I saw Van Halen live with David Lee Roth five times between 1980- 84. It was the reason I started playing guitar. Best shows I’ve ever seen!

Yes to EVH’s rhythm playing! Everyone focuses on his lead chops (and I get it) but his rhythm playing was amazing as well.

The Fair Warning tour in 81 was epic!...so cool to see one of my favorite guitar players give respect to EVH on this 3rd anniversary of Eddie's passing ✌️

Michael Anthony is almost an afterthought, but he was a huge part of the VH sound

"like Charlie Parker" says Kenny Vaughan and is enough of an endorsement as needed. ☮

I saw Kenny this past Saturday night at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, with Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives - he was on fire all night. Just ripping it up and hilarious when he took his turn as the lead singer. They played songs by Jimmy Rogers, Marty Robbins, Bob Wills, Dylan, Tom Petty, the Byrds, Woody Guthrie, surf tunes like "Wipe Out" and of course, Marty's material. The most entertaining show I've seen in a long time.

Big thanks Otis for posting one more brilliant interview with Kenny. Kenny must be the all times greatest story teller. Kenny seems to be a person who has lived a thousand times in thousands different places.

Thanks Otis, love these Kenny V interviews. Dude has amazing stories but I most like the fact that he’s a music fan.

If you were only going to see VH once, the 1981 tour for Fair Warning would be the one. That album is a masterpiece.

I love Kenny, and I love Eddie.

Great segment, Otis! Most players have a musical appreciation that is far outside of the genre they're primarily associated with. As Duke Ellington said decades ago: "There are only two kinds of music - good and bad". And I had the same impression when I first saw Van Halen perform - "That singer just tore a whole chapter out of the Jim Dandy Mangrum playbook!"

Kenny Vaughan just flat out rules. Love listening to his stories.

I was blown away when I first saw Edward but what struck me was something Kenny mentioned here ,the way the drums and guitar jived . That band could swing ! It was rock and roll that MOVES . Like hearing Led Zeppelin's Rock and Roll or Heartbreaker for the first time - you are suddenly aware that heavy rock can swing if the drummer and rhythm players are locked in and know what they're doing

I first saw VH in 1979 on their tour in support of the second record VH II. Strangely, it was the second rock concert I ever attended too. I wasn’t playing guitar…yet…but after that show I soon picked it up and continue playing to this day. I remember having the same “WTF?!?”thoughts as Kenny, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing coming from not only the guy with the guitar but the entire band. Totally blown away. And yes, while it is sad that Ed is no longer with us you have to consider this: those of us who are older and who we’re fortunate enough to witness that band and his guitar playing, we were born at the perfect time. Born a decade or two sooner and we would’ve been too old to appreciate it, born much later and we would’ve missed it. We were at a place in time where we could not only enjoy the talent and the craft of a master but watch in real-time as one of the true guitar legends ascended the throne of rock and roll royalty. I was only ten yrs old when Page and Co. took America by storm and only 5 or 6 when Jimi was around, far too young to appreciate these cats. I was the perfect age of 16 when Eddie hit. He was my generation’s Hendrix…and whenever I get a little sad and miss him, I just remember all the great music he left us. We are blessed. Long Live King Edward!

Saw VH in 81 at their first appearance at Madison Square Garden. We were all blown away. It was tremendous and Eddie, well, he was Eddie. Unforgettable.

I love Kenny Vaughn... saw him with Lucinda and that sealed it for me. Such a groovy dude.

I couldn’t believe it…that about sums up everyone’s experience seeing VH live for the first time.

Kenny’s seen everyone! Love his personality. Thanks!

The only concert that I couldn't get into was vh. It was sold out so l laid outside in the grass and listened. It was still a good time!

Dave's stage persona was based directly on Jim Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas. Something that Dave actually said years ago....

3 years? Feels like 3 weeks! Definitely miss the master!

I can no longer hear Eddie’s name without saying the whole “Eddie Van Halen and the Eddie Van Halen Band”. Thanks Todd Snider for that.

Never was much of a DLR fan, but loved Eddie, Alex & Mike. First & only time I saw them was the 5150 tour in 86 w/ Sammy, that was an awesome show. You can see the solo Eddie played during that tour on the Live Without A Net video. Watching the reaction videos on YT, the solo is pretty much the same as what I saw with maybe a few subtile differences, but followed the same pattern. It's fun to watch peoples reaction who have no idea who Eddie was or his style of playing, they're blown away.

The local So Cal joke/phrase was "Get in the Van we're goin' to see VAN VOLUME"...As in crank up the volume in the van...Surfer Vans were cool back then...

