Van Halen-Rutherford Project

**Little Dreamer** · 07.28.20, 04:20 PM

I was reading Mike Rutherford's book, The Living Years, and he talks about a collab with EVH that I had never heard about. Eddie, being a huge Genesis fan, had called him to work together in the mid-80s. He came to LA to work with Ed. But Ed told him "I always start my day at the studio at 2AM." Mike reluctantly agreed and showed up at 2AM at 5150 a couple of days in a row, but was exhausted by that schedule. After 3 days he couldn't take it and pulled the plug on the collaboration, as nothing good came out of it. Would've been interesting as they are two very different musical animals.

**DFVH5150** · 07.28.20, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Little Dreamer

I was reading Mike Rutherford's book, The Living Years, and he talks about a collab with EVH that I had never heard about. Eddie, being a huge Genesis fan, had called him to work together in the mid-80s. He came to LA to work with Ed. But Ed told him "I always start my day at the studio at 2AM." Mike reluctantly agreed and showed up at 2AM at 5150 a couple of days in a row, but was exhausted by that schedule. After 3 days he couldn't take it and pulled the plug on the collaboration, as nothing good came out of it. Would've been interesting as they are two very different musical animals.

I wonder if that was for the all-star album?

**Raldo** · 07.29.20, 05:56 AM

Never heard about this. Interesting combo.

**ziggysmalls** · 07.29.20, 08:05 AM

That is cool. I never knew he was a Genesis fan. Always thought his early keyboard work was influenced by Tony Banks. Guess it makes sense now considering he was a fan of them

**Little Dreamer** · 07.29.20, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by ziggysmalls

That is cool. I never knew he was a Genesis fan. Always thought his early keyboard work was influenced by Tony Banks. Guess it makes sense now considering he was a fan of them

He often talks about Peter Gabriel, thought about Phil Collins for his all-star record, and almost worked with Mike Rutherford.
Unfortunately, what was supposed to have been his big progressive rock record, VHIII, didn't turn out well...

**Simon Ribeiro** · 07.29.20, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Little Dreamer

He often talks about Peter Gabriel, thought about Phil Collins for his all-star record, and almost worked with Mike Rutherford. Unfortunately, what was supposed to have been his big progressive rock record, VHIII, didn't turn out well...

True that. EVH loves Peter Gabriel and most of his solo stuff.

And let's not forget - Before they called the band Van Halen, it used to be The Trojan Rubber Company, The Broken Combs, Rat Salad and even Genesis.