The Best Van Halen Riff You've NEVER Heard

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  • Опубліковано 4 чер 2024
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    Whats the best Van Halen riff you've never heard? Its been quietly hiding behind EVH's incredible solo in Mean Street this entire time! While he was mesmerizing us with that amazing solo, his rhythm track was back there providing one of the grooviest, nastiest, most syncopated Eddie Van Halen moments ever. But what makes this (and the Phase 90 bridge riff before it) tick? Its the magic of Alex, Eddie, and Michael Anthony all working together, and on Weekend Wankshop 328, we're taking a deep dive into all of it!
    I'll show you how to play both riffs on guitar, then we're gonna talk about the groove, drum and bass patterns, and all the other magic. Snag the TABs on Patreon and follow along!
    Gear:
    EVH MXR Phase 90
    EVH Standard Series
    EVH 5150 III EL34 100 watt
    Suhr RL/IR
    Superior Drummer 3
    Suhr J Classic bass
    Axe FX 3 for bass tone
    Logic for a little reverb on the guitar
    Whats YOUR favorite Van Halen riff that we should talk about next time? Let me know in the comments!
    Special thanks to a friend who shall remain nameless for helping me hear exactly what Eddie was up to in this section! Couldn't have made this without you!

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,5 тис.

  • @BenEller
    @BenEller  2 роки тому +188

    Thanks so much for watching! What’s the most underrated Van Halen riff?!

    • @NebZy2.0
      @NebZy2.0 2 роки тому +23

      Amsterdam

    • @wilburwilbur6946
      @wilburwilbur6946 2 роки тому +12

      Not sure what it’s called, but the riff Eddie plays at the end of “In A Simple Rhyme”

    • @wesleythoman9873
      @wesleythoman9873 2 роки тому +21

      Light up the sky and hang 'em high are two songs in their entirety that I rarely see anyone get excited about.

    • @ronjenkins6674
      @ronjenkins6674 2 роки тому

      Fire in the hole

    • @sotirios6882
      @sotirios6882 2 роки тому +7

      Though i love everything Ed did, I'm going to go with, " Fire In The Hole" A more recent one b4 ADKOT. The intro is BADASS! 🎸

  • @desertriderukverun1002
    @desertriderukverun1002 2 роки тому +104

    I've long thought Mean Street is Eddie's single greatest expression of his unique style. To me what make's Eddie stand out is how he uses unorthodox techniques to make unique sounds, but those strange sounds are not merely accents but are essential elements to the music

  • @Javdoc
    @Javdoc 2 роки тому +310

    Ed was a fantastic rhythm player, usually overshadowed to most people by his leads. Fair Warning is an awesome, gnarly dark album all around and agreed, Mean Street is just ferocious.

    • @Rain593
      @Rain593 2 роки тому +2

      Same thing happens to Michael Romeo.

    • @wm-nu1yf
      @wm-nu1yf 2 роки тому +15

      I've always liked him more for his rhythm playing than his leads. Obviously he was amazing doing both, but the rhythm stuff, for me at least, is where his real genius was.

    • @fab.silva1119
      @fab.silva1119 2 роки тому +5

      Fair Warning
      VH I
      1984
      VH II
      WACF
      DD
      In that order!

    • @codywilliams3789
      @codywilliams3789 2 роки тому +3

      You couldn’t have said it any better my friend. Before I really got into Van Halen and learning damn near everything that I could about Eddie, I was really drawn in by his rhythm playing first and after that it’s been down the rabbit hole ever since and now here I am 🤔😂 I’m 28 now and when I got into the good music I was about 10. I started playing guitar because of Eddie when I turned 14..

    • @gillhodges7267
      @gillhodges7267 Рік тому +8

      Never was a big fan of his lead playing. But his rhythm playing is just incredible.

  • @MC-cl9ip
    @MC-cl9ip Рік тому +85

    I totally agree that Michael Anthony”s playing and singing is under rated. This Guy has been the backbone of VH and Chickenfoot and neither project would be nearly as good without him. In my opinion he is totally underrated!

    • @jehudavis5422
      @jehudavis5422 Рік тому +3

      Backbone?😂

    • @AllKnowingDentor
      @AllKnowingDentor Рік тому +1

      Couldn't have said it better - couldn't agree more.

    • @nelsonschumacher7956
      @nelsonschumacher7956 Рік тому +2

      yet another person crying about mikey - why not wait until there is a video about mikey and complain then . . . people might actually value your opinion on those ones

    • @rongohring3029
      @rongohring3029 11 місяців тому +3

      @nelsonschumacher7956 Even though Wolfgang is a talented young guy, the shit just didn't grab me like it did with Michael Anthony. If you get a chance, check out Michael Anthony, John5, (yeah, the guy that just joined Motley Crue, Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour) and Fred Coury (drummer of Cinderella) doing/playing 'Take Your Whiskey Home' off of the Van Halen 'Women and Children First' album and you will hear and see what I mean. The guy knew/ knows how to bump that Low End. Be safe and take care.

    • @andoletube
      @andoletube 10 місяців тому +4

      @@rongohring3029 Michael kicked Wolfgang's ass as a member of Van Halen. The band was lesser for having the Eddie/Wolfgang nepotism.

  • @rjprivate
    @rjprivate Рік тому +77

    Here in the Netherlands we all play like Eddie and it's quite normal..
    No seriously he is a legend and someday there will be a statue of him in Amsterdam. Thanks for the great video Ben

    • @rjprivate
      @rjprivate Рік тому +1

      Delete that scam

    • @Robil63
      @Robil63 9 місяців тому +1

      🤣🤣 I believed u for a minute.

    • @rjprivate
      @rjprivate 9 місяців тому +1

      @@Robil63 😂😂🇱🇺🎸

  • @qtheband751
    @qtheband751 2 роки тому +413

    People who criticize Michael don’t understand Music. I completely agree with you that he only wanted to serve the song. Michael has no ego and that makes him a better. He was and still is a team player. Plus he’s rocksolid. Playing “fancy“ doesn’t mean you’re a good bassist. Holding down a steady rhythm is harder than most people realize. And yes, his angelic backup vocals elevated the VH sound to a new level.

    • @Dragonette666
      @Dragonette666 Рік тому +21

      the modern bassplayers who mostly want to play funk type licks would have made all these old school songs suck. Many Judas Priest basslines are 1 note pedals and that makes the song heavy.

    • @trevornever27
      @trevornever27 Рік тому +14

      Im glad you said that bc ive said it for years.
      Michael held down the low end musically and the high end harmonically, rocked steady and most importantly knew how to frame and compliment without getting in the way.
      I feel they should have gave him the respect of letting him know personally that Wolfie was joining the band so they could all the VH boys could play together. Eddie had health issues so maybe this was a bucket list thing.
      That being said, Im sure Michael would’ve understood n been totally cool with it but we dont know the full dynamics between the band really so who knows why the VH bros chose to play it that way.

    • @qtheband751
      @qtheband751 Рік тому +4

      @@Dragonette666 I agree with you that a funky baseline would not work for Van Halen. But don’t forget that funk was essentially born in the 70s. I think the style of music dictates the bass playing. Fuck would definitely not work in a Judas Priest song. :-)

    • @qtheband751
      @qtheband751 Рік тому +12

      @@trevornever27 It’s an injustice that Michael doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Fine, the rest of the band are superstars, but his contribution was significant and even essential. The many interviews I’ve heard with Michael reveal a very down to earth and amicable guy. It’s likely he would be happy with whatever the brothers decide. I get the impression that Michael just appreciates his life and has no interest in complicating things.

    • @trevornever27
      @trevornever27 Рік тому +7

      @@qtheband751 agreed!! I totally am saying the same thing… i always favor the unsung heroes and Michael A is def one of those. Ive been a musician for the bulk of my life and would have loved to have someone of that caliber and mindset. Just nice to know im not the only one that thinks so!
      By the way. Did you hear Roth was using Michaels voice in his live show backing tracks? It came up on an interview with him I saw on YT n even Michael didnt know.

  • @robertmedrano2768
    @robertmedrano2768 Рік тому +27

    Another great hidden riff is on their debut album and it’s on “ On Fire” when Dave and company are singing their butts off during the 3 screams of “ FIRE! ! Fire! Fire!!!” That riff is killer

    • @whenroxycomesout
      @whenroxycomesout 11 місяців тому +5

      I agree. I also believe “On Fire” is one of VH’s top three songs and also one of their most underrated tracks. I like the part that follows the first chorus that just explodes and then goes into the ascending solo. That tune is a musical masterpiece.

  • @phenbuz
    @phenbuz Рік тому +88

    Man...I think that FAIR WARNING is THE MOST amazing VH album all the times. All those songs are so special. Seriously I can talk a lot about one by one like my favs forever. Great performance

    • @adamjones8218
      @adamjones8218 Рік тому +2

      Agreed. And one of my fav solo's is Push comes to Shove. The pre-solo section is fantastic as well. Need a bit of multi tracking and Eventide modulation to pull it off but it's awesome.

    • @Saldivinorum
      @Saldivinorum Рік тому +1

      Sorry, but most people who love and understand music know Michael is a rocking bassist, especially fans of VH which is quite a lot considering their immense popularity. "Underated" is such an overused term that only serves the person claiming it, like they hold some little known fact. It's not unknown that Michael Anthony is a great bassist and background singer lol...

    • @mikeys7536
      @mikeys7536 Рік тому +2

      I was 13 when Fair Warning came out. What a great time to be a kid.

    • @Excalibur2112
      @Excalibur2112 Рік тому +2

      Hear About it Later, Push Comes to Shove, So this is Love? and One Foot Out the Door are sadly underrated.

    • @ClifHaley
      @ClifHaley Рік тому +1

      My favorite of all of them.

  • @TheAgentAssassin
    @TheAgentAssassin Рік тому +38

    M.Anthony is so underrated.
    He never tried to overplay or overshadow anyone he just kept the groove going.

