Van Halen is known as an innovator of hard rock, beginning with their debut album in 1978. Since then, they quickened up the pace of the game and will continue to do so, now that they have reunited after an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006.
Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen began the group, playing vocals and guitar and drums, respectively, along with Mark Stone on bass. David Lee Roth joined the group as lead vocalist, allowing Eddie to focus on the guitar. By the time the group hit it big, Michael Anthony replaced Stone - not the last lineup change that the group would face.
"Van Halen” was released in 1978, and hit No. 12 on the Billboard charts. The hit songs "Aint Talking Bout Love,” "Runnin with the Devil” and "Eruption” all helped to propel the album to the top of the charts. The group became even more famous after a summer tour opening for Black Sabbath. They released "Van Halen II” next, and really hit it big with "1984,” released that year. The album included the massive hits "Jump,” "Ill Wait,” "Hot for Teacher” and "Panama.”
The album was not only commercially popular, which helped them to gain face time on the newly-emerging MTV, but it was also acclaimed by critics. The success, however, took a toll on the band and Roth was replaced by Sammy Hagar in 1985.
Hagar transitioned seamlessly into the frontman position - he gave the band a softer, more accessible sound. Keyboards became a more important instrument for the outfit, and the songs became longer. The changes paid off - "5150” was even more popular than the last, including the hit singles "Why Cant This Be Love,” "Love Walks in” and "Dreams.”
Van Halen remained popular in the rock world long after many peers fell off the charts as grunge rock was becoming more popular. The group supported Bon Jovi in 1995. After that, Hager left the band was Roth stepped back in, but only for a short time. Gary Cherone claimed the frontman spot in 1996, and the band took a hiatus in 1999 when he left.
The group toured with Hagar for a Greatest Hits album, and in the most current tour Roth is at the helm with Eddies son Wolfgang taking over for Anthony.
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