The Johnny Beane Podcast

Meet the Lekato ME05 Multi-Effects Processor—a compact, all-in-one guitar powerhouse that looks like it came straight out of a retro handheld game console… but don’t let the size fool you. This little unit packs a serious punch. The ME05 features a full range of built-in effects including distortion, overdrive, delay, reverb, modulation, and amp modeling—giving you everything from crystal-clean to...

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we dive into an incredible, nerve-wracking, and unforgettable moment in guitar history. Nuno Bettencourt shares the story of the day he finally came face-to-face with Eddie Van Halen in 1991—and everything changed. What do you even play when you’re handed Eddie’s guitar? According to Nuno… pure panic. Fresh off recording Pornograffitti, Nuno found himself...

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we celebrate a major milestone in rock history—on April 26, 1986, 5150 hit #1 on the Billboard 200 and changed the band’s trajectory forever. With Sammy Hagar stepping in alongside Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony, this album introduced a new era—and a whole new sound. Where were you when you first heard 5150? What did you think the fir...

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen on Johnny Beane TV, we dive into a wild festival moment as David Lee Roth makes a surprise appearance at the Stagecoach Festival! Joining forces once again with Teddy Swims, the two deliver an electrifying performance of the Van Halen classic “Jump,” following Swims’ standout sets at Coachella. After performing tracks like “Mr. Know It All” and “Some Things...

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we’re talking with David Bertinelli about his life behind the lens and his time on the road during the rise of Van Halen. From touring moments to behind-the-scenes access, David shares what it was really like being there as the band took over the world. As the brother of Valerie Bertinelli and family to Eddie Van Halen, he had a unique vantage point—captur...

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we’re diving into an awesome moment every VH fan needs to see. Greg Bissonette — known to fans for his work with David Lee Roth — takes on one of Alex Van Halen’s most legendary drum performances: Unchained. In a killer new clip from Drumeo, Bissonette breaks down the groove behind this Fair Warning classic—locking into the feel that gave Van Halen their h...

On this episode, we pay tribute to Dave Mason — co-founder of Traffic and the iconic voice behind “We Just Disagree.” The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame–inducted guitarist, also known for “Only You Know and I Know,” has passed away at the age of 79. According to a statement shared with Rolling Stone, Mason’s family expressed “deep and profound sadness,” honoring a life devoted to music and the people...

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen on Johnny Beane TV 🎸🔥, we’re diving into one of the BIGGEST Record Store Day drops of the year—Van Halen: Live in New Haven 1986 on vinyl from Rhino Records! This is the FIRST-EVER vinyl release of this legendary 5150-era performance—pressed on a stunning 2LP clear vinyl set—featuring the powerhouse lineup of Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen,...

David Lee Roth just lit the fuse on his 2026 run—reportedly titled the “Don’t Love Me, Rent Me Tour”—and he’s not easing into it. “Diamond Dave” stormed the stage with a full-throttle opening punch: “Panama,” “Drop Dead Legs,” and “Romeo Delight”—a killer trio that had the crowd instantly fired up. Then came the curveball… He downshifted into “Little Dreamer” from Van Halen—a deep cut he hadn’t pe...

David Lee Roth made another surprise appearance during Teddy Swims' set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Friday, April 17, 2026, where they performed the Van Halen classic "Jump". #DavidLeeRoth #TeddySwims #VanHalen #Jump #Coachella #Coachella2026 #CoachellaValleyMusicAndArtsFestival #SurprisePerformance

Tonight on Exclusively Van Halen, we’re diving into the making of 5150—the album that changed everything for Van Halen. After the departure of David Lee Roth, the band brought in Sammy Hagar and kicked off a whole new era. We’ll talk about how Eddie Van Halen expanded the band’s sound with keyboards, the pressure of creating a make-or-break record, and the role Mick Jones played in shaping the alb...

🎧 Celebrating Diver Down – Van Halen’s Classic Album (Released April 14, 1982) Van Halen’s fifth studio album, Diver Down, was released on April 14, 1982, and remains one of the band’s most recognizable and commercially successful records. The album spent an impressive 65 weeks on the U.S. Billboard charts and had sold over 4 million copies in the United States by 1998, solidifying its place in r...

On this episode of Talking Guitars, we explore an incredible collection of rock and roll history now up for auction through Backstage Auctions. This remarkable lineup of instruments—once owned, played, or modified by legends like Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, and Keith Richards—is expected to fetch a combined total of more than $1.5 million. One of the standout pieces is a Don Musser acoustic gui...

