The Tapes Archive

This 1974 Ozzy Osbourne interview has never been heard until now. It's the earliest known long-form audio interview with the Prince of Darkness. It’s also the only audio interview with Ozzy relating to Black Sabbath’s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath album. It is recommended this interview be watched on YouTube so you can see the captions. Ozzy is hard to understand at times. https://youtu.be/-yRVDfrjs54The interview is conducted by Steve Rosen, one of the true legends in rock journalism. Rosen has a career spanning 50 years, thousands of articles, and several high-profile books with artists like Black Sabbath, Prince, Randy Rhoads, and others. But his most notable work is his recent Eddie Van Halen book, Tonechaser. Tonechaser is considered a must-have book for Eddie Van Halen fans and any music fan. No other book has uncovered so many untold stories about King Edward. To order Rosen's Tonechaser: https://bit.ly/3MSVTo9Check out Rosen's YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/49hIu1ZRead Rosen's article written about when he met Black Sabbath in 1974: https://bit.ly/45TxeWXIn the interview, Ozzy talks about: Early days of Black Sabbath Why Black Sabbath has stayed together, and why other bands break up Playing an honest gig Does he think about the money he’s making If he thinks Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is a different direction than previous Sabbath albums Why they didn’t record in LA again like they did with Vol.4 Whose idea it was to add strings to Sabbath Bloody Sabbath What the Sab 4 got tired of hearing about If he is fulfilled by being in Black Sabbath If he’s working on a solo record Why and what it was like producing Sabbath Bloody Sabbath by themselves If there is more of an emphasis on the lyrics on Sabbath Bloody Sabbath If Black Sabbath’s songs mirror society If he thinks the press is unfair to Black Sabbath If Sabbath is working on a new album His fondness for synthesizers and spacey music Why he wants to make a solo record How he’d like to learn how to play guitar His love for Rick Wakeman vs Keith Emerson If he would have Wakeman play on his solo album Being on the road and away from home The movie soundtrack he would have wanted to make He sums up his current feelings on Black Sabbath and his belief he has helped people See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Last week, we released an interview with David Lee Roth from 1984. This week, we are releasing another Roth interview, but 35 years later. We go from the height of Roth’s Van Halen career to his twilight years. I believe this interview is one of the most honest and humble interviews he’s ever given; he speaks very candidly on many topics. At the time of this interview in 2019, Roth was 65 years old and promoting his line of tattoo skin care products called Ink the Orginal. In the interview, Roth talks at great lengths about his parents and growing up, the beginning and ending with Van Halen, why he never got married, why he’s never happy, plus so much more. The interview was conducted by Debbie Millman and was originally aired on her award-winning awesome podcast Design Matters. We are so grateful that Ms. Millman is allowing us to share one of the most insightful David Lee Roth interviews with you. Please use the link below and subscribe to her podcast.Subscribe to Debbie Millan's Design Matters: https://www.designmattersmedia.com/00:00:00 - Intro to David Lee Roth interview00:01:17 - Debbie Millman intro00:02:19 - Start of David Lee Roth interview00:02:47 - His Uncle Manny Roth00:05:29 - His mother, Sibyl Roth, and her toughness on him00:07:49 - Wearing leg braces as a kid00:08:41 - His early jobs00:09:34 - Where his youthful drive came from00:11:14 - What the Roth family expected when they had get-togethers00:12:29 - When he first realized he had a talent for singing00:15:00 - Him being in plays as a child00:16:11 - He tells where he really learned to sing from00:18:59 - His parents threaten him with going to a foster home00:19:16 - If “bad” Dave comes from his mother00:21:08 - How he was taught to sing like the girls00:22:43 - How many instruments he plays00:23:25 - The first meeting with the Van Halen brothers00:26:31 - Why he and the Van Halen brothers were crosstown rivals00:28:26 - What inspired him to write music00:30:57 - The near-death experience that chokes him up even today00:34:38 - How much of his Playboy image is a story he was creating00:37:15 - If he is confident he would make it in show business00:37:33 - The idea of an album band00:39:00 - An obscure Dutch radio reference00:40:14 - Did they write Runnin’ with the Devil in 18 minutes00:42:25 - Who are the best teachers and coaches00:45:35 - When he has felt sorry for himself00:46:45 - Why he hasn’t fallen into a lot