Iowa City's Kinnick Stadium was buzzing as Van Hayden, the self-described world's greatest and only Van Halen cover band with a tribute to legendary Hawkeyes coach Hayden Fry, prepared to play a pregame set before a big game against Ohio State. For the band's members, many of them devoted Iowa fans, the moment was the big time. Jake Olson, a drummer, grew emotional behind his aviator sunglasses as he sat beside a statue of Hawkeyes legend Nile Kinnick, near the same stadium entrance he and his brother Andy, the band's guitarist, walked through as kids.
The band's name and act blend two icons. Fry took over an Iowa program that had not had a winning season in 17 years in 1978, and he worked to make the Hawkeyes look like winners, even asking the Pittsburgh Steelers for permission to mimic their look and hiring a designer for the Tigerhawk logo. Van Hayden honors that approach. Lead singer Robby Marvin, aka Hayden Lee Roth, and the rest of the crew wear Fry's standard game-day attire, including black Tigerhawk pullovers, aviator sunglasses and fake mustaches. Their ambulance, the Vanbulance, is painted in black and gold in the style of Eddie Van Halen's "Bumblebee" guitar.
The band's roots trace back to the COVID-era boredom of spring 2021, when Olson, a 51-year-old pharmacist in Milwaukee, and a friend made a pact to learn Van Halen's entire "5150" album. The project grew into a plan to surprise friends with live performances, and the idea of combining two 1980s icons into an Iowa band followed.
Dale Arens, who recently retired after 40 years with the Iowa athletic department, said the band has the full blessing of Fry's family. Fry's son Kelly said his father would have been honored and amused by the tribute. For Van Hayden, the stadium plaza performance was a moment that made the years of fandom feel worthwhile.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing