The recent passing of Eddie Van Halen marked the somber end to one of rock 'n' roll's greatest eras. The iconic and innovative guitar wizard and his rowdy bandmates were synonymous with hard rock from the late 1970s through the 1990s, churning out hits like "Runnin' With the Devil," "Jump" and "Why Can't This Be Love" through a variety of lineups. From the breakout years headed by flamboyant lead singer David Lee Roth to the decade with the boisterous Sammy Hagar up front, Van Halen maintained a perpetual appeal with fans and critics. This LIFE special issue explores the turbulent history and massive popularity of the mercurial band and their legendary music.
LIFE: Van Halen
LIFE Bookazines
A Guitar Genius • A ROCK ’N’ ROLL INNOVATOR, EDDIE VAN HALEN BROUGHT AN UNFORGETTABLE COMBINATION OF JOY AND VIRTUOSITY TO HIS MUSIC. MANY HAVE TRIED TO COPY HIS SIGNATURE STYLE, NONE HAS SUCCEEDED
All the World’s a Stage
Bursting Onto the Scene • AS THE 1970S WERE WINDING DOWN, A ROWDY QUARTET OF TEENAGE CALIFORNIA ROCKERS INTRODUCED THEMSELVES—LOUDLY—TO THE WORLD.
First Impressions • THE BAND’S SELF-TITLED DEBUT ALBUM WAS A MUSICAL TRIUMPH FROM START TO FINISH
Instruments of Magic • LIKE A MAD SCIENTIST, EDDIE SPENT HOURS TINKERING WITH PERFECT SOUND
The Perfect Mix • A NEW SOUND AND THE OLD VALUES CONSPIRED TO DELIVER A MASTERPIECE
A New Voice • WITH THE DRAMATIC ARRIVAL OF SAMMY HAGAR, THE BAND SUCCESSFULLY REINVENTED ITSELF, HERALDING IN A DECADE OF SOARING POPULARITY
That Studio Sound • THE FIRST ALBUM WITH SAMMY HAGAR PROVED THAT THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE WAY TO ROCK
Encore Performances • THE BAND’S LATER YEARS FEATURED A REVOLVING DOOR OF MUSICIANS, NONE MORE NOTEWORTHY THAN DAVID LEE ROTH MAKING HIS LONG-AWAITED RETURN
Partying Like It’s 1984 • AFTER MORE THAN TWO DECADES OFANTICIPATION, A REUNION TOUR KICKED OFF IN 2007. HERE’S HOW ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY REVIEWED OPENING NIGHT
Rock Redefined • A DEDICATED FAN AND RENOWNED ESSAYIST TAKES A LOOK AT THE BAND’S FORMIDABLE (AND SOMETIMES COMPLICATED) LEGACY
Chuck Klosterman’s Essential Van Halen Playlist
Remembering Eddie • OVER THE YEARS, AND FOLLOWING HIS PASSING, FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FELLOW ROCK STARS SHARED THEIR LOVE AND RESPECT FOR A ROCK ’N’ ROLL ICON AND INNOVATOR
