One of the greatest debut albums of all time!!!

@ronstewart6362

Ай бұрын

The Greatest IMO 👍🎸

@handsomerube

Ай бұрын

@@ronstewart6362 I have this tied with Boston’s debut. Both amazing for different reasons.

@ronstewart6362

Ай бұрын

@@handsomerube I love that album also👍. But this one Changed my life as a musician.

@stephanea5364

Ай бұрын

Appetite destroys it

@revwillyg6450

Ай бұрын

@@stephanea5364appetite is one of my favorite albums ever. It however, does not in any way "destroy" VH 1

The solo from Ice cream man takes my head off even today, all time great

@Slick-ng5kf

Ай бұрын

Still my favorite EVH solo.

"Is that the guitar? How is he doing that?!?" That ought to be the title of this vid. It's the same thing we all said in 1978. Still get goosebumps hearing this...

@ericferreri4436

Ай бұрын

Hahaha 'How is he doing that?' is basically everyone's reaction to the whole album. It's perfect.

@patricklenehan1778

Ай бұрын

Not the first to ask that about Eddie.

Michael Anthony anchored the vocals constantly! He was amazing…

@ChrisSmith-gx4bz

Ай бұрын

He still is!

@revwillyg6450

Ай бұрын

@@ChrisSmith-gx4bzI'm glad Sammy won Mikey in the big divorce 😂

@sgtbigballs666

Ай бұрын

Too bad he isn't a little better at playing bass haha

The "waka waka" sound in the Atomic Punk intro is done done by rubbing the edge of his right hand up and down over strings, while using a phase shifter pedal into his amp.

@user-re5zc2ss5h

Ай бұрын

Yep, perfect description.

@pudgydaddy

Ай бұрын

Correct!

@Sharris65

Ай бұрын

Isn't it the pick edge? He's "scratching" with the pick.

@hyzeronhisrizer

Ай бұрын

@@Sharris65 Yes, exactly!

@OlettaLiano

Ай бұрын

I got that sound by scraping the edge of my pick up and down the E and A strings while palm muting.

Not a single bad song in this debut album 💿! Eruption will forever bring me back to my care free, high school days.

@stevennovakovich2525

Ай бұрын

Me too!

The Atomic Punk is so underrated

This album changed everything for the guitar imo, one of the best debuts ever!

10 years old when this dropped. Mom took my radio away for a week shortly thereafter.

@WhiskeyShred

Ай бұрын

😂🤘

@rothed16

26 күн бұрын

😂😢😂😢😂

@JohnSmith-mx8wp

18 күн бұрын

#c.j.7752 This is as it should be

"How is he doing that" is such a relatable reaction to hearing Ed do something for the first time.

Michael Anthony has "highs from hell" as Eddie Van Halen said one time. Anthony's voice is beyond incredible - an incredible 1st tenor. Mixed Ed's second tenor voice and Diamond Dave's low voice, they had a super vocal group. Man, there will never be a band like Van Halen again. At least we were here when they were around! That first album turned everyone upside down - changed everything!

Dave era Van Halen was big time influenced by 50's and Motown music. And according to Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony is the true voice of Van Halen. His harmonies are just incredible.

@MarkMay-cr6bv

Ай бұрын

I think anyone that listened to Van Halen from Day 1 -- years before Sammy Hagar entered the picture -- knows about Michael Anthony and his vocal importance to the band pre- and post-Dave. We hardly need Sammy to draw us a picture.

@Stoovey24

Ай бұрын

​@@MarkMay-cr6bvit was just a comment, not a dick. Don't take it hard.

Van Halen raising the bar in the fun department was a major reason the 80s was such a fun decade!

I was 13 when this came out. It was revolutionary for us. Everyone loved it. We said goodbye to Kiss! You rock Doug!

@Psyborg777

Ай бұрын

Oh my God that's exactly what happened to me and my cousin we bought it at Middle Earth records in Downey California

"How is he doing that?" - the phrase most often said when listening to Eddie Van Halen.

