Photo courtesy of van-halen.com

January 28, 1999 - The most comprehensive book ever written about Van Halen is out now! The 320-page Van Halen Encyclopedia is packed with facts, figures, and tons of other information about the world-famous legends of hard rock.

If you wish to purchase the book using your credit card, click on the INSIDE banner at the top of this page. You can also order the book directly from the author at the Van Halen Encyclopedia web page. For more information we have included the full press release from last October that was released in anticipation of the book. Please note, the book is available for ordering now.

October 3, 1998
For Immediate Release
Contact C.J. Chilvers

The Van Halen Encyclopedia
By C.J. Chilvers, 320 pages
ISBN 0-9667539-0-9, LCCN 98-96627

OAK LAWN, IL - In 1978 a new sound filled the AM airwaves. It was a sound some called "raunchy rock," a new brand of rock and roll determined to rid the world of disco.

The band was Van Halen, a Pasadena, CA based group that was regularly selling out concerts to thousands before they had even released an album. The Van Halen international fan club-, the VHML, in celebration of Van Halen's 20th anniversary as Warner Brothers recording artists is planning the release of The Van Halen Encyclopedia, the first and only detailed book about the most influential rock band of the last two decades.

Two years in the making, The Van Halen Encyclopedia is an archive of information collected from the world's top memorabilia collectors, former band employees, and musicians like Steve Vai and Billy Sheehan. The book is the result of the most in-depth research ever done on the band.

Here's what to expect

• A detailed timeline of the band's red letter dates from 1914 through 1998 including all the facts behind the often confusing lead singer switches.
• A profile of every known magazine article ever written about the band, its members, and any side projects.
• A profile of every television and video appearance by the band, its members, and any side projects.
• Behind-the-scenes information on every album and song released by the band and around 120 songs performed or recorded by the band, but never released.
• A complete biography for each of the six members of the band, past and present, including a biography of Gary Cherone co-written by Gary's twin brother Greg.
• Every benefit the band or its members has appeared at.
• Every soundtrack and movie appearance.
• Every side project recording.
• Important vocabulary for the Van Halen fan.
• A tour itinerary section with every known Van Halen concert date from 1974 through 1998 including set lists, opening acts, attendance figures, important notes about key shows, whether audio or video recordings of a show are in public circulation, and full descriptions of each tour's rigs.

Even those who aren't fanatics will find this book an easy to read and entertaining look at a rock band's journey through the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Advance ordering has just begun through Malpractice Publishing. The first copies are expected to be sent out in two to four months. To order your copy now, for $20 plus $3 shipping, send your orders to

Malpractice Publishing
P.O. Box 79
Oak Lawn, IL 60454

(IL residents add 7.75% sales tax)

A sneak preview of the book has been put up on a web site at http://members.aol.com/vhbook