What keyboard does Eddie Van Halen use?

Oberheim OB-Xa
Eddie uses the Oberheim OB-Xa on Van Halen’s most successful single to date, which reached number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. But this their first big keyboard song came with a risk.

Who played keyboards live for Van Halen?

Sammy Hagar has heard it many times over the years. He’s the guy who wanted more keyboards and less guitar in Van Halen. Well, the former Van Halen frontman finally set the record straight on the topic and he had a rock-solid witness to back him up – Michael Anthony.

What Van Halen song starts with piano?

“And the Cradle Will Rock…”—the first song on Women and Children First—was released on this day in 1980. The hard-rocking “Cradle” was actually our introduction to Eddie Van Halen as a keyboardist. The keyboard parts were played on a Wurlitzer electric piano.

What synth did Eddie Van Halen use?

The song was recorded in Eddie’s home studio using largely one synth, the Oberheim OB-Xa. First released in 1980 as a follow-up to the OB-X, the OB-Xa was the pinnacle of Tom Oberheim’s big polysynths. Thanks to the analogue nature of the circuitry, it was capable of absolutely massive sounds.

Did Eddie Van Halen play keyboard on jump?

Eddie previously played synthesizer on songs like “One Foot Out the Door” and “Dancing in the Street,” but here he plays his Oberheim OB-Xa like a true keyboard instrument instead of a surrogate guitar.

Did Eddie Van Halen play piano in Right Now?

Eddie would play the piano riff in the studio while they were making the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and one day it clicked that it was the right music for the lyric Hagar was working on. The pair completed the song together when the album was almost done.

Did Michael Anthony play keyboards?

During live performances on the 1980 tour, Michael Anthony would play the keyboards. Eric Carr of KISS played “And the Cradle Will Rock…” along with Van Halen’s cover of “You Really Got Me” as part of his audition tape, which successfully led to his becoming the new drummer for KISS.

What keyboard is used for Jump?

The iconic sound of Jump was played on an Oberheim keyboard. According to Wikipedia: The Oberheim OB-Xa synthesizer was used in the video of “Jump”, and can be seen in video footage from their follow-up tour.

Can Eddie Van Halen read sheets?

Eddie Van Halen can’t read sheet music The man started learning the piano at the age of six, and he would painstakingly memorise his piano teacher’s finger movements and developed his listening skills until he could hear a record and replay it note for note.