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Everybody Wants Some!! The Van Halen Saga

Johnny Turner

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The Early Years

Van Halen was formed in 1972 in Pasadena, California, by brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, vocalist David Lee Roth, and bassist Michael Anthony. The band's early sound was heavily influenced by hard rock and heavy metal bands such as Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, and Deep Purple. Van Halen quickly gained a following in the Los Angeles area, and in 1977, they were signed to Warner Bros. Records.

Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga

by Ian Christe

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Language	:	English
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Van Halen's self-titled debut album was released in 1978 and was a commercial success, reaching number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured the hit singles "Runnin' with the Devil" and "Eruption", which showcased Eddie Van Halen's innovative guitar playing.

Van Halen's follow-up album, 1984, was released in 1984 and was an even greater commercial success, reaching number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured the hit singles "Jump", "Panama", and "Hot for Teacher". 1984 is considered to be one of the greatest hard rock albums of all time.

The Sammy Hagar Years

In 1985, David Lee Roth left Van Halen to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Sammy Hagar, who made his debut on the album 5150 in 1986. 5150 was another commercial success, reaching number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured the hit singles "Why Can't This Be Love" and "Dreams".

Van Halen continued to release successful albums with Sammy Hagar on vocals, including OU812 (1988),For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991),and Balance (1995). However, tensions between Hagar and the Van Halen brothers eventually led to his departure from the band in 1996.

The Return of David Lee Roth

In 1996, David Lee Roth returned to Van Halen, and the band released the album Van Halen III. The album was not as commercially successful as the band's previous albums, and Roth left the band again in 2000.

The Post-Roth Era

After Roth's second departure, Van Halen continued to tour and record with a variety of singers, including Gary Cherone, Sammy Hagar, and David Lee Roth. However, the band has not released any new studio albums since A Different Kind of Truth in 2012.

Eddie Van Halen's Death

Eddie Van Halen died on October 6, 2020, at the age of 65, after a long battle with cancer. He is considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time, and his innovative playing style has influenced countless musicians.

Van Halen's Legacy

Van Halen is one of the most successful and influential hard rock bands of all time. They have sold over 80 million albums worldwide and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Van Halen's music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.