417: Van Halen releases self-titled debut album
A staple Sunset Strip party band of the mid-70s, Van Halen was first championed by Gene Simmons. Simmons abandoned the recording of their first demo over “creative differences”. Mo Ostin and Ted Templeman of Warner Brothers were waiting in the wings and signed them months later. Despite a short recording process that left mistakes intact and yielded a gritty live sound, Eddie Van Halen’s technical wizardry and David Lee Roth’s hyperactive showmanship made for an explosive dynamic, one that would later erupt in the band’s storied conflicts. Their self-titled debut was released to immediate success, peaking at #12 on the Billboard charts in 1978. Favorites such as “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”, “Runnin’ With the Devil”, their cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” and “Eruption” elevated Eddie Van Halen to guitar god status. Along with their other milestone recording, 1984, Van Halen has two original albums with Diamond status in sales – a feat achieved by few bands.
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