Nicolette Larson (1952-1997) was a singer that worked as a background vocalist for Neil Young before recording her first solo album “Nicolette” in 1978, which produced the hit single “Lotta Love”, penned by Young. The album was produced by Ted Templeman and engineered by Donn Landee for Warner Bros. Records, the same team that a few months before had produced the debut album of one of the hottest new rock bands at the moment, Van Halen. Perhaps it was Templeman’s idea to invite the young Eddie Van Halen to make a guest appearance on Nicolette’s album, which he did by recording the lead guitar track on the song “Can’t Get Away From You”. According to Nicolette, the Van Halen members “were very much into being just Van Halen and nothing else”, and that’s why the lead guitar player in this track is just credited as “?”.

Two years later, Nicolette Larson returned the favor by singing on the song “Could This Be Magic?” from Van Halen’s third LP “Women And Children First”. It’s the only song in Van Halen’s entire discography that features a female vocalist. BTW, the rain sound in this song is not an effect. It was raining when they recorded this song, and they decided to record the sound of the rain and add it to the track.

Here you can hear both collaborations, captured from an original UK pressing of “Nicolette” and an original Japanese pressing of “Women And Children First”. Rest in peace Nicolette Larson and Eddie Van Halen.

(00:00) Video intro

(00:14) 01. Nicolette Larson – Can’t Get Away From You
(03:46) 02. Van Halen – Could This Be Magic?

Numark TTXUSB turntable – Nagaoka MP-500 phono cartridge – ART DJPRE II phono stage preamp – Vinyl record vinilo LP