Intro (Edit)

Van Halen is an American glam metal band, that was formed in Pasadena, California. The band has sold over 90 million albums worldwide and in the US, have been certified by the RIAA that they are the 20th best-selling band of all time. They have enjoyed much commercial success since their debut album in 1978.

In the early 1960’s, Eddie and Alex Van Halen’s parents set-them up with music lessons. They started playing together, with Eddie on drums and Alex on guitar. Over time, Alex started playing Eddie’s drums when he was working and eventually Eddie found out. So as payback, Eddie started playing Alex’s guitar.

The brothers eventually went on the form a band called, Mammoth. Eddie was the lead singer and guitarist, Alex Van Halen played the drums, and Mark Stone played bass for the group.

For gigs, the band rented a PA system from a friend named, David Lee Roth. Eventually they decided to let him join the band to save money, after he already unsuccessfully auditioned for the band.

In 1974, the band replaced Mark Stone with Michael Anthony, after an all night jam session with the band.

With a new and completed line-up, the band started playing gigs. Their first break came when they started playing on the Sunset Strip. They consistently had gigs at places like Gazzarri’s and the Whisky A Go Go.

In 1977, some Warner Bros. executives saw Van Halen play and a week later they got signed to the label.

In 1978, the band released their debut album. The album has sold over 10 million copies in the US alone, achieving the Diamond status. It is one of the most successful debuts of any band.

With the release of the album, Eddie Van Halen brought a new style of guitar playing to the masses and spawning a generation of players, after his technique.

The album peaked at number 19 on the Pop Albums chart in  1978 and in 1984, the album peaked at number 117 on the Billboard 200 chart.

After a successful tour opening up for Black Sabbath, the band released their next album in 1979. The album was called, Van Halen II. The album peaked at number 6 on the Pop Albums chart in 1979. The songs, Dance The Night Away, and Beautiful Girls, were both successful singles, peaking at number 15 and 84 respectively.

In 1980, the band released their next album, Women and Children First. The album peaked at number 6 on the Pop Albums chart and the single, And The Cradle Will Rock…, peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The band’s next album, Fair Warning, was released in 1981. The album went double-platinum, but still is the band’s slowest selling DLR era album. The album peaked at number 5 on the Pop Albums charts in 1981. The singles, So This Is Love?, Mean Street, and Unchained were very successful. They all were in the top 15 on the Mainstream Rock charts. They peaked at number 15, 12, and 13, respectively.

In 1982, the band released, Diver Down. The album spent 65 weeks on the US charts and has sold over 4 million copies in the US. On the Pop Albums chart, the album peaked at number 3 and on the Billboard 200 chart, the album peaked at number 126. The songs, Oh Pretty Woman and Dancing In The Street, were very successful for the band.

1984, was the band’s next album. On the album, it is written as MCMLXXXIV. This album is the last album to have David Lee Roth on vocals. This album also features a lot of keyboards, played by Eddie Van Halen. The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The songs, Jump, I’ll Wait, and Panama, were very successful for the band. The album has achieved the Diamond status by the RIAA, selling over 10 million copies.

The band’s next album was the first to feature Van Halen’s new singer, Sammy Hagar. The album, 5150, was named after Eddie’s studio and is a police term for a mentally disturbed person.

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History (Edit)

The album peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, a first for the band. The songs, Dreams, Love Walks In, and Why Can’t This Be Love?, were very successful for the band. The songs peaked at number 6, 4, and 1 on the Album Rock Tracks charts, respectively.

The band’s next album, OU812, was released in 1988. The album title is a joke towards former lead singer, David Lee Roth’s first solo album, Eat ‘Em and Smile. Phonetically, the title translates to, ‘Oh, you ate one too?’

For the second time, the album debuted and peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The songs Black and Blue and When It’s Love both peaked at number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks.

For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, was the band’s next album. The album was marketed by the label as, Van Halen’s return to hard rock. The album debuted and stayed at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for 3 straight weeks. The songs, Poundcake, Runaround, and Top of The World, all peaked at number 1 on the Album Rock Tracks charts. The song, Right Now, peaked at number 2 on the Album Rock Tracks chart. The album also won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance of 1991.

While on tour supporting the album, the band recorded and released their only live album called, Live: Right Here, Right Now. The album combines songs from two nights in May 1992 at the Selland Arena in Fresno, CA. There has been controversy surrounding this album because many people think that this way mixed in the studio before being released. While the concert was with Sammy Hagar on vocals, the band did 4 Roth-era Van Halen songs, Panama, Jump, Ain’t Talkin’ About Love, and You Really Got Me.

The album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200 chart. The singles, Won’t Get Fooled Again and Dreams both peaked at number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and number 111 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart respectively.

The band’s next album was released in 1995. It was called, Balance. It is the last studio album with singer, Sammy Hagar. When the album was released, hard rock wasn’t popular anymore, despite that, the album sold very well. The album peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The songs, Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do) and Can’t Stop Lovin’ You both peaked very high on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, at number 1 and 2.

In 1996, the band released their first best-of compilation called, Best of: Volume I. To promote the album, the band recorded two new songs with David Lee Roth, Can’t Get This Stuff No More and Me Wise Magic. The album peaked at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The singles, Humans Being and Me Wise Magic both peaked at number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

In 1998, the band released Van Halen III. The album was named Van Halen III because it is the third line-up the band has recorded with. The singer on the album was Gary Cherone. The albums only hit was Without You, which peaked at number 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song stayed there for six straight weeks. The album peaked at number 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. The song, Fire In The Hole peaked at number 6 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

In 2004, the band released their second greatest-hits compilation. The album was called, The Best of Both Worlds. The album also featured three new songs with Sammy Hagar on vocals. The album was released to promote the reunion tour with Sammy Hagar. In 2004, the album peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200 chart and number 3 on the Top Internet Charts as well. The song, It’s About Time, peaked at number 6 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

On September 8, 2006 it was announced that Michael Anthony would not be the bassist for Van Halen anymore, that he was going to be replaced by Eddie’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen.

In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame. The members listed were, Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen, and Eddie Van Halen. The members that attended the ceremony were Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar, who were both ex-members at the time. The band, Velvet Revolver inducted Van Halen into the Hall of Fame.

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Update (Edit)

On December 22, 2009, Guitar Hero: Van Halen was released. The game features 25 Van Halen songs and 19 guest act songs. The game only features the ability to play as David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Wolfgang Van Halen. Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony are not playable characters in the game.

Currently, the band has reunited with David Lee Roth and the band members have stated that there will be more touring in the future.

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