Just another reminder of just how creative and frigan great Edward Van Halen was. He's a monster. 37 years ago and people are still blown away by this cat and his gift. There will never be another Edward Van Halen!!!

These songs really take me back to the best years of my life

There has always been something so evocative about this tune to me. It will always be about driving down Wollaston Beach in Quincy, MA on a “hot summer night” (Summer of 87…year after it came out). Gals with Aqua net hair/tight acid jeans slurping on wine coolers, Mustangs and Trans Ams…a pretty innocent time in retrospect.

Ed was a master. We should never forget him nor Randy.

My buddy, who owned the 5150 record, wouldn’t have us listen to anything beyond track 4. I remember hearing Summer Nights, on one hot summer night on the radio around 1987-that sealed the deal for me. I thought, this was Led Zeppelin on steroids, played by musicians who had smiles on their faces instead of grim looks. That painless, effortless mastery of music told me that these guys were the Little Richards, the Chuck Berrys and the Mozarts of my time.

One of my favorite VH songs. I saw VH live 7 times and they played it only two of the seven.I hear that opening riff and it fires me up! Rest In Paradise Eddie

I had doubts about Van Halen with Sammy Hagar until I heard this song which was the 1st song that I heard with Sammy Hagar and after that I was like, David who ?? LOL !! This is another song that shows why Eddie Van Halen was a master musician !

I saw him do this and he had the striped Steinberger! Sounded great and the whole band was killing it!

Great lesson! I read somewhere that Steinberger said that EVH was one of the few who used the guitar the way it was intended.

The respect you give Ed is awesome. Great job explaining his work on this one. It’s literally impossible to duplicate Ed. Great job

very oldschool way of teaching man. thats one of my faves from 5150. subbed.

Incredible. One of the sickest all around players this world has ever known. Mention Eddie Van Halen and most people think of his lead playing and tapping. But he was just deadly ferocious with his rhythm. Speaking of his lead playing….Eddie went OFF on this song on live without a net.

I saw an interview years ago with Ned Steinberger. he said that EVH was the only notable musician that actually understood the purpose of the trans trim.

Cleary Eddie was the Master, but a grand salute to you for figuring out how he did it and sharing it with us. A big Thank You!

Always loved that song and never thought it was possible to do right without the trans trem.. well I was wrong! this is great! tell you what... my fingers were aching a bit but i got it! this is a good warmup song to get the fingers going. Thank you for taking the time to show us this! looking forward to more vid's like this.\m/

Awesome Marty 👌 Thanks for sharing with these beautiful riffs from our master.

Thanks for making this so simple to understand. This is one of my favorite songs on that album.

The fact that you play what you are teaching over and over throughout the lesson is really helpful and very much appreciated.

That whole riff is such a vibe in itself, summer nights is the perfect song. I can almost guarantee you that's what Sammy said when he heard it, "That sounds like Summer Nights baby!"

Love that VH intro bro... That was DOPE! 🤘

Marty - A killer song from my all time favorite band! This song was so unique... When I first heard it, it re-blew my mind, which Edward had already blown several times over. LOL I will never forget hearing this record for the first time. Nothing ever like it. And never will be again. Great job of teaching this to us! Another one for me to try to work on.

Awesome. I’ve always wanted to learn the intro to hot summer nights. Thank you!

On the Song "Without You" I believe he used that tremolo system. Also, VHIII was an awesome album screw the haters. Amazing guitar work on that album.

One of my all-time Van Halen tunes! Ty for analyzing it! 🙌🏻

Dude, thanks so much for this. Since '86, this has been my favorite intro to any song. And you breaking it down is very satisfying. Awesome!

I remember listening to this song one day shortly before my freshman year of high school and having this vivid moment of clarity that i was going to learn to play guitar no matter what if took (and i did). Thanks for the cool lesson and the memory!

I remember getting this cassette and my friend and I going back to his house to play his Commodore 64. It was a beautiful summer day and it just hit right.

Marty your ear never ceases to amaze me. You and my guitar teacher have superb ears. It's great motivation for me to continue pushing through my ear training. Thanks for all you do brother!!!

