Redballjets88
12-07-2007, 02:46 AM
So my English Composition class has a final paper due, and amazingly enough my teacher allowed me to write it on the history of Van Halen with dave. Here's my first draft, it may be in need of some editing but remember i just wrote and it is a rough draft.
Three years ago when my parents asked me what I wanted for Christmas I said that I wanted a few CDs. On Christmas morning I opened up a few random presents and nothing really memorable, and then I opened up a present that would go on to change my life. I received a copy of Van Halen I. From the second I put it into the stereo I was hooked. Van Halen has since become my favorite band and has influenced my entire taste in music.
The four original members of Van Halen have very different backgrounds. Eddie and Alex Van Halen were both born in Denmark into a family of musicians. At a very young age both of them were exposed to music and were well versed in various forms of the art. They moved to California in their childhood and continued to play music. At first Alex played guitar and Eddie was a drummer, but after awhile the two switched because Alex liked playing drums more and Eddie was more attracted to the guitar.( http://www.valleywebs.com/van-halen/) After a few years the two started a band with Alex on drums and Eddie handling guitar and lead vocals. When the load got to big for Eddie to handle they brought in David Lee Roth to be the front-man. David Lee Roth was born in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of Dr. Nathan Roth. (http://www.davidleeroth.com/bio) As a youth he would frequent his uncle Manny Roths’ bar and nightclub Café Wha?. This is where he got most of his influence, being exposed to acts such as Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. The final member of Van Halen was Michael Anthony was born in Chicago Illinois. He later moved to California and formed a short lived band known as Snake. He joined Van Halen after the original bassist, Mark Stone, quit. Van Halen started out playing back yard parties and local venues. After a couple of years they moved up to playing Los Angeles venues such as the Starwood and Whiskey A Go-Go (http://www.classicvanhalen.com/bios.shtml). In 1976 Gene Simmons from KISS saw Van Halen play and let them record a demo, but the sessions did not go well and the sound quality was not very good. In 1977 Warner producer Ted Templeman went to a Van Halen show and immediately invited them to the recording studio. After the demo was recorded Van Halen was signed to Warner and the legend was born.
In 1978 Van Halens’ debut album came out. Van Halen I was and still is one of the most dynamic records of all time. With original songs such as Runnin’ With the Devil, Jamie’s Cryin’, and Feel Your Love Tonight, along with covers like You Really Got Me and The Ice Cream Man. From the opening note people knew that Eddie Van Halen was something they have never heard before, and by the time they had listened to Eruption fans realized that they had discovered a new guitar god. Over the next four years Eddie would go on to win three guitarist of the year awards. Along with the guitar virtuosity of Eddie, Dave added a flare and energy to the music that had never been seen before. The overall sound of Van Halen I was non stop fast paced and ‘in your face’. On their first tour Van Halen was the opening act for Black Sabbath on Black Sabbath’s 10 year anniversary tour. It has been said that Van Halen repeatedly stole the show night after night.( http://www.valleywebs.com/van-halen) Within ten months of Van Halen I’s release the album went platinum. Van Halen has sold over 10 million albums to date.
From 1979 to 1982 Van Halen released four more albums. These albums were; Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, and Diver Down. Van Halen II was written and recorded in a matter of two months. It also went platinum within months. With hits such as ‘Dance the Night Away’ and ‘Somebody Get Me a Doctor’. In 1980 Van Halen released Women and Children First. Women and Children First was critically acclaimed and sold over two million copies. When 1981 rolled around Van Halen released fair Warning. This album, to many critics, is considered Eddies album. The album is extremely guitar driven and darker than the other albums. Also in 1981 Van Halen played their legendary Oakland ’81 show. This is one of the few shows that footage was shot at. Diver Down was released in 1982. This is considered to be Dave’s album. It is a very upbeat album and a bit more poppy than the other albums while still keeping its’ edge. In 1982 Van Halen set a record for being paid one million dollars to play at the US Festival. They headlined the venue that also had the biggest rock acts of the time. Van Halen also released its first music video. The video was for the song ‘Pretty Woman’ but the video was banned by MTV due to the presence of a transsexual man at the end of the video. The 1979 to 1982 time period is when Van Halen solidified their place in mainstream rock music. Their next album is what would vault them into the pantheon of rock legends.
