Van Halen were an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California in 1972 around brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, with David Lee Roth up front. The 1978 debut rewrote rock guitar — Eruption alone launched a thousand imitators — and 1984 delivered Jump. Dig into Van Halen vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
Van Halen formed in Pasadena, California in 1972. The classic lineup was guitarist Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020), his brother Alex Van Halen on drums, bassist Michael Anthony, and singer David Lee Roth. After Roth's departure in 1985, Sammy Hagar fronted a commercially successful second era. The band, anchored by the Van Halen brothers throughout, is regarded as one of the most influential and successful hard rock acts in history. Eddie Van Halen died of cancer in 2020.
Van Halen helped define American hard rock with Eddie Van Halen's revolutionary guitar technique, including his pioneering use of two-handed tapping, showcased on the instrumental Eruption. The band combined virtuosic musicianship with party-rock energy, big hooks, and the charismatic showmanship of their frontmen, influencing generations of rock and metal guitarists.
The 1978 debut and 1984 have been reissued in remastered and anniversary editions, and original Warner Bros. pressings are highly collected. Colored-vinyl variants and box configurations of the Roth- and Hagar-era catalog circulate among hard rock collectors.
Listeners new to Van Halen usually start with Van Halen (1978) or 1984. For related listening, see and .
