I heard this guy on the latest Dave and Dave Unchained podcast. Quite a few books being put out on Ed. I was kinda on the fence about listening to it. Thinking," just another book, what more could be told?" He was asked during the interview, what he was bringing to the table that would be different and new compared to all of the others. What he said is that he had more of a personal relationship with him and also the multiple interviews he conducted. It was a decent listen, kinda skeptical about it though. He might have had a good relationship/friendship with him, but I am wondering if it is some what one sided and just Ed's perspective/view points.
The interview stars at the 1hr 48 min mark
Longtime and esteemed rock journalist Steve Rosen has finally completed writing the long-anticipated book about his unique friendship with Edward Van Halen. The book is titled "Tonechaser - Understanding Edward: My 26-Year Journey With Edward Van Halen" and chronicles the writer's relationship with the late, great iconic guitar player beginning in 1977 and going through 2003.
"Tonechaser" is described in a press release as "an honest and up-close look at what it was like to be friends with the greatest guitar player on the planet."
The book is now available for pre-orders.
The cost of the book is $35.00 plus $12.00 shipping for a total of $47.00 for U.S. residents.
If you're interested in having a copy, please send $47.00 to this PayPal address: scrosen@sbcglobal.net. Include your address.
International fans interested in obtaining "Tonechaser" can contact the author at this email for shipping information: scrosen@sbcglobal.net.
Rosen's lengthy friendship allowed him a front-row seat into the life of Edward Van Halen. The author writes about spending time with Edward; jamming with him (unbelievably!); introducing him to Ritchie Blackmore, Billy Gibbons and Les Paul; attending NAMM Shows with him; buying him a set of guitar strings; and sharing moments with the guitarist that were both dark and ebullient.
Rosen began writing the book on August 24 — the author's birthday — of 2020, some six weeks prior to Edward's passing.
"I was supposed to write Edward's authorized biography back in the mid-'80s but that book never happened," Rosen explained. "At that point, I put to rest the idea of ever writing a book about my friendship with him. Then in 2020, I thought about my relationship with him and I was just moved to begin writing. I didn't know where I was going or where it would take me but I wrote every day for over a year and it was the hardest stuff I'd ever written. I finally finished the book around October 2021 and felt a great release. I was really proud of what I'd accomplished and I wanted fans to read and share in what I'd experienced in my friendship with Edward."
The book is a hardcover with a 6"x9" format and will run somewhere between 400-500 pages. There are some very cool black-and-white photos inside. The cover was shot by legendary VAN HALEN photographer Neil Zlozower.
The book was under the art direction of Daniel Gray who recently worked on an upcoming Zlozower color photo book titled "Ed By Zloz".
"Tonechaser - Understanding Edward: My 26-Year Journey With Edward Van Halen" should be ready to mail out sometime in April or May.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
I'll bet this will be one of the better books on EVH. The guy had unparalleled access and was chosen by EVH himself to do the authorized biography, until EVH decided that wouldn't happen. I just don't know about sending him $50 in advance. Seems like a KickStarter effort, but without KickStarter.
Steve Rosen started posting his raw interview tapes to YouTube. Seems bordering on journalistic ethics, but I guess if the tapes are rolling then it's "on the record". But based on some of what Mike Anthony was talking about in this 1986 interview, I cannot imagine he had any inkling some of what he had to say would ever surface publicly. Kind of a gray area between friendship and journalistic relationships, in my view.
Here are the Michael Anthony interviews. But he's posted to YT some of his interviews with EVH as well.
@zambi I am kinda skeptical about this read, as I mentioned before. Hope I am wrong. I have not read the Brad Tolinski book yet. That's where I am putting my money.
It sounds like Rosen has some cred and his friendship. But after listening to the podcast, I am wondering how much of it is biased in Ed's favor and if his facts are accurate. He was just hearing what Ed told him ...his view point and opinion. Maybe an ax to grind on a few things, truth stretched?
I might be looking into this to much and the wrong vantage point.
Everyone has a plan, till you get punched in the face,
This guy has claimed he is technically the most advanced electric guitar player. Said he threw out how everyone including big names such as Eddie Van Halen, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix etc brought to the table and replaced it with his own classical training applied to the electric guitar. I've never seen him and imagine it would be impressive for 20 minutes then become boring. Is he really more advanced technically then our usual favorite electric guitar players?
