The editors of Guitar World have compiled a new book dedicated to one of the greatest rock bands the U.S. has ever produced: Van Halen. The book, Van Halen: 40 Years of the Great American Rock Band, tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Michael Anthony, Alex Van Halen and Sammy Hagar.

Before Van Halen announced the cancellation of several summer 2012 tour dates, Guitar World got the chance to spend several days on the road with the band, especially with Eddie Van Halen. As it turns out, he's happier, healthier and playing better than ever. As Eddie tells Guitar World in this exclusive in-depth interview, he has a lot to be thankful for, including his band’s latest album, A Different Kind of Truth.

It's becoming a different kind of tour for Van Halen. For one thing, it keeps getting longer and longer, which is great news for fans. The band just announced several new dates in August and September, all still in support of their 2012 album, A Different Kind of Truth.

On Tuesday, March 13, Van Halen rolled into Manchester, New Hampshire, and played to a packed house at the Verizon Wireless Arena. The city was taken over by Van Halen fever. Every bar I walked into was packed to the gills, cranking stuff like “Drop Dead Legs" from 1984.