Van Halen: Finish What You Started (1988)

Eddie Van Halen came up with the riff at 2am one morning. He woke up neighbor and band mate Sammy Hagar and the pair penned this song about unfulfilled sex. The song is about blue balls and is quite straight forward.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIlBeqM0mRE

KISS: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2014 part 2

1981-1993

A World Without Heroes (1981): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87H-FcVOoRA



Ace Frehley grew frustrated with the band's direction and left in 1982. Eddie Van Halen wanted to replace him, but he was not a good fit and was talked out of it.
 I Love It Loud (1982): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMcDg2HwOnM



They decided to ditch the make up in 1983.
 Lick It Up (1983): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gcj34XixuYg

Heaven's on Fire (1984): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EZjevnnkA20

Tears are Falling (1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEwnfhuPJGs

Crazy Crazy Nights (1987): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g4ygMGXU7Q

Forever (1990): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_RKO5ozLVo

God Gave Rock n Roll To You (1991): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1yvQV7J47o



Eric Carr died from a brain hemorrhage in 1991.

The band went leaner and meaner for Revenge (1992)
 Unholy (1992): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfmrX_WlM2w

Van Halen: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007 part 3

Van Halen auditioned singers after Hagar bolted and Roth imploded. They settled on Extreme singer Gary Cherone.

Van Halen III (1998)

Fire in the Hole (1998): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QToAzhRYmTA

Cherone left in 1999 without incident and without completing the band's second album with the singer. Fans did not accept Cherone or they were tired of the lead singer carousel. Van Halen appeared dead.

Eddie had hip surgery in the early 2000s and Van Halen was silent. They worked briefly with Roth, but that fell through again. Hagar and Roth toured together in 2002, which led to a feud between the two. Hagar rejoined the band in 2003.

The Best of Both Worlds (2004)

It's About Time (2004): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TP_vr0-HqDg

The band toured again, but tensions between Hagar and Van Halen resurfaced. Hagar left the band again and Michael Anthony was replaced by Eddie's song Wolfgang. Roth joined the band yet again for an album and tour.

A Different Kind of Truth (2012)

Tattoo (2012): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WfQ-hV3WtA

As of December 2013, the band is working on a new album. Hagar and Anthony work together in the supergroup Chickenfoot and on other projects.

 

Van Halen: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007 part 2

Van Halen (1986-1996)

Sammy Hagar was a successful solo artist and was not sure at first if he wanted to join Van Halen. He did not know if he wanted to split the money four ways and was taken aback by their image. However, he soon agreed and began writing with Eddie.

5150 (1986)

Why Can't This Be Love (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK5zubdgf4Y

Dreams (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsXCs41DkWs

Best of Both Worlds (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDStPKHUbqw

Love Walks In (1986): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u3StTsVDD0

As a whole, albums produced with Hagar outperformed the Roth-era works.

OU812 (1988)

Black and blue (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulWjBFJ48Dc

When It's Love (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9thvSfq8w2o

Finish What Ya Started (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsqywc7fnqE

Feels So Good (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bOp8TqPq7c

The band hit a higher plane of popularity in the early 1990s...

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991)

Poundcake (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1GJxVmYv-E

Runaround (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKFp0QTGF8M

Top of the World (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYbJnGOhOqw

Right Now (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCcLNmOpN3A

Then, a live album

Live: Right Here Right Now (1993)

Dreams (1993): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEuwyyCu0hQ

Balance (1995)

Can't Stop Loving You (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYMcSHzHqxA

Then, tensions emerged between Hagar and Van Halen. They broke apart while working on a song for the film, Twister, and over the Best Of album.

Best of Volume I (1996)  

Human's Being (1996): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9e5fT8migI

and David Lee Roth came in to do some vocals.

Me Wise Magic (1996): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA-DmFtryFY

Can't Get This Stuff No More (1997): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HHQ11HOZwM

Roth made an ass of himself at the 1996 MTV Movie Awards and was shoved to the side.

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.

Michael Jackson: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2001

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/michael-jackson/bio 

Official Site: http://www.michaeljackson.com/us/home

Michael debuted with his brothers in The Jackson 5 in 1964. He initiated a solo career in 1971 and became a superstar in 1979. By 1984, he was in a league of his own.

Got To Be There (1971): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dp2FiFfCNY

Rockin’ Robin (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2vzTKh-O5c

Ben (1972): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1dAQN5QcZU

Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZorRGrDiMsA

Rock With You (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5X-Mrc2l1d0

The Girl is Mine w/Paul McCartney (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHp0s2wKajw

Billie Jean (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi_XLOBDo_Y

Beat It w/Eddie Van Halen (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B2wtC91_0U

Human Nature (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSXjHyaDAHo

Say Say Say w/Paul McCartney (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLEhh_XpJ-0

He changed the culture at the Motown 25 celebration:

Jackson suffered major injuries when his scalp caught fire filming a Pepsi commercial in 1984. That same year, he bought the Beatles catalogue.

He co-wrote “We Are the World” with Lionel Richie (1985):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcwblvqir-s

Jackson broke down racial barriers in music and opened the door for hip hop. In the late 80s, his skin lightened leading to rumors of bleaching. He claimed he had a skin disorder.

Bad (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsUXAEzaC3Q

The Way You Make Me Feel (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzZ_urpj4As

Man in the Mirror (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivWY9wn5ps

Dirty Diana (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUi_S6YWjZw

Smooth Criminal (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_D3VFfhvs4

He suffered living in the tabloids….

Leave Me Alone (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3Ijqp7YxQU

Black or White (1991): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MqRrbEvI_w

Remember the Time (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeiFF0gvqcc

Taking on the other MJ in hoops:

Jam (1992): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbHI1yI1Ndk

Then things got really weird. He was accused of molestation and married Lisa Marie Presley (1993-94):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPl5yjn_W-c

Scream w/Janet Jackson (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P4A1K4lXDo

You Are Not Alone (1995): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAyKJAtDNCw

The hits began to dry up as he became more and more a national punchline.

You Rock My World (2001): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-7ABIM2qjU

Jackson was tried for abuse, but acquitted. He died of an overdose in 2009. His personal physician was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

Behind the Mask (2011): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWZLlkR9th8