Eddie Van Halen's extended 1984 keyboard solo

Eddie Van Halen: but what he really wants to do is play keyboards
Eddie Van Halen: but what he really wants to do is play keyboards

1984 was the little keyboard intro from the Van Halen album of the same name that segued into the smash hit Jump.

Well, here's a little time capsule that has just been unearthered: a rare live extended version of 1984 played by guitarist Eddie Van (joined by drummer brother, Alex).

To the best of anyone's knowledge, it is the only known recording of this elongated jam.

Check it out below. You'll hear Eddie on his Oberheim OB-Xa playing bits of other Van Halen tunes such as Top Of The World, I'll Wait and, of course, Jump. (And if you listen carefully, you just might detect a clam or two - hey, he's a guitarist!)

Joe Bosso

Joe is a freelance journalist who has, over the past few decades, interviewed hundreds of guitarists for Guitar WorldGuitar PlayerMusicRadar and Classic Rock. He is also a former editor of Guitar World, contributing writer for Guitar Aficionado and VP of A&R for Island Records. He’s an enthusiastic guitarist, but he’s nowhere near the likes of the people he interviews. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. If you need a drummer for your Beatles tribute band, look him up.