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VAN HALEN
1978 - Van Halen.
1979 - Van Halen II.
1980 - Women And Children First.
1981 - Fair Warning.
1982 - Diver Down.
1984 - MCMLXXXIV.
1988 - OU812.
1991 - For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.
more VAN HALEN.
way more Helter Skelter.

February 10, 1978 - 2023: 45 years of: Van Halen.

Rocknroll is about to get it's sorry ass properly kicked.

Right at the end of KISS's wall-to-wall domination, kids everywhere were hungry for more hot stuff. Still ablazed by both Angus Young and Ted Nugent ...this scene never stood a chance. From Pasadena California, four teens would re-write the book of rocknroll, and just like their predecessors, would forever push the limits of the extremes of sex, drugs and rocknroll.

Ladies And Gentlemen, please welcome hardrock's Second Coming:

...this is the only genuine VAN HALEN !

The VAN HALEN that sat the world on fire, the VAN HALEN that put Los Angeles on the map for hardrock, the VAN HALEN that destroyed eardrums worldwide ... and yes, the VAN HALEN that might actually fathered you !

Here we go
...as the bass stomps you into submission and we all start "Runnin' With The Devil". A mammoth-pounding mid-paced piece that brings us to a new level. Extreme overdrive, extreme fret-bending and extreme showmanship from this new kid named Edward Van Halen. The 1:43sec molten-lava solo-lead, is an "Eruption" of grandiose might. Never as the electric-guitar been abused this way, not since the Maestro Jimi Hendrix. Whammy-bar dives to eloquent finger-tapping techniques, this cacophonous heaven established a new standard in hardrock and poprock, for the upcoming glorious 80s, and more. The speed and accuracy, mixed with the inventive unorthodox unison-melodies still dazzles the mind, 45 years later. This single cut alone would secure Eddie's trademark-tricks and legacy for generations to come. Make no mistake about it: ALL late 70s and ALL 80s aspiring young guitarists, have dissected this one for inspiration and motivation.

Another page of rock-history is written with the power-rock of "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love". The phased-intro, the chord-progressing riff and the arena crowd-screaming coda are all the key elements of catchy rocknroll, with killer 70s-rebel teen attitude.

The fast RPMs of classic V8-machinery rolls on the highway to hell on both "I'm The One" and the LPs-closer "On Fire" ...not heavymetal, but damn near the danger-zone. These new kids yell out loud like a wild "Atomic Punk" ...where once again, the almighty one bursts into a mind-bending six-string climax.

THE KINKS's sick classic gets cranked to eleven. The leading-single and skull-breaker "You Really Got Me" not only broke the band into hardrock stardom, but found itself on heavy rotation when Summer 1981's MTV came around. Another deep roots classic gets the crunch-treatment with John Brim's "Ice Cream Man". From rhythmnblues to amp-melting hard-stuff, VAN HALEN ARE THE NEW SCHOOL OF ROCK !

The new marksman in electric-guitar.

And now the tone
...the fat-tone, that sweet razor distorted guitar-tone never felt before. Einstein's work of art into a rocknroll-Frankenstein. Through trial and errors, young Edward morphed the Gibson humbucker high-gain sound ...into a Fender tremolo-equipped body. Unseen and unheard of, this hybrid of both schools would cement the player's distinctive tone, all leveled up into a custom hyper-volted tube-amplifier. Edward is not only an exquisite player, but also a mad scientist of sounds ...dangerous yes, iconic yes. There is none above !

And on center-stage
...the frontmen of all frontmens. Hints of Presley and Plant, the always hot-stamina Broadway boogie of David Lee Roth made him an instant star. Vocally might not be the best singer under the sun, but as showman, overall entertainer and ladies-man ...this blond boy bombshell is the Chosen One. Roth made rocknroll cool and cocky again. Ruling the Sunset Strip and with the help of Gene Simmons, the contact was made and Warner Brothers Records hopped aboard and let Ted Templeman make magic.