Thank you - I've been waiting for a good, clear explanation - you nailed it 👍🏾

I just graduated high school when 5150 came out. It wasn't the Van Halen I was used to. But the more I heard "Why Can't This Be Love" I warmed up to it and bought the album (cassette). I'll never forget the first time hearing Summer Nights. That intro and the tone/sound of the pick slides blew my mind! I listened to it, rewound it and listened to it too many times to count! You're the first person that I've ever seen playing it correctly besides Ed! Matter of fact, it's 5150 time and I'm going to get my guitar and play this a few thousand more times! Thanks ~ Dan

You are a great guitarist and very personable...Thanks for uploading your videos. I've been playing for 41 years and gigging for the last 29 years but as you are aware, the learning and picking up things from other players never stops.

Was in my late teens when 5150 came out. Had always been aware of 'em but this was the first album VH I'd ever bought. Immediately bought everything that came before and kept up with every one since

Great lesson. I had given up trying to learn the intro, but Ta Da. Here is your awesome lesson. Thanks.

much appreciated! perfect time of year to learn this song! thanks for making the intro a bit easier to understand!

Fantastic! I had a huge smile on my face as I was watching. Definitely gonna learn this. Subscribed!

Dude that sounded killer ! Amazing job!

Your great Marty, I keep coming back every time I hear it and I just need the speed like you, lol. I hope you had a wonderful day and a happy New Year, peace 🕊️.

I saw Van Halen at the 1986 Texxas Jam during the 5150 tour. I remember them playing Summer Nights on that hot summer night!

Thanks for taking the time to record and share this here for free. I appreciate it and it is a huge help! I just came across your channel recently and subscribed before the first video I watched ended.

Always loved that song and the ear-catching transition from Bb to G afforded by the Steinberger/TransTrem

Nicely played and thanks for the tab! I loved Eddie's fluency in that song.😁

Phenomenal video of a great song! Thank you!

Absolutely brilliant!! We would love to have you on our live stream talking Van Halen!

Dude! You just decoded something that I have always wanted to learn how to play 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I’ll be breaking my guitar out this weekend. Thank you

This stuff makes me miss him. God bless your memory EVH

Always was one of my favorites. Thank you!

Amazing! Thanks for the walk thru. May not sleep tonight working on it. Sorry to my neighbors! EVH!!!

Killer lesson Marty! What a crazy song

Summer Nights is my favorite Van Halen song! Brings back memories of my youth.

So refreshing to see hand written notation…..

My favorite song from the Van Hagar era. Love the live version on Live Without A Net.

Good lesson I learned it last summer and man it’s a hard song to get down because of the ridiculous chords Eddie uses , when I saw him one time in concert he effortlessly did this sing with no mistakes unbelievable thanks for the great lesson

Awesome job man. Now I can try and play it lol. Keep ‘em coming. VH rules!

This song reminds me of my teenage years. I had this album, 5150, in vynil and I used to listen and listen and listen to this song. I had no knowledge of music theory and I I didn't play any instrument back then, but I remember so well that I had this strong feeling: don't how but I perceived that it could be something difficult and original (cause no one else played stuff like this) but at the same I sensed he could play it with no effort. That blew me away. Another song I loved most was Finish what ya started in the album OU812. I remember summer nights with my friends in the courtyard with a boombox and I brought the OU812 cassette. Cabo Wabo and Finish what ya started so loud. Thirty years later I'm still here. Thanks to Eddie and to you all. Hi from the south of Italy.

My fingers are cramping just watching this! Great playing and breakdown.

Thanks for this topic; Very interesting to hear some original info on a great hero! You rock too!

Was just hamming out to this last weekend. My favorite song on that album.

Thanks for this Marty5150! Great Stuff!

Watching this with tears thinking of time's of old and our befallen Brother who played his last note 2 yrs ago gone but never forgotten Long live King EVH!!✌️💛🤘

Wow man,..thankyou soo much for this !! I was always intrigued by this particular song and the guitar intro. I re-wound the cassette on this intro part a thousand times. The only one that got re-wound more was the 5150 intro...Greatest rhythm playing. It explains and displays everything about Eddie Van Halen that made him an extraordinaryly great player.

Awesome content and lesson Marty!

Wow did not expect that ....... Your effing good ! ... that was surprisingly very high quality ..... because you was smooth. >> talking and playing .. and got to the point and also sounded like a pro. Ps... the one eyed Guitar player 🙂

The two songs mentioned are pretty much the reason I picked up a guitar in the first place nearly 30 years ago. However, I have never learned them for the reasons mentioned. This is a really great breakdown of how to come close so thanks to you I may just have a little go at it this week, thanks 👍

Always been my personal favorite tune of the Sammy era.