@keithvanhen8387

Ай бұрын

So true lol

All those gorgeous harmonies are from Michael Anthony. Another interesting thing about the mix is Ed’s guitar is panned one way and the effects on his guitar are panned opposite.

@cryptoholica72

Ай бұрын

The plate reverb is on the right.

@ak47dragunov

Ай бұрын

Eddie himself plays a big role in those backing vocals as well. He and Mike blended great

Doug, Eddie got the 'scratching' effect in Atomic Punk by rubbing up and down across the strings with the flat/palm of his right hand and enhancing the effect with his phaser pedal.

I haven't heard these in about 30 years and, strangely, the thing that struck me the most was how solid Alex was on the kit. Damn, could he take care of business!!

@jackaubrey3037

Ай бұрын

Can't sleep on the Reverend on ANY Van Halen song.

@jonnuanez7183

Ай бұрын

One gets overlooked, no matter your skill set, when your brother is Eddie Van Halen.

Van Halen II next! Soon I hope

As a guitar player myself, this album blew my hat off.

This music is simply so satisfying.....their chemistry, the structure, the dynamics, their individual contributions...and, of course, Eddie...playing like nobody had heard before! I've stated this often: I've heard their music, especially during the DLR era, as "California Party Rock", but the genre that best describes them is simply as "Van Halen"!

1978 I was a sophomore in high school and it was also one of the best years in Rock and Roll History. The albums that came out in 1978 were phenomenal

@terrylandess6072

Ай бұрын

It's not 'stoner' music like most of what we were accustomed to with a few exceptions.

@Spiritbro77

Ай бұрын

I was too. Graduated in 1980. We lived That '70s Show. Literally. You are correct about all the albums from that year.

@Ninang363

Ай бұрын

@@terrylandess6072 I consider it "Arena Rock"

@51502

Ай бұрын

Myself also those were great times in music ​@@Spiritbro77

@stevennovakovich2525

Ай бұрын

I was a sophomore as well. Magical times and music.

Atomic punk is my fave on this album.

@Ashtrayred

Ай бұрын

Agreed! I often name my MMO characters after the song, :)

Doug, this album changed the world! VH is like no other.

12:40 When Doug does that little dance I cant help but think of the Gopher from CaddyShack !

@NewBritainStation

Ай бұрын

That’s what I always thought!

@badmotorbreath5206

Ай бұрын

😅👍

Yes …. Fantastic 1978 summer’s Classic Rock releases… Van Halen… Explosive First album! 100%

The second side of this great album is a wait for the tapping on Ice cream man, iconic! it has been quite some time since I listened to these somgs, but I got every note imprinted in my brain.

I’m so happy you brought up the background vocals! It does set them apart from ordinary bands that hire singers or overdub the lead vocalist multiple times. VH is one of a kind

Eruption was never worked out beforehand , it was simply Edward warming up backstage before a show and Ted Templeman heard it and said it needs to be on the album . Eddie admitted he made a mistake in the beginning because he got turned around but decided to leave it instead of fixing it . Eddie never took it seriously but everybody else did.

Eddie was “unorthodox” which I translate as being inventive, original, experimental, simply on another level when it came to technique, speed and style. No one before or since equals his talent or contribution to music, guitar, and awesomeness.🤘🖖✌️🎸🎸🎤🥁

I was 18 when this album dropped, I bought two copies, One album, and one 8-track, for my '66 ford galaxy....great album debut for a band...we were changed!!!!

@Stoovey24

Ай бұрын

8-track! My parents had one hooked up to the basement sound system...

@LittleJohnaton

15 күн бұрын

You're lucky man :)

@gandalf679

14 күн бұрын

@@LittleJohnaton Indeed, friend, indeed.

Btw u noticed the extensive use of E flat. It really works well with Edward's "Brown Sound", which he developed with his self built amps, whammy bar and his technique

Man, nobody else played a boogie shuffle like Eddie!

@mattblatchley2061

21 күн бұрын

YES!!! This^^^^^^^^

rock-n-roll, was more raw, back then. And, Alex, is definitely under rated !

One of my favorite albums of all time!!

Saw them on tour in the UK for this album, supporting Black Sabbath on their 10th Anniversary tour. They probably regretted having Van Halen as the opening act...

The first two Van Halen albums didn't have a lot of alternates in tuning because they were written for playing in clubs where retuning wasn't a practical thing without multiple guitars. VH recorded VH1 live for the most part outside of a vocal isolation booth. In the overhead drum mics, you can hear Edward's guitar in the background. Live.

The first tour they opened for Ted Nugent. Ed got Ted's attention. Ted loves Eddie, asked if he could play though his rig and in a recent interview with the author of the new Van Halen book couldn't say enough good things about Ed, praising him.

When this came out, I was just a few years into playing guitar and had just joined a band. After listening to EVH, my hopes of becoming the world's greatest guitar player were crushed. 😆😅🤣 I then knew what people in the 60s felt when they first heard Hendrix. "Is that the guitar?" you asked. That's exactly what many were saying back then, even guitar players. EVH, one of a kind.

The backing vocals on feel your love tonight to me always had a beach boys sound.

Doug has been unveilin' the Van Halen. Side two is my favorite. Atomic Punk may be my favorite song from the Dave years. The whole album has such a swing to it. Thanks for the video, Doug!

Hallo from Germany,it is a metal monday,i wish y'all fun

Never ever forget it until the day I die. My best friend Randy said "hey...I got a new album you have to listen to!" Who is it I said. VAN HALEN...who is Van Halen? LOL...a 100 watt stereo with a turntable and 15 inch woofer speakers...in like a 12 x 12 bedroom. The needle dropped on Running with the devil..and that was it...I was a fan.

Atomic Punk is the BEST SONG they ever did; but I also have an "Affinity" for Little Dreamer, too! Who am I kidding, it's all GREAT!

@michaelkrutz5737

Ай бұрын

DOA is tops for me.

@monicafryer3250

Ай бұрын

I loved your video Doug.I love Van Halen.I enjoyed how you enjoyed their music.Thank you for a awesome video on Van Halen.:)🤘

This Album went Diamond!

@stevennovakovich2525

Ай бұрын

In-line with "Diamond Dave".

Feel Your Love Tonight's vocal harmonies remind me of the Beach Boys.

Incredible debut album but my favorites are Fair Warning and Women & Children First.

Rapper Tone-Loc sampled Alex Van Halen's drum intro to 'Jamie's Crying' for 'Wild Thing'.

Yes Van Halen ll

Kudos! Loved this reaction, sir! It was fun to hear you demonstrate some of the vocal harmonies-it really helped me to hear them better. I feel that is a subtle but valuable educational component that you showcase on your channel.

"Little Dreamer" is my absolute favorite Van Halen tune. So underrated.

Great review! Thanks…..one of my favorite all time bands

I was 13 when I first heard this. It was like a smack to the music scene. I enjoyed the smack and haven't looked back. 58 now and still listening. Never gets old.

I was -15 years old when this album released. Still rocks!

"How is he doing that?!!!!!" This question has probably been asked more than any question in rock. EVH was a game changer. Lord, how he is missed

Van Halen’s debut album is the greatest of all time! You can still see why when it came out in ‘78 it set the music world On Fire!

Eddie and alex loved old stuff like dave clark 5

One of the best album of all time and Little Dreamer is the crown. Thank You Doug! / Rolf from Stockholm

Had it on 8-track and vinyl upon release when I was all of 16 years old. Remember it well. Saw them in 1980 for the "Women And Children First" tour. Amazing.

You can not pick a fault with this masterpiece..its just so unbelievable how good it is ..I never get sick of listening to it..probably one of the greatest albums ever recorded..ever ...end ❤❤❤

That intro to Atomic Punk sounds like a muted chuck, meaty part of the palm rubbing across the strings, on guitar played through a flanger or phaser pedal. Your comment on their backing vocals setting them apart from their contemporaries is spot on,... along with Eddie's playing of course 😇

@ChrisHopkinsBass

Ай бұрын

I think it was an MXR Phase 90 phaser

@Mertztillithurts

Ай бұрын

@@ChrisHopkinsBass Yeah that's what he used back then and for a LONG TIME!

