Exclusive! Eddie Van Halen Talks About His New EVH Wolfgang Guitar

In a new, exclusive interview with Eddie Van Halen, Guitar World magazine talks to the Van Halen legend about the making of his new EVH Wolfgang guitar from Fender (due in stores in early 2009). In the interview, appearing in the February issue of the magazine, the guitarist explains how the Wolfgang is “a culmination of my 35 years of experimenting with guitars. Everything that I’ve destroyed, stumbled onto, learned and experienced in my journey to get to where we are now is in this guitar. And there is a lot more to come.

"A guitar is a very personal extension of the person playing it. You have to be emotionally and spiritually connected to your instrument. I’m very brutal on my instruments, but not all the time. I’m not to the point where I’m like Pete Townshend and smashing the shit out of it after a gig. I wouldn’t do that to an instrument that is a part of me. I don’t need to do this for financial reasons. 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.”

Throughout the in-person interview with Guitar World writer Chris Gill, which took place in a workshop at the EVH/FMIC (Fender Musical Instrument Corporation) factory, Van Halen details the painstaking process of designing and constructing the EVH Wolfgang.

“The tolerance of things on this guitar is like NASA standards. It had to be tight, and it had to be quality. Le Mans is probably the most important race on the planet. It’s 24 hours—a grueling, brutal race. There’s a reason why an Audi R8 won that race three years in a row [2000–2002]. Those guys did what we did with this guitar. They paid attention to every damn detail. You can’t say, ‘Oh, that will do.’ No, it won’t do.”

Regarding the slim profile of the Wolfgang neck, Van Halen commented, “It was a matter of closing my eyes and feeling it. We went back to some of my earlier guitars, like the striped guitar I had back in 1984. That’s the way I like it to feel. It’s nice. It’s like a sexy woman.”

When asked if we could expect any new music from him soon, the guitarist had this to say:

“I’ll be making music ’til the day I die. I’ve done all kinds of stuff, and more is coming. I can’t tell you exactly when right now. Wolfgang is in the 12th grade and he needs to graduate first. Then I’m getting married in June. We’ll pick it up after that.”

The complete interview appears in the February issue of Guitar World, on sale December 16, 2008. An exclusive video documentary featuring Eddie Van Halen on the making of the EVH Wolfgang guitar will appear on the CD-ROM that accompanies each issue of the February issue. Collectors will be able to choose from four different Eddie Van Halen covers of the February issue.

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Bruce Springsteen 'Dreams' Big On New Album

As expected, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's new album, "Working on a Dream," will arrive Jan. 27 via Columbia. Excerpts from the title track debuted during NBC's NFL halftime show last night (Nov. 16).

The album includes 12 new songs plus the bonus tracks "The Wrestler" (from the Mickey Rourke-starring film of the same name) and "A Night With the Jersey Devil" (which Springsteen gave away free online on Halloween).

As with 2007's "Magic," Springsteen worked with producer Brendan O'Brien on basic tracks and brought in the E Street Band as needed during tour breaks. "All the songs were written quickly -- we usually used one of our first few takes," he says.

Springsteen and company will return to live duty Feb. 1 as part of the Super Bowl XLIII halftime show in Tampa, Fla.

Here is the track list for "Working on a Dream":

"Outlaw Pete"

"My Lucky Day"

"Working on a Dream"

"Queen of the Supermarket"

"What Love Can Do"

"This Life"

"Good Eye"

"Tomorrow Never Knows"

"Life Itself"

"Kingdom of Days"

"Surprise, Surprise"

"The Last Carnival"

Bonus tracks:

"The Wrestler"

"A Night With the Jersey Devil"

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Black Keys' Auerbach Unveils Solo Debut

Black Keys vocalist/guitarist Dan Auerbach will take time off from his primary band to release his solo debut early next year and will also tour in support of the project.

The 14-track "Keep It Hid" is due Feb. 10 via Nonesuch. Auerbach will hit the road for an 11-date solo tour beginning Feb. 28 in Washington, D.C., with Texas rockers Hacienda serving as his backing band as well as opening act. Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based Those Darlings will also support.

"It's all over the map," Auerbach tells Billboard.com of the music, which he's been stockpiling for several years. "I write songs for the Black Keys, so some of them sound like they could be Black Keys songs. But some songs are just acoustic guitar. There's some real dark tunes and some psychedelic rumbas. It's all that stuff I grew up playing -- all those bluegrass harmonies. I experimented a little bit with instrumentation."

