Where Have All the Good Times Gone!

The Zoo Crew is spinning a classic today, Zoo Freaks, with Van Halen’s “Where Have All the Good Times Gone!” from their 1982 album Diver Down. This track is a high-energy cover of a 1965 song by The Kinks, and Van Halen makes it their own with Eddie Van Halen’s searing guitar riffs and David Lee Roth’s signature swagger. In a 1982 interview with Creem, Roth shared why they chose this song, saying it resonated because “so many businessmen on stage playing business music” were diluting the raw spirit of rock. He noted the song’s message about lost good times felt especially relevant in an era where punk, new wave, and heavy metal were being commercialized. Roth also revealed to Sounds in June 1982 that the band could play six different Kinks songs, thanks to a K-Tel double album he owned in their bar band days, which they’d wear out playing at club gigs for dancing crowds.

Another cool tidbit comes from Eddie Van Halen himself, who told Guitar Player in December 1982 that the guitar solo in “Where Have All the Good Times Gone!” was “more sounds than lines.” He explained how he ran the edge of his pick up and down the strings for those wild effects, using his Echoplex to create the song’s distinctive texture. The solo actually borrows from an unreleased Van Halen track called “Young and Wild,” giving it a unique place in their catalog. Fans on Van Halen News Desk have pointed out that this cover kicks off Diver Down with a bang, setting the tone for an album that mixes covers and originals in a summery, party-ready vibe. Posts on X from fans often celebrate the track’s infectious energy, with some calling it a standout for its nod to The Kinks while still screaming Van Halen.

Van Halen got their start in Pasadena, California, in 1973, when brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, born in Amsterdam and raised on jazz and classical music by their musician father, Jan, turned to rock after moving to the U.S. in the 1960s. They formed a band initially called Genesis, then Mammoth, playing backyard parties and local clubs. David Lee Roth, a charismatic frontman from Indiana, joined after they rented his PA system, and his larger-than-life persona shaped their early sound. Michael Anthony came on as bassist, rounding out the classic lineup. By 1974, they were Van Halen, gigging relentlessly at places like Gazzarri’s and the Starwood, building a loyal following with their explosive live shows. Their big break came when Warner Bros. producer Ted Templeman caught them at a club, leading to their 1978 self-titled debut, which skyrocketed with hits like “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Eruption.” The rest is rock history.

You can keep up with Van Halen’s legacy on their official website, where you’ll find news, merch, and tour archives. Connect with them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and fan interactions. For deeper dives, check out the Van Halen News Desk, a fan-run site packed with articles, interviews, and rare photos. Fans also gather in the Van Halen Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can swap stories, share vinyl finds, and debate the best Eddie solos. So crank up “Where Have All the Good Times Gone!” and let’s keep the good times rolling!