Talk You Into It - Episode 21 - Van Halen - a podcast by Josh Sherman

Van Halen is one of the most influential bands in rock-n-roll history. Period. And their story simply cannot be told in one chapter (or podcast).

Chapter 1: DIAMOND DAVE, BABY.  The first four Van Halen albums – Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning – are iconic, unparalleled in the annals of hard rock and heavy metal. Lead singer: David Lee Roth: master showman and the ultimate frontman. What he might lack in vocal chops, he more than makes up with charisma, hoots and howls, leg-kicks and “I WILL ENTERTAIN YOU UNTIL YOU ARE ENTERTAINED” determination. And, yes, he probably invented LSD: Lead Singer Disease. On guitar: Edward Van Halen. EVH. I mean, c’mon. It’s Hendrix, Clapton, Page, and Eddie Van Halen. Bruce Springsteen once said “If you sound like them, you play like them.” And how many guitarists in the 80s and 90s tried to sound like Eddie Van Halen? Every single one of them. And not just the usual suspects from the Sunset Strip, but Billy Corgan and Mike McCready from Sherman and Ski’s sweet spot of 90s alternative too. Everything was held down by the ultimate rhythm section of Michael Anthony on bass and Alex Van Halen on drums. Unlike Eddie, you might not find them on any top ten lists of their craft, but they laid the foundation and powered the band forward, especially live. And not to be overlooked, Anthony’s backing vocals reached incredible heights and are almost foundational to the sound of the band, unlike anything you might here this side of Mike Mills from R.E.M.

They became arena rock heroes when rock bands were still able to break through relentless touring and FM radio. And then there was the birth of MTV and music videos. The album “1984” was their swan song with Roth and their most commercial album to date, layered with synths and pop gems like their first number 1 hit, “Jump” and videos that defined the time like “Hot for Teacher.” Much to the chagrin of their longtime fans and rock guitar absolutists, Van Halen was suddenly climbing the pop charts and rubbing shoulders with Madonna and Michael Jackson (Eddie of course added his signature sound to “Beat It”). Yet at the height of their success, Roth left to pursue a solo career and it seemed Van Halen had reached the end of the line. How many bands in rock history get a second act when they replace the lead singer? Well, Sherman and Ski have a story to tell you about the birth and success of Van Hagar. But we’ll leave that to the next installment!

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