The Johnny Beane Podcast

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen on Johnny Beane TV, we pay tribute to Kenneth “Ken” Deane, a key behind-the-scenes member of the Van Halen family who worked closely with Eddie Van Halen and Donn Landee at 5150 Studios.

Ken passed away unexpectedly on September 3rd, leaving behind his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many other loved ones.

Ken was a talented and hardworking audio engineer who worked with Warner Bros., Amigo, Universal, and Van Halen. He served as an engineer and studio manager at Eddie Van Halen’s 5150 Studios, where he worked alongside legendary chief engineer Donn Landee.

🎸 Steve Rosen Remembers Ken

Music writer and longtime Van Halen insider Steve Rosen also shared the news of Ken’s passing and some incredible memories of their time together at 5150.

Rosen remembered Ken as:

🎚️ The office engineer and manager at 5150
🎛️ Donn Landee’s go-to guy
🎸 Someone who was deeply involved in the day-to-day world of 5150
🤝 A quiet, hardworking person who always took the time to greet and welcome visitors
❤️ Someone Rosen remembered as clearly loving Eddie and Donn

Rosen first interviewed Ken on February 19, 1985, alongside Howard Weiss, who co-designed 5150. Rosen later spoke with Ken again on August 12, 1985.

One of the things Rosen remembered most was learning that Ken lived in Big Bear, California. Ken would make the long drive to 5150, often arriving early and staying late to avoid traffic. Rosen described Ken as someone who valued his solitude and was willing to make that incredible commute to work at the studio he loved.

Rosen has since made his original interviews with Ken available again in two parts, giving fans a rare opportunity to hear Ken's own stories and insights from his time inside 5150.

As Rosen put it, Ken was there “in the very belly of the beast.”

❤️ Remembering Ken’s Life

Ken's granddaughter Heather Durazo created a GoFundMe on behalf of his children, Diana and Kenny, as the family deals with his unexpected loss and the costs of his final arrangements.

Unfortunately, Ken did not have life insurance, and in recent years he had experienced financial difficulties related to ongoing health problems.

The family is asking for help with:

🕊️ Funeral and final expenses
❤️ Giving Ken the farewell he deserves
🙏 Supporting his family during this difficult time
📢 Sharing the fundraiser with others who may be able to help

No donation is too small. And if you're unable to donate, simply sharing the fundraiser can make a difference.

Ken is survived by his children Diana and Kenny; his first wife, Patricia Deane Hughes; grandchildren Heather, Monica, Audrianna and Milo; great-grandchildren Carter and Izabellah; niece Kathy Hyatt; nephew James Deane; and many more beloved family members.

Ken Deane may not have been a household name to every Van Halen fan, but his work was part of the story happening behind the music.

He was there at 5150 Studios, working alongside the people who helped shape some of Van Halen's most important music.

Now, thanks to people like Steve Rosen and Ken's family, we have an opportunity to hear his stories and remember the man behind the scenes.

Rest peacefully, Ken Deane. ❤️🎸🕊️

And thank you to Steve Rosen for preserving and sharing these rare interviews and memories of Ken.

#VanHalen #EddieVanHalen #KenDeane #JohnnyBeaneTV

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen on Johnny Beane TV, we’re talking about Sammy Hagar’s latest comments regarding Alex Van Halen — and the growing tension over the legacy of Van Halen.

Hagar responds after Alex reportedly called him a “complete idiot,” and says he still doesn’t understand why Alex has a problem with him.

🔥 In this episode:

Sammy Hagar responds to Alex Van Halen’s latest comments
Hagar says he has never lied about what he wrote in Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock
Sammy questions why Alex appears unwilling to acknowledge the Van Halen years with Hagar
Hagar points to 40+ million records sold and four #1 albums
The ongoing relationship between Alex Van Halen and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony
Could this tension help explain why a proper Eddie Van Halen tribute has never happened?
Sammy says he’s willing to talk and wants Alex to “come clean” about what happened
What does all of this mean for the legacy of Eddie Van Halen and Van Halen?

🎸 What do YOU think?
Is Sammy Hagar right that the Van Halen years with him deserve to be acknowledged as part of the band’s history? And could Alex and Sammy ever clear the air?

Join the conversation in the comments!

#VanHalen #SammyHagar #AlexVanHalen #EddieVanHalen

On this episode of Exclusively Van Halen on Johnny Beane TV, we’re getting ready for a major moment for Van Halen fans!

The wait is almost over. The complete TEDxFargo conversation featuring Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, and artist Robert Vargas premieres online tomorrow, giving fans their first chance to see the full, much-talked-about event.

The conversation, titled “Beyond Boundaries: How Human Experience Informs Art and Music,” was filmed on July 30 during TEDxFargo’s 2026 “CHARGE” event in Fargo, North Dakota.

Here’s what makes this premiere especially significant:
🥁 Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth together on stage
🎤 Their first on-stage appearance together since Van Halen’s final concert at the Hollywood Bowl on October 4, 2015
🎨 Artist Robert Vargas joins Alex and Dave for a conversation about art, music, life experiences, and the creative process
⏳ Van Halen fans have been waiting more than six weeks to see the complete conversation
📺 The full TEDxFargo video premieres tomorrow!

I’ll have the official TEDxFargo video pinned in the comments section, so be sure to check it out once it premieres.

What are you hoping to hear from Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth? Join us in the comments and let’s talk about it!

#VanHalen #AlexVanHalen #DavidLeeRoth #RobertVargas #TEDxFargo

🎸 On this episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, we talk about Bernie Tormé’s turbulent eight-gig stint with Ozzy Osbourne following the tragic death of Randy Rhoads.

After Randy’s death in March 1982, Ozzy Osbourne was devastated, but the Diary of a Madman tour still had to continue. Bernie Tormé was brought in to help finish the remaining shows — and it became one of the most difficult periods of his career.

🔥 We talk about:

• How Bernie Tormé ended up joining Ozzy’s band after Randy Rhoads’ death
• Stepping onstage with Randy’s guitars, pedals and amps
• The emotional pressure of trying to replace one of rock’s greatest guitarists
• Why Tormé felt he couldn’t simply play like Randy Rhoads
• His relationship with Ozzy during one of the darkest periods of Ozzy’s career
• The infamous story of Randy’s pedals seemingly turning on by themselves
• Why Bernie ultimately walked away after only 7–8 shows
• How Brad Gillis eventually stepped in and helped Ozzy continue the tour
• Bernie Tormé’s place in the history of Ozzy Osbourne and Randy Rhoads

🎸 Was Bernie Tormé the right guitarist for Ozzy after Randy Rhoads?

Join the conversation in the comments, and thanks for watching Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV!

#OzzyOsbourne #RandyRhoads #BernieTorme #HeavyMetal

On this episode of Talking Guitars on Johnny Beane TV, we’re checking out Gibson and Epiphone’s bold new Miami-inspired electric guitars! 🎸🌴

Gibson is bringing the Miami vibe to the Gibson Garage Miami with eye-catching Miami Blue and Miami Pink finishes on models like the Les Paul Special, Les Paul Junior Double Cut, and SG Standard ’61.

Epiphone is going even bigger with Vice City Pink, Vice City Blue, and Bumblebee Yellow, giving models like the Explorer, Flying V, SG Standard ’60s, and Les Paul Custom a serious ’80s-inspired look.

We’ll also take a look at the Gibson Custom SJ-200 Art Deco, exclusive MESA/Boogie gear, and other Miami Garage exclusives.

Which one would you want to play? 🎸🔥

#Gibson #Epiphone #ElectricGuitar #Guitar