Van Halen
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Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records with the most number one hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock, Van Halen was a popular rock band from the late 70's until 1998. The band has sold more than 75 million copies of album. One of their biggest hit albums was Balance which reached number one on Billboard charts.
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About
Eddie Van Halen was a son of a Dutch bandleader. He was born in Netherlands and was raised in Pasadena, California. Eddie and his brother Alex was trained by their father. Eddie learned to play drums, while Alex was trained in guitar. The two brothers formed a band called, Mammoth and began performing around Pasadena. While singing, they met David Lee Roth. David was raised in California and was a member of Redball Jet. David was convinced to join the group. Soon, Michael Anthony, a member of the band Snake also join the band. The group discovered that their name was already belong to other group also called Mammoth so they changed their name to Van Halen in 1974.
The band went on tour around Pasadena, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles. After a few years, they became the most popular local band in Los Angeles. The band signed a recording contract under Warner Bros. in 1977. After one year, they released their self-titled debut album. The album became an instant hit and went into platinum after 5 months of released. It sold over 6 million copies. Their second album, Van Halen II was released in 1979. The single, Dance The Night Away from the album, became their first top 20 single.
Their third album, Women and Children reached number six on album charts. Their next album, Fair Warning was not popular as their previous albums. They bounced back when they released Diver Down in 1982. The album was a huge hit and reached number 3 in Billboard charts.
In 1984, their album, 1984 became a smash hit. The single, Jump went number one. However, despite gaining success, things were not doing well upon them. During their tour, each member played separate solo sets. David released a solo EP in 1985. After the released, David was kicked out from the band.
Former lead vocalist of Montrose, Sammy Hagar replaced David. His first album, 5150 with the group was a blockbuster hit. It went number one on Album charts. It also released number one hit singles like Why Can't This Be Love, Dreams and Love Walks In. Follow-up albums like 0U812 and For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge was a major hit for them.
After the released of their biggest hit album, Balance in 1995, Eddie underwent rehabilitation due to alcoholism. In 1996, Eddie fired Sammy. David went back to the group. He did two songs for their compilation album. However, he was again fired by Eddie and was replaced by Gary Cherone. His first album, Van Halen III with the group was released in 1998. It reached number 3 but it quickly went down from the topped. The album turns to be their worst selling album. Gary was fired in the group. David and Sammy went into their solo career and toured together in 2002. Eddie has been diagnosed of cancer, the members had decided to parted ways. Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll of Fame last March 2007.
Awards & Certifications
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Grammy Awards (nomination) | Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for Jump |
| 1991 | Grammy Awards (Won) | Best Hard Rock Performance for Unlawful Carnal Knowledge |
Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | US Hot 100 | US Mainstream Rock | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | (Oh) Pretty Woman | 12 | 1 | Diver Down |
| 1982 | Dancing in The Street | 38 | 3 | Diver Down |
| 1984 | Jump | 1 | - | 1984 |
| 1986 | Why Can't This Be Love | 3 | 1 | 5150 |
| 1986 | Dreams | 22 | 6 | 5150 |
| 1986 | Love Walks In | 22 | 4 | 5150 |
| 1988 | When It's Love | 5 | 1 | OU812 |
| 1988 | Black and Blue | 34 | 1 | OU812 |
| 1988 | Finish What Ya Started | 13 | 2 | OU812 |
| 1991 | Poundcake | - | 1 | For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge |
| 1991 | Runaround | - | 1 | For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge |
| 1991 | Top of The World | 27 | 1 | For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge |
| 1992 | Right Now | 55 | 2 | For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge |
| 1995 | Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) | - | 1 | Balance |
| 1995 | Can't Stop Loving You | 30 | 2 | Balance |
| 1998 | Without You | - | 1 | Van Halen III |
News
Tours & Concerts
2008 Tours
February 8, 2008 New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
February 10, 2008 Philips Arena, Atlanta, Georgia, United States
February 12, 2008 Bank Atlantic Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
February 14, 2008 TD Waterhouse Centre, Orlando, Florida, United States
February 16, 2008 Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida, United States
February 18, 2008 St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, Florida, United States
February 20, 2008 Bank Atlantic Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States
February 22, 2008 John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States
February 25, 2008 Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Virginia, United States
March 3, 2008 American Airlines Center - TX, Dallas, Texas, United States
March 5, 2008 U.S. Bank Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
March 7, 2008 RBC Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
March 9, 2008 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
March 11, 2008 Verizon Wireless Arena-NH, Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
March 13, 2008 Continental Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, United States
March 17, 2008 Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States
March 19, 2008 Giant Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
March 21, 2008 Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennysylvania, United States
March 24, 2008 Dunkin Donuts Civic Center, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
March 26, 2008 Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
March 28, 2008 Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
March 30, 2008 Savvis Center, Saint Louis, Missouri, United States
April 1, 2008 Schottenstein Center, Columbus, Ohio, United States
April 3, 2008 Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois, United States
April 5, 2008 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States
April 7, 2008 Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | You Really Got Me | Warner Bros. |
| 1978 | Jamie's Crying | Warner Bros. |
| 1978 | Ain't Talkin' Bout Love | Warner Bros. |
| 1979 | Dance The Night Away | Warner Bros. |
| 1979 | Beautiful Girls | Warner Bros. |
| 1980 | And The Cradle Will Rock | Warner Bros. |
| 1981 | So This is Love | Warner Bros. |
| 1982 | (Oh) Pretty Woman | Warner Bros. |
| 1982 | Dancing in The Street | Warner Bros. |
| 1982 | Secrets | Warner Bros. |
| 1984 | Jump | Warner Bros. |
| 1984 | I'll Wait | Warner Bros. |
| 1984 | Panama | Warner Bros. |
| 1984 | Hot For Teacher | Warner Bros. |
| 1986 | Why Can't Be This Love | Warner Bros. |
| 1986 | Dreams | Warner Bros. |
| 1986 | Love Walks In | Warner Bros. |
| 1988 | When It's Love | Warner Bros. |
| 1988 | Black and Blue | Warner Bros. |
| 1988 | Finish What Ya Started | Warner Bros. |
| 1988 | Cabo Wabo | Warner Bros. |
| 1989 | Feels so Good | Warner Bros. |
| 1991 | Poundcake | Warner Bros. |
| 1991 | Runaround | Warner Bros. |
| 1991 | Top of The World | Warner Bros. |
| 1992 | The Dream is Over | Warner Bros. |
| 1992 | Right Now | Warner Bros. |
| 1992 | Man on Mission | Warner Bros. |
| 1995 | Seventh Seal | Warner Bros. |
| 1995 | Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) | Warner Bros. |
| 1995 | Can't Stop Loving You | Warner Bros. |
| 1995 | Not Enough | Warner Bros. |
| 1995 | Amsterdam | Warner Bros. |
| 1998 | Without You | Warner Bros. |
Compilations & Live Releases
Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Influences
Trivia
- All of their 11 studio albums reached top 20 charts.
- Eddie was one Rolling Stone magazined Greatest Rock Guitarist.

