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Van Halen took the rock game and recreated it to fit their fast-paced style, and it has certainly paid off, winning them a spot as true innovators of hard rock.
The band began with Eddie Van Halen on vocals and guitar, Alex Van Halen on drums and Mark Stone on bass. David Lee Roth was soon recruited as a vocalist, as Eddie preferred throwing all of his attention to his guitar. Michael Anthony soon replaced Stone, and the group was on their way to fame in California, becoming known for their troublemaking fans.
When the band released its debut album, "Van Halen," in 1978, it was immediately successful. It hit No. 12 on the Billboard pop music charts, and included the hit songs "Aint Talkin ''Bout Love," "Eruption" and "Runnin With the Devil." The hard rockers spent the following summer opening for Black Sabbath, and returned with "Van Halen II" in 1979 the following year, which was also very popular. The band always put touring on the forefront, alternating with new releases and increasing in popularity.
The band released "1984" in that year, and it included the hit singles "Jump," "Panama," "Ill Wait" and "Hot for Teacher." The group was receiving more face time on MTV, and the album was also critically acclaimed. The bands dynamics, however, were failing - Roth left the band in 1985.
Sammy Hagar was the next frontman, and their first album with him, "5150" was a massive hit, including the hit singles "Why Cant This Be Love?" "Dreams," and "Love Walks In." Hagar brought with him a sound that was more accessible to a wider audience - the tracks became more keyboard-driven, the songs were longer and the lyrics became more conventional.
While many rock bands of the ''80s fell out of favor in the ''90s with the rise of the grunge movement, Van Halen was going strong, even supporting Bon Jovi on a European tour in 1995. However, there was turmoil in the band again, and Hagar departed in 1996, leaving the band with very big shoes to fill in his place. Roth returned to perform with the band, but left again quite shortly - not before performing on two tracks that appeared on the bands greatest hits album, though.
Gary Cherone took over the microphone in 1996, and performed on "Van Halen III." The album was certified Gold by the RIAA and had the hit single "Without You," but it paled in comparison to previous work. Cherone eventually left in 1999, and the band spent four years without releasing music, or any statement referring to when they would be recording again.
There have been many collaborations and rumored collaborations over the years - in fact, David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar even teamed up for a tour in the summer of 2002. In 2004, the band briefly reunited with Hagar to tour for the Greatest Hits album, but he quickly left again. As of now, there are constant rumors that the band is going to perform with Roth, with Eddies song Wolfgang taking over for Anthony. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006, and talks have begun again about a new tour.
While the band has had many lineup changes over the years, it is clear that the core talent hasnt gone anywhere - the group continues to entertain fans effortlessly throughout the world!
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