Alex Van Halen's Musical Journey: From Black Sabbath Inspiration to Touring Together
Alex Van Halen recently shared his experience of seeing Black Sabbath for the first time in the early 70s during an interview with former Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain. He reminisced about the powerful impact of Black Sabbath's performance, particularly Bill Ward's drumming, which left a lasting impression on him. Van Halen described how the sound of the music moved him and emphasized the importance of such experiences in music.
Despite their admiration for Black Sabbath, Van Halen's band would later open for them in 1978. According to author Paul Brannigan in his book "Eruption: The Eddie Van Halen Story," Van Halen's energetic performances reportedly outshined Black Sabbath during their joint tour. The comparison was so stark that it was likened to a crime scene, with Van Halen metaphorically "murdering" Sabbath on stage every night.
Despite the competitive nature of the performances, there was no animosity between the two bands. Ozzy Osbourne acknowledged that Van Halen's dynamic stage presence posed a challenge for Black Sabbath. He admitted that the band was exhausted from years of legal battles and internal struggles, which affected their ability to match Van Halen's energy on stage. Despite the circumstances, Osbourne expressed respect for Van Halen's performance.
In the Metal Sticks interview, Alex Van Halen expressed gratitude for the opportunity to open for Black Sabbath, describing it as an honor and a humbling experience for their band. The mutual respect between the two bands was evident, despite the differences in their performances. The interview provides insight into the camaraderie and admiration that existed between Van Halen and Black Sabbath during their time touring together.
To hear more about Alex Van Halen's reflections on his experience with Black Sabbath and other musical insights, you can watch the full Metal Sticks interview on YouTube.