt (EVH), 480-596-7194
jpadgitt@fender.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008

Click here for Tour Dates!

Van Halen to Unveil Limited Edition Fender® Stratocaster® Guitar
Presented to Race Winner

Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber has announced that rock superstar Eddie Van Halen will serve as an Honorary Race Official for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at PIR on Saturday, April 21. As an Honorary Race Official, Van Halen will be part of pre-race activities and will join Sperber on the pre-race stage greeting drivers as they are introduced prior to the start of the race.

In addition to his duties as an Honorary Race Official, Van Halen will help to unveil a limited edition Fender Stratocaster Guitar as well as a limited edition EVH® brand Frankenstein™ replica guitar at PIR on Friday, April 20. The Fender guitar, with its unique designs, will be presented to the winner of the SUBWAY
Fresh Fit 500™ on Saturday, April 21. The one-of-a-kind PIR Fender Stratocaster Guitar was built by Chris Fleming, Senior Master Builder, in Fender's Custom Shop.

"I'm personally delighted that Eddie Van Halen has accepted our invitation to join us as our Honorary Race Official for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™," said Sperber. "There is no one who has had the kind of impact on music that he and his band - Van Halen - have had. I know it will be a thrill for the drivers and fans to have Eddie at Phoenix International Raceway for the NASCAR weekend."

A 2007 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Eddie Van Halen is the backbone of one of the most well-known rock and roll bands of all time - Van Halen. A legendary rock guitarist, Van Halen and EVH brand guitars, amps and musical products has partnered with the organization for this unique unveiling.

"I am honored on behalf of EVH Brand guitars, amps and musical products to be invited to such an exciting and fun event. I feel privileged to be working with such amazing organizations like Phoenix International Raceway, their NASCAR event and Fender." said Van Halen.

"Rock and roll, fast cars and guitars, I can't think of a better combination. Fender is proud to partner with our friends, Eddie Van Halen and PIR, for this great occasion." said Matt Janopaul, President & COO of Fender Musical Instruments Corp.

With countless number one hits, Van Halen is known for hit albums including "1984" and "5150" which combined with others, have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide. Van Halen is also one of five rock groups that have had two separate albums sell more than 10 million copies in the United States.

Unless you have been living under a rock, by now surely you MUST have already heard that our very own, Mr. Edward Van Halen, has released some new music and video for a new movie that was just released 'Sacred Sin'. This is not your typical movie though... warning it does contain a LOT of adult content!

At any rate, we have 169 exclusive photos from the release party that was held at Eddie Van Halen's house on Saturday September 30th! In order to keep our server from being killed by all of the traffic, we have chosen to make these photos private to the sites "Members Only"... this way the content won't get indexed by all of the search engines and make the information available world-wide. We wanted to share this exclusively with our members, so we hope you enjoy all of the great photos and comments by all of the fans from this great web site!

For a 3:57 video compilation of the 'The Gathering' party Click here. 

Eddie & Alex Van Halen take the stage once again as guests playing with Kenny Chesney at the Home Depot Center Arena near LA on 6/17/06... playing "Jump" & "You Really Got Me!".
 

Were you at the concert???