    • @thearcher9940
      @thearcher9940 Рік тому +2

      Whos talkin about mike here????

    • @nelsonschumacher7956
      @nelsonschumacher7956 Рік тому

      @@thearcher9940
      mikey fans are like vegans - they need to tell us all about him every five minutes

    • @chrisperry3671
      @chrisperry3671 6 місяців тому

      @@nelsonschumacher7956 Tell us you didn't watch the video without telling us you didn't watch the video.

    • @gib59er56
      @gib59er56 4 місяці тому

      Love Mikey!!

  • @canyoncarver
    @canyoncarver 2 роки тому +90

    Couldn't agree more regarding Michael's freight train, unstoppable bass work. Someone had to keep our ears grounded while the two brothers were flinging beats and notes all over the place like a couple of Dutch toddlers on a sugar high!

    • @johnnyromero3336
      @johnnyromero3336 2 роки тому +9

      100% Truth right here, this had me Lmao! " Dutch Toddlers on a Sugar High"

    • @MickH60
      @MickH60 2 роки тому +4

      Don't forget his backing vocals !!

    • @joebartlett3255
      @joebartlett3255 10 місяців тому

      Cool video. Mike was a human metronome for Ed & Al. The way he plays staccato, dead beats, etc is really cool. Not all Mikes stuff was simple either.

  • @duncanmathers76
    @duncanmathers76 2 роки тому +47

    Nailed with Uncle Ben's usual precision and a killer tone, too.

  • @TxpNoveske
    @TxpNoveske Рік тому +27

    Fair Warning is one of the best VH albums period. The first time I heard it thought that this is one of the best. Sick rythyms and crazy leads with off timing yet sounded awesome. Its just got everything. Its very heavy which I like. I wish they would have went more heavy with some of the Hagar songs.

    • @johnmorrison9883
      @johnmorrison9883 Рік тому +2

      1000% agree.
      I think Fair Warning was the OG line-up's creative zenith.
      There is not one non-killer track- everyone was playing at their best level.
      A great record.

  • @danc3746
    @danc3746 Рік тому +10

    Eddie's rhythm tracks are OUTSTANDING! Everyone pays more attention to his leads and Eruption stuff, but he played great riffs. Great job breaking this stuff down!

  • @RichardA5150
    @RichardA5150 2 роки тому +41

    Fully agree on Mike, just saw Him and Sammy over the weekend and they still killed it. his bass playing is so solid to fit the songs and not full of flash. He sand Aint Talking bout Love and killed it as well. I said it to my wife he was the secret weapon in VH.

    • @BrianGlassEOD
      @BrianGlassEOD Рік тому

      I agree. I saw Sammy and the Circle a few years ago and realized that most of what I loved about the Hagar era Van Halen was Sammy and Michael.

    • @TheAgentAssassin
      @TheAgentAssassin Рік тому

      M.Anthony > Billy Sheehan

    • @crusheverything4449
      @crusheverything4449 Рік тому

      @@TheAgentAssassin- I assume you’re joking.

    • @jehudavis5422
      @jehudavis5422 Рік тому

      ​@@BrianGlassEOD lol😅😅

  • @ScottMacLeodCompany
    @ScottMacLeodCompany 2 роки тому +11

    Uncle Ben, you did it again. I've tripped on this riff before, but nobody has ever broken it down like this. Dance baby!

  • @mojodojo5533
    @mojodojo5533 Рік тому +14

    That chromatic riff is also in "She's the Woman" I believe. Which I think is where the guitar riff came from originally. Greetings from Knox-Vegas!!

    • @CreativeWarrior-
      @CreativeWarrior- Рік тому +3

      Correct! The funky riff used to be in She's The Woman also, in the demo version. Ed had to write a new one for the album DKTruth.

    • @billygreenville59
      @billygreenville59 Рік тому +3

      Exactly! I was just gonna say that.

    • @CreativeWarrior-
      @CreativeWarrior- Рік тому

      @@billygreenville59 Cheers!

  • @cheenu711
    @cheenu711 Рік тому +7

    There are so many nuances to his playing on every recording that it's really impossible to notice everything at once. I've been learning a lot of stuff from Van Halen and 1984 but I always feel like I'm doing something wrong after listening to the actual songs. His attitude, pick attack and rhythm make it so hard to learn exactly what's on the record. A lot is made of his pickups, amps, body wood etc etc but the real magic was in his fingers, rhythm and his touch. That's where the real goldmine is.

    • @silverjaw138
      @silverjaw138 Рік тому +3

      Don’t forget about his Volume pot use. He used his volume alllll the time to manipulate his tone and gain depending on the part he was playing. It’s not talked about much oddly but it’s a foundational part of his playing .

    • @ChainsawChristmas
      @ChainsawChristmas Рік тому +1

      @@silverjaw138 very true. He could accurately move the volume pot in a way that most people would need a volume pedal or automatic MIDI switching for. It might as well have been a gain knob! Haha.

    • @morebeer4435
      @morebeer4435 Рік тому +1

      Yes totally agree. People usually come up short with his sound because of the nuances he had with both hands. Thats what sets him apart and makes him so unique. Its just like Buddys Rich's left hand skill, unmatched and once in a lifetime.

    • @chignutsak
      @chignutsak 8 місяців тому +1

      This is well said. We are lowly mortals, staring up at the sun.

  • @BrianDonnelly68
    @BrianDonnelly68 2 роки тому +31

    EVH always talked about Clapton and May and Holdsworth later on, but I always heard huge amounts of Townsend, Billy Gibbons & Iommi in his rhythm work

    • @joekillion7427
      @joekillion7427 2 роки тому +10

      I for sure hear Billy Gibbons, especially with his pinch harmonics, and nobody ever talks about that. I always thought that Hot for Teacher was the Van Halen version of La Grange.

    • @DaBaronSamedi
      @DaBaronSamedi Рік тому

      @@joekillion7427Eddie's & the band's feel on shuffles really is exceptional - you can't not move to their grooves!!!

    • @BrianDonnelly68
      @BrianDonnelly68 Рік тому +3

      @@joekillion7427 Absolutely. And like I said above I hear lots of Townsend in his strumming patterns, especially on bridges, and how he employs suspensions in his chord voices. And then a little Iommi always sneaks in too, I think that's why he loved Dimebag so much, bc Dimebag kinda was like if EVH went the Full Sabbath and Eddie saw that as a road he did not take, but really appreciated.

    • @wodewose3456
      @wodewose3456 Рік тому

      Yes !!! - gibbons deep groove - also dick dale !!

    • @oldmossystone
      @oldmossystone Рік тому +1

      I've come to think over the years, that the biggest influence on Eddie was Jimmy Page. And that applies here too. Jimmy did a bunch of messed up stuff dropping/picking up beats and creating 'simple' riffs that catch the ear because of the syncopation and timing. Same with lead stuff, using variations of basic well known pentatonic licks, but playing them at unexpected parts of the beat, or out of phase, in terms of which note to start on... Eddie learned that concept and took it to another level. Van Halen did a lot of Zep covers in their early days ;)

  • @jaxkincaid
    @jaxkincaid 2 роки тому +11

    The rhythm under the solo in House of Pain is symphonic magic.

  • @edwardmannino9688
    @edwardmannino9688 4 місяці тому +1

    I fully agree with your assessment of Michael Anthony's straight forward approach with how he played bass in the band. You put this explanation in perfect wording, in why Michael played this way.

  • @DADSGETNDOWN
    @DADSGETNDOWN Рік тому +8

    100 Percent Agree. And a lot of time, the so called "simple" stuff, is the PERFECT stuff. Awesome stuff.

  • @ZblockWoW
    @ZblockWoW 2 роки тому +16

    This along with In ‘n’ Out have such underrated Eddie rhythm playing. He will always be The Master. 🤘🏻🎸 😢

  • @pickboy7
    @pickboy7 2 роки тому +7

    Ed was bad ass,his rhythm skills were off the chart.His groove,feel and tone always stood out.He had a certain swagger that he stamped on his riffs.You knew it was him when he played.Thanks Uncle Ben!

  • @mitchrabideau
    @mitchrabideau Рік тому +7

    Top Johnny is a seriously sick song and the riffs are criminally underated

    • @mitchrabideau
      @mitchrabideau Рік тому +2

      I meant Jimmy not Johnny. Lol. Sorry

    • @MrJohnnyDistortion
      @MrJohnnyDistortion Рік тому +1

      ​@@mitchrabideau
      We know😂

    • @syndicateproductionstarana4925
      @syndicateproductionstarana4925 Рік тому

      Top Jimmy bro

    • @robert-lz9qf
      @robert-lz9qf 10 місяців тому

      girl gone bad never gets talked about, Eddies riff on that is bad ass

    • @gabbleratchet1890
      @gabbleratchet1890 10 місяців тому

      @@robert-lz9qf Hell yes. I totally missed how great that song was when I first bought the album (when it came out - fuck, I'm old), but it's freakin' fantastic.

  • @davemarriner8128
    @davemarriner8128 15 днів тому

    Thats why I love Van Halen, there are so many layers in each track. You can go so deep and the music keeps on giving. There are layers of rhythm and flow in every track.

  • @DarthV506
    @DarthV506 2 роки тому +8

    His rhythm playing is spectacular and never gets enough credit. Not to mention how deep in the pocket Mike & Alex are.

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 роки тому +1

      The groove is REAL!!!

    • @termsofusepolice
      @termsofusepolice Рік тому +1

      Ed played all the bass on Fair Warning. That's according to Ed himself. Also why the bass playing on that record is so in the pocket with his bro Alex.

  • @wesleythoman9873
    @wesleythoman9873 2 роки тому +10

    Fair warning is my favourite album, right ahead of 1978. I'm glad that there are people out there who recognize his killer rhythm skills!

  • @maxmenius9839
    @maxmenius9839 Рік тому

    That was an incredible lesson and breakdown. You tease out all the subtle nuances. A+!!

