Van, born and raised right here in Southern California has been playing music since he got his first guitar at the age of fourteen.  He and Jim formed in 1965 and he has been performing in some fashion ever since, including some other ventures with our own Dave Slater. In past years Van has even flexed his acting muscles performing in numerous musical theater productions.  His favorite performance was the opportunity to portray Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady opposite Miss Dale Kristien, star of the New York and Los Angeles productions of the Phantom of the Opera.

But rock and roll, along with his wife and four kids, is still his first love. Van has a daytime job, but he can't remember what it is.

Besides, he likes to pretend he's a full time musician like he used to be.