Today, on the day of Eddie's death, I just happen to learn of his uncredited playing on this song. I listen to it now, a song I've never heard before in my life, a piece of Eddie's playing that is entirely new to me, on the very day he was taken away. A final gift to me from Ed. He has no way of knowing that he has given me so much. Thank you, Ed.
And to thank him, Nicolette sings background vocals on "Could this be Magic?", from Van Halen's 1980 album, "Women and Children First". She's the only woman to sing background vocals on any Van Halen track ever.
Ed is simply smokin on this track. That tone of his is right there. Ypu can hear the younger Ed just explode on this track. Such a shame he was taken away from us,65 is way too young man. RIP Edward.
I go back to this song every couple of years at least. Its SUPER fun to play along with because Ed was so relaxed and not interested in laying down something impossible to play for the rest of us. His unmistaken ability and Nicolette's verbal response post-song is simply classic.
Lifelong Van Halen fan and here I am in late 2023 discovering this. Only because I a few minutes ago finished the biography of Ted Templeman. After this I have to check out "Could This Be Magic?" to hear HER voice on a VH record! Never too late to learn new stuff!
eddie clearly contributing the middle solo and the solo bit at the very end....and yes...nicolette is heard singing back up harmonies on "could this be magic" from women and children first .she was also a maid of honor at eddie and valerie's wedding....
+bach5150 I was surprised to learn this out myself , having been remembering her from her beautiful singing on Neil Young's cover of 'Four Strong Winds' .
How did I not know about this? So EVH was a formidable session guitarist as well? He was able to blend perfectly in this track. What a great song and great vocals.
A random comment on a Van Halen song brought me here. Never knew Ed played on this but hearing it I can definitely tell it's him. Love finding new pieces by him.
This may have been one of Ed’s best guitar tracks ever because it made total sense with the song. It told a story he got in there and then he got out of there at the right time. I thought it was brilliant
I wandered into this song via the same route, Templeman's book. Amusing that the other guys in Van Halen wanted Eddie to do this uncredited so it wouldn't dilute their brand!
It's funny....I've known for many many years that he played on Nicolette, but never thought about listening to it, until today. Was watching the Dweezil Zappa round table chats with Sunset Sound studios here on YT, where they again talk about Eddie's participation on Nicolette. So, finally, here I am. A little bit more of Eddie that we can learn about, experience, and share.
Steve Newton : Also on your first album is a tune called "Can't Get Away From You", and on that song's credits there's a question mark where the lead guitarist's name should be. Who was that mystery player? Nicolette Larson : Eddie Van Halen. He didn't want his name used because they were Van Halen and that's all there was to it. That was when they were just starting, and they were very much into being just Van Halen and nothing else.
He also went intentionally uncredited on Michael Jackson's iconic song " Beat It " . From what I've read here, that was due to complaints about him doing side projects from Alex and Dave. They gave their blessing as long as he didn't put his name on it. Although it really didn't matter because his playing and tone was unmistakable, as soon as you heard it, you knew that it was Eddie! But I'm sure that you knew that already!
I don't know what the rub here is... This song, and album, was produced by Ted Templeman in 1978, and if Eddie VanHalen plays rhythm guitar on this track, it makes perfect sense since Templeman helped get VanHalen signed at Warner Brothers, and he produced their first 6 albums.
My mom bought this album when it came out. I am a huge VH fan. EVH inspired me to pick up the guitar. I thought I knew everything he was part of. As many times, as I heard this track, when my mom played it... I never knew EVH played the solo. 🤦♂️
You are right , Kevin has never actually met Eddie and the book Kevin wrote is compiled from many, many sources ( TV interviews, radio interviews, other books,magazines, phone interviews, etc..) While Kevin never interviewed Eddie he did meticulous research and is extremely detailed orientated. In short, Kevin probably sighted 2-3 sources to back up the role Eddie played in this tune.
Came here to hear EVH cuz I just heard he played on it due to the same producer Ted Templeman... she also sang backup on 'Could this be Magic' film women and children first...
It's too bad Eddie seemed to feel the need to hide working with other people. Working with other artists is good for the soul. I know he did the guitar solo on Beat It and he collaborated with Thomas Dolby back in the day. His guitar idol Eric Clapton worked with so many different quality musicians that it made your head spin.
Eddie probably did this as a favor to Ted Templeman (VH1 was released about 7 months before this record, and Templeman produced both) Interestingly, Eddie doesn’t even use tapping on this. Nice shredding at the end, though.
@@Taylor-hu2no I just heard the sad news that Eddie Van Halen died today after a battle with cancer. He was 65. This is a real sad loss and indeed a huge blow for 2020! RIP EVH.