  • @johnmorrison9883
    @johnmorrison9883 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for exposing more magic in my favorite Van Halen song.
    Like you, I've been listening to this since I was a teenager a million years ago. I still hear new things in this song. It continues to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. And I still listen to it. A. LOT.

  • @Vulneravariable
    @Vulneravariable 2 роки тому +4

    Dang. That is one sweet little ditty.

  • @97stratocaster21
    @97stratocaster21 2 роки тому +9

    Michael Anthony is one of the greatest rock bassists ever, period.
    more complexity doesn't equal better playing. He always places his biggest priority on what best serves the song, which is true musicianship and maturity.

    • @stevenhowes530
      @stevenhowes530 2 роки тому +2

      And would any of those songs be as good without his vocals. they'd still be good but the harmonies really gave them something extra. Extra, on top of all the other extra VH had.

    • @schaef6o
      @schaef6o Рік тому

      Glad Eddie showed him everything 😂😂

  • @ranger5281
    @ranger5281 Рік тому +1

    Awesome, Ben! Mean Street is indeed absolutely Ferocious, percussive rhythm playing, and you've opened up a new chapter in my understanding and appreciation with that killer up-stroke riff. Much appreciated!

  • @MichaelDouglasSkewes
    @MichaelDouglasSkewes 3 місяці тому +1

    My friend Brent Woods just played with Michael Anthony for the.Eddie trunk 40 year anniversary show. Brent and i have been friends since 7th grade ,and we both took lessons from Randy Rhoads. Anyway, he was music director for the show ,and played with everyone either in rehearsal or onstage and he mentioned that playing with Michael Anthony was like having a bulldozer just laying down exactly what the song needed! I always kinda put him to the side too,but when I saw VH ON every tour with DLR ,I noticed what a machine that both Alex and Eddie were, they played like they knew exactly what the other was thinking!

  • @cscoioscscoios2768
    @cscoioscscoios2768 2 роки тому +4

    Perfect timing Ben, I was just working on the bridge and solo section of Mean Street and you gave this much clarity! I never noticed that badass riff under the solo until now, great stuff.

  • @tony_n316
    @tony_n316 2 роки тому +16

    Another great video... If you listen to that little run at the end of the riff, it sounds very much like his riff in "She's the Woman".

  • @edzappia2892
    @edzappia2892 7 місяців тому +1

    Yes, I LOVE the intro to the Mean Streets solo, and had trouble finding on UA-cam. Everybody goes to the solo solo, and skips that awesome intro to the solo! Fantastic!

  • @nelsonw2096
    @nelsonw2096 2 роки тому +35

    EVH was as good at rhythm as he was at lead.

    • @gib59er56
      @gib59er56 4 місяці тому +1

      No he was BETTER. His rhythm playing is impossible to copy. There is not a person on this planet who can swing like Ed did. NOBODY.

  • @CoolStuffDad
    @CoolStuffDad 2 роки тому +4

    YES!! One of those that slips under the radar, but holds the groove of the song perfectly!

  • @majesticpbjcat7707
    @majesticpbjcat7707 2 роки тому +4

    I think you've covered it in a previous vid, but the main riff on Can't Get This Stuff No More is just heavy awesomeness. Love it 🤘

  • @billseggie4578
    @billseggie4578 Рік тому +1

    So great to hear praise for this particular song! Well explained and well played.

  • @drumgk
    @drumgk Рік тому

    This is great stuff! You have a gift of hearing ,explaining, and teaching in forensic detail the Eddie Vanhalen you have never heard!

  • @JohnFnLopez
    @JohnFnLopez 2 роки тому +4

    Dude. Thank you. Michael is a solid band member. His vocals and backing rhythm are so rock-solid!
    Eddie rhythm guitar is so chewie and groovy! I definitely appreciate his rhythm playing far more than his brilliant soloing.
    I've been trying to figure out the backing guitar for that solo forever, and it's just eluded me until now, so thank you!

  • @silvertear87
    @silvertear87 Рік тому +2

    Everything about Mean Street is amazing. The isolated drum track is so good, the rhythms are incredible and that bass! Imma throw this album on today

  • @chikkenyo
    @chikkenyo 2 місяці тому

    I cannot WAIT to learn this riff! That is SICK! Thanks for sharing!

  • @richbean
    @richbean Рік тому

    great pick!! just listened to this..this morning. Great job on all your videos. Thank you!

  • @imarriedabrkfsttaco3737
    @imarriedabrkfsttaco3737 Рік тому +4

    Ed's rhythm playing is incredible but gets overshadowed by his insane leads! Even the simple rhythm he plays during the Top Jimmy solo sounds dark & sinister AF. Serves the song beautifully.

  • @gcrauwels941
    @gcrauwels941 2 роки тому +4

    Exactly! For years that solo just stood out to me, but in the last couple of years I started noticing that rhythm riff. Just as smoking as the solo.
    Long Live Edward Van Halen !!

