Van Halen first listen: Where were you? What were you doing?

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I was a big KISS fan and had been playing guitar for a few yrs but in 78 I had a cool older cousin come by and he said you need to listen to this album by Van Halen. The cover did not impress me but when the needle dropped I was blown away. When Eruption played and the tapping began I thought it was a keyboard/synth. I had no idea it was all guitar and did not know it could be played that way. Eddie has been a constant source of awe and inspiration since that day in 78. Shine On Brother Ed Shine On....
 
When their debut album was released, some (at least in my area) were speculating the Michael Anthony was Gene Simmons without makeup. :lol: :LOL:
 
Although I heard "Jump", "Panama", etc. when it hit MTV, my VH addiction didn't hit hard until 85'.

My VH and guitar addictions started when I heard "Eruption" thru my headphones of my Walkman while laying on my bed in Germany. Soon after that, saw Robert Keeley play Eruption at a talent show in our school. That night, I begged my parents for a guitar.
 
Had VH followed up the first album with something similar, I might have become a bigger fan. I dig beautiful women as much as the next guy, but I wasn't in the frame of mind where I wanted to hear DLR singing about them. Same was true with Dance The Night Away and You're No Good. I loved Linda Ronstadt. Who didn't? I just never thought the band that wrote On Fire, Runnin' With The Devil and Atomic Punk would be covering her. A huge let-down is what it was. WACF was a slight reprieve, but I had moved-on by then. Black Sabbath w/Dio reaffirmed heavy music. Ozzy w/Randy Rhoads came onto the scene, solidifying its future for decades to come. Great days indeed.



I'm 57 now. Of all the radio rock/metal songs I've ever heard, the lead in Flying High Again is hands-down #1. The fact that he includes a sort-of tribute to EVH is the coolest thing ever. Mr. Crowley is right up there with FHA.
 
1978 Cape cod Coliseum opening for Black Sabbath. We knew who they were but until that night all we had heard was "You Really Got Me "
They opened with "On Fire" and went right into "I'm the One". We just looked at each other (several of us were already playing guitar, we were in High school at the time)
and said WTF are we seeing?
I'm still amazed Black Sabbath even came out and played after them LOL!
saw every tour they did through boston After that until DLR quit.
 
It was 1986 and I was 11 when I first saw the video to Hot for Teacher. I immediately knew that was the music that was missing from my parents catalog. :) I went to kmart the next day with my mom and bought 1984 with my allowance.

-JD
 
Me and my Dad was on the way to the Corvette Hall of Fame (45 minutes from my home) and my Dad put on a mix tape and the 1st song was Unchained.

I was completely hyped for the trip to the museum after hearing that song, which kept playing in my head the rest of the day.
 
Sitedrifter":1l6hglty said:
Me and my Dad was on the way to the Corvette Hall of Fame (45 minutes from my home) and my Dad put on a mix tape and the 1st song was Unchained.

I was completely hyped for the trip to the museum after hearing that song, which kept playing in my head the rest of the day.
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Corvette? :rock: I'm looking at a 2013 Grand Sport now. Last of the beautiful Vette's as far as I'm concerned. 8K miles, one owner, convertible. :)
 
I was drunk, stoned and rolling (okay, not rolling) when I first heard VH I. Blew my mind!
 
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