Throwback: That Time Eddie Van Halen Drove A Tank Through L.A.
Rock and Roll history is full of crazy stories. And this one, starring Eddie Van Halen is no different. Except it totally is. When listening to the wild stories of…
Rock and Roll history is full of crazy stories. And this one, starring Eddie Van Halen is no different. Except it totally is.
When listening to the wild stories of rock and roll musicians, army tanks usually aren't part of it. Ozzy Osbourne biting heads off bats. The Red Hot Chili Peppers playing concerts in just socks. The Who throwing TV's into swimming pools. And, of course, pretty much any Iggy Pop show had a crazy tale. And all of these stories were usually involving some form of indecent exposure.
Not this time. This one didn't happen on stage or in a trashed hotel room. Or with anyone naked. This story involves two musicians, an army tank, and one ticked off Eddie Van Halen.
Loudersound.com reported this story that comes from a photobook called Eruption in the Canyon: 212 Days & Nights With the Genius of Eddie Van Halen. In the book, author Andrew Bennett details the time Eddie Van Halen jammed with Limp Bizkit frontman, Fred Durst.
At first, everything was pleasant.
Limp Bizkit had just lost their guitarist, Wes Borland in 2001. The band was looking for a new one. Durst and EVH met up at this time at a party. According to Bennett, that's when a record-label executive suggested the two work together. In his photobook, Bennett says that Durst was elated at the idea of working with Eddie Van Halen. But also very aware that EVH was way out of their band's league.
Still, Durst didn't miss an opportunity to work with a guitar legend. Plus, they didn’t have their own guitarist to play with. EVH was game to play too. At least at first. This story could have just been a fun jam session amongst musicians. But that's not how it turned out. Here's what happened next. - Wendy
ADLC via Getty ImagesDrone view of Beverly Hills in California
Kevin Winter / Staff via Getty ImagesINGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Musician Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs at their dress rehearsal for family and friends at the Forum on February 8, 2012 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
David Livingston / Stringer via Getty ImagesWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 05: Musician Eddie Van Halen arrives at the 14th Annual Elton John Academy Awards viewing party held at the Pacific Design Center on March 5, 2006 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Bruce Bennett / Staff via Getty ImagesBROOKLYN, NEW YORK - APRIL 14: A recreational marijuana smoker indulges in smoking weed on April 14, 2020 in the Bushwick section of the Brooklyn borough of New York City. As some smokers turn to smoking weed to ease their stress during the coronavirus pandemic, some doctors are warning that cannabis can cause airway inflammation that could cause complications should a user become a victim of COVID-19. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
José Antonio Luque Olmedo via Getty ImagesRed electric guitar plugged into large speaker. Close up of amplifier controls with blur effect on background. Playing guitar in home.
Getty Images / Stringer via Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES - APRIL 19: Singer Fred Durst displays a candy bar backstage during a concert at Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard April 19, 2003 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jessica Silverstein/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter / Staff via Getty ImagesEddie Van Halen at the premiere of 'America's Sweethearts' at the Village Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. 7/17/01. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Garry518 via Getty Imagesgreen camouflage armor - tank close up
Eddie Van Halen owned a tank that he had bought at a military auction. He drove it all the way through Beverly Hills to the house where Limp Bizkit was rehearsing that day.
Amy Sussman / Staff via Getty ImagesHOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 22: Fred Durst attends the premiere of Quiver Distribution's "The Fanatic" at the Egyptian Theatre on August 22, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
Frazer Harrison / Staff via Getty ImagesSTUDIO CITY, CA - JANUARY 09: Musician Eddie Van Halen donates 75 electric guitars from his personal collection to The Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports music education in public schools across the country, on January 9, 2012 in Studio City, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Frederick M. Brown / Stringer via Getty ImagesWESTWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 13: Recording artist Fred Durst attends the film premiere of "Friday After Next" at the Mann National Theatre on November 13, 2002 in Westwood, California. The film opens nationwide on November 22, 2002. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
Kevin Winter / Staff via Getty ImagesINGLEWOOD, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Musician Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen performs at their dress rehearsal for family and friends at the Forum on February 8, 2012 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
