British guitarist reacts to a young Van Halen in the 70's! 

The Van Halen background vocals are what made them even more special. Michael Anthony is a monster bass player and was a big part of their vocal sound.

I saw Van Halen for the first time in 1978. They were opening for Black Sabbath and they blew them off the fucking stage. I was right down in front and people were screaming "Van Halen!!!" in Ozzy's face. When VH's debut album came out there was much speculation that "Eruption" wasn't real. Claims were made that the tape was sped up, it was keyboard enhanced, etc because we had never heard guitar played like that. This was before MTV so we had never seen Eddie in action, just photographs. When Eddie played that shit live and we saw his amazing fretwork the place EXPLODED! I have never seen pandemonium at a concert like that and I have seen a lot of amazing bands. Eddie's influence can not be overstated.

I saw David Lee Roth after he left Van Halen and to this day it’s still the best concert I’ve ever been to and I’ve seen a lot . Just a pure showman/frontman and his interaction with the crowd was unbelievable

Van halen was on top of the world here.

Michael Anthony under appreciated as a backing vocalist.

Edward has the reputation of a 'Guitar God', an actual deity of the instrument.... thing is... he's not over rated. Not in the slightest. His reputation is earned and well deserved. These observations you are making on structuring songs, operating as a 3 piece etc... all intentional and well thought out by Edward. All I can assume is that he and Al got one helluva musical education from Jan Van Halen, their father (and pro musician... the family moved to the US with nothing but $20 and a piano... Jan performed on the boat to save on the cost of passage) A lot of intentionally good musical choices, even as they cultivated the 'big party' persona of the band. Lurking beneath the antics of even those early days are some dead serious musicians that know EXACTLY what they are doing.

Amen about Michael Anthony! So huge with amazing background vocals. 1st album came out in 78 when I was 14 and of course Eddie blew me away. I was like what is this!? Dave a bad ass and alex underrated drummer. Loved them. Thanks again Fil!

I haven't seen this reaction yet. Watching this just took me back to Phoenix, 1979, Van Halen, at a small venue, NO RESPECT. Stood at the door all afternoon. Was worth every HOT second outside. it was August. My first 1st VH concert. Teenage crush begins. That concert was amazing. I remember every second. We had so much fun.

I was on this indoor ride called The Ultimate Trip in late 78. I was 10, and having a great time cause I loved music, and they played really loud rock on the ride. I went in and got on, and the music started. This song started, and I had no clue what I was hearing. All I knew is I had goosebumps on top of goosebumps! I asked the guy what it was. He said--You don't know Eddie?!? That's Eruption! Went out and got it on cassette the next day. I started playing guitar seriously at 15, and now 50. Degree in music composition, write orchestral pieces, taught for years and playing guitar still makes fire flow through me. All because of Eddie.

the best band in the world at one time.

Love how you can’t help but smile watching this

I always loved David Lee Roth's high notes and the way he worked them into songs and even into the middle of just one word. ❤️

Excellent analysis ❤🤙

Saw 1984 concert.. we worshiped these guys in high school.

In an interview with Alice Cooper, he said that EVH asked him if he could get him a guitar lesson with Glen Campbell...nice.

I was at one of the concerts on that ‘79 tour. I was 18 yrs. old and my boyfriend that took me was the bass player in our high school rock band! Van Halen was an insane show!!!! And the stage antics by David Lee Roth was mind blowing! We had so much fun!!!! Great analysis Fil; as always!!!!

Van Halen is amazing. Saw Van Hagar in concert years ago. Amazing music there too. Great show!

I was fortunate enough to see them back in 1978 incredible show

Van Halen supplied the soundtrack of my teenage years. ALL OF THEM. I was just talking with a buddy, about hearing the first album when it was BRAND NEW for the first time, on my dad’s Zenith Allegro stereo. My eleven year old brain melted. I was in absolute awe. This entire town in northern Minnesota was just ecstatic about this phenomenal new band.

Diamond Dave has soooooo much swagger!

One of the greatest rhythm guitarists as well as lead guitarists. Really the best lead players have incredible rhythm even when they play leads. His chords are beautiful as well. ROCK!!!

I've learnt so much more about music after listening to your breakdowns. The thing is that I now listen to music in a different way.....a much more enjoyable way. Cheers 👍

I love Van Halen. My Dad took my little brother and I to see Van Halen open for KISS in New York City in the late 70's. Very cool. We saw them at the Capital Center in 2007 for a reunion 12 rows from the stage. Insane, what a show.

It was THIS song that ushered in "The 80's" for me. It was just so different, refreshing.

This is the first Van Halen I ever heard at all of 9 years old ❤️

Can't go wrong with old school Van Halen. I have some great memories from those early VH shows. Good job as always Fil. Cheers!

Van Halen 1 still one of my favorite albums ever.

This was back in my time. Pulling up to the keg party in the 70 1/2 rally sport either this album was blasting full blast on the house stereo or it was ac/dc. There's something magical there when the base line for "Running with the devil" started and was so loud the walls seemed like they were breathing 😊. It was new then. There was nothing else like it.

Eddie has the cutest style of playing while smiling like a kid, love him. Eddie is a pioneer in so many ways with the sounds he was aiming for at that time. You really should check out the interview he recently did at age 60 at the Socolo. You'll learn more about him and his thoughts during that time and love him more. Ty for this video.🎸🎸🎸😎

The backing vocals are all Michael Anthony, EVH sings but Mike provides that high harmony that has always defined VH!

whether Eddie Van Halen invented tapping is a matter of conjecture but the fact that he took it to the level he did is an indication of his phenomenal ability. he played gigs with his back to the audience so nobody would discover his technique. being able to carry a song as the only real melodic instrument heightens his playing ability. many bands have rhythm guitarists to reproduce the inherent lack of a double tracked single player in the studio and add genuine depth to the musical arrangement, but Eddie Van Halen was obviously capable of being the only guitarist needed in the band. a band is only as strong as its weakest member and all 4 were truly on top of the whole aspect. Dave Lee Roth was