Lightning in a bottle during the disco fuzz of the mid 70s, no fair warning, run for your lives, women and children first, this unit is taking rocknroll by storm and creating a precedent in loud-rock. Pushing the boundaries sat by AEROSMITH and KISS, the sex, drugs and rocknroll formula shall be challenged in this full 360º Earth-shaking revolution. From February 10, 1978 on, every rock band wanted to be VAN HALEN and every rock band tried to emulate the VAN HALEN signature to the best of their limited capabilities. Before SKID ROW, GNR, BON JOVI, TWISTED SISTER and before MÖTLEY CRÜE ...there was VAN HALEN. There are none above !

Opening for BLACK SABBATH's Never Say Die 1978-tour, where the motivation, of lack there of was evident in the British-camp. The young US-guns stole the show, every night and gave the legends a run for their money. A changing of the guards.

Currently RIAA-certified 10x Platinum, yes you read that right, a monstrous 10 million+ units sold in the USA alone, the Van Halen LP stands in the very, very selective Diamond (Dave) Award club. Only a handful of acts made it up there. VAN HALEN rang the bell twice, tagging again with their 1984's all-hits MCMLXXXIV LP.

In a string of immortal trendsetting sonic Chart crashing classics, the almighty VAN HALEN locomotive, shall repeat and pillage again on 1979's Van Halen II LP.

The human race is now fully Van Halenized !!!

*
You Really Got Me = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X6e7uctAww
Runnin' With The Devil = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5txwFv-zYM
Van Halen = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLRO4W9pNrQ&list=OLAK5uy_kuLN1YgM795yEKfSz5nMiq_naBnQWvF2Y
Interview in London in 1978
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7Qf5hJf6Ds
Live in London in 978
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh6Dc_A3X9k
Gene Simmons 1976 demos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jXZnB2xJ26s
Runnin' With The Devil isolated vocal-track
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOdiJXslhB8

March 23, 1979 - 2024: 45 years of: Van Halen II.

Strike Two !!

After 1978's game-changing Van Halen debut LP, this new gospel of hardrock was on everyone's mind. On fire, the Sunset Strip rebels were rushed into the studio and would blow our minds, again.

Clint Ballard Jr's "You're No Good" rock-lounge reprise is a cool track, yet somewhat of a miss-match, next to the amp-melting face-ripping "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" and the destructive dynamite of "D.O.A.". The boogie-vibed "Bottoms Up !" sends the party into chaos with it's typical tongue-n-cheek DLR lyric-set and drives the fantasy to kink on the LP's closer "Beautiful Girls".

Edward slips us a mickey of "Spanish Fly", a 1:02sec eruption of flamenco-guitar wizardry. Van Halenized metal-crunch appears on "Outta Love Again" and the full speed rage of "Light Up The Sky" ...the L.A. scene would not survive this assault.

VAN HALEN was climbing on top of the edgy hardrock food-chain, a place vacantly left unattended by both Alice Cooper and KISS. RIAA-certified 5x Platinum, the deadly VAN HALEN were now the standard in hard-hardrock ...and every guitar-magazine wanted a piece of Ed ...the atomic punk !

But keep calm, stay in line and remember folks: Women and Children first !

"LETS DO THIS BOTTLE RIGHT !"

*
Dance The Night Away = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llfjDUB66Z4
Van Halen II = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGTfobvlscc&list=OLAK5uy_lCQpkcSWrZPc82un9oMjOYjbixKna5sXI
Dutch interview in 1979
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMkXcNaKOIo
Live in Fresno in 1979
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2IDP8hoUlI

March 26, 1980 - 2020: 40 years of: Women And Children First.

Everybody wants some !!!

Evolution thru eruption, the explosive VAN HALEN was rewriting the rocknroll rules, one riff at a time. After their volcanic self-titled debut LP, the boys were on fire and danced the night away, to become the One: the band all other bands feared. Here is the missing link between the pop rocknroll hooks of 1979's VH II and the dark brown-sound tones of 1981's Fair Warning LP.