    • @YTRopp
      @YTRopp Рік тому +1

      Always was one of my favorite riffs of the band

  • @MichaelAnthonyOfficial
    @MichaelAnthonyOfficial Рік тому

    Ben, this is OUTSTANDING! And, you are so humble! Way to go!!!!

  • @bilbocarter7732
    @bilbocarter7732 6 місяців тому

    This has been one of the most fun licks I've been trying to get down as I transition from playing bass full time to learning the guitar as well. I appreciate your efforts and thoroughness on all these videos. GREAT WORK SIR!!!

  • @eddiejr540
    @eddiejr540 2 роки тому +13

    Uncle Ben…there are some hidden gems on OU812 that no one ever talks about…just try playing “sucker in a 3 piece” or “AFU” or “source of infection”….Eddie was on his game for that album!!!!

    • @ronjenkins6674
      @ronjenkins6674 2 роки тому +2

      I once got Uncle Ben to tab out and try to teach me "Finish what you started" I still have his tabs, but my fingers just refuse to move that way! That's one tricky little lick

    • @chuckclements8048
      @chuckclements8048 Рік тому +1

      Sucka is a feeling fire solo

    • @technicalitems731
      @technicalitems731 Рік тому

      Yes!!! AFU Naturally Wired!

  • @Meatbasket2
    @Meatbasket2 2 роки тому +1

    Great video showcasing an all but unknown awesome VH riff! I was at that 2012 Louisville VH concert you referenced, took my older uncle who is VH #1 fan but had not seen them back in the day. What a great show it was.

  • @lotusmanb3832
    @lotusmanb3832 Рік тому +1

    Hey... I've been talking about that killer rhythm track for many years and agree its a beast. I was in a VH tribute band in the 80s and my brother had Eddie down. Used to sound kind of empty live without that driving rhythm but still great. Gives me goosebumps every time I hear that track. Cheers

  • @codacreator6162
    @codacreator6162 2 роки тому +8

    My biggest go-to guitar has always been my EVH Air Guitar. Goes everywhere and never, ever lets me down. 🤘😎🤘

  • @gravelrhoads
    @gravelrhoads Рік тому +3

    Fair Warning is my favorite Van Halen album and Mean Street is such a kicking song that always gets me revved up.

  • @BotsWeekendCovers
    @BotsWeekendCovers Рік тому +1

    I am sure we all remember the first time we heard Van Halen! I did 45 years ago and I am still trying to play like him! Uncle Ben you have definitely helped me and I appreciate this one as well!. Great Job!

  • @robtech341
    @robtech341 Рік тому

    Great video as always. Let us not forget the very last run in the solo, so cool coming out of the trem work.

  • @jtbatz
    @jtbatz 2 роки тому +13

    Fn killer tone!! Love this riff! Fair Warning has riffs by the truck load. Would have loved to hear the riff on One Foot out the Door played on guitar

  • @Balmung5150
    @Balmung5150 2 роки тому +3

    There is also "Me wise magic"which people tend to forget about. A killer song released on a greatest hits album

  • @em-dashman4404
    @em-dashman4404 Рік тому

    Awesome work Ben. Love this video!

  • @normpeters2341
    @normpeters2341 Рік тому

    Absolutely loved this video
    Love to see someone as passionate about EVH as myself King Edward lives forever. Keep up the good work I love how you break everything down and make it easy to follow

  • @hsousa54
    @hsousa54 Рік тому +3

    YES! First time I heard Mean Street i almost drove off the road from the chills. Just an insanely good song

  • @valuedhumanoid6574
    @valuedhumanoid6574 2 роки тому +20

    This is proof why Eddie was the complete package. The media and noobs just focus on his lead work, which is superb, but the REAL magic is his rhythm (I actually spelled it right this time with no spell checker red squiggly line under it!) playing. That's where all the real tasty stuff is. And most guitar aficionados who know the truth about Eddie don't put him in the "shredder" genre of guitar music. Oh, he could shred with the best of them, but it's the Mean Street type riffage that cements his legacy as just a good ol' fashioned rocker.

    • @ChuckHaney
      @ChuckHaney Рік тому +1

      Rhythm is really a strangely spelled word in English, isn't it? Five consonants, one vowel and that vowel is "y."

    • @valuedhumanoid6574
      @valuedhumanoid6574 Рік тому +1

      @@ChuckHaney Yes. I spell it differently every time I write it. Once in a while I get it right and it surprises me. And surprise is another. I always forget that "r".

  • @JVH5151
    @JVH5151 Рік тому

    Awesome lesson, went back to clean up what I was doing wrong and came across this video. Ed used to talk about his rhythm playing and how articulated he was in old guitar mag interviews... Truly one of the most badass interludes in the VH catalogue, which is saying a lot!...Oh, nice gear too!

  • @jables3377
    @jables3377 Рік тому

    Thank you for breaking this down! I stumbled upon that awhile back and thought Eddie was doing some sort of odd time signature riff over Alex's 4/4 groove, but you made it crystal clear now!

