VAN HALEN
"Eddie Van Halen rewrote the rules of rock guitar."
THE STORY
Van Halen formed in Pasadena, California in 1972, and their 1978 debut album announced the arrival of the greatest rock guitarist of his generation. Eddie Van Halen's two-handed tapping technique — showcased in the 90-second instrumental 'Eruption' — changed rock guitar forever.
With David Lee Roth as their flamboyant frontman, Van Halen became one of the biggest live acts of the late 70s and 80s. Their 1984 album produced 'Jump' — their only #1 hit — built around a synthesizer riff that the rest of the band initially hated.
After Roth left in 1985, Sammy Hagar joined and the band continued to have commercial success. But it's the Roth era that defined Van Halen's legacy — raw, explosive, and unlike anything that came before.
ESSENTIAL TRACKS
Jump
1984
Eruption
Van Halen
Panama
1984
Hot for Teacher
1984
Runnin' with the Devil
Van Halen
Why Can't This Be Love
5150
Eddie Van Halen is consistently ranked among the greatest guitarists of all time. 'Eruption' is studied in music schools worldwide.
FAST FACTS
Records sold
Over 80 million worldwide
Eddie's technique
Invented two-handed tapping — changed guitar playing forever
Eruption
1 minute 42 seconds that rewrote rock guitar
Brown M&Ms
Their rider banned brown M&Ms — a quality-control test for venues
Rock Hall
Inducted in 2007