Recorded at Auerbach's Akron, Ohio, studio "Keep It Hid" is something of a family affair; the artist's father Chuck wrote the song "Whispered Words," while his uncle, James Quine, sings and plays electric guitar on "Street Walkin'." Auerbach's protege, Jessica Lea Mayfield, appears on "When the Night Comes."

Musically, "Keep It Hid" runs the gamut from the sparse, drum-less opener "Trouble Weighs a Ton" and the genial acoustic closer "Goin' Home" to raw, swaggering rockers like "Heartbroken, In Disrepair" (with the trademark vibrato guitar effect from the Smiths' "How Soon Is Now") and "The Prowl." Other highlights include the British Invasion-style "My Last Mistake" and the late night lament "When the Night Comes."

Auerbach says the solo shows will be "a totally separate thing from the Black Keys, so there will definitely no Black Keys songs. You'll hear anything I feel like playing."

There's plenty of activity in the Black Keys camp in the run-up to "Keep It Hid." Having recently completed a writing session with ZZ Top's Billy F. Gibbons and producer Rick Rubin, the group plays Bristol, England, tonight (Nov. 17), and releases a Lance Bangs-directed concert DVD, "Live at Crystal Ballroom," tomorrow.

After early January dates in Australia, the Keys will play a handful of North American shows through mid-February.

Here are Dan Auerbach's solo tour dates:

Feb. 28: Washington, D.C. (9:30 Club)
March 1: Boston (Paradise)
March 2: Brooklyn, N.Y. (Music Hall of Williamsburg)
March 3: New York (Bowery Ballroom)
March 5: Cleveland (Beachland Ballroom)
March 6: Chicago (Metro)
March 7: Minneapolis (First Avenue)
March 10: Seattle (Showbox)
March 11: Portland, Ore. (Wonder Ballroom)
March 13: San Francisco (Bimbo's)
March 14: Los Angeles (El Rey Theatre)

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The Who Looks Back To '77 On Live DVD

A December 1977 concert from Kilburn, London, considered a holy grail by Who fans, was a somewhat ambivalent experience for the band, according to frontman Roger Daltrey.

"I just remember it was kind of a weird day," Daltrey tells Billboard.com about the Gaumont State Theatre show, which was filmed for Jeff Stein's documentary "The Kids Are Alright" and is being released in its entirety tomorrow (Nov. 18) on the DVD "The Who at Kilburn 1977. "We did the show in the afternoon, which is not the best time of day to be on form, especially for (drummer) Keith Moon."

Though Who biographer Johnny Black has called the concert "disastrous," Daltrey says the he "always thought it was quite a good show, but I remember that Pete (Townshend) at the time wasn't very happy with it, and I never quite figured why. I'll have to buy the DVD and find out, I guess." During the concert a clearly upset Townshend tells the somewhat unruly crowd that, "There's a guitar up here if any big mouth f*cking little git wants to take it from me."

The Kilburn show was the second to last the Who played with Moon before his death on Sept. 7, 1978. The group played another London show, on May 25 of that year, at Shepperton Studios, also for the "The Kids are Alright." Daltrey has said that Moon was not in good shape for either taping and that seeing the footage while the documentary was being assembled had a profound effect on the drummer.

In addition the Kilburn show, the new DVD also includes a never-before-seen Dec. 14, 1969, concert from the London Coliseum, which purports to be the first-ever officially recorded live performance of the rock opera "Tommy."

Daltrey and Townshend, meanwhile, are gearing up to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Kennedy Center Honors, which will take place Dec. 7 in Washington, D.C. "It really is an honor indeed," Daltrey says. "Coming from where we come from, being totally inspired by American music at such a young age and now being honored by the country that inspired me, it's unbelievable."

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Beyonce Belts It Out On 'Cadillac' Soundtrack

Beyonce's cover of Etta James' "At Last" will lead the soundtrack for "Cadillac Records," due Dec. 2 from Columbia. Beyonce stars as James in the film, which chronicles the rise and fall of iconic label Chess Records.

"I realized that Etta James was so unapologetic, bold and strong that playing her was a big risk for me," Beyonce recently told Billboard of the experience. "It gave me the confidence and the push to challenge myself a little more with my music."

The soundtrack, which will be available in both single- and double-disc editions, also includes tracks from Mos Def (portraying Chuck Berry), Jeffrey Wright (as Muddy Waters), Columbus Short (as Little Walter) and Eamonn Walker (as Howlin' Wolf).

