Eddie Van Halen: Bassist

[ElectroVibe]

I just found out that he played bass on the 1987 Sammy Hagar album, "I Never Said Goodbye."
It was Sammy's first solo album since 1984 before he joined Van Halen.

Apparently EVH is the only bassist credited:
I Never Said Goodbye - Sammy Hagar | Credits | AllMusic

 

[Harper]

I've read that Ed played a bit of bass on some of the VH albums. I don't know that that's ever been confirmed, but I I've read specifically that he's all over Van Halen 3.

 

[Lesfunk]

Yeah , I was under the impression that he started edging out Michael Anthony in the mid to late 90s and was playing more bass on albums.
In my uneducated opinion, it was probably because of his writing and recording at his home studio And it was just quicker and easier to do it himself

 

[ElectroVibe]

I think it's interesting that Eddie played on Sammy's album, rather than Michael.

But in general, I think very highly of EVH from the fact that he would let his own son (Wolfgang) play bass. I think he was a fine father and human being, as well as musician.

 

[Hummergeist]

EVH used a Steinberger bass for that album...I think...somebody back me up, or not!

 

[sonojono]

EVH used a Steinberger bass for that album...I think...somebody back me up, or not!

 

[Jamie_Funk]

EVH used a Steinberger bass for that album...I think...somebody back me up, or not!

When this came out, Sammy and Eddie were on the cover of Guitar Player magazine - Eddie had a (Kramer-era) Sector fretless and in the article said he played a lot of fretless. Fairly sure the bass was white. Remember reading it at the newstand

Found the cover:

 

[Dr. Cheese]

When this came out, Sammy and Eddie were on the cover of Guitar Player magazine - Eddie had a (Kramer-era) Sector fretless and in the article said he played a lot of fretless. Fairly sure the bass was white.

Found the cover:

View attachment 4026900

I remember that issue!

 

[Jamie_Funk]

Here is an article about it - Eddie produced it. I recall him saying "I have to play on your album" to Sammy and he ended up handling all the bass.

30 Years Ago: Sammy Hagar Releases 'I Never Said Goodbye' with Eddie Van Halen on Bass

 

[Jamie_Funk]

I remember that issue!

Pre-bass Player Magazine I think - a few years ago

 

[Jamie_Funk]

Turns out it WAS a Steinberger on the album. the comments about playing the Spector a lot I now recall were simply about the fact he played bass a lot on his own.

 

[Hummergeist]

Turns out it WAS a Steinberger on the album. the comments about playing the Spector a lot I now recall were simply about the fact he played bass a lot on his own.

Nice one...and those Spectors are so sweet too...

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Very talented musician.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I remember getting that issue of Guitar Player when it hit the newsstands. Ed's extremely good at bass! He also played bass on Sammy's song "Winner takes it all" from the movie "Over the top", which came out in February 1987- way before Sammy's "I never said Goodbye". He does some cool tapping on the bass.

 

[Killing Floor]

Sure. But M Anthony made better hot sauce.

 

[corinpills]

I've never heard it, but supposedly he originally doubled the intro to "Hot For Teacher" on bass- which predates some of the crazy double tapping Billy Sheehan and Steve Vai did in Dave's solo band. It was decided that it was a bit too much on top of how busy the drums are there and Michael Anthony got out of having to try to pull that off live. I bet it exists somewhere in a box of cassettes at 5150, though.

 

[bloobass]

His bass playing on "Give to Live" is a lesson in great melodic bass playing while still keeping a slightly aggressive edge.

 

[Chrisk-K]

When this came out, Sammy and Eddie were on the cover of Guitar Player magazine - Eddie had a (Kramer-era) Sector fretless and in the article said he played a lot of fretless. Fairly sure the bass was white. Remember reading it at the newstand

Found the cover:

View attachment 4026900

That issue and the Police’s synchronicity tour made me buy several cheap white basses! Someday I will own a white Spector.

 

[Thebiggestjerk]

I think it's interesting that Eddie played on Sammy's album, rather than Michael.

But in general, I think very highly of EVH from the fact that he would let his own son (Wolfgang) play bass. I think he was a fine father and human being, as well as musician.

He recorded it at 5150 and was needed because for Sam to stay in the band he needed to deliver the a new record and EVH helped him.