Van Halen exploded out of Pasadena to become the biggest party band in the world. They blended hard rock power with pop melodies, creating a sound that defined the 1980s. Furthermore, the band was fueled by the tension between their flamboyant singer and their virtuoso guitarist. Consequently, their history is just as loud and colorful as their music. Explore these fascinating details about the band that taught the world to jump.
Van Halen
The band famously demanded a bowl of M&Ms with all the brown ones removed in their contract. This wasn’t just a diva request; it was a safety test to see if the promoters had actually read the technical safety manual for their massive stage show.
Eddie and Alex Van Halen actually started out playing each other’s instruments. Originally, Eddie played the drums and Alex played the guitar, but they swapped when Alex turned out to be better at drumming.
Gene Simmons of KISS produced their very first demo tape after seeing them play a club. He wanted to change their name to “Daddy Longlegs,” but thankfully, the band refused the suggestion.
Eddie Van Halen recorded the legendary guitar solo for Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” completely for free. He did it as a favor.
Before they settled on Van Halen, the group called themselves “Mammoth.” They had to change it when they discovered another local band was already using the heavy name.
David Lee Roth later left the spotlight to work as a certified EMT in New York City. He rode in ambulances and saved lives, often without the patients realizing a rock star was treating them.
The iconic instrumental track “Eruption” was never meant to be on the album. Eddie was just warming up his fingers in the studio, but the producer secretly recorded it and insisted on including it.
Eddie built his famous “Frankenstrat” guitar himself because he couldn’t find an axe that did what he wanted. He cobbled it together from spare parts and spray paint for a total cost of about $130.
The band entered the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest fee ever paid for a single performance. They earned $1.5 million for a 90-minute set at the US Festival in 1983.
Eddie actually holds a US patent for a musical support device. He invented a flip-out prop for the back of his guitar that allowed him to play the instrument flat like a piano.
The hit song “Jump” caused a massive fight within the band because of the synthesizer. David Lee Roth hated the keyboard sound, thinking it was too soft for a hard rock band.
Their home studio, “5150,” was named after the California police code for an escaped psychiatric patient. It symbolized the chaotic and wild atmosphere where they created their music.
While recording the “Beat It” solo, the monitor speaker in the control room actually caught fire. The engineer was so shocked by the sound and the smoke that he famously exclaimed, “This must be really good!”
Most fans know about Sammy Hagar, but the band actually had a third lead singer. Gary Cherone from the band Extreme fronted the group for one album in the late 90s.
Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, joined the band as the bass player when he was only 15 years old. He replaced original member Michael Anthony, bringing a new generation of Van Halen into the lineup.