of traps, other Rock and Rollers did00:47:28 - Him stealing books00:48:31 - What kept him from succumbing to drug abuse00:49:55 - Where his ability to jump high comes from00:53:46 - Why did he leave Van Halen in 198500:54:38 - Why didn’t he ever get married00:56:44 - His ability to mimic others00:58:54 - The teleplay he has been working on for three years01:00:33 - Why his favorite audience is disbelieving nonbelievers01:01:29 - Why he isn’t happy01:02:14 - His window time01:02:53 - How he’s always solving a catastrophe01:05:12 - Why he decided to start Ink the Orginal01:07:43 - Why take his life in this direction01:09:41 - Tattoos today01:12:11 - The process of making his product01:13:53 - How the business is doing01:14:22 - The difference between having a tattoo today and 30 years ago01:17:37 - What advice would he give someone who has writer’s block01:19:28 - Squeezing every single moment out of lifeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A never-published interview with Van Halen's Diamond David Lee Roth. At the time of this interview in December 1984, Roth was 31 years old, and only months away from no longer being in Van Halen. In the interview, Roth talks about the future of Van Halen, his need for attention, whether he’s a bad role model, and what he wants on his tombstone. And in a Tapes Archive exclusive, Mr. Roth busts into an impromptu freestyle rap. The interview is conducted by a new Tapes Archive contributor, award-winning legendary entertainment journalist, screenwriter, producer, and author, Ethlie Ann Vare. For decades, Ethlie ruled musical taste and celebrity gossip in newspapers, magazines, and TV. Her Top 10 Syndicated column ROCK ON ran in 1,700 newspapers worldwide. She’s interviewed A-list movie celebrities like Johnny Depp and Nicholas Cage and rock royalty like Ozzy Osbourne and David Lee Roth. She wrote for Billboard, Daily Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter. She also reviewed rock concerts and albums for the New York Times, and discussed rock stars on The Gossip Show. Ms. Vare has more accomplishments than we have time to say here. Below is a link in to her website. We are honored she is allowing us to share some of her unpublished historical interviews with all of you. Ethlie Ann Vare's website https://ethlieannvare.com/Watch the captioned version https://youtu.be/QodtYVn7tDQ00:00 - Intro to David Lee Roth interview01:46 - Start of the David Lee Roth Interview02:57 - The rumors about Eddie Van Halen wanting to leave the band03:58 - Was it an ego blow with Van Halen’s album 1984 not hitting #1 on the charts05:22 - Playing Black Sabbath music while watching a football game05:49 - Was having a pop hit with “Jump” harmful to the band?06:57 - About his love life and what his type is08:38 - Who is the real David Lee Roth09:29 - How Roth is a bit of a loner, and his need for attention10:21 - How he’s critical of other bands12:03 - Roth does a freestyle rap. (Not kidding, not A.I.)12:52 - His first and other jobs as a teenager14:01 - Who manages his money14:39 - Where his next adventure will be15:05 - How does he defend the criticism that he’s a bad role model15:55 - What’s next for Van Halen16:29 - What’s the Van Halen groupie scene like17:02 - The Hot For Teacher video17:42 - The auditions for his music videos18:42 - What would he want on his tombstone19:04 - Answering machines19:44 - What he wants back19:55 - A scene he likes from the movie Cotton Club20:41 - His Harley Davidson21:41 - What type of car he drives22:11 - His height and weight22:41 - The movie Amadeus23:10 - He was just offered a low-budget film23:57 - Who’s going to remember him in 500 yearsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A never-published interview with the Red Rocker Sammy Hagar. At the time of this interview in 1997, Hagar was 50 years old, freshly out of Van Halen, and promoting his new album Marching to Mars and his upcoming tour. In the interview, Hagar talks in detail about how he saw the break-up between him and Van Halen, his dislike for manager Ray Daniels, and his new musician best buddy Mickey Hart.00:00 - Intro to Sammy Hagar interview01:21 - Why his new album is not more aggressive after being fired from Van Halen03:38 - Detailed backstory on why it ended with Van Halen and him05:16 - How manager Ray Danniels wanted more than his fair share of money07:08 - All about greed and lack of integrity07:47 - What he thinks Eddie Van Halen lied about08:43 - Why did he still thank Van Halen on his new album09:50 - The support of his fans10:34 - His disappointment in Eddie and Alex Van Halen11:50 - How does he think the upcoming Van Halen record with Gary Cherone will do12:55 - How Eddie Van Halen is a musician, not a songwriter13:38 - How Van Halen hired a 72-year-old to help with lyrics14:00 - All the