On their 1978 debut, wrote Rolling Stone about the band's self-titled album VAN HALEN, their sound was already large enough to fill football stadiums. With it, one of rock n roll's greatest acts was launched. The album cracked the Top 20 and features Van Halen classics including Runnin With The Devil, Ain t Talkin Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin , plus their killer cover of the Kinks You Really Got Me.

On their 1978 debut, wrote Rolling Stone about the band's self-titled album VAN HALEN, their sound was already large enough to fill football stadiums. With it, one of rock n roll's greatest acts was launched. The album cracked the Top 20 and features Van Halen classics including Runnin With The Devil, Ain t Talkin Bout Love, Jamie's Cryin , plus their killer cover of the Kinks You Really Got Me.

“Van Halen were veterans of the Pasadena, California, bar circuit, but on their 1978 debut their sound was already large enough to fill football stadiums.”;
- from Rolling Stone's original review of VAN HALEN

Van Halen's self-titled 1978 debut album launched hard rock paradigm shift, expanding the known limits of guitar heroics with Eddie Van Halen's seismic playing. Lead singer David Lee Roth's over-the-top showmanship was a revelation as well, and the rhythm section of Michael Anthony (bass) and Alex Van Halen (drums) kept it anchored. The album hit the Billboard Top 20, and delivered Van Halen classics including “Runnin' With The Devil,” “Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love” and “Jamie's Cryin'.” Rhino's new reissue on 180 gram virgin vinyl was made using the original analog master tapes, and the band's then-unprecedented sound still overwhelms.

In naming VAN HALEN #415 on their list of “500 Greatest Albums Of All Time,” Rolling Stone wrote that the band, “put the swagger back in hard rock, and Van Halen's jaw-dropping technique, particularly on “Eruption,” raised the bar for rock guitar.”

“Van Halen were veterans of the Pasadena, California, bar circuit, but on their 1978 debut their sound was already large enough to fill football stadiums.”;
- from Rolling Stone's original review of VAN HALEN

Van Halen's self-titled 1978 debut album launched hard rock paradigm shift, expanding the known limits of guitar heroics with Eddie Van Halen's seismic playing. Lead singer David Lee Roth's over-the-top showmanship was a revelation as well,....+Read More...