http://www.ew.com/article/2015/08/17/rock-band-4-van-halen-panama

Jump back, what’s that sound? It’s Van Halen shredding its way to Rock Band 4.

EW can exclusively reveal that Van Halen’s classic hit “Panama” will be featured on the Rock Band 4 setlist. For a taste of what to expect from the song, check out the video below.

But Van Halen’s presence in the game won’t end there — more tracks will be available later on from Van Halen as downloadable tracks from the Rock Band Music Store.

Rock Band 4 hits the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on Oct. 6.

Is that not already available on VH Guitar Hero?? (not a game for Rock Band players?)

kaloway: Is that not already available on VH Guitar Hero?? (not a game for Rock Band players?)

Disclaimer: I don’t own or play these games

As far as I can tell, Panama for Guitar Hero was just for guitar players. Rock Band seems to be for more instruments. In the trailer above, the guitar parts seem to be on the left, the drums in the middle, and the bass on the right.

@WolfVanHalen: This is gonna be cool

Got it figured out.
Guitar Hero & ROck band both allow you to ‘play’ guitar, bass, & drums.
It is the equipment used. they are game specific. So if you purchase equipment for rock band you cannot play guitar hero with it.

…and now along comes “Rock Band VR” – also with “Panama”

The Rock Band game franchise is delving into the virtual reality world with Rock Band VR, which takes you to the next level of feeling like a rock star — as much as you can while holding a plastic instrument.

Among the dozens of songs you’ll be able to play along to in the game are Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way,” Van Halen’s “Panama” and Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer.”

Other songs appearing on the Rock Band VR soundtrack include popular tunes by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Foo Fighters, Oasis and Alice in Chains.

As a new trailer for the game explains, “Rock Band VR features new game play and scoring systems designed from the group up for VR. One way to think about it is, if traditional Rock Band is about nailing that perfect take for a studio recording, Rock Band VR is about the creative freedom that comes from a live performance.”

Rock Band VR will be released on Thursday, March 23.

I love the videos of Rush and Kiss playing these games, I can’t image how many times Rush has played Tom Sawyer live but they couldn’t play the game at all. The same with Kiss and Rock N Roll All Night. Pretty darn funny.