producers’ Van Halen went through14:44 - If Van Halen’s next album fails with Cherone how will Hagar feel15:43 - How Michael Anthony was mistreated in Van Halen16:50 - What Los Tres Gusanos is17:13 - What are the stand-out songs on his new album Marching to Mars18:28 - How he got together with Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart19:49 - Mickey Hart as a musician20:28 - His touring plans21:37 - The business side of his tour22:51 - Did he get to talk to David Lee Roth and the difference in their Gary Cherone stories24:15 - When he finally busted Eddie Van Halen25:02 - What would he change if he were the overlord of pop music26:40 - What else does he have going onSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A never-published interview with Alex Van Halen. At the time of this interview in 1995, Alex was 42 years old and was promoting an upcoming Van Halen concert in British Columbia, Canada. In the interview, Alex talks about growing up and playing with his brother Eddie Van Halen, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" producer Bruce Fairbairn, and the best thing about being in Van Halen.The interview is conducted by a Tapes Archive contributor, Canadian music journalist and author Steve Newton. During his four decades as a freelance music writer, he has interviewed everyone from AC/DC to ZZTop. We highly recommend that you head over to his Patreon page patreon.com/earofnewt and check out over 400 of his exclusive interviews. For only $5, you get full access. We are not paid for this endorsement; we truly feel it’s money well spent.Read Newton's article based on this interview: https://bit.ly/3YOyBnILink to Newton's Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3WQBr9SFor zero money, you can head over to Newton’s website, earofnewt.com, where he has posted more than 3,000 of his interviews, album reviews, concert reviews, and horror movie reviews.Link to Newton's website: https://bit.ly/3ij9GIa00:00 - Intro01:38 - Start of Alex Van Halen Interview02:06 - His earliest memories of playing with his brother, Eddie Van Halen, and his dad’s musical career03:24 - Who the Van Halen brothers would try to emulate musically03:43 - Who were his drum gods when he first started playing04:39 - Playing with his dad’s Jazz band and if he took lessons05:39 - If Eddie was part of his dad’s band05:52 - When did he know Eddie Van Halen would be a legend and his own guitar-playing06:31 - Did he know early on how big Van Halen would become, and early days with the LA club scene07:00 - The night Warner Brothers saw them for the first time08:43 - What’s his favorite David Lee Roth Van Halen album is09:29 - The essence and core of Van Halen10:03 - How Sammy Hagar could have replaced Roth back in 197810:57 - How Van Halen has evolved since Sammy Hagar joined the band.11:58 - How producer Bruce Fairbairn got involved in producing “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge”13:34 - Van Halen’s process in picking a producer14:38 - Does he have any input into writing Van Halen songs?15:53 - How much longer does he see Van Halen rocking?16:26 - What’s the best thing about being in Van Halen16:41 - Alex talks about Van Halen’s USA Harvest can drive18:02 - Alex gives the name of the person Steve should talk to to get backstage.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we have Eddie Van Halen and Michael Anthony. At the time of this interview in 1989, Van Halen was in Japan promoting their OU812 tour and record.. In the interview, Van Halen talks about how Eddie wants to be remembered when he dies, David Lee Roth and Ted Templeman, their album OU812, why Eddie is still not 100% sober, and so much more. We have also added a bonus interview with Eddie alone from 1985.The interview is conducted by Steve Harris. To learn more about Steve, please check out our podcast-only interview with him, which is out now.00:00 - Intro01:03 - Start to Eddie Van Halen Michael Anthony interview01:15 - Is there a formula to make hit records?01:45 - Eddie Van Halen enters the conversation02:34 - Is Van Halen more like a family?03:03 - If David Lee Roth is a businessman04:13 - Is OU812 more straightforward?05:38 - How has the age of fans affected the music?06:42 - How Eddie wants to be remembered when he dies07:06 - What separates Eddie from his clones07:43 - Eddie talks about Jimmy Page08:28 - Can Van Halen burn out musically?08:55 - His playing when he first learned to play09:35 - If they think as they get older, they lose certain things09:59 - If they ever go back to the older Van Halen music and why he build 515011:03 - If Eddie ever becomes too indulgent12:02 - How much input do producers have? Talks about Ted Templeman and Mick Jones12:45 - David Lee Roth and Ted Templeman’s theory on covering hit songs13:46 - Guns ’n Roses14:12 - Drugs