Van Halen @ 40

[Philo Beddoe]

Van Halen came out 40 years ago today February 10, 1978..definitely one of, if not the the biggest guitar albums ever.

It has also caused some of the biggest, longest most contentious threads on the webs.. from how it was recorded, tone, amps, tubes, guitars, pups, speakers, picks, strings, effects to what brand pants, shirt, shoes, socks and type of underwear Ed was wearing when he recorded Eruption..OK maybe a exaggeration about the pants, shirt, shoes, socks and type of underwear but it has been put under a microscope and taken apart down to the smallest detail..

Haven't listened to it in a long time so might just have to do that before the day is out..

 

[Bulk Wrap]

It was a Fender Bandmaster on 10.

 

[SpiderWars]

It was a Hanes crew sock...one sock.

 

[Bloodrock]

If Ed really wanted to make some cash he should write a book detailing his rig over the years TRUTHFULLY. I feel he gets much more entertainment out of all the bullshit he’s put out over the years tho. Doubt he needs cash bad enough yet.

 

[Badronald]

The Interweb says EVH estimated worth is at $100 million.
No need for cash.

 

[sytharnia1560]

Isn't Fair Warning considered the guitarists VH album?

 

[thenine]

the best!

 

[Rick Lee]

Isn't Fair Warning considered the guitarists VH album?

Which VH album isn't considered the guitarist's VH album? Ed has made quite a contribution to the craft.

 

[Bishop5150]

I think Ed went commando when he recorded Eruption.

 

[fusedbrain]

Man, that still sounds great after all this time.
It's kinda funny though...when I listen to this now, I still go through the same thought process as when I first heard it back then:
1 holy shit, can this guy play. Never heard anything like that before.
2 fuk, this rocks! These are great songs.
3 what a cool way to mix a rock record, with the guitar panned to one side and delay in the other speaker.
4 vox and harmonies are killer and the arrangements are solid.

In fact I go through a bunch of stuff before I get to: hmm.. I wonder what value cap he has on V2a of his Marshall?
There is so much more to why this is timeless than some "Magic Marshall amp". I've never been able to understand the obsession with Eddie's gear, but that's just me, I guess...

 

[Philo Beddoe]

The Interweb says EVH estimated worth is at $100 million.
No need for cash.

Good point. And the same webs say Alex is worth $75 million and Dave $60 million.

With that kind of cash and their ages: Ed is 63, Alex is 64 and Dave is 63 I wonder if they are done?

 

[MrDowntown]

I keep hearing a 40 yr Anniversary tour.

 

[5150clone]

My favorite album all time. It still sounds fresh. Unbelievable really. I don’t think we’ll experience that ever again. As far as someone coming along and changing the guitar like he did

 

[Rick Lee]

I keep hearing a 40 yr Anniversary tour.

Since the end of the 1984 tour, there has never been a day without a rumor of the next VH tour. Never one day. How many of those turned out to be true?

 

[MrDowntown]

Well they've toured about 11-12 times since the '84 tour...including many years of drama...but I hear what you're saying.

They're 60+ y.o. Now...so I'm not holding my breath.

Oh,,,did I forget to say, the next tour will include MA!

 

[AndyK]

One of the best albums EVER! Every song is great, from beginning to end.

A true classic.

 

[Bulk Wrap]

If Ed really wanted to make some cash he should write a book detailing his rig over the years TRUTHFULLY.

^^this^^

 

[Iceman8.6]

Six years since their last album- ADKOT -and when I listen to it they just don't sound hungry like they did on that first album. Not saying its a bad album but it just doesn't have the same feel or vibe to me. I guess its hard to nearly impossible to recapture the fire and hunger of youth.

Some of that might be MA being gone.

They are a bunch of old rich men now.

Done? If I had to guess I'd say yes.

 

[Rick Lee]

Six years since their last album- ADKOT -and when I listen to it they just don't sound hungry like they did on that first album. Not saying its a bad album but it just doesn't have the same feel or vibe to me. I guess its hard to nearly impossible to recapture the fire and hunger of youth.

Some of that might be MA being gone.

They are a bunch of old rich men now.

Done? If I had to guess I'd say yes.

I agree, but the production and brick walled mastering of ADKOT sucked too. It doesn't hold a candle to what Ted Templeman and Donn Landee did back in the day. And, though Ed still plays as well as he ever did, his modern guitar tone is nothing special. I like the EVH amps and they are a great bang for the buck with lots of great tones in them. But they ain't '68 100w Rosemary Plexis.

 

[Bulk Wrap]