Legendary rock photographer Neil Zlozower recently completed his second VAN HALEN hardcover coffee table photo book, Eddie Van Halen, to be released October 12th, 2011.

Van Halen News Desk has an exclusive quote from the book, from AC/DC's Angus Young:

"AC/DC played on a bill with Van Halen back in 1978 or 1979 for a Bill Graham Day on the Green show. I didn’t know much about Van Halen then except that I remember seeing film clips of them, especially the one of Eddie playing the solo piece, 'Eruption', and I was very impressed. I didn’t meet Eddie until years later when there was a Monsters Of Rock open-air festival in England. I was shocked to hear he liked my playing, because I’ve never rated myself as a guitarist.

Eddie is an innovator. When I grew up we had a lot of guys from England who were great players, like JIMMY PAGE, ERIC CLAPTON and JEFF BECK. And then, of course, when JIMI HENDRIX came along, he changed the game. I’d put Eddie in that category of being an innovator like Hendrix. He changed the game for his style of playing. When Eddie came along he spawned so many imitators. Like Hendrix, suddenly you started to see people wanting to buy the same guitars he played and also play his licks. He turned the rule book upside down in terms of his approach. There was a lot of experimentation to his playing. Eddie also crosses into that avant-garde thing, which puts him in the same category as Hendrix.

'Eruption' is a favorite track. He’s got everything characteristic of his playing in that song - there’s a bit of everything.

When Jimi Hendrix came along it was like, 'Where did this guy come from?', and I think that was the same feeling with Eddie. When Eddie appeared on the scene, every guitarist I ran into said, 'You’ve gotta hear this guy!'"

Once again Van Halen Store is the exclusive retailer of autographed copies, signed by the author himself, at no additional charge. Pre-orders begin today, so order now to reserve your signed copy of this amazing collectible.

Book details:

The definitive visual history of early Eddie Van Halen! This hardcover photo book is jam packed with classic and never before published photos! A must have for Van Halen fans and guitarists alike!

One of the most revolutionary and influential players ever to pick up a guitar, Eddie Van Halen’s music and technique continue to energize legions of fans and guitarists around the world. This book of photographs and text focuses on the innovative early years of the band Van Halen, when Eddie burst on the scene and changed the face of electric guitar-playing and melodic hard rock. More than 200 images of Eddie in action - both classic and never before seen - are complemented by text and testimony from famous guitarists, music writers, and many others. Also featuring a foreword by guitar legend SLASH, this is the definitive visual history of classic Eddie Van Halen.

Famous guitarists who contributed text: Angus Young (AC/DC), Jimmy Page (LED ZEPPELIN), Joe Perry (AEROSMITH), LES PAUL, STEVE VAI, JOE SATRIANI, Nuno Bettencourt (EXTREME), RITCHIE BLACKMORE, GILBY CLARKE, Phil Collen (DEF LEPPARD), Billy Gibbons (ZZ TOP), PETER FRAMPTON, PAUL GILBERT, ALLAN HOLDSWORTH, Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), Tony Iommi (BLACK SABBATH), STEVE LUKATHER, Mick Mars (MÖTLEY CRÜE), RONNIE MONTROSE, GARY MOORE, TOM MORELLO, DAVE NAVARRO, Rick Nielsen (CHEAP TRICK), TED NUGENT, PAUL STANLEY (KISS), Nancy Wilson (HEART), Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY), DWEEZIL ZAPPA, and many others.

Van Halen insiders who contributed text: Eddie Anderson (director of security 1980-84), Pete Angelus (creative consultant, production/lighting designer), Marshall Berle (personal manager 1977-78), Bill Gazzarri (owner: Gazzarri’s nighclub), Michael Karlin (Van Halen business manager, 1978-present), Jas Obrecht (editor: Guitar Player magazine), Patrick Whitley (production manager 1978-84) and Michael Anthony.

Neil Zlozower’s rock photography spans more than 40 years and includes work with THE ROLLING STONES, Ted Nugent, Aerosmith, AC/DC, MOTÖRHEAD, TOM WAITS, SLIPKNOT, and many others. From 1978 to 1984, Zlozower was the “fifth member of Van Halen,” touring with and capturing images of the band during the DAVID LEE ROTH era.

Hardcover, 176 pages, 8.5 x 11 inches, Over 200 color and b/w photographs.

Click here to pre-order your autographed copy today.

(Thanks: Van Halen News Desk)