@@Taylor-hu2no I know. I am still in shock. I was very lucky I got the chance to see Van Halen perform live in 2004 in San Antonio, Texas. EVH was indeed a hell of an awesome guitarist. What a sad loss!
Thomas Sealy That’s completely false: Nicolette Larson was NOT the only woman to a appear on a Van Halen album -- David Lee Roth appeared on several Van Halen albums
@@wildmercuryfilmsHA! Good one.. My theory, after reading Templeman's book, is that Nicollette was brought in on "Could This Be Magic" to help pull Roth through vocally. Templeman says that they were constantly fighting to get Roth's vocals down. Since she was a friend and he produced her, I bet she was just there and he was like "hey I can solve this problem right now since Nicolette is here."
It was the whole track! Larson and Eddie were so good fellows that she sang at his marriage with Valerie Bertinelli, back in the day. And Larson alsdo provided some backgroung vocals (uncredited) on Van Halen's first two records!
Today, on the day of Eddie's death, I just happen to learn of his uncredited playing on this song. I listen to it now, a song I've never heard before in my life, a piece of Eddie's playing that is entirely new to me, on the very day he was taken away. A final gift to me from Ed. He has no way of knowing that he has given me so much. Thank you, Ed.
Unbelievable! The tears are welling. Don't know what to say
I'm here for the same reason. Had no idea!
882952 I knew of it but never looked it up. Until that sad day as well.
Check out ERIC JOHNSON with Carol King!!!
Me too.
And to thank him, Nicolette sings background vocals on "Could this be Magic?", from Van Halen's 1980 album, "Women and Children First". She's the only woman to sing background vocals on any Van Halen track ever.
Ed is simply smokin on this track. That tone of his is right there. Ypu can hear the younger Ed just explode on this track. Such a shame he was taken away from us,65 is way too young man.
RIP Edward.
I go back to this song every couple of years at least. Its SUPER fun to play along with because Ed was so relaxed and not interested in laying down something impossible to play for the rest of us. His unmistaken ability and Nicolette's verbal response post-song is simply classic.
RIP Eddie Van Halen - great playing on this song from Nicolette Larson.
RIP Nicollete too, one off the Best singers in ALL times.
Lifelong Van Halen fan and here I am in late 2023 discovering this. Only because I a few minutes ago finished the biography of Ted Templeman. After this I have to check out "Could This Be Magic?" to hear HER voice on a VH record! Never too late to learn new stuff!
Same! TT Bio brought me here!
eddie clearly contributing the middle solo and the solo bit at the very end....and yes...nicolette is heard singing back up harmonies on "could this be magic" from women and children first .she was also a maid of honor at eddie and valerie's wedding....
"Could This be Magic?" is on Women And Children First.
+bach5150
I was surprised to learn this out myself , having been remembering her from her beautiful singing on Neil Young's cover of 'Four Strong Winds' .
@@KevyNova ummm yea
Ed’s playing all guitars
Two notes in, you know it's Eddie... even though he's not (intentionally) credited on the song. 💗🎶
The Eddie solo no one knew. Thank you.
How did I not know about this? So EVH was a formidable session guitarist as well? He was able to blend perfectly in this track. What a great song and great vocals.
VH was down the hall recording VH1. They asked Eddie to come play on this one song.
She sang background on Van Halen's Could This Be Magic from Diver Down.
@@TheKitchenerLesliewomen and children first not diver down
@@denz180 lol yea right pffft
A random comment on a Van Halen song brought me here. Never knew Ed played on this but hearing it I can definitely tell it's him. Love finding new pieces by him.
Goodbye Eddie hope you and Nicolette sing in Heaven now.
This may have been one of Ed’s best guitar tracks ever because it made total sense with the song. It told a story he got in there and then he got out of there at the right time. I thought it was brilliant
RIP Eddie Van Halen (today October 6, 2020) and Nicolette Larson (December 16, 1997)
And Bobby LaKind of the Doobie Brothers who played percussion on this track.
Ah, had to come back to this one for the king. Happy Trails
Proof that she could rock out too. Great voice. RIP
And RIP to Eddie Van Halen who also kicked ass on lead guitar on this killer track. What a sad loss today in music.
She sang background on Van Halen's Could This Be Magic from Diver Down.
The Producer Ted Templeman's new book is great and has a story about this record and Eddie Van Halen playing on it. Great book.
Ted Templeman
I wandered into this song via the same route, Templeman's book. Amusing that the other guys in Van Halen wanted Eddie to do this uncredited so it wouldn't dilute their brand!
