Episode notes
Staci’s guest is Steve Rosen, a music journalist whose career spans 50 years. Steve was the West Coast correspondent for Guitar World magazine and he wrote for Guitar Player, among others. He’s also the author of books on Randy Rhoads, Prince, Black Sabbath, among others -- and the massive tome “Tonechaser.” It’s an incredible, intimate story by Steve about Ed Van Halen’s life as seen through the prism of their 26-year professional relationship and personal friendship. He talks about his approach to writing this book, as well as his early career, in which he interviewed Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore, and Yngwie Malmsteen. Steve goes into EVH’s feelings about these rival guitarists (and others), as well as aspects of the late, great guitarist’s personality and profession. Part 1 of 2.