Van Halen: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007 part 1

Van Halen (1972-85)

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/van-halen/bio/

Official Site: http://www.van-halen.com/

Van Halen formed in Pasadena, California in 1972. Eddie Van Halen played guitar, Alex Van Halen was on drums, and Mark Stone was the bassist. Eddie did the vocals for a time. David Lee Roth joined the band so they could save money by using his sound system. In 1974, Michael Anthony replaced Stone on bass and they changed their name from Geneisys because it was already in use by Peter Gabriel and the guys from Genesis. Gene Simmons of KISS discovered the band leading to a record contract in 1977. They released their debut album in 1978 and changed rock. Eddie Van Halen's guitar style was revolutionary and led to a million imitators. Van Halen was self-taught and his picking style was the dominant paradigm in guitar rock for 20 years.

Van Halen (1978)

Eruption: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_lwocmL9dQ

You Really Got Me: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg1UG0GwIKc

Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuyvT8nFMLY

Van Halen II (1979)

Dance the Night Away: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEvpreZcAfI

Women and Children First (1980)

And the Cradle will Rock: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHXbi1bC9T4

Fair Warning (1981)

Mean Street: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Gk79FazKs

Diver Down (1982)

Little Guitars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2eHaBUemjM

Where Have All the Good Times Gone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CHbFI2Ovc0

In 1983, they set a Guinness Book record for highest-paid performance by a band when they received $1.5 million to appear at the US Festival.

US Festival (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY3vt-48Zzk

They were an extremely popular rock band in 1983. In 1984, they became superstars with the release of 1984.

1984 (1984)

Their first and only #1 hit song:

Jump (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlq0lYB3iSM

The amazing summer continued...

I'll Wait (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VegvworoMX4

Panama (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-NshzYK9y0

Then, came a ground breaking video, which led to thousands of imitators....

Hot For Teacher (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4GZFbCqx18

Roth hated the keyboards and fought with Eddie over the band's direction. On top of this, personality conflicts ripped the band apart. Roth went solo in 1985 and Sammy Hagar joined Van Halen as the new lead singer.