The vaults of rock history have yielded a gem! Independent films and music distributor Lightyear Entertainment has unearthed a treasure trove for fans of blues-tinged hard rock. The footage features Eddie Van Halen and Leslie West, two icons of the genre, trading licks in an electrifying jam session.
This blistering performance took place back in 2002 at the Hollywood House of Blues. The setlist included a scorcher of a song – Mountain’s classic “Never in My Life.” But the true magic lies in witnessing these masters weave their soulful techniques together. Prepare to be amazed by a meeting of the minds between two guitar greats!
Prepare to be amazed by a meeting of the minds between two guitar greats! Watch the previously unreleased interview and performance below
A Friendship Forged in Rock and Roll
Leslie West, co-founder and guitar maestro of Mountain, shared a deep connection with Eddie Van Halen. Both men secured their places in Rolling Stone’s prestigious “Greatest Guitarists of All Time” list in 2023, with West at an impressive number 4 and Van Halen at 245.
Their friendship, however, transcended rankings. West recounted a memorable moment in his career during a chance encounter with Eddie in the middle of a personal struggle. After a six-month break from playing, West met Eddie and was inspired to pick up the guitar again.
“I was going to rehab… and I met Ed, and I introduced myself. After I saw him, it got me playing again. [He was] kicking me up a notch. So I called up Randy Bachman and I said, ‘How would you like a rhythm guitar player for nothing? I just want to get on the tour.’ He said, ‘Great.’ And I went out on the tour, and Eddie and I played every night in the room afterwards, and we became friends,” West recalled.
Mutual Admiration and Influence
Leslie heaped further praise on Eddie, crediting him with not just inspiring his own playing but also impacting the music industry. West spoke with immense respect for Van Halen’s talent, stating, “There’s nobody else that comes close to what he knows on the guitar.”
He even credited Eddie with playing a crucial role in Michael Jackson’s crossover success. West highlighted the iconic “Beat It” solo, praising it as a game-changer and attributing it to Van Halen’s brilliance.
This deep admiration was mutual. Their friendship continued to flourish until their untimely passing. Eddie Van Halen sadly passed away in October 2020 at the age of 65. Just two months later, the music world lost another legend with Leslie West’s passing at the age of 75.