Amazing Van Halen Mashup With Kool & The Gang
Over the years we’ve seen a couple of good Van Halen Mashups – but this could be the best one. Take a moment and watch Van Halen with Kool & The Gang doing “Celebrate The Best of Both Worlds” (love how he labeled it Van Hagar and The Gang)
Van Halen Mashup – A Deeper Connection
While we’re absolutely digging on the mashup from our friend Bill McClintock…did you know there’s another connection to these two artists? Kool and The Gang opened for Van Halen during the 2012 tour – including a stop at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

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Before you scrunch your face too much, realize that Van Halen always liked bringing on different opening acts for shows – for example:
- The Fools for the Fair Warning Tour in 1981 (definitely an underground/tongue in cheek band)
- Autograph in 1984 – actually this one works as an opening act, “Turn Up The Radio” was released that year (who had the album “Sign In Please”)
- Bachman Turner Overdrive – 5150 Tour in 1986 – First tour with Sammy Hagar and this was a cool opening act, seems like a perfect fit.
- Scorpions/Dokken/Metallica – Monsters of Rock Tour 1988. Okay, this is technically the OU812 tour…but it was Monsters of Rock and all these bands were on the lineup…but at the end of the Monsters tour they went out on their own and brought in the little known band Private Life (no idea who they are…lol).
- Alice In Chains – For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge Tour (1991/1992) – Actually a pretty cool opening act with Alice In Chains releasing “Facelift” (remember Man in the Box).
- Vince Neil – Right Here, Right Now Tour (1993) – It was their first live album and the tour was the first time they’d gone out without new music to promote. The opening act for most of the tour was then-former Motley Crue lead singer Vince Neil – out promoting his first solo album (Exposed, right?)
So there you go, the Van Halen Mashup of Mashups with Kool and the Gang. What took so long?
Jim O'Brien is the Host of "Big Jim's House" Morning Show at 94.7 WCSX in Detroit. Jim spent eight years in the U.S. Naval Submarine Service, has appeared on Shark Tank (Man Medals Season 5 Ep. 2), raised over two million dollars for local charities and is responsible for Glenn Frey Drive and Bob Seger Blvd in the Motor City. Jim's relationship with Classic Rock includes considering Bob Seger, Phil Collen from Def Leppard, Wally Palmer of the Romantics and many others good friends. Jim writes about ‘80s movies, cars, weird food trends and “as seen on TikTok” content.