Love it thanks for the lesson man. I always just assumed I’d have to tune up to play this

Thanks! I have never seen you before. Keep up the good work/play

Respect to that! Great lesson, only person I’ve seen explain it.

I graduated HS in 1986. First heard Why Cant This Be Love on the local radio station. Saw the 5150 tour when it came to town that late Spring(May I think it was). Went with my best friend, who died 8 years ago. Cant believe it. Where have all the good times gone?

Thanks for the video, Marty. That was fun. I just picked up playing again after a 10 year plus hiatus sacrificing my hobbies for corporate America. I DO NOT think I'll be jumping into this one any time soon, lol. It might have to wait until summertime on a hot night. Keep rocking my good sir!

Marty, when I was a kid and wanted to be a “rockstar” could not play or understand the instrument anymore than I can now 😂 (I’m now 56 and trying to learn) I walked into a music store and bought a gorgeous, black M-series Steinberger trans-trem. They could not give it away fast enough! It wasn’t loved. Now I wish I had it back 😞 Love your teaching! Thanks 👍

Thanks for this dude, been trying to get this one for a while!

Thanks for posting this!

I was a kid and had my guitar for maybe a year when this came out. 5150 was the first CD I bought to go with my new CD player and I spent endless hours trying to figure this song out. Later when I saw “Live Without a Net” and discovered the Steinberger with the TransTrem it all finally made sense… One of Eddie’s best tracks. :)

I really could have used this video in 1986 when I was sitting in my bedroom trying to learn this on my Strat. I knew nothing of Steinberger guitars or transtrem bridges. It drove me nuts! Thank you for posting!

12 year old me listening to this tape in my Walkman, mouth agape and staring into space, in astonishment. One of my favorite EVH riffs of all time.

Haven't listened to your translation of Summer Nights since my last comments, but happened upon it again tonight. Gotta say you nailed it and I really appreciate how you break it down. I play it on a EVH Music Man Axis, but look forward to purchasing a Steinburger w/trans-trem eventually. Just wanted to say thanks again, and btw, love the t-shirt! I drink the exact same coffee!

Great stuff man you are very good at explaining the song

You know what I love about this channel is everyone is super cool. 👌

Love you brother! Thank you for the vid! Bless King Ed!

As a hobby guitarist I will just enjoy Ed's work by listening to it. His stuff is crazy to learn and play.

Awesome work and explanation

Hi..Great job...I loved the uhh?? What a kickass riff..He was so Good Thanks Dave

Awesome! Thanks for this.

Well done. One of my favorite songs on 5150.

Such an awesome album! 5150 is undoubtedly one of ed’s best compositions.

Fantastic lesson. Thank you!

Have always loved this song. A really fun number.

Thanks for doing this brother! I learned this about 6 years ago, and abruptly quit playing it because I found while it's one of my fave VH tunes, it's taxing/ borderline punishing to play. Needless to say, I forgot and needed to relearn it! Appreciate the content! As far as the intro goes, I was able to run a capo on 3, playing the same chords as post key change. The only drawback being the need to quickly remove the capo. I recommend the G 7th camlocks. Thanks again for the help!

Thanks man . Great video.Good teaching.👍

Gives you a real appreciation of the brilliance of Eddie's playing when seasoned guitar players struggle to figure out how he played these songs so effortlessly.

Love this song and whole album

Thanks for the lesson!

I love this song and just found Marty's cover. Spot on like usual. I wish the band would have had a video camera in the studio so we could see the first few albums come together. Back when they all got along and driving each other's talents.

This is great. Thank you!

Watch Eddie play this on Live Without A Net and you can see just how relaxed he is; totally in control and hitting every single note he should. Master!

I heard an obscure 1960’s instrumental by Dave Allen and the Arrows which used a whammy bar with the strings staying in tune as it went up and down.

I was questioning everything until you did the "UH" part... Well played!

Worth mentioning that Eddie started using the Steinberger headless guitars, because of Alan Holdsworth. Eddie was a huge fan of Holdsworth, who basically pioneered the headless guitars, first with Steinberger and after they went out of business, he had Carvin/Kiesel build him another headless model, which he co-designed with Mark Kiesel. They still build and sell it.

Awesome glad i came across your channel..

5150 BABY! Big VAN Hagar fan here. Cool video.