  • @michaeleaster1815
    @michaeleaster1815 2 роки тому +4

    Great video! one of my fave EVH riffs is the slow/B section in Panama... that weird F chord (at first fret) is one of my favourite moments in all of music. It is so subversive: super dissonant in the middle of a big ol' party song and just so weird

  • @Gee-no
    @Gee-no 2 роки тому +11

    I always like House of Pain and Top Jimmy from 1984. Very interesting riffs / songs.

    • @ginomarchetti5153
      @ginomarchetti5153 Рік тому +3

      Agree.....and Drop Dead Legs.

    • @Lyingfigure
      @Lyingfigure Рік тому +3

      @@ginomarchetti5153 : you could say the whole album
      Jump and panama are the trademarks popular songs, but the other are really van halen's real work

    • @chairmankaga2821
      @chairmankaga2821 Рік тому

      Girl Gone Bad is a phenomenal song. ALL aspects are amazing from the harmonic tapping intro to the tremolo picking on that blistering lead.

  • @stringbender11672
    @stringbender11672 Рік тому

    Yes Indeed that particular riff is badass. Nice that you brought it into focus!!!

  • @rytchbytchrockingclub3867
    @rytchbytchrockingclub3867 Рік тому

    So cool, thanks for this video! What's making this so great is that neither kick nor snare play on the "1+" starting point of the guitar riff, it's only the guitar, bass and ride cymbal. With the kick drum filling up all the "e"s and "a"s and the snare doing the backbeat as the groove's anchor, it makes all 1/16s have a similar weight and the entire thing comes at you like a freight train.

  • @1080kk
    @1080kk 2 роки тому +6

    Man, VH is literally my favorite band, listen to them for 35 years, played tons of VH on guitar, and Mean Streets is in my top ten songs of all time to play!….
    And I never heard this riff either!😳
    Thank you Uncle Ben! You just handed my ears a new Eddie morsel to enjoy, and I thought I had all the Van Halen carved into my brain forever!
    Makes you wonder what other hidden gems are hiding in some of those classic tracks

  • @evowire
    @evowire Рік тому +11

    I agree, Mike was the perfect bass player for VH. It worked because all of the right musicians were there at the right time. Ed was incredible, no doubt, but it takes a BAND to do it.

    • @daveowczarek
      @daveowczarek 5 місяців тому +1

      The comment about how if Michael were shredding and tapping with Eddie it wouldn't have worked. I agree. But, that is essentially what happened when David Lee Roth went and made Skyscraper with Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan. That is a ferocious album, and I think it totally worked for them. But the personalities and styles are different there, even though DLR was the common thread. Steve Vai is amazing, but not the same amazing as EVH. But comparing Fair Warning (1981) to Skyscraper (1988) is an interesting thought experiment.

    • @evowire
      @evowire 5 місяців тому

      It did work perfectly on Eat 'Em and Smile, but the very next record, Dave told Billy to just play very basic bass lines. Billy left. SkyScraper tour was Matt Bissonette on bass. Would everyone's egos allowed it that in VH ? Who knows?@@daveowczarek

  • @michaelmione
    @michaelmione Рік тому +1

    Thank you !! This song and everything in it is just absolutely killer ... phrasing, rhythm track, lead tracks. Sweet Judas!!! Fair warning and VH 1 are my fav albums.

  • @Robert-ck7nm
    @Robert-ck7nm Рік тому +1

    I'm a drummer, not a guitarist, but Ben, your playing is spectacular - effortless flow, power, time, and tone. Love it, Brother!

  • @leighmills6356
    @leighmills6356 2 роки тому +3

    There’s elements of Shes the Woman been borrowed from this riff, never clicked to this before! Great lesson Ben!

    • @TheSamgopal
      @TheSamgopal Рік тому

      Noticed that too! Makes sense since the iconic guitar part before the lead solo was lifted from the original 70s demo of that song. The part Eddie wrote to replace it on the last album doesn't quite match up to the original. VH were masters of reusing old material though.

  • @Sodacake
    @Sodacake 2 роки тому +3

    i love when you discover something so cool hiding right beneath a solo.

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 роки тому

      Me too!!! Metallica has plenty of those.

  • @patrickriley195
    @patrickriley195 Рік тому +1

    Another great video, tons of good info. Thank you Ben!.....and yes; I agree.

  • @piemonte2006
    @piemonte2006 11 місяців тому

    I was simply blown away by this video! Congrats

  • @jeremyswalley8625
    @jeremyswalley8625 Рік тому +3

    The flanger and phaser really makes a huge difference!! And a little bit of Eventide magic besides the man!!

  • @mariuspaulauskas1359
    @mariuspaulauskas1359 2 роки тому +4

    I like that little amp which is on top of Friedman :)

  • @beachcomber4141
    @beachcomber4141 Рік тому

    That riff popped into my head out of no where a few days ago. I ALWAYS thought that opening to the video riff was so bad ass and unique. So good to see Ben highlight it!

  • @chrisvantassel8867
    @chrisvantassel8867 Рік тому +1

    I am with ya, I always tell people who do not recognize his rhythm mastery to listen to the rhythm track under the mean street solo. Glad you posted!

