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The massive success of Van Halen from the late 70's to early 90's has set them in history as one of rock music's most influential bands. Spawning a hundred imitators, nearly every band of their time borrowed from their style, clothes, and music. With the talented Eddie Van Halen re-writing the text books on guitar playing style, and the extravagant and loud Dave Lee Roth as larger than life front man, this band sold out open air venues and stadiums time and time again. Their style abandoned the more sedate and profound heavy metal of their forerunners, favouring instead a vibrant, ‘let's party' attitude to their music, and involving their audiences. Whilst they may have taken themselves just a little bit too seriously back stage, their stage performances were dealt with tongue firmly in cheek, and never gave anything less 100 per cent. Reunited with Sammy Hagar in 2004, their recent tour only proves their ongoing popularity selling over 700,000 tickets and grossing a massive $29 million.

Biography

1967 - The Van Halen family, including young brothers Alexander and Edward emigrated from the Netherlands in 1967, and resettled in Pasadena, California, US. Their father earned a living as a bandleader and musician, playing at wedding venues and alike. Alex was the elder brother, then 14 years, Eddie was two years younger. Both brothers had been tutored as classical pianists, but California and school soon turned their interests to Rock'N'Roll. They decided to form a high school band, with Alex on guitar, and Eddie on drums.. yes, that is correct! Soon Alex found a liking for Eddie's drums, which is fortunate, as Eddie turned out the better guitar player.

1974 - The Van Halen brothers are playing local venues and gigs as "Mammoth", with Eddie on guitar and vocals, Alex on drums, and early bass player Mark Stone. Playing mostly cover songs, even in these early days the brothers showed their flair for the extravagant, and expressive musical talents. They were soon drawing a local fan following, and earning a few ‘bucks' in the process. In 1974, they cross paths with bass player and backing vocalist, Michael Anthony, who subsequently quits his own band, "Snake" and joins the brothers. Mark Stone has no option but to leave the band. They also meet up with the charismatic Dave Lee Roth, who later joins the band on lead vocals, leaving Eddie to concentrate on his guitar. As the name "Mammoth" was already taken, new member Dave Lee Roth suggests they simply use their family name, and so "Van Halen" were born, never to look back.

The band played, and earned money at local bars and clubs around Hollywood, and Sunset strip, the home of ‘Show bizzness'. Eddie's unconventional approach to guitar playing and Dave's larger than life persona soon drew the crowds who would pack out local clubs to see the home-grown band.

1976 - Van Halen are ‘discovered', allegedly by Gene Simmons, (bass player, "Kiss"), at the ‘Starwood' club in LA. Larger than life rock star himself, Gene recognises instantly the potential of the band. Gene arranges for the band to record demos at ‘Village recorder studios' in local LA, then at ‘Electric Ladyland studios' back in New York.

1977 - Back at the Starwood club, Van Halen are ‘re-discovered' by record producer Ted Templeman who invites them to record a demo of 25 of their songs. They would then pick out eleven of the best to re-record for Warner bros.

1978 - February. The band release their debut album on Warner Bros. Entitled simply "Van Halen". Produced by Ted Templeman, and engineered by Donn Landee, the album was an instant hit, and sold out in record stores across the US. The vibrant, spacious and frenzied guitar sound, contrasted well with Dave Lee Roth's laid back and expressive vocal lead. "Runnin' with the Devil" was an instant hit, together with a cover of the "The Kinks" immortal, "You really got me", that simply raises the roof of any venue. The album features Eddie's playing style throughout, with the maestro's first showcase of solo technique on the instrumental track "Eruption" listed as album track two, (how confident is that!). "Ain't talkin' bout love" is a simple but addictive riff that persists throughout, highlighting the bands dynamic approach. But by far the best tracks must be "I'm the one", "Atomic Punk", and "On Fire".

Within six months "Van Halen" was certified Platinum, (a million sales).