@sim0n17

Ай бұрын

@@ChrisHopkinsBass yep, more likely than not his phase 90, but he had access to flangers in the studio - I should have researched it

when I saw them open for Sabbath in 78, they started with On Fire, and blew my teenage ass away... this was also partially helped by supplies from a 1 armed Vietnam vet that had mercy on our lack of party supplies.

Thanks for this it has been a long time since I listened to it all ( bought it when it dropped ) - Saw them live on their first visit to Vancouver BC in 1979 where they dropped some new songs from the just released Album 2 into the mix .

The Mighty Van Halen, this album changed music forever!!

I bought this album in '78 for my older brothers birthday present and I ended up liking more than him, but it was played constantly on our Pioneer audio system downstairs by the pool table constantly. Wishing i could return to those special times. On the vinyl, and the big speakers, it was magic to hear!

@georgehuerta1990

Ай бұрын

Amen bro me to 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

Timeless album by one of the best rock bands ever. RIP, Edje.

Is that the guitar? How is he doin that? THAT is certified Guitar Wizard Eddie Van Halen. The things that man can do with a six-string are legendary.

I truly enjoy your commentary for all that you review. Great stuff and so much fun.

Rocklahoma 1980 lineup -Pat Benatar, Sammy Hagar Band, Van Halen , and Doobie Bros headlining with Michael McDonald. Sunburn , beer , and bikinis! What a great experience!🤠🎶

As a bassist, I always loved covering Van Halen. The bass lines are always fun and easy to play.

I was only around 10 in '78, but my brain was massively influenced by my older brother and sister who were in their late teens at the time. I can clearly remember the day they came home from a trip to the mall with new album purchases and played them, she with Blondi's Parallel Lines, and him with Van Halen's debut. She was not entirely into most of the Van Halen Album until Ice Cream Man played, which she absolutely loved. I was very fortunate to grow up with their musical influences. To this day I love both of those albums!

This is a great reaction - love your enthusiasm! You cannot go wrong by reacting to all songs on their first 7 albums (all of Dave's and Sammy's first with the band). There are also some solid live versions to check out as well. You're going to run into some Dave vs Sammy .. but I don't see how a truly deep fan can dismiss 5150 (and the huge live energy that came from that). Keep in mind I was just transitioning into middle school and finding harder rock music during transition from Dave to Sammy - I can respect the heartbreak for someone following the band from day one. Keep going!!

What a magnificent album , clear and crisp sounds… of all instruments… amazing!

Cool how you mentioned the 50s connection. The nice thing about this music growing up was that my dad (who played bass and guitar in bands from 1959-64) liked some of it, Jamie's Cryin', Little Dreamer, Ice Cream Man, I'm the One. This way, I didn't feel like I was driving him nuts trying to listen to the records and learn the songs. Call me crazy, but in bits of Eruption, I'm the One, and the lick at the opening of the guitar solo for Ice Cream Man, I totally hear Vivaldi-type string passages being adapted to the guitar. I think Eddie made good use of his piano training and the gang did a great job of making rock songs that had interesting bits but sounded carefree at the same time, so that they weren't so complicated that they were difficult to dance to.

They had an interesting formula back then, you will notice that most notes played by Eddie in his solos can be played on predominantly black keys of the keyboard, while the rest is predominantly on white keys. A fascinating formula that led to some amazing sounds. FYI, the intro sound you hear on that guitar is done with the palm of his right hand over the pickups. I bet I listened to this album more than 10,000 times during my Jr. high and high school years. Used to walk around with a boom box all the time playing this album over and over as I cruised with my friends (on foot) all around town, usually late at night (mischief 😉)

If I had to only listen to one band the rest of my life it would be Van Halen. Hands down. Great reviews, glad to find your channel!

With those vocals, this is the beach boys meets metal!

@dannyholloway2007

Ай бұрын

Yes, going through their albums chronologically would be a true adventure.

Using the Eb tuning really helps the vocals on hitting those higher notes. :-)

I remember as a kid the day my cousin showed me this album for the first time. So amazing.

I love your enthusiasm and passion and knowledge of music Doug. Keep up the channel!!!!

Someone once described Van Halen as "The Beach Boys of Hard Rock."

The intro guitar sound is muted strumming through a phaser pedal to make that jet engine sound.

The best debut album since "Are You Experienced"

In true classic rock radio DJ mode, you talk over the instrumental intro during "Little Dreamer"!

I have only just discovered you on KZread. This album is still 45 years later my favourite of all time. Eddie clearly imo the greatest guitarist who ever played. Thank you for your reviews.

Just imagine what it was like when that first came out. I heard it when I was in Boy Scout camp and I was eight years old and I could not believe what I was hearing.

Glad to see you enjoying this remarkable debut album. Saw their first Tour warming up for Montrose and headliner Journey. All three were great but Van Halen was who everyone had to see. No one had ever heard anything like Eddie before. Good to see you delving back into Cream this summer. Regards

Love this content Doug... saw VH several times starting with The Fair Warning Tour all the way thru intonthe Sammy Era including back to back nights in 1984 in Okc... crazy that my favorite band is Dream Theater now..I've been lucky to see greatness in different eras

8th grade when this came out.... great album

Doug. We are all-in for you reacting to every VH studio release. It can be done!

This debut rocked the world. I was just starting high school. We were blown away. I remember a roumor making its way around that Van Halen were mearly KISS without their make up. Fell for it for a day. But was like yeah man no that's bs

This album is the beginning and the spark of the metal movement! Hard rock ‘n’ roll played with flare and Guitar like nobody else in this day and era could play… and I do mean nobody. All of the grades of today John Petrucci, steve by, Joe Satriani all heard this and we’re like just literally blown away and they all asked how is he doing that especially on eruption! And all four of these guys get their do because real musicians know just how great all of these guys really were

On Fire sounds like cross between Atomic Punk and I'm you ice cream man, almost like they intentionally mixed the two and came up with lyrics and here it is.

1978 was a great year. So many great albums. Rock and Roll made a triumphant comeback and provided a response to all the disco tunes that were fighting for airplay on the radio.

The needle could drop on any groove and I'd be happy. The best rock album ever made.

Eddie tuned flat and sometimes tempered his B string as well, and the band just tuned to Eddie. In '78 was at a boarding school in rural Oregon when someone got this record on a trip to town - because it had a cool cover! He played it loud in our open-plan dorm and we were just blown away the moment the car horns kicked in. Just 15-20 teenagers standing there in a group WTF Then we played it again and again so we could learn the air band parts.

So, as much as you enjoyed hearing that now - I don’t think you can fathom just how much the wee heads of 9th graders like me were absolutely exploded hearing those guitar sounds and everything from the tapping to the wild, nearly atonal squeals & bends during those breakneck-speed solos. I know a lot of folks who were teenagers when they saw the Beatles on Ed Sullivan and felt that everything had suddenly changed - I felt the same way hearing this album. 🤯🤯🤯 Very cool to see someone react all these years later with a first-time hearing. Cathartic - all over again!

Thanks for reacting to this iconic classic. I was 12 when it came out. At that time disco was huge, Saturday Night Fever was making everyone take dance lessons, Star Wars came out, we had Pong for home video game, arcades and drive-ins were huge, so we’re CB’s, no stereo TV yet, there were VCR’s but they weren’t as common as they would be in the 80’s, everyone had a Frisbee 186 grams if you were serious, Elvis died, and then Eddie hit the scene like the Bruce Lee of heavy metal 🎸

Man, it's cool to watch someone hear these songs for the first time. I remember when it came out. There were some great music and guitarist in the 1970's, but V.H. was different and changed music for the 1980's. Edward's natural count was on three instead of 4. He or Alex said in an interview once that sometimes Eddie would have to nod to let Alex know when to come in while working on new songs because it would be on the three.

I just happened to watch your reaction to side one within the last day or so - this is weird, but welcome! I'll add: Saw them open for Black Sabbath on this tour. They played every song except for Little Dreamer. They played another song I never heard them play before after a Michael Anthony bass solo - which was 'You're No Good' and appears on VH2.