In a recent interview with The Rock Experience With Mike Brunn, musician Ryan Spencer Cook shared some interesting details about his past encounters with the late Eddie Van Halen. This revelation came as a surprise to many fans and added to the many stories of the legendary guitarist’s interactions with fellow musicians.
Ryan Spencer Cook, known for his work with Gene Simmons and Ace Frehley, has always been a huge admirer of Eddie Van Halen. In fact, after the unfortunate passing of the musician, Cook took to Facebook to share his admiration for the guitar icon and recalled a fascinating story about his personal connection to the legend.
In the interview, Cook delved into the story’s details and explained how he crossed paths with Van Halen and how the possibility of him becoming a vocalist for the band came up. He recounted an instance when the rock icon visited his apartment, picked up a guitar, and started to play as they conversed. This memorable interaction led to Eddie giving Cook his phone number and encouraging him to reach out.
He recalled the memory as follows:
“To his credit, he came over, and he came up, and he set my apartment; he just walked in, picked up this guitar right here, and just started playing it, sitting on my couch. It was funny because over the couch was this really big black and white [picture] of him and Dave [Lee Roth] sitting on a road case in the studio from ’78 that Lowe had given me. It was the frame. He walked; he’s like, ‘Wow! I know those guys!’ And we talked and everything. He gave me his number.“
Cook shared his uncertainty about when to call Eddie, comparing it to the dilemma of calling someone after a first date. Eventually, he decided to wait until Wednesday to make the call, which clarified that he would not be a part of the band for him. Despite that, Eddie’s recognition of his skills and willingness to give him a shot meant the world to Cook.
He elaborated on the story, saying:
“He told me to call him. It was a Sunday afternoon and almost like that date thing, you know. Do I call that same night, or do I wait? But I waited until Wednesday. He picked up, and he talked to me. I was never almost a Van Halen. I never auditioned for Van Halen. I never could tell people that I – but he did listen to me and give me a shot. He’s like, ‘Hey, man! I heard it. You’re really good. I just don’t know what we’re doing right now.’ You know, I knew that that meant, ‘Hey, man! I told you I’d talk to you, and I am, but we’re not going to work together.‘”
Although Ryan Spencer Cook didn’t ultimately end up joining Van Halen, his story is a testament to Eddie Van Halen’s approachability and willingness to give talented musicians a chance. It’s a heartwarming reminder of the impact Eddie Van Halen had on the lives of many musicians and fans alike.