Never knew about this - just read it in the Templeman book too.
@@MichaelCoffman Ditto. It has the Ted Templeman production sound.
That’s why I’m here too!!
It's funny....I've known for many many years that he played on Nicolette, but never thought about listening to it, until today. Was watching the Dweezil Zappa round table chats with Sunset Sound studios here on YT, where they again talk about Eddie's participation on Nicolette. So, finally, here I am. A little bit more of Eddie that we can learn about, experience, and share.
RIP Nicolette, Edward
RIP Eddie Van Halen
Uncredited EVH I’m the late 70s is a crack up. “Who could be playing that guitar part? So hard to tell.”
Steve Newton : Also on your first album is a tune called "Can't Get Away From You", and on that song's credits there's a question mark where the lead guitarist's name should be. Who was that mystery player?
Nicolette Larson : Eddie Van Halen. He didn't want his name used because they were Van Halen and that's all there was to it. That was when they were just starting, and they were very much into being just Van Halen and nothing else.
Anyone else is here from the The Making of the 1984 Album | The Van Halen Fan-Made 1984 Documentary Episode 3???
I think Nicolette is the only female singer to ever sing backup on a Van Halen album as well.
Voices and strings, good good stuff. January 2023 ✌️
She had a pure voice that could sing just about anything 😊.
Eddie Van Halen is all over this song.
Eddie Van Halen plays guitar on this track, although uncredited on the album liner notes.
He also went intentionally uncredited on Michael Jackson's iconic song " Beat It " . From what I've read here, that was due to complaints about him doing side projects from Alex and Dave. They gave their blessing as long as he didn't put his name on it.
Although it really didn't matter because his playing and tone was unmistakable, as soon as you heard it, you knew that it was Eddie!
But I'm sure that you knew that already!
@@Impalaman1968 No, he was always credited on "Beat It".
The funny thing is that in the same session Van Halen (full band) sang a cover of Nicolette's Lotta Love, retitled Lotta Drugs...
I don't know what the rub here is... This song, and album, was produced by Ted Templeman in 1978, and if Eddie VanHalen plays rhythm guitar on this track, it makes perfect sense since Templeman helped get VanHalen signed at Warner Brothers, and he produced their first 6 albums.
My mom bought this album when it came out. I am a huge VH fan. EVH inspired me to pick up the guitar. I thought I knew everything he was part of. As many times, as I heard this track, when my mom played it... I never knew EVH played the solo. 🤦♂️
Reading Ted Templeman’s autobiography and just heard about Ed playing on this! Awesome!✌️🤟🤘
Its gonna take a Lotta Drugs........
😄I love that disco song VH made during the Demo Daze.
The piano bit in the beginning comes from Stars and Stripes Forever if anybody was wondering.
I had no idea Eddie played on this! What a nice surprise!
The greatest of all times Edward Van Halen!!
King Edward r.I.p.
Incredible Easter egg!
Voice of an angel. Thank you Ted Templeman!
You are right , Kevin has never actually met Eddie and the book Kevin wrote is compiled from many, many sources ( TV interviews, radio interviews, other books,magazines, phone interviews, etc..) While Kevin never interviewed Eddie he did meticulous research and is extremely detailed orientated. In short, Kevin probably sighted 2-3 sources to back up the role Eddie played in this tune.
@brandonkristi LOL! I'm reading that book, came across this info and rushed to RUclips and just saw your comment. Very cool!
That’s Eddie, oh my!! 🤘😉
no, no eddie plays from start to finish of this song. with a few overdubs by another guitarist. Ed's tone is unmistakable.
Reading Ted Templeman's book he claims Ed only played the solo.
Strange cause the main riff has the attack and the sound of Edward too.
Eddie plays it pretty straight. Talk about holding back.
R.I.P. Eddie Van Halen
❤️
Came here to hear EVH cuz I just heard he played on it due to the same producer Ted Templeman... she also sang backup on 'Could this be Magic' film women and children first...
Edward played the entire track.
Not sure ted templeman said he did the solo she returned the favor and sang back up on " could this be magic off of woman and children first album
@Uba - Just the solo. Not the whole track.
@@rh3774: I would have to disagree, listening to the rhythm track and all the fills, it sounds a lot like Ed.
@@legatomisterioso7 but there were three other studio guitarists on the album besides Ed
@@BillDerBerg Any proof? I’m not denying your claim yet, just wondering. Heck, I’m only going off the tone and phrasing of the parts haha
I never knew she sang part of the course on - Van Halen's women and children first - until today
What!
I know it's her album, but they REALLY buried the guitar during her singing.
Her name is on the album - not his.