On this Straturday episode, we bring a Dean Playmate electric guitar back to life! 🔧🎸 Watch as we restring, clean, and explore this cool budget axe featuring a humbucker and single-coil pickup configuration. These guitars were produced sometime between the mid-to-late 1980s and the 1990s, but the exact year remains a mystery. If you have any insights, be sure to drop a comment and share your kno...

What does it really take to become a guitar virtuoso? According to Steve Vai, the answer is surprisingly simple—yet incredibly demanding. In this episode, we dive into Vai’s powerful insight that elite-level guitar playing isn’t a mystery at all. It’s an “intellectual exercise” built on relentless discipline, focus, and countless hours of dedicated practice. From the explosive shred era of the 198...

Rock history met the desert today at Coachella 2026 when David Lee Roth made a surprise appearance during Teddy Swims’ set. Roth hit the stage for a high-energy performance of Jump, sending the crowd into a frenzy as one of Van Halen’s biggest anthems echoed across the festival grounds. The appearance was part of a stacked set that featured multiple surprise guests, but Roth’s return to a major li...

🚨 Van Halen’s 5150 Makes History in the UK! 🚨 On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen, we dive into an incredible story—Van Halen’s iconic album 5150 has become a UK bestseller more than 40 years after its original release! 🎉 Released in 1986, 5150 marked a pivotal moment for the band as Sammy Hagar stepped in as the new lead singer following the departure of David Lee Roth. The result? A mass...

We’re going live right now on Exclusively Van Halen to talk about some very sad news in the VH world… the passing of Donn Landee. Donn wasn’t just an engineer—he was a huge part of the sound of Van Halen from the very beginning. From the early records to the work at 5150 Studios with Eddie Van Halen, his impact is all over the music we love. That signature tone, the space, the power—that was Donn...

On this episode, we upgrade my Squier Strat with a Hot Rail in the bridge—and it absolutely rips! 🔥 Huge thanks to RJ’s Cave for hooking it up. I walk you through the install and then crank it up so you can hear just how powerful this pickup sounds in this guitar. If you want one, hit the link below! https://www.ebay.com/usr/rjscave A Hot Rails pickup is a high-output humbucker designed to fit in...

On this episode of Talking Guitars & Music News, we dive into the legendary 5150 tone! 🔥 A question from the chat sent us back through the archives, so we’re revisiting some killer moments featuring the EVH 5150 Iconic amp—and even firing up the classic Peavey 5150 for comparison. Pure tone, pure history, pure Van Halen vibes. 🤘 And don’t miss it—Workbench Wednesday is happening tomorrow. See yo...

Today we’re cracking open the brand new expanded edition of 5150 — the game-changing 1986 release that launched a bold new era for Van Halen with Sammy Hagar on vocals! This is the album that delivered massive hits like “Why Can’t This Be Love,” “Dreams,” and “Love Walks In” — and became the band’s FIRST #1 record, redefining their sound and legacy forever. In this episode of Exclusively Van Halen...

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen on Johnny Beane TV, we dive into an incredible story from Guitar Player that sheds new light on the early days of Eddie Van Halen—before the tapping, before the whammy bar, and before the world knew his name. George Lynch shares firsthand memories of witnessing Eddie in his rawest form on the Sunset Strip—back when he was playing a Les Paul through a Fender...

Join me on Exclusively Van Halen as we celebrate the anniversary of Van Halen’s legendary third album, Women and Children First! Released on March 26, 1980, this album marked a heavier, more experimental sound for the band, featuring iconic tracks like: 🎸 "And the Cradle Will Rock..." 🎸 "Everybody Wants Some!!" 🎸 "Fools" 🎸 "Romeo Delight" 🎸 "Tora! Tora!" / "Loss of Control" 🎸 "Take Your Whis...

The EVH 5150® Series DX with baked maple is built for speed, comfort, and full-throttle performance—blending classic Van Halen vibe with modern upgrades. It features a modified Strat-style basswood body, a graphite-reinforced baked maple neck, and a 12"-16" compound radius fingerboard with jumbo frets for smooth, fast playability. Loaded with dual EVH Wolfgang® Alnico 2 humbuckers, you get punchy,...

Margaret Scranton is a veteran guitarist, songwriter, and music educator with over 38 years of experience. Her work is influenced by classic rock and metal icons like Randy Rhoads, Van Halen, and Ozzy Osbourne. She leads the band SCRANTON and has performed with several tribute groups like The Hormones (a Ramones tribute). Discography: Her solo albums include Born Ready and Old School Rant, which a...