Van Halen (album)

Untitled

Van Halen is the self-titled debut album by American hard rock band Van Halen, released in 1978.

Significance

Recorded in 1977 and released in February 1978, it is considered to be one of the most famous debut albums by a hard rock/heavy metal band in history along with such albums as Led Zeppelin's Led Zeppelin, The Jimi Hendrix Experience's Are You Experienced, Boston's Boston, Black Sabbath's Black Sabbath and Guns N' Roses' Appetite for Destruction.

The album has sold over ten million copies in the United States alone and is considered to be one of the most successful debuts by a hard rock band. Along with 1984, it gives Van Halen two original (not a greatest hits) albums with Diamond status in sales -- a feat achieved by only four other rock bands: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and Def Leppard.

From a technical perspective, Eddie Van Halen's guitar solo, "Eruption", was hugely influential on many guitarists. The cadenza near the end is generally regarded as seminal in the development of fretboard tapping, a virtuosic style of solo guitar playing which became popular in the 1980s. The solo's "dive-bomb" pitches also led to the wide-spread use of bridge tremolo bars. "Eruption" was added to the album when producer, Ted Templeman heard Eddie warming up with the instrumental. Eddie told Ted that it was just a solo piece he played live.

The album cover was shot at the world famous Whisky a Go Go.

In 2006, the band's cover of "You Really Got Me" appeared as a playable song in the music video game Guitar Hero II.

Track listing

All songs by Anthony, Roth, Van Halen and Van Halen, except where noted

Side one

1. "Runnin' With the Devil" – 3:35†
2. "Eruption" – 1:42
3. "You Really Got Me" (Ray Davies) – 2:37†
   • (originally performed and recorded by the Kinks)
4. "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" – 3:49†
5. "I'm the One" – 3:46

Side two

6. "Jamie's Cryin'" – 3:30†
7. "Atomic Punk" – 3:01
8. "Feel Your Love Tonight" – 3:42
9. "Little Dreamer" – 3:22
10. "Ice Cream Man" (John Brim) – 3:19
11. "On Fire" – 3:00

† denotes a single

Personnel

• David Lee Roth – vocals
• Eddie Van Halen – guitar
• Michael Anthony – bass
• Alex Van Halen – drums

Production

• Producer: Ted Templeman
• Engineers: Donn Landee, Peggy McCreary, Kent Nebergall
• Project coordinator: Jo Motta
• Art direction: Dave Bhang
• Design: Dave Bhang
• Photography: Elliot Gilbert
• Typesetting: Jodi Cohen

Charts

Album

Billboard (North America)

Year	Chart	Position
1978	Pop Albums	19
1984	The Billboard 200	117

Singles

Billboard (North America)

Year	Single	Chart	Position
1978	"You Really Got Me"	Pop Singles	36
1978	"Runnin' With the Devil"	Pop Singles	84
1978	"Jamie's Cryin'"
1978	"Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love"

RIAA Certification

• Gold: May 24, 1978
• Platinum: October 10, 1978
• Multi-Platinum:
  • October 22, 1984 (5x)
  • February 1, 1989 (6x)
  • September 29, 1993 (7x)
  • July 11, 1994 (8x)
• Diamond: August 7, 1996