Eddie Van Halen: The 1991 “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” Interview (Audio)

The World Debut of One of EVH’s Happiest Interviews

Here is the world debut of one of Eddie Van Halen’s happiest interviews. On the day it took place he was celebrating the recent birth of his son Wolfgang, his relationship with Valerie was going strong, and he’d just completed the new Van Halen album.

Our interview took place on the morning of May 20, 1991, in the control room of Eddie’s spacious home studio. Cigarettes, tools, bottlecaps, a bowl of guitar slides, and Motley Crue and Led Zeppelin CDs littered the console. “Before we do the interview,” Eddie said, “I want you to hear the new album.” He cued up an advance reference CD of For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, the first Van Halen album in three years, and showed me the slider to control the volume. “Hope ya like it,” he said with a smile before disappearing out the door.

As the album finished playing, Eddie returned and flipped a switch that lit up two large rooms on the other side of the control room window. The first contained his instruments and amps, the other his brother Alex’s drum rig. We went right into the wide-ranging interview you’re about to hear.

As I recently listened back to it for the first time in 34 years, I was struck by how joyful and relaxed Eddie sounds. This is how I like to remember him—happy about his music and happy about his life. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

The B&W Eddie Van Halen photo is by Jon Sievert. Portions of this interview were transcribed and printed in the August 1991 issue of Guitar Player. Thanks to engineer/producer Nik Hunt for filming the intro and enhancing the sound of the 34-year-old master tape. And thanks to the Van Halen News Desk and my cousin Johnny Beane for their ongoing support and encouragement of all things Van Halen.

If you haven’t already heard them, I invite you to listen to my other interviews with Eddie and other members of Van Halen. They’re available here on Substack as well as on my “Talking Guitar” YouTube channel (links below):

Eddie Van Halen: “My First Interviews” (Audio)

Eddie Van Halen: The Complete 1979 Interview (Audio)

Eddie Van Halen: The Complete 1980 Interview - Tape 1 (Audio)

Eddie Van Halen: The Complete 1980 Interview - Tape 2 (Audio)

Eddie Van Halen: The Complete 1980 Interview - Tape 3 (Audio)

Eddie Van Halen: The Complete 1980 Interview - Tape 4 (Audio)

Eddie Van Halen Plays, Sings, and Hums Unreleased Van Halen Songs (Tape 5 Audio)

Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar: The 1987 Interview, Part 1 (Audio)

Eddie Van Halen and Sammy Hagar: The 1987 Interview, Part 2 (Audio)

Van Halen’s Michael Anthony: The Complete 1981 Interview (Audio)

Thanks to engineer/producer Nik Hunt for enhancing the sound of the original master tape.

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