The syndicated radio show ‘In The Studio’ celebrates the 45th anniversary of Van Halen’s debut album!
In celebration of the 45th anniversary of Van Halen’s classic debut album, ‘In The Studio’ has shared an episode devoted entirely to the album released on February 10th, 1978.
Below is some of what host Redbeard had to say about Van Halen’s debut.:
The list of the most popular debut albums in rock history is a real head-turner, but towering like a giant redwood still forty-five years after its February 1978 release remains the first Van Halen album. Not since the debut by Montrose five years earlier (interestingly produced by the same veteran sonic sorcerer, Ted Templeman) had hard rock been written, played, and captured this hot, including “Runnin’ with the Devil”, “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”, “Jamie’s Cryin’”, “Ice Cream Man”, and a scorching cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”.
The four original members of Van Halen, guitarist/songwriter Eddie Van Halen, big brother drummer Alex Van Halen, lead singer/lyricist David Lee Roth, and ex-bass player/backing vocalist Michael Anthony are all unanimous in their recollections of their unaided efforts before signing their record deal and releasing that now-legendary debut, Van Halen, in February 1978. Just like countless other bands before and since, for five lean years the band members papered fliers on every public blank space from Pasadena California to Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, promoting themselves for untold scores of club gigs while humping their own equipment. But once Warner Bros label president Mo Ostin and A&R head Ted Templeman signed Van Halen and recorded that first album, that all changed.
Read the rest of Redbeard’s blog on the album at the ‘In The Studio’ website HERE.