Raphael Saadiq, Beyonce's sister Solange, Mary Mary, Nas, Buddy Guy and Elvis Presley also have songs on the album.

"Cadillac Records" opens Dec. 5 in U.S. theaters. "People will be most surprised that the glamorous Beyonce allowed herself to be seen in the desperate straits that Etta went through, including her heroin addiction," says Sony BMG Music Entertainment chairman Andrew Lack, who produced "Cadillac Records" with Sony BMG Films executive VP Sophia Sondervan. "That's a Beyonce I don't think anyone's seen yet."

Here is the track list for "Cadillac Records":Disc one:"I'm a Man," Jeffrey Wright"At Last," Beyonce"No Particular Place To Go," Mos Def"I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man," Jeffrey Wright"Once in a Lifetime," Beyonce"Let's Talk a Walk," Raphael Saadiq"6 O'Clock Blues," Solange"Nadine," Mos Def"The Sound," Mary Mary"Last Night," Little Walter"I'd Rather Go Blind," Beyonce"My Babe," Columbus Short"Bridging the Gap," Nas featuring Olu DaraDisc two:"Maybellene," Mos Def"Forty Days and Forty Nights," Buddy Guy"Trust in Me," Beyonce"Juke," Kim Wilson"Smokestack Lightnin'," Eamonn Walker"Promised Land," Mos Def"All I Could Do Was Cry," Beyonce"My Babe," Elvis Presley"I Can't Be Satisfied," Jeffrey Wright"Come On," Mos Def"Country Blues," Jeffrey Wright"Evolution of a Man," Q-Tip and Al Kapone"Radio Station," Terence Blanchard.

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Superstars Sign On For 'TRL' Finale

Some of the biggest names in pop music will be on hand Sunday (Nov. 16) for the final episode of MTV's "Total Request Live," including Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Nelly in a one-off performance.

Other performances will be turned in by Beyonce, 50 Cent, Fall Out Boy and the Backstreet Boys. Justin Timberlake, Kid Rock, JC Chasez, Christina Aguilera, Travis Barker, Mariah Carey, Taylor Swift, Hilary Duff, Fred Durst and Korn's Jonathan Davis will also be on hand.

"TRL" debuted in September 1998 amid the teen pop music craze led by Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. Various hosts from throughout the show's history will also be on hand for the finale.

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Ben Harper Rocks Out With New Band

Ben Harper is recording an album with a new band, Relentless7, and will play a handful of club shows next month to introduce the material.

"White Lies for Dark Times" is due in May via Virgin and finds Harper backed by guitarist Jason Mozersky, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist Jesse Ingalls, the latter two of the Los Angeles band Oliver Future.

Relentless7's Web site is now streaming a ripping cover of Led Zeppelin's "Good Times, Bad Times" (which Harper played with Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones and Roots drummer ?uestlove at Bonnaroo in 2007) and the original "Serve Your Soul," a riffy blast which fades out into piano and violin.

The group debuted Oct. 29 during a Beastie Boys-led "get out the vote" show in Youngstown, Ohio, and will be back on the road starting Dec. 3 in Solana Beach, Calif.

A Harper spokesperson says the artist's longtime band, the Innocent Criminals, has not broken up and that Harper simply wanted to try something different this time around.


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November 11, 2008 , 1:25 PM ET

Jonathan Cohen, N.Y.
Ben Harper is recording an album with a new band, Relentless7, and will play a handful of club shows next month to introduce the material.

"White Lies for Dark Times" is due in May via Virgin and finds Harper backed by guitarist Jason Mozersky, drummer Jordan Richardson and bassist Jesse Ingalls, the latter two of the Los Angeles band Oliver Future.

Relentless7's Web site is now streaming a ripping cover of Led Zeppelin's "Good Times, Bad Times" (which Harper played with Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones and Roots drummer ?uestlove at Bonnaroo in 2007) and the original "Serve Your Soul," a riffy blast which fades out into piano and violin.

The group debuted Oct. 29 during a Beastie Boys-led "get out the vote" show in Youngstown, Ohio, and will be back on the road starting Dec. 3 in Solana Beach, Calif.

A Harper spokesperson says the artist's longtime band, the Innocent Criminals, has not broken up and that Harper simply wanted to try something different this time around.