Also, what many don't know is that Eddie asked Nicolette if she wanted to front VH after Roth's departure.
a toe tapper with unmistakable guitar
It's too bad Eddie seemed to feel the need to hide working with other people. Working with other artists is good for the soul. I know he did the guitar solo on Beat It and he collaborated with Thomas Dolby back in the day. His guitar idol Eric Clapton worked with so many different quality musicians that it made your head spin.
He also played on Lost Boys Calling by Roger Waters
Thanks for letting me know that. I'll look that one up. I believe Eddie was a pretty big fan of Waters, if I remember correctly.
LS, in Ted Templeman's book, he says Alex and Dave didn't want him doing it so that was the compromise - to do it but keep his name out of it.
RIP EVH
Eddie probably did this as a favor to Ted Templeman (VH1 was released about 7 months before this record, and Templeman produced both) Interestingly, Eddie doesn’t even use tapping on this. Nice shredding at the end, though.
John Doe There are many VH tunes without Eddie’s tapping. Listen to the entire VH catalog; it’s worth it.
@@Taylor-hu2no I just heard the sad news that Eddie Van Halen died today after a battle with cancer. He was 65. This is a real sad loss and indeed a huge blow for 2020! RIP EVH.
Jennifer Felan Gut wrenching. He was our Mozart and will be cherished for many moons to come. 2020’s been one big clusterfuck... now this.
@@Taylor-hu2no I know. I am still in shock. I was very lucky I got the chance to see Van Halen perform live in 2004 in San Antonio, Texas. EVH was indeed a hell of an awesome guitarist. What a sad loss!
I think you'll hear some tapping at the start of his outro solo. The rest is tap free.
yea Eddie plays the entire track....Just read the Eddie Van Halen Biography that confirms it. Written by Kevin Dodds
あーエディのギターだわｗｗｗｗｗ
like a dance the night away
this shows how humble ed is... not after the credits
No, it was a compromise because Dave didn't want Ed credited on it.
Oh yeah...thats eddy all the way through. It's obvious...nice.
Didn't Eddie do this song as a favor for Nicolette singing on "Could this be Magic". I think she is the only woman to sing on a Van Halen album
jrfoster88 she sung on could this be magic as a favor to Eddie playing on this song she is the only female to appear on a van Halen album
Thomas Sealy That’s completely false: Nicolette Larson was NOT the only woman to a appear on a Van Halen album -- David Lee Roth appeared on several Van Halen albums
@@wildmercuryfilms whatever trolling pos
@@wildmercuryfilmsHA! Good one.. My theory, after reading Templeman's book, is that Nicollette was brought in on "Could This Be Magic" to help pull Roth through vocally. Templeman says that they were constantly fighting to get Roth's vocals down. Since she was a friend and he produced her, I bet she was just there and he was like "hey I can solve this problem right now since Nicolette is here."
Just read a Van Halen discography that got me here. Had no Idea. Definitely Eddie
Eddie!
yea that was Eddie alright
Eddie van Halen in 1977 when he did this for her
Rip
This was out 36 years ago early 1979 it was cold then like it is cold now in early 2015.
Davin Dx But it didn't snow that winter
Andrew Gold trying to make Nicolette into another Linda...and that's cool...
Eddie van Halen on guitar...😊
Eddie should've done a side project with nicolette larson, would've been amazing to hear those two together in a band
I read EVH was wanting PATTY SMYTHE to replace DLR. That could have been VERY interesting.
Eddie.. VH.
Ed-ee! Ed-ee! Ed-ee!
@NBZS99 Wikipedia states that Eddie Van Halen only played the solo on this song, or is it the whole guitar track?
It was the whole track! Larson and Eddie were so good fellows that she sang at his marriage with Valerie Bertinelli, back in the day. And Larson alsdo provided some backgroung vocals (uncredited) on Van Halen's first two records!
If you actually listen to Van Halen you wouldn't have asked that question. It's mistakenly Ed from start to finish.
@@ronaldofortunato4486 no. She only did backing vocals on "Could This Be Magic?" Off their third album Women And Children First.
Why am I just wondering about this now I feel so ashamed to say so 😢
The great Eddie Van Halen on guitar
Ted Templeman's autobiography brought me here.
same!
"DWEEZIL ZAPPA. Van Halen Rd Table pt. 1 Sunset Sound Recorders" brought me here.
A couple of weirdos voted this down. Come on now....
5 people can get away from me.
Eddie
the common thread is Ted Templeton
Eddie Van Halen on guitar
the cowbell is annoying
The answer: Needs more cowbell!!!
This guitarist thinks he's Eddie Van Halen. Oh wait.