Great interview. Agreed on the rhythm…he was devastating. As a young kid, it was Eddie’s lead playing that captivated me. In my older years I have come to truly listen to and appreciate his rhythm work.

Never get tired of hearing Kenny talk!

My first concert was 1984 at the Philly Spectrum. 14 years old. I think they filmed part of the Panama video at the show. Remember it like it was yesterday, fantastic!!

These are absolute gold Otis! Keep em coming with Cousin Kenny! The best storyteller. He could write a book. These interviews are essentially an audio book of his autobiography. Have often wondered his take and opinion on some of the Metal guys since he gravitated towards different styles prior to that explosion.

Thank so much. These stories are great😊

I was there, and I remember when Van Halen arrived on the scene in the music world. They were like an a-bomb. No one could believe what they were hearing and seeing. They changed everything.

The Lama 📯 once shared with me, in his infinite wisdom, that David 🎤 and Michael 🎸 were big hitters too.

True talent always recognizes true talent. So awesome to hear Kenny have the same reaction as so many of us did to Eddie's otherworldly abilities. And VH truly wasn't heavy metal .. it was VH.

I worked with a guy that grew up and went to school with the Van Halen brothers. He spoke very fondly of them. They took him out on tour with them to have some fun. He told me he had to get back home and recover from it before long. Said it was as crazy as you would think, hearing about rock and roll stories. I met him years after and he would still get worked up telling about it. Overall, he said they were both really good guys.

Hell yeah! Even more respect for Kenny for giving a shout out to Eddie's rhythm playing. IMO, Eddie's rhythm work is even more spectacular than his lead playing.

I read a really good piece about the van halen brothers. I think it was in rolling stone. Bits: Their father was dutch and their mother was indonesian so when they first came to the USA , they didn't speak any english. Eddie took piano lessons from a brutal piano Teacher who would hit him when he made a mistake. Eddie's mother was also brutal so he spent a lot of time in his bedroom just playing his guitar. Alex played sax(?) & they started a little band in middle school. Look for the article online it's really really good.

Just the thing for a blue Monday, MORE KENNY…. I hope you can reach a point of Kenny interviews that one day we can see THE 24 HOURS OF KENNY !

Kenny is absolutely right about Roth and Jim Dandy. He was also right about Eddie... Good to hear someone of his ilk say nice things about Eddie.

I was 3 in 81...I got to see Van Halen when they did that last tour...with wolf on base..it was amazing..I cried when I saw Eddie play...

Kudos for the Jim Dandy & BOA shout out! Saw them numerous times in the early 70s...

Didnt expect Vaughan to have a Van Halen story. Great video!

For me nothing was as great as seeing them open for sabbath in 78!!!🤘

Seen Van Halen warm-up for Journey n Black Sabbath,'79 1st headlining tour, then saw them 3rd row in '80 n 5th row in 83 on Eddie's side right in front of me. I do believe it went straight to my soul! Still have ticket stubs.

Eddie Van Halen and the Eddie Van Halen band were quite the juggernaut back in the day!

“Heavy Metal Neighbors”. Sounds like a great song.

I saw VH open for Aerosmith at around the same time. I had the same response as Kenny, the energy and sound and David jumping on a mini tramp. Then, a very strung out and feuding Aerosmith came on and sucked all the energy out of the coliseum.

Love Kenny's impersonation of his heavy metal neighbors

I saw them several times in the late 70's and early 80's. They were breaking new ground for sure in the early days. RIP, EVH.

SAW THEM @THE STARWOOD THE NIGHT TED TEMPLETON SAW THEM THE FIRST TIME ED WAS PHENOMENAL ‘TOP JIMMY’ WAS ABOUT MY BAND

Needed some Otis today, but sad that Eddie’s no longer with us.

Love it. Kenny's brain is a high powered computer the way he recalls information, anecdotes and processes musical notes when he picks and shreds on guitar. Amazing. Another great job Otis. Peace!

Kenny you are the king of teles as Eddie was the king of two hand technic

He's bang on with the Jim Dandy thing. Glad he got a mention

That's what makes Edward so different than everybody else , his true mastery of rhythm and lead and his ability to fuse them together so effortlessly .

Kenny Vaughan! 🤘👽👽👽🎸

This is my favorite interview you ever did.

Saw them in 81' in Louisville Kentucky was an awesome night.

Happy to have found this channel randomly. Great stuff!

I absolutely love this!!