1979 - March. "Van Halen 2" is released on Warner Bros. Again produced by Ted Templeman and engineered with Don Landee, this album was high on expectation, and it most certainly delivered. With tracks, "You're No Good", "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" and the excellent "D.O.A.". The album also featured another solo entry from Eddie, this time on classical guitar, "Spanish Fly". The album extended Van Halen's grasp of the US rock scene and radio airplay. Within two months the album is certified Platinum.

1980 - March. Van Halen release their third album, "Women and Children first" on Warner Bros. The album includes the tracks "And the Cradle Will Rock", "Everybody Wants Some!!", "Romeo Delight", and "Take Your Whiskey Home", which feature some of Roth's best lyrics. June, and the album is officially certified Platinum.

1981 - April. Van Halen release "Fair Warning" on Warner Bros. This is reputedly their best early album, which included some excellent guitar work from Eddie, and no cover songs. Tracks include, "Mean Street", "Sinner's Swing!","Unchained", and "So This Is Love?". This album was very much darker than previous releases. November. "Fair Warning" is certified Platinum.

1982 - April. The band release their fifth album, "Diver Down" on Warner Bros. The album was criticised for the number of 60's cover songs used, including "Where have all the good times gone", ("The Kinks"), "Dancin' in the street", ("Martha and the Vandellas"), and their top 3 hit "Pretty woman", (Roy Orbison). In fact, it was part of the Roth philosophy and drive within the band to include cover songs, believing that if you cover a previous hit, you were already half way to success. It can be argued that there may, indeed, be some truth to this, as record sales proved. However, the rest of the band were keen to write and release their own material, which led to more disputes within the band, especially with Roth and Eddie Van Halen. Despite this, the album did include the excellent tracks, "Hang ‘em high", "Secrets", and the Van Halen classic, "Little guitars".

1984 - January. Van Halen release "1984" on Warner Bros. The album features massive hits "Jump", (spending five weeks at the billboard #1), "Panama", and "Hot for teacher". Within two months "1984" is certified Platinum, and by October is certified four times, (Four million sales).

August. Van Halen venture to the UK to play Donnington Park, the "Monsters of Rock" festival. This was their first time in the UK, and the impressive list of acts included "Motley Crue", "Y&T", "Ozzy Osbourne", with Van Halen appearing before headliners "AC/DC". Asked backstage who would triumph in the showdown of Eddie vs Angus Young, Roth replies, "Well I guess it all comes down to whoever plays Eddie's solo the best!"

1985 - April. Dave Lee Roth quits the band to pursue his solo career. He releases his first solo EP titled "Crazy from the heat", and had a hit single with the extravagant cover of the Beach Boy's "California girls". the EP also spawned tracks "Just a gigolo", and "I ain't got nobody". Sammy Hagar, solo artist and former vocals and guitar for "Montrose" is chosen as the replacement for Roth. Hagar was already achieving minor success with his own solo career with hits, "I can't drive 55", (highway speed limit US), and "Three lock box".

Quickfacts...

Ever tried to play along to your favourite early Van Halen albums and find your guitar is out of tune? Well that is not so surprising, as it was a well known fact that Dave Lee Roth sang flat, and messrs Eddie and Michael Anthony had to tune down a whole semi-tone to keep things cordial. Things changed when Sammy Hagar took over on vocals, and guitars and basses could be tuned as normal.

Michael Anthony is, in fact, left handed, but plays the bass right handed !

Dave Lee Roth used to rent PA to the Van Halen brothers, before he joined the band that is. The brothers eventually figured it would be cheaper to have Dave in the band, rather than pay his $35 a night hire fee. As well his unique business sense, he also used to work as a stable hand, and even a hospital janitor. His nickname is "Diamond Dave".

Not content with the customary one, or even two bass drums for his kit, Alex used no less than four! bass drums. With left and right side kick pedals linked together so he could play them all. As well as being tutored for classical piano with his younger brother Eddie, his father had also bought him a Spanish guitar. But Alex soon turned his attention to his younger brother's newly acquired drum kit, playing it when he was not around. Eddie then switched to guitar, and the rest, as they say, is history.