  • @eugenekrabs6400
    @eugenekrabs6400 2 роки тому +3

    Oh god Mean Street is such a banger, thanks for spreading the gospel Ben.

  • @joekillion7427
    @joekillion7427 2 роки тому +3

    Mean Street has always been one of the coolest and well...meanest Van Halen songs. The tone is so aggressive.

  • @MJHiteshew
    @MJHiteshew Рік тому

    May favorite riff from my favorite album. Thanks for doing it!

  • @badarmenia
    @badarmenia Рік тому

    Thanks for posting this!! I was listening to this song a few days ago, and I GOTTA learn the rhythm behind the solo! 👍

  • @FenderTeleDeluxe
    @FenderTeleDeluxe 2 роки тому +3

    That lick at 8:41 later showed up on “She’s the Woman,” on the ‘A Different Kind of Truth” album.

    • @BillDerBerg
      @BillDerBerg Рік тому

      She's the Woman is ancient it was on the Gene Simmons 1977 demos

  • @herbyguitar
    @herbyguitar Рік тому +3

    Personally, I love the two guitar parts of Dance The Night Away. they're simple but sounds so good.

  • @evalinataylor8328
    @evalinataylor8328 Рік тому +1

    Great video! This part of the song is what makes it so awesome. You can hear it but there’s no way to pay attention to everything at one time. But you’re right that’s the groove that makes this song great. And you’re spot on about Michael Anthony. I don’t think anyone else could’ve complemented Eddie and Roth nearly as good as he did. The song “So this is love” that’s a great example of the groove behind the grind!

  • @jaspermuziek2150
    @jaspermuziek2150 Рік тому +1

    Two relatively unknown songs come to mind where the Van Halen rhythm section & EVH as groove monster really shine: As Is - end part (different kind of truth) and Aftershock - central instrumental piece (Balance). Thanks for the great, great video once again Ben!

  • @sunburstshredder
    @sunburstshredder 2 роки тому +3

    I agree with what you said about Michael 1000%. In the past I thought he was mediocre because he tended to play mainly on root notes, but over time, I realized that it was exactly what the song called for as you pointed out. Plus, his bass lines in "Love Walks In" are killer

    • @BenEller
      @BenEller  2 роки тому

      Man, I’ve never wanted ANYTHING more out of a bass line in a VH song!

  • @bigbigy58
    @bigbigy58 2 роки тому +4

    his rhythm was unmatched i always liked the riff behind the house of pain solo

  • @inzaneskins
    @inzaneskins Рік тому

    What are incredible breakdown of this legendary track! Well done, Uncle Ben!

  • @LD-qj2te
    @LD-qj2te Рік тому

    I think that is one of the coolest and mean streets is one of my favorite songs! Perfectly constructed and just completely awesome !!

  • @leesbassment6393
    @leesbassment6393 2 роки тому +17

    Yep, Michael is VERY underrated. Van Halen wouldn't have worked with someone like Sheehan on bass

    • @bravenstrong
      @bravenstrong 2 роки тому

      Ed actually played most of the bass parts on Fair warning. Also on the Hot For Teacher intro, Ed doubled his guitar part with bass. It was pulled it out in the mix because Mike wouldn't be able to play the part live.

    • @haggbom72
      @haggbom72 2 роки тому +3

      @@bravenstrong source ?

    • @bravenstrong
      @bravenstrong 2 роки тому

      @@haggbom72 I have no proof about my Fair Warning statement other than my ears. However, this Sunset Sound video backs my HFT comment at around 6:25
      ua-cam.com/video/5-biL02KxE4/v-deo.html

    • @clemclemson9259
      @clemclemson9259 2 роки тому +3

      dude for gods sake hes not "underrated" JFC thats the new buzz word in the comment section

  • @Chris-is1rd
    @Chris-is1rd Рік тому +3

    I'm just here to say that Eddie's rhythm skills are under appreciated even though people say his rhythm skills are great on every single UA-cam post when people talk about his playing /s

  • @SilverSurfer5150
    @SilverSurfer5150 Рік тому

    Simply BRILLIANT, Ben!!!

  • @jeddak
    @jeddak Рік тому +1

    Excellent breakdown of a super-leet riff, and a good reminder to always Use Your Ears to take in as much detail as possible about the music we love. This riff is such a great example of how rhythmic Eddie's rhythm playing was. It's like he was playing drums on the guitar as a counterpoint to Alex's parts. It's all about feeeeeel!

  • @JoeR203
    @JoeR203 Рік тому +7

    That riff (starting at the pull off) sounds like Sammy Hagar's "Three Lock Box".

  • @MrDrew12
    @MrDrew12 2 роки тому +4

    Killer riff

  • @shartne
    @shartne Рік тому

    Great playing man. I noticed those riffs been listing to that song for every since it came out in the eighties.

  • @cirenosnor5768
    @cirenosnor5768 Рік тому

    I noticed it probably far back as the mid 80’s but never talked about it nor have heard anyone else mention it either. Great call ❤️