I haven’t checked in in a long time, Otis. Dang, so cool to see you’re in the 80K sub range. With great guests like Kenny, you deserve it!

Go Jim Dandy.

❤small venue April 3 1979 I saw Van Halen..sooooooooo knocked me right out. LOUDEST show I even went to and I saw the Who so that says something. Kenny see you in Napa on the 27th!!!❤

Kenny, hell yeah. Thanks, Otis. Bob Costas had a show called Later, came on at approx 1-2am. He had Eddie and Dave on, some great stories incl one about how Alex used to beg Eddie to turn his back to the audience so his technique remained secret. Yeah, if only they could see it they could easily replicate it! Love Y'all.

5150 percent awesome

EVH forever ❤

You guys are the best thing going!

Van Halen was my second ever concert at 14 years old at Madison Square garden for the 1981 Fair Warning tour. They were just unbelievable. Smokin to say the least. And I was so close to the stage on the side where the platform was that I was literally 3-4 feet away from Eddie and Dave each time they got on the platform. What a wild experience. They played a big part in my lifelong concert addiction. I got to see each subsequent tour with Dave til Sammy joined the group. I Was not into it with him whatsoever. The sound changed too much for my liking. But Eddie was a force not many Gtr players could touch. Though if I had to pick a preference for favorite metal guitar player it would definitely be Randy Rhoads.

We need a video on the guitars of Kenny Vaughn

Seen van Halen in 1980 at the PIT here in Albuquerque. World Invasion tour.

I saw the 1984 tour as one of my first half dozen shows of my life. Agreed that they were at another level, and especially agree that EVH's rhythm playing is the lurker for him. It's hard to say something is underrated when it involved Van Halen, but his rhythm chops are to some degree underrated. My fave VH moment was when MTV did a contest where the winner got to party with the band for a weekend. Supposedly they nearly killed the guy, but the part I remember was that every show ended with the four of them going down to the front of the stage and singing 'Happy Trails,' which was a throwaway track on (I think) Fair Warning. So the clip was DLR walking back to the stage with the winner of the MTV contest, and DLR looking like, well, DLR of that era. Pure rock star, billowing hair, sprayed on lycra bodysuit, a few feather boas and accessories then topped off with sunglasses the size of dinner plates. And Dave asks the guy, 'Do you know how to sing "Happy Trails?"' and the guy says, 'No, I don't.' And without missing a beat DLR says, 'Yeah? Well, that never stopped us.'

saw the women and children first tour in 80 .. blew my mind.. the first 4 albums are true VH

Saw Jim Dandy at the grocery store a couple of years ago. In full stage regalia. He kinda stood out.

Can we just lock Kenny in a room and have him tell us stories forever plz lol

Kenny Vaughn NEEDS to write a book.

Eddie once said that he naturally landed on the 3rd beat. On some songs where the guitar starts first, he would have to nod to let Alex know when to come in while recording.

Thanks Otis! Andy Kuhn, I'll check him out. VH doing big arenas had to be 1981, the 3rd album tour. I really like the song 'where's DLR?" & wondered who that was! The Early Success thing obviously can be awful for a person's mental health & outlook. To bad DLR & Robert Craig knievel got stuck in their alter egos. God bless'em.

Love your show Otis. Just read lycinda willisms new book, doesn't have any mention of Kenny Vaughn anywhere. I've seen him back her many times. Why?

EVH was one of the rare examples of virtuosos who put on a great show. Van Halen was kinda a garage band with a great guitar player and a vaudevillian comic for a front man.

I feel the same way in relation to Charlie Parker. Eddie was like Bird for rock n roll / heavy metal guitarists.

Oh yeah...that was a hella show, Dave was a great front man, Shreddy was a killa, alex was very original and powerful, mikeee was great

Eddie Van Halen and the Eddie Van Halen Band

My Rock Trilogy of Genius: Jimi, El Becko and EVH. They redefined the way electric guitar would be played.

I've heard Mojo play that song and I never knew the band's name that played it

Come on Vaughan..... : D

👌😎

My new band name is " heavy metal neighbours"

Eddy started off wanting to play drums and Alex wanted to be a guitar player. Long story short, when Alex got home from throwing the paper he would often catch Eddy playing his guitar. Alex got mad and just said, ok damn it, you play the guitar and i`ll play the drums. How about that! Eddy was like, uh, ok. lol

👍.. Eruption

Of course it has to be named Mental Case. Too funny.

Love hearing Kenny stories but I need to call BS on some of it. He's somehow seen every single legendary band live. idk some of his stories seem made up.

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