Step aside, 1980's Women And Children First is the turning-point were the mighty VAN HALEN became the unstoppable American hardrock-machine for decades to come. Not much experimentation here, as they fused these on the Diver Down LP, this album is pure red-blooded hard rocknroll !

The flanging guitar-effect of "And The Cradle Will Rock" kicks the party into high gear. Sing-along chorus supported by heavy rhythms and David Lee Roth's daily rants. Where the VH I LP had the John Brim cover in "Ice Cream Man", we now get the fully original answer in "Take Your Whiskey Home". The slick flamenco guitar intro leads us into a sick rock-number.

The bluesy opening on "Fools" tip-toes around and then the monstrous distorted riff punches away with the bass pounding like a jack-hammer. Heavymetal riffing applied into hardrock patterns. Lethal and effective ! Effectiveness comes into a blazing inferno on the speedmetal cut "Romeo Delight" ...the thrashiest VAN HALEN track ever. A full-on down-picking fret-burnin' speedmetal riff, two years before METALLICA was even a band. One of the heaviest and fastest track by a hardrock band at that point in time. Addicted to adrenaline !

Rev-up, crash and burn by a "Loss Of Control". Another speedmetal-themed piece by the Sunset Strip bad boys. Fast staccato riffing and incendiary lead work by the master of six-string himself, Mr. Eddie Van Halen. Dirty high-octane rock ! The pièce-de-résistance is the little known fact that "Everybody Wants Some". Kinky and raunchy lyric-wise, primal and crowd-gathering chorus-wise. The viscosity lever is high in the tone-department.

It is well documented that Edward Van Halen changed the electric-guitar, just like the maestro Jimi Hendrix did in the late 60s. Women And Children First is a tried and true living and breathing fact to this. Radio-hostile, yet RIAA-certified 3x Platinum, it is the first step in the band getting more gain and heaviness, while still keeping their rebel-rock roots intact.

The electrifying VAN HALEN / David Lee Roth era, hardrock's most cherished musical legacy.

I want some too !!!

*
Women And Children First = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11mBDT5mpdw&list=PLP_vXshlStIeDhpfRPlcHhrR6IIvfONwR
Eddie audio interview in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbqKXBOS4jY
German TV lip-sync in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh0QvoqVmnE
TV gig feature in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvaA7AsW6mI
Live snippets in 1980
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7DkojkdTXI
some guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAYfsRQtQXI

April 29, 1981 - 2021: 40 years of: Fair Warning.

VAN FUCKIN' HALEN in 1981 !!!

The soon-to-become megastars were hot hot hot and still rewriting the great book of rocknroll, pushing and shoving to new heights.

After "Eruption" and before the million-dollar US-Fest, VAN HALEN were locked and loaded and didn't really gave us a fair warning of what was to come. When guitar-players around the globe though Eddie couldn't get any better, innovative and mind-blowing ...here comes the maelstrom of "Mean Street"

But the slap-bass-played-on-guitar intro didn't stop there, as the opening track simply and firmly thrusts you into rock oblivion. The dirty groves of "Dirty Movies", the hip swing of "Sinner's Swing", all the way to the explosive low-end rhythm of "So This Is Love ?" to the eerie synthesizer vibes of the dark split of "Sunday Afternoon In The Park + One Foot Out The Door" ...this underrated gem is truly VAN HALEN's most underrated gem.

...and you gotta be fuckin' deaf not to think that "Unchained" is not one of the world's greatest hardrock songs. Run and take cover, women and children first. Raunchy rocknroll is alive and well and Fair Warning is the ultimate shot.

C'mon Dave give us a break !