In 1984 the most momentous album of Van Halen history came out. 1984, or MCMLXXXIV as it was written on the record, was the bands most popular release, and gave the band its first number one hit in Jump. Along with the hugely successful ‘Jump’ songs such as ‘Hot for Teacher’, ‘Panama’, and ‘I’ll Wait’, 1984 was a smash hit for Van Halen. Each of these songs was commercially successful and was on the top Billboard Top 100 List. (http://www.classicvanhalen.com/). Some fans were slightly upset with the album because of the use of synthesizers. They felt that the song was too mainstream and did not fit the normal Van Halen sound. At this point Van Halen was on top of its game and could not be drug down. They were arguably the biggest band on the face of the earth.
In early 1985 David Lee Roth recorded his first solo album called Crazy from the Heat. The album was four songs long and was all cover songs. Many felt that Dave was trying to break away from his band, while other felt that he was just doing his own thing and being himself. Dave was in talks to also star in a movie (www.rollingstone.com). From this point on break-up rumors began to swirl. When the recording of their seventh album happened is when the band did too. Dave left the band to pursue a solo career. Sammy Hagar was brought in to replace Dave. Sammy Hagar began in music in the 1970’s as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Montrose. His next move was to a solo career. He had some success with a few catchy but bland hits. He finally got famous in 1985 when he joined Van Halen (www.vh1.com). Van Halen went on with Hagar and had success, but the style of music greatly suffered and many long-time Van Halen fans did not like the new music. Dave went on to have a good solo career and his first four albums went platinum. Eat Em’ and Smile had hits such as ‘Yankee Rose’ and ‘That’s Life’. His next album, Skyscraper, had ‘Just Like Paradise’. Dave could never recapture the magic that the had with Van Halen though.
Last week my dreams came true. I ordered a ticket to go see Van Halen live with David Lee Roth once again and the helm. This is the first tour since 1984 that Eddie, Alex, and Dave have been on stage with one another. On January 26th, 2008 in American Airline Center, in section 112 row S, I will be having the greatest day of my life. For twenty-three years Van Halen fans all of the world have been waiting for this day, just as I have. I have hope and faith, and as David Lee Roth said, “…those are a lot more than the names of a couple of strippers from Albuquerque” (www.rotharmy.com/quotes)
Three years ago when my parents asked me what I wanted for Christmas I said that I wanted a few CDs. On Christmas morning I opened up a few random presents and nothing really memorable, and then I opened up a present that would go on to change my life. I received a copy of Van Halen I. From the second I put it into the stereo I was hooked. Van Halen has since become my favorite band and has influenced my entire taste in music.
The four original members of Van Halen have very different backgrounds. Eddie and Alex Van Halen were both born in Denmark into a family of musicians. At a very young age both of them were exposed to music and were well versed in various forms of the art. They moved to California in their childhood and continued to play music. At first Alex played guitar and Eddie was a drummer, but after awhile the two switched because Alex liked playing drums more and Eddie was more attracted to the guitar.( http://www.valleywebs.com/van-halen/) After a few years the two started a band with Alex on drums and Eddie handling guitar and lead vocals. When the load got to big for Eddie to handle they brought in David Lee Roth to be the front-man. David Lee Roth was born in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of Dr. Nathan Roth. (http://www.davidleeroth.com/bio) As a youth he would frequent his uncle Manny Roths’ bar and nightclub Café Wha?. This is where he got most of his influence, being exposed to acts such as Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. The final member of Van Halen was Michael Anthony was born in Chicago Illinois. He later moved to California and formed a short lived band known as Snake. He joined Van Halen after the original bassist, Mark Stone, quit. Van Halen started out playing back yard parties and local venues. After a couple of years they moved up to playing Los Angeles venues such as the Starwood and Whiskey A Go-Go (http://www.classicvanhalen.com/bios.shtml). In 1976 Gene Simmons from KISS saw Van Halen play and let them record a demo, but the sessions did not go well and the sound quality was not very good. In 1977 Warner producer Ted Templeman went to a Van Halen show and immediately invited them to the recording studio. After the demo was recorded Van Halen was signed to Warner and the legend was born.
