Video: That Time Eddie Van Halen was on Frasier

The boom of Van Halen nostalgia following Eddie’s death last October may have died down, but here in the MetalSucks Mansion we’re happy to celebrate VH’s legacy any damn time or day.

To wit: while Eddie made a number of cameos over the years, including most notably in Two and a Half Men, MetalSucks reader Ian G. alerted us to a lesser known appearance, and a rare one in which Eddie plays a character other than himself.

The brief spot comes in the opening segment of an episode of the ’90s sitcom Frasier, Season 1 Episode 7, “Call Me Irresponsible,” in which a caller, Hank, voiced by Van Halen, dials into Frasier’s radio show and is quickly dismissed because he has his own radio on too loud in the background.

Don’t believe us: believe IMDb, which credits Van Halen as the voice of Hank.

Van Halen told the Chicago Tribune at the time that he took the gig as a favor to Frasier actor Kelsey Grammer in his fledgling show’s first season. “We’re friends, and I said sure. It was as simple as that,” Van Halen said.

Van Halen’s part comes in the opening seconds of the episode; watch below.