Formed in Pasadena in 1975 with the original lineup of brothers Alex and Eddie
Van Halen, blonde bombshell vocalist Dave Lee Roth and bassist Michael Anthony,
the quartet originally played under the name Mammoth, changing to Van Halen in
time for their self-titled debut in 1977. Their California cool look,
masterfully pulled off by shirtless Roth, set the band apart from the leather
and tight panted rock schlock of the time, making a name for itself with its
inventive sound and innovative guitar work. Van Halen, the band’s 1978 debut
album, heralded the arrival of a hard rock ban...