Ep: 006 Guitarist Richie Kotzen Gets to the Soul of VH

Richie Kotzen, acclaimed guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer known for his solo career, Mr. Big, Poison, and The Winery Dogs, joins Tommy London and Tor for a fascinating conversation about the deeper musical roots of Van Halen.Richie reflects on meeting Eddie Van Halen for the first time and shares stories about his friendship with Eddie’s longtime guitar technician, Zeke Clark. Together, they explore what made Eddie such a singular creative force, not only as a revolutionary guitarist, but as a songwriter whose sense of melody, groove, and emotion helped define Van Halen’s sound.The discussion also examines Van Halen’s often-overlooked connection to soul music, with Richie explaining why the band’s true power was never just technical ability, but feel. This is a thoughtful conversation about the heart, soul, and enduring legacy of one of rock’s greatest bands.(And hey, check out that run time for this episode!)