His last album, 2007's "Lifeline," has sold 173,000 copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Here are Relentless7's tour dates:

Dec. 3: Solana Beach, Calif. (Belly Up Tavern)
Dec. 4: Los Angeles (Spaceland)
Dec. 5: Los Angeles (the Mint)
Dec. 7: Santa Cruz, Calif. (the Catalyst)
Dec. 8: San Francisco (the Independent)

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Pre-Order Chinese Democracy, Get Free Title Track

At this point, you probably don't need any more reasons to buy Guns N' Roses' Chinese Democracy. But the folks at Best Buy, iTunes and Napster are giving you one anyway: free music.

Starting this Sunday, November 9, customers who pre-order Chinese Democracy at either Best Buy, iTunes or Best Buy's own Napster will receive an immediate free download of the title track.

As everyone surely knows, Chinese Democracy has been 14 years in the making. Fan reaction to the album, based on leaks and demo-sharing, has been overwhelmingly positive. And the title track has already become Guns N' Roses' most popular radio song since 1991's "Don't Cry."

Still haven't heard the song "Chinese Democracy"? No problem. You can listen to it right here.


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Christina Aguilera Going Electro On New Album?

Christina Aguilera is lining up electronic-oriented artists such as Sia Furler, Goldfrapp and Ladytron to collaborate with her on her fourth studio album, which she'll continue to work on in 2009.

In a teleconference with reporters, Aguilera acknowledged influence on "You Are What You Are," a moody, ambient remake of her hit "Beautiful" from the upcoming "Keeps Getting Better: A Decade of Hits" and confirmed the Zero 7 associate and solo artist will be working with her on the new album.

"I'm definitely a fan of Sia's," said Aguilera, who previously told Billboard about her desire to pursue a more "futuristic" sound on the album. "I was thrilled she also wanted to work together and, in turn, was a fan of mine."

Aguilera said the two plan to hit the studio in January but are "setting the wheels in motion now ... I'm not exactly sure what we're gonna get when we get in the studio together, but (as) with all great things I'll go in and there's probably magic to be had."

Aguilera said she's been listening to "a lot" of Sia, Goldfrapp and Ladytron during the past year, which impacted not only "You Are What You Are" but also the "Genie in a Bottle" revamp "Genie 2.0" and the two new songs on "Keeps Getting Better": the title track and "Dynamite."

As for other collaborators on the album, which will follow-up 2006's "Back to Basics," Aguilera said there's "nothing I can give away now, but there's always somebody that I'm inspired by to work with. I have to keep under wraps who that would be, just 'cause I always like the element of surprise."

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Keyshia Cole Shows A New Side Of 'Me'

After chronicling her own gritty rise to fame on 2005's "The Way It Is" and 2007's "Just Like You," Keyshia Cole moves in a new direction on "A Different Me," due Dec. 16 via Imani/Geffen/Interscope.

"The first two albums were more ... painful," she tells Billboard over lunch in Los Angeles. "It's a different me this time: a young woman who's still growing and finding myself, exploring life through different routes musically and in other areas. I wrote more about other people's situations than my own. I'm moving forward."

"A Different Me" features Cole collaborating with a combination of marquee names and newcomers, including Polow Da Don, the Runners, Neffu, Kwame, Orthodox & Ransom and the Trackmasters. On her previous albums, Cole worked with such songwriter/producers as Greg Curtis, Missy Elliott, Scott Storch, Bryan-Michael Cox, Rodney Jerkins and Sean Garrett.

"When I hear something, I hear it -- it doesn't take me three, four, five times to hear a song and say, 'OK, let's write,'" Cole says about her songwriting process. "If I don't write to it right off the bat, it's not working."

And while the pain quotient is definitely lowered on "Me," the emotional realness and accessibility that fans have come to love in Cole's music remain -- as do her searing vocals.

She's reflective and coy on the melodic lead single "Playa Cardz Right" featuring a posthumous Tupac Shakur; the track originally appeared on his 2006 album "Pac's Life," but dressed up with a new verse and arrangement by Cole and producers Fair, Carvin Haggins and Ivan Barias, the song has shot to No. 25 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart after only five weeks. It's competing with Cole's last single from her sophomore album, "Heaven Sent," which is No. 14 on the chart.

A girl-talk intro colorfully sets up Cole's duet with real-life friend Monica on "Trust," while Polow Da Don taps into Cole's upbeat side on the pulsating "Make Me Over." Cole further hones her ballad skills on the track "You Complete Me" and flashes a sultry side on a cover of R. Kelly's 1992 No. 1 R&B hit, "Honey Love."

As part of a 360 deal she recently inked with Interscope, Cole is developing a movie based on her life. A screenwriter has been hired to go on the road with the artist in 2009 to begin developing the script.


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