In 1978 Van Halens’ debut album came out. Van Halen I was and still is one of the most dynamic records of all time. With original songs such as Runnin’ With the Devil, Jamie’s Cryin’, and Feel Your Love Tonight, along with covers like You Really Got Me and The Ice Cream Man. From the opening note people knew that Eddie Van Halen was something they have never heard before, and by the time they had listened to Eruption fans realized that they had discovered a new guitar god. Over the next four years Eddie would go on to win three guitarist of the year awards. Along with the guitar virtuosity of Eddie, Dave added a flare and energy to the music that had never been seen before. The overall sound of Van Halen I was non stop fast paced and ‘in your face’. On their first tour Van Halen was the opening act for Black Sabbath on Black Sabbath’s 10 year anniversary tour. It has been said that Van Halen repeatedly stole the show night after night.( http://www.valleywebs.com/van-halen) Within ten months of Van Halen I’s release the album went platinum. Van Halen has sold over 10 million albums to date.
From 1979 to 1982 Van Halen released four more albums. These albums were; Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, and Diver Down. Van Halen II was written and recorded in a matter of two months. It also went platinum within months. With hits such as ‘Dance the Night Away’ and ‘Somebody Get Me a Doctor’. In 1980 Van Halen released Women and Children First. Women and Children First was critically acclaimed and sold over two million copies. When 1981 rolled around Van Halen released fair Warning. This album, to many critics, is considered Eddies album. The album is extremely guitar driven and darker than the other albums. Also in 1981 Van Halen played their legendary Oakland ’81 show. This is one of the few shows that footage was shot at. Diver Down was released in 1982. This is considered to be Dave’s album. It is a very upbeat album and a bit more poppy than the other albums while still keeping its’ edge. In 1982 Van Halen set a record for being paid one million dollars to play at the US Festival. They headlined the venue that also had the biggest rock acts of the time. Van Halen also released its first music video. The video was for the song ‘Pretty Woman’ but the video was banned by MTV due to the presence of a transsexual man at the end of the video. The 1979 to 1982 time period is when Van Halen solidified their place in mainstream rock music. Their next album is what would vault them into the pantheon of rock legends.
In 1984 the most momentous album of Van Halen history came out. 1984, or MCMLXXXIV as it was written on the record, was the bands most popular release, and gave the band its first number one hit in Jump. Along with the hugely successful ‘Jump’ songs such as ‘Hot for Teacher’, ‘Panama’, and ‘I’ll Wait’, 1984 was a smash hit for Van Halen. Each of these songs was commercially successful and was on the top Billboard Top 100 List. (http://www.classicvanhalen.com/). Some fans were slightly upset with the album because of the use of synthesizers. They felt that the song was too mainstream and did not fit the normal Van Halen sound. At this point Van Halen was on top of its game and could not be drug down. They were arguably the biggest band on the face of the earth.
In early 1985 David Lee Roth recorded his first solo album called Crazy from the Heat. The album was four songs long and was all cover songs. Many felt that Dave was trying to break away from his band, while other felt that he was just doing his own thing and being himself. Dave was in talks to also star in a movie (www.rollingstone.com). From this point on break-up rumors began to swirl. When the recording of their seventh album happened is when the band did too. Dave left the band to pursue a solo career. Sammy Hagar was brought in to replace Dave. Sammy Hagar began in music in the 1970’s as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of Montrose. His next move was to a solo career. He had some success with a few catchy but bland hits. He finally got famous in 1985 when he joined Van Halen (www.vh1.com). Van Halen went on with Hagar and had success, but the style of music greatly suffered and many long-time Van Halen fans did not like the new music. Dave went on to have a good solo career and his first four albums went platinum. Eat Em’ and Smile had hits such as ‘Yankee Rose’ and ‘That’s Life’. His next album, Skyscraper, had ‘Just Like Paradise’. Dave could never recapture the magic that the had with Van Halen though.
Last week my dreams came true. I ordered a ticket to go see Van Halen live with David Lee Roth once again and the helm. This is the first tour since 1984 that Eddie, Alex, and Dave have been on stage with one another. On January 26th, 2008 in American Airline Center, in section 112 row S, I will be having the greatest day of my life. For twenty-three years Van Halen fans all of the world have been waiting for this day, just as I have. I have hope and faith, and as David Lee Roth said, “…those are a lot more than the names of a couple of strippers from Albuquerque” (www.rotharmy.com/quotes)