and drinking14:51 - Did Eddie ever go too far with partying?15:31 - With David Lee Roth leaving, did that lift a cloud?16:09 - Does Eddie need to drink to write music?18:03 - Did Eddie and Al go sober at the request of their father?18:40 - Eddie tells the band to calm down during their first tour19:22 - Van Halen band meetings19:48 - Is Van Halen a democracy?20:33 - What would Eddie have done if he wasn’t a guitarist21:21 - Eddie talks about playing piano as a kid23:09 - Does Van Halen bring out violent impulses from fans?23:42 - Does he like any current bands?24:27 - Sammy Hagar walks in24:56 - Why Eddie started playing guitar [Start of the interview from 1985]25:58 - Was his guitar like his friend26:51 - Al and Eddie money making scam28:08 - How Eddie depends on Alex, and how Al took over Ed’s drums30:58 - What makes Van Halen good?32:17 - When did Ed know Van Halen was something special?32:51 - His love for his guitar and family34:52 - What will it take for him to realize people appreciate him35:56 - Eddie avoiding fame36:28 - Why does he go onstage?37:34 - Does he feel like a rockstar?38:18 - What he dreamt of when he first started with Van Halen38:53 - Alex throwing drumsticks at him40:36 - Why he detunes41:18 - He hates books42:28 - The backstory to the song Girl Gone Bad44:05 - Why was 1984 important to Eddie’s mental health?44:56 - Eddie Van Halen plays Crossroads47:50 - How old was he when he learned Crossroads?48:10 - Is he happy while playing?48:41 - Why he likes being alone49:00 - Have people told him he was nuts?49:15 - How has the success of 1984 changed him50:06 - Did he think Jump would be a hit?50:49 - Does he get pleasure from playing music?51:40 - Could anyone play like Eddie?See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we have the one and only Diamond David Lee Roth. At the time of this interview in 1988, Roth was 34 years old and was promoting his Skyscraper tour and record.. In the interview, Roth talks about Diamond Enterprises, if he thinks Ed and Al are sober, and what’s wrong with Van Halen, and he critiques Axl Rose, Ozzy, and Bon Jovi. The interview is conducted by Steve Harris. To learn more about Steve, please check out our podcast-only interview with him, which is out now.Link to captioned version In the interview, Roth talks about: If he displays himself as the wild man of rock and roll If he’s different on stage than off? What’s Diamond Enterprises If he considers himself a dictator His street smarts If he follows what everyone else is doing The work you must put in  Who is his mentors If he’s perceived the way he wants to be His two friends What drives him What crowd he fit in with as a kid Where he developed his flamboyant swagger If he resented being bussed into minority schools How Steve Vai stacks up to Eddie Van Halen The toughness to his music and lyrics. If he can see the quality in other people immediately If he’s one big heap of ego If he listens to his own records His onstage presence What’s wrong with Van Halen How it was different with him in the band Eddie and Alex on the wagon Roth goes off the record about Ed and Al’s sobriety Why he isn’t lucky in love His critique of Axl Rose His critique of Ozzy Osbourne His critique of Brian Wilson His critique of Bon Jovi See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we have one of the greatest heavy metal vocalists of all time, Ronnie James Dio. At the time of the interview in 1985, Dio was 43 years old and was promoting his Sacred Heart album and tour. In the interview, Dio talks about filling Ozzy Osbourne’s shoes in Black Sabbath, a mystical experience that almost killed his wife, his thoughts on Ritchie Blackmore’s playing, and his metal all-star project Hear ‘n Aid.The interview is conducted by a new Tapes Archive contributor, Canadian music journalist and author Steve Newton. During his four decades as a freelance music writer, he has interviewed everyone from AC/DC to ZZTop. We highly recommend that you head over to his Patreon page patreon.com/earofnewt and check out over 340 of his exclusive interviews. For only $5, you get full access. We are not paid for this endorsement; we truly feel it’s money well spent.Link to Newton's Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3WQBr9SFor zero money, you can head over to Newton’s website, earofnewt.com, where he has posted more than 3,000 of his interviews, album reviews, concert reviews, and horror movie reviews.Link to Newton's website: https://bit.ly/3ij9GIa00:00 - Intro01:41 - Start of the Ronnie James Dio interview01:53 - The Sacred Heart tour02:42 - His project Hear ’n Aid and whose playing on it04:05 - How he writes music while watching sports04:33 - What his first instrument was and if he liked it05:10 - His love for classical music and how it relates to guitar players06:21 - Why