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Van Halen
With their 1978 eponymous debut, Van Halen simultaneously
rewrote the rules of rock guitar and hard rock in general. Guitarist Eddie
Van Halen redefined what electric guitar could do, developing a blindingly
fast technique with a variety of self-taught two-handed tapping, hammer-ons,
pull-offs, and effects that mimicked the sounds of machines and animals.
It was wildly inventive and over the top, equaled only by vocalist David
Lee Roth, who brought the role of a metal singer to near-performance art
standards. Roth wasn't blessed with great technique, unlike Eddie, but
he had a flair for showmanship that was derived as much from lounge performers
as Robert Plant. Together, they made Van Halen into the most popular American
rock & roll band of the late '70s and early '80s, and in the process
set the template for hard rock and heavy metal for the '80s.
Throughout the '80s, it was impossible not to hear Van Halen's instrumental
technique on records that ranged from the heaviest metal to soft pop.
Furthermore, Roth's irony-drenched antics were copied by singers who took
everything literally. One of these was Sammy Hagar, an arena rock veteran
from the '70s who replaced Roth after the vocalist had a falling out with
Van Halen in 1985. Hagar stayed with the band longer than Roth, helping
the group top the charts through the late '80s and early '90s. However,
the group's sales began to slide in the mid-'90s, just as tensions between
Hagar and Eddie began to arise. In one of the most disastrous publicity
stunts in rock history, Hagar was fired (or quit) and Roth was brought
back on, seemingly as a permanent member, but only for two songs on a
greatest-hits album. He was subsequently replaced by Gary Cherone, a former
member of Extreme.
In 2007, Van Halen is hitting the road again for a sold out fall tour
with reinstated frontman David Lee Roth at the helm and Eddie Van Halen’s
son Wolfgang on bass replacing Michael Anthony.
~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine & Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Let us connect you with a Van Halen Agent now to book Van Halen to appear at your next corporate, private or special event!
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*Headline Entertainment, LLC, the booking agent working on your behalf, acts only as an entertainment broker/producer for corporate functions, private engagements and special events and does not claim or represent itself as the exclusive booking agent, booking agency or management of any artist on this website.
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