*
Fair Warning = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4akn6e59TQ&list=OLAK5uy_mDWU6EykXw6WXztw6vZMdrwo0ttP8B5Dk&index=2&t=0s
TV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Gk79FazKs
LIVE 81
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQgHvOvujNE

April 14, 1982 - 2022: 40 years of: Diver Down.

On top of the world ...yet the beginning of the end.

After the universal hardrock-domination of 1978-79-80 and 81, the almighty ones were now at a crossroad, with themselves. The band needed a break, the record-label wanted more music. Rushed into production, 1982's Diver Down LP doesn't genuinely feels like a fully fledged VAN HALEN record. Diamond Dave was happy ...the brothers were'nt.

Stack 'em up and count 'em all: five covers are being fully Van Halenized to perfection:

Yet entombed under these massive sure-shot hits, lies some of the best VH-work to date. The speedmetal double-bassdrum fury of "Hang 'Em High", the high-octane stomping of "Little Guitars" and the hardcore boogie-vibes of "The Full Bug". Make no mistake about it: EVH is still firmly in charge of the fretboard.

If filled with original-music, the record would've been the ultimate exhibition of raw-rock since 1981's ultimate red-blooded Fair Warning LP exhibition of raw-rock. The brothers were lukewarm at the idea of performing content with other artist's material. Mr. Roth on the other hand, danced along the project, as he will even repeat the pattern with his later 1985 solo-debut Crazy From The Heat EP.

The boys hadn't lost their humor, as displayed in this concept-video for "(Oh) Pretty Women":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWQRDI7mTyw

Speaking of other artist's material, Edward would make history again and lay down some of his finest lead to be featured on the biggest selling record of all-time: the "Beat It" single from Michael Jackson's Thriller LP.

Focused or not, the band went back on the road, touring the world in and out and making rocknroll history at the second edition of the 1983 US Festival. Mesmerizing 600000+ in attendance in the California sun for the then lovely sum of 1.5 million $USD. Glorious 80s band with glorious 80s shenanigans, that kick-started the entire glorious 80s Sunset Strip movement ...thank you Sirs.

RIAA-certified 4x Platinum, the Diver Down LP still might not be a fan-favorite, but it showcased the roots of one of the great rock-acts known to man. The next jump and final step, would come with the explosive glorious drop dead legs 80s extravaganza: the RIAA-certified Diamond ...1984's MCMLXXXIV LP.

NO BROWN M&Ms !!!

RIP Jan Van Halen (1920-1986)

*
(Oh) Pretty Women = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWQRDI7mTyw
Diver Down = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0akdECguSVs&list=OLAK5uy_lXb9Sqt9O7boDn-R-aizC8YP0bUSFGJ68
Interview with DLR before the 1983 US Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYpw1amR88E
Live at the 1983 US Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E9n8RXAQbI

January 4, 1984 - 2024: 40 years of: MCMLXXXIV.

From passionate Platinum to delightful Diamond.

1984's calendar-year would push hardrock from the gutter, into the open-wide limelight. Los Angeles was the hot-bed for rockers and bikers, and now both FM and MTV, were embracing the hardrock sound. Terrorizing the scene worldwide since 1978, Sunset Strip's biggest and baddest powerhouse would reach the zenith of hardrockizm ...and also close the lid on their rowdy domination.

The year is 1984 and VAN HALEN provides hardrock's pinnacle.

The rich Oberheim opens The Gates on the eerie "1984" soundtrack-intro ...as rock god Eddie Van Halen shatters glass ...on keyboards. The universal rock-cut "Jump" drives the LP into mainstream-territory. Once ruled by newwave, the guitar-effect hadn't really got a fair share of decibels, but since the latter was now in Eddie's hands, the new crowds fully embraced the attached hot lead-work. Bridging between hardrock and poprock scenes, the fusion was now complete. For headbangers, the track was more of a sell-out attempt to tame the almightiest, yet the remaining of the album does includes some sick material.