anyone can like classical music07:15 - What other singers he admires08:12 - How well Sacred Heart is doing sales wise08:58 - If the PMRC has affected him09:24 - If he’s interested in the occult09:53 - His strange mystical experience while recording Rainbow’s “Long Live Rock ’n’ Roll”10:15 - An evil spirit who tried to kill his wife, Wendy Dio10:55 - Filling Ozzy Osbourne’s shoes in his former band Black Sabbath12:50 - What he thinks of Ozzy’s solo music13:37 - If he thinks Heaven and Hell paved the way for a resurgence of heavy metal13:49 - His favorite tunes he did with Black Sabbath14:19 - If he wants to produce other bands14:55 - If it’s true he has a degree in Pharmacy15:05 - If he’s still friends with Ritchie Blackmore and what he thinks of his guitar playing15:41 - His thoughts on Yngwie Malmsteen16:05 - His kindness to Steve Newton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we have Black Sabbath’s guitarist and the godfather of heavy metal, Tony Iommi.At the time of the interview in 1984, Iommi was 36 years old and was promoting Black Sabbath’s Born Again album and tour.In the interview, Iommi talks about Ian Gillian joining Black Sabbath and blowing up his boat, thoughts on Ozzy Osbourne remaking old Sabbath tunes, the Born Again live show, Randy Rhoads, and how he really did disturb the priest. The interview is conducted by a new Tapes Archive contributor, Canadian music journalist and author Steve Newton. During his four decades as a freelance music writer, he has interviewed everyone from AC/DC to ZZTop. We highly recommend that you head over to his Patreon page patreon.com/earofnewt and check out over 340 of his exclusive interviews. For only $5, you get full access. We are not paid for this endorsement; we truly feel it’s money well spent.Link to Newton's Patreon page: https://bit.ly/3WQBr9SFor zero money, you can head over to Newton’s website, earofnewt.com, where he has posted more than 3,000 of his interviews, album reviews, concert reviews, and horror movie reviews.Link to Newton's website: https://bit.ly/3ij9GIa00:00 - Intro01:44 - Start of Tony Iommi Interview02:07 - Ian Gillian joining Black Sabbath02:21 - Playing Deep Purple’s Smoke on the Water03:02 - Why Ronnie James Dio left Black Sabbath03:22 - The addition of Bev Bevan from ELO03:58 - If former Sabbath drummer Bill Ward will be back04:13 - The story behind Black Sabbath’s song Disturbing the Priest04:50 - Blowing up Ian Gillian’s boat05:18 - The comparison between Black Sabbath’s debut album and Born Again06:10 - His thoughts about former bandmate Ozzy Osbourne’s music06:22 - What he thought of Randy Rhoads06:34 - On Ozzy remaking old Black Sabbath songs07:06 - Black Sabbath’s influence on other bands07:46 - What music does he listen to08:11 - A very surprising favorite song of Iommi’s08:23 - Talks about Born Again’s live show.09:33 - Iommi plays a bit of a joke on Newton09:58 - Why growing up he did not think he would play the guitar10:26 - His main influences on guitar10:48 - How he doesn’t actually play a Gibson SG11:58 - His current amps Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this never before-heard 2016 interview, Vai talks with author Greg Renoff about the landmark David Lee Roth album Eat ‘Em and Smile. At the time, it was the 30th anniversary of the iconic album.In the interview, Vai talks about the song he thought he wrote but didn’t, the jock that wasn’t happy with Vai, the rumored Kim Mitchell song, and the infamous Lucky Strike reunion show that didn't happen.The interview is conducted by Greg Renoff. Renoff is the author of two Amazon best-sellers and a must-read for music fans. Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal and Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer's Life in Music. If you haven't read these books, do yourself a favor and go get them now. Read Greg Renoff's article based on this interview over on Guitar World. https://bit.ly/3eMS1Xf00:00 - Intro Steve Vai interview01:20 - Start of Steve Vai interview02:00 - The first time David Lee Roth called Vai02:17 - Pete Angelus and the Fabulous Picasso Brothers02:42 - Who was involved with the choreography03:19 - If Aerosmith was involved04:44 - Was the Kim Mitchell song Kids in Action recorded?05:16 - Other possible guitar players05:56 - What Vai has no memory of06:58 - The song Vai thought he wrote, but didn’t09:39 - What Roth’s name for Kids in Action was and why10:18 - Leaking to the press10:53 - Getting a hold of Roth12:25 - Early memories with Roth13:54 - The jock vs Vai story15:00 - The very first Roth concert he played16:23 - How Roth was his final mentor17:49 - If Roth’s movie was originally for Van Halen18:34 - If he’d do a reunion with the Eat ‘Em Smile band19:27 - The infamous Lucky Strike concert Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.