Rock Biography #3: Van Halen

With the AC/DC, Black Sabbath, and Aerosmith dominated 1970s coming to a close, a band from Pasadena, California with a future guitar legend exploded onto the scene. We are, of course, talking about Van Halen. Singer David Lee Roth, bassist Michael Anthony, lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen released their self-titled debut album in 1978. It featured two of their biggest songs, 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love and 'Runnin' With The Devil.' It also contained a cover of the Kinks 'You Really Got Me.' But it was the song that led into that that really showcased Eddie Van Halen's talent and confirmed that the band was going to be around for a while. 'Eruption' featured all of Eddie's tricks. Tapping, shredding, dive bombs and speed picking were telling the guitarists of the 70s that there was a new kid on the block and he meant business.

   In 1979, Van Halen released the follow up to their 1978 debut. 'Van Halen II' went to #6 on the charts and solidified the band's position in the late 70s rock movement to a more distorted sound. By the early 1980s, Van Halen had become the biggest band in the world. The only thing bigger than Van Halen were AC/DC with their 1980 comeback album 'Back in Black.' But that's another story for a different day. Eddie Van Halen was blowing everyone away with his kickass guitar skills. The world hadn't seen anything like it before. But that was all about to change.

   In 1985, singer David Lee Roth left the band and cited musical differences with the rest of the band. The band picked up singer Sammy Hagar later in 1985 and continued on to release '5150.' '5150' contained more serious songs in terms of lyrical content, as the bands first albums were mainly centered around partying. It featured the hit song 'Why Can't This Be Love.' This album was regarded by many as Van Halen's last good album.

   The band continued with Sammy Hagar until 1995 when they had a falling out. Gary Cherone joined later in the year. The band released 'Van Halen III' in 1998 and the album flopped. Van Halen continued to struggle for success throughout the 2000s. They recently reunited with David Lee Roth in 2014 and did a reunion tour.

MEGADETH REVEALS RELEASE DATE, ALBUM ART, AND TITLE FOR NEW ALBUM ALONG WITH NEW SONG

Megadeth have announced the follow up to their 2013 album 'Super Collider' and they finally have a name, a title, some album art and a new song from the new album which can be found below. The band is bouncing back after the departure of two key members of the band. Instead of going on hiatus and giving evasive answers like a lot of bands would, Megadeth went out and got themselves a new drummer. That's right, Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler joined Megadeth back in March. Brazilian heavy metal guitarist Kiko Loureiro also joined the band back in April. Now without further ado, here's the album art, album title, release date, and new song.


ALBUM NAME: Dystopia
RELEASE DATE: January 22, 2016

Album Art

New Song: Fatal Illusion

Hard Rock Cafe Orlando (Pictures)

Joe Perry's Guitar

Jimmy Buffett Wall

Slash's outfit from November Rain
Music Video

David Gilmour's Stratocaster

Jimmy Page

The Who Wall 

Aerosmith and Guns N' Roses Wall

Album Review: Appetite For Destruction by Guns N' Roses

Album Name: Appetite For Destruction
Release Date: July 21, 1987
Units Sold: 30 Million
Track Listing 
1. Welcome To The Jungle*
2. It's So Easy*
3. Nightrain*
4. Out Ta Get Me
5. Mr. Brownstone* 
6. Paradise City*
7. My Michelle*
8. Think About You 
9. Sweet Child O' Mine*
10. Anything Goes
11. You're Crazy
12. Rocket Queen

*-Single 

Glam metal and pop music dominated the airwaves throughout the 80s. That changed in 1987 when Guns N' Roses released their debut album, Appetite For Destruction. The opening track, Welcome to the Jungle, took you on a journey through the underworld of L.A. which included sex, drugs, love, anger, paranoia, and the struggles of making it in the L.A. rock scene. This album didn't go straight to the top, however. No, it worked its way up for about a year. On July 23, 1988, Appetite For Destruction topped the charts. Overall, I would give this album a 9. It changed the course of 80s rock and stopped glam metal from completely taking over the airwaves. Appetite For Destruction is clearly one of the best albums in the history in rock n' roll.

Throwback Thursday: Hotel California Tops The Charts

37 years ago today, the Eagles' Hotel California topped the charts.

Website Update

I don't know if I'm going to continue with the website. It's a lot of work to keep the blog and website updated, while keeping up with school and a part-time job. If there is a way for me to close the website, I might do it. The blog isn't going anywhere, though. Stay tuned.

Classic Rock Weekly: Top 5 Bands of the 70s

1. Aerosmith 

Aerosmith started out like any other band. Playing the clubs and got signed by a record label. But, unlike any other band at the time, Aerosmith had a certain attitude that set them apart from the others. I don't know if it's Steven Tyler's vocal powerhouse or Joe Perry's God-like riffs, but these guys have been kicking ass for over 40 years now. 

2. AC/DC

Considered by many the greatest rock band there ever was, AC/DC definitely made their mark on 70s rock. With songs such as T.N.T, Let There Be Rock, and (the highly controversial) Highway To Hell, AC/DC shocked the music world with the heaviest sounding music since Black Sabbath. 

3. Led Zeppelin 

Led Zeppelin actually formed in 1968, but it wasn't until the 70s that they really started to gain popularity. With the release of Stairway To Heaven in 1971, Zeppelin claimed their spot as one of the greatest rock bands of the 70s and all-time. However, it wasn't just Stairway that made Led Zeppelin superstars. There were other songs such as Black Dog and Communication Breakdown. Those songs were very underrated. Led Zeppelin is one of the most badass rock bands I have ever heard. 

4. Pink Floyd 

Pink Floyd is considered kind of "out there" by some people. But that doesn't mean they didn't kick ass. After lead singer Syd Barrett was kicked out of the band, bassist Roger Waters took over for Barrett as lead vocalist. In 1979, they released the legendary album, The Wall. Pink Floyd is clearly one of the best bands of the 1970s. 

5. Black Sabbath 

Black Sabbath is widely considered the pioneers of heavy metal. They produced music that nobody had heard before. Their 1970s success produced hits such as Paranoid and Iron Man. Their success continued until 1980, when Ozzy was kicked out of the band because of drug use.