Ride with full piston-pumping and power-steering across the "Panama". The band shakes the Earth to the core, another definite key-signature in arena-rock / party-rock and on to the metalized riff-o-rama of "House Of Pain" ...Eddie Van Halen is alive and well.

Still walking down the meanstreets, along gorgeous "Drop Dead Legs" and the forbidden fantasy of "Hot For Teacher". The hard-edged band we know and love is leading the pack, with perfect groove, pristine percussions and scandalous lyric-set to match.

The super slick hooks of "Top Jimmy" and steel robust build-up of the mammoth "Girl Gone Bad" is another lesson in hard-rocknrollizm. The highly celebrated powerballad "I'll Wait" blessed the airwaves and gathered more once lukewarm fans at the VH-altar ...no Bozos allowed !

The year is 1984 and VAN HALEN provides hardrock's pinnacle.

Fully recorded at Eddie's brand new self-built 5150 Studios. The top-class building, located in Eddie's own Beverly Hills backyard, housed the finest music-technology available to man and gave MCMLXXXIV that crisp tone filled with rich bass and huge natural headroom. The band would record there until their very last 2012 sessions.

The LP is currently RIAA-certified 10x Platinum, a loud headbanging 10 million+ sold in the USA. One of the very few rock bands that achieved this elite milestone: the Diamond-certification. Other metric includes THE BEATLES, LED ZEPPELIN, AC/DC and eventual METALLICA. The early 80s were hardrock ready and while the chaos was a usual feature for this unit, the mainstream-crowd was finally ready for major ass-kicking.

During the heat of the decadent-decade, before BON JOVI, GUNS 'N ROSES, WHITESNAKE and MÖTLEY CRÜE ...the almighty VAN HALEN, once again, delivers a perfect rock-LP.

The year is 1984 and VAN HALEN provides hardrock's pinnacle.

The final chapter.

By mid 1985, the egos and icons would lose their unique iconic frontman, as the crazy from the heat David Lee Roth would head into solo-territory, leaving the brothers room to bloom into poprock realms with ...MONTROSE's Sammy Hagar. A new trimmed-down, lighter and somewhat serious VAN HALEN / VAN HAGAR would arise during the explosive glamrock-scene, with 1986's 5150 LP. Simultaneously, the unstoppable Roth would dwell in debauchery with new guitar-God Steve Vai on 1986's Eat 'Em And Smile LP ...the most Van Halen-less VAN HALEN !

"I got an on-ramp comin' through my bedroom." - DLR

*
Jump = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwYN7mTi6HM
Hot For Teacher = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6M4_Ommfvv0
Panama = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuKDBPw8wQA
MCMLXXXIV = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM68ZL42hp0&list=OLAK5uy_k-Wp747MeVPu1IxzedbjSKI4X1Jiteh7w
Interview in England in 1984
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXZUdxqSFvs
Live in Montreal in 1984
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-90SPx6Xfwo
MTV's lost weekend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQR_NYBEmEg

May 24, 1988 - 2023: 35 years of: OU812.

Eat him and smile !

After 1986's poprock vibed 5150 LP, the still crazy from the heat boys would up the game. Embracing the current newwave-turned-hardrock MTV kids, it was now time for Round Two. The second offering for the Sammy Hagar fronted VAN HALEN.

Opening the door to more keyboard and more FM-markets, the world was already "Mine All Mine". Quick and hip, this refocused band is all slick licks with hooks to match. Hardrock kicks with a punch on "A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)" and the mid-paced tequila-shot arenarock of "Cabo Wabo".

Eddie still can tap-play as firmly displayed on "Source Of Infection" and the crunch-rhythm led "Sucker In A 3 Piece". Obviously tame in comparison against his late 70s work, but still gets the job done properly. From one side of the spectrum of rock, the powerballad agenda keeps on rolling with the all-star "When It's Love" ...to the synth-driven almost guitar-less "Feels So Good" ...to the diametrically western-vibed "Finish What You Started".

While David Lee Roth was high in the skyscrapers, the VAN HALEN camp clearly had other broader mainstream plans. Adjusted for effect, this version of the band was cutting right into mid-America, during the later half of the 80s, who was now hungry for cocky power-chords and Miami Vice esthetics.

These monsters of rock would tour the US with SCORPIONS, DOKKEN and bringing along, the new aggressive school of METALLICA ...the eventual changing of the guard was set for Summer 1991.

This poprock / hardrock monopoly would go deep into 5150-ness, opened wide to 1991's ultra high-gain spank of the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge CD.

Oh you hate one too ?

*
Feels So Good = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2aNyZsryj0
Finish What You Started = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp5Nd93gQ5I
When It's Love = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZGXRCI-JzQ
OU812 = full LP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TftxI9Dq9FY&list=OLAK5uy_m2jXKtJSWzLhu_mt5mwodZBPpsphd5j_s
Interview in 1988
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr7PQIIkDLs
Live in Buffalo in 1988
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XElOHOzK9L8
some guy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaZg_92Xohk

June 17, 1991 - 2021: 30 years of: For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge.

F.U.C.K.I.T. !

After the legendary split, VAN HALEN and Sammy conquered new grounds: run of the mill, lite-FM, family-safe, mullet pop-rock. Gone were the 10-finger shredding and scandalous party attitude. Yet after the over-synthed 1988 OU812-era, the brothers got heavier again. And by heavier we mean: fuller meatier guitar tone, louder headroom drums, edgier writing and less of the aforementioned keyboards.

This is not a drill !

After the revving of Eddie's favorite rotary-tool, watch out as this is a hard construction-zone. Have a slice of this "Poundcake". There's loud and there's VH loud. Pick-slide intro, metal-riffing, Edward's molten-lava leads and Alex's beloved God-like Ludwig kit. Check out one of the coolest video of the era: power-drills, pretty girls and VAN HALEN. Audition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1GJxVmYv-E

More kink is brought to the table: get rocknrolled "Spanked", hammer it "In N' Out", locked inside this "Pleasure Dome". Yeah baby, serious hardrocknroll, that makes ya feel on "Top Of The World"!

Time for the final call, the "Judgment Day". A downstroke thrashmetal riff that drives deep into the night, while the rockers goes into overdrive. The mighty EVH is back on track, a "Man On A Mission" as he shreds is way back into the game, like he initially did in 1978. The not a powerballad, but the powerballad-y "Right Now" is a now signature synonymous of the early 90s. Piano back-boned, along another classic-Ed hot fret-work. Play loud as VAN HALEN are once again a contender in the game !

RIAA-certified 3x Platinum within the recession of the early decade, is a testament to the top-rock quality included inside ...and welcome back behind the desk: Ted Templeman.

This release also coronate the birth of the iconic 5150 amp. From loud to louder, for EVH more is more. At that point in time, guitar amps have been crunchy and relentless, but Eddie had louder ideas. Partnered with Peavey Amplification, this new super-driven 120W super-amp super quickly became the new benchmark in hardrock and heavymetal amplifiers. From ALICE IN CHAINS to ZYKLON, this new monster has, just like EVH himself, revolutionized guitar amp-manufacturing.

RIP Edward Lodewijk Van Halen (1955-2020)

*
Poundcake = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1GJxVmYv-E
Runaround = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKFp0QTGF8M
Right Now = video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMV-fenGP1g
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge = full CD
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6HXTbyqQ4E&list=OLAK5uy_ldoyXudkw_vs53GAiDmQm9i0kegZaHOaY
Interview in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBJHwi44LZ4
Live at the MTV Award in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIMgYR6VLxQ
Live Right Here, Right Now VHS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdBqQ_ZA2Os
Live in the streets of Dallas in 1991
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEiiu5lfnS4

more VAN HALEN:

Frères métalliques
&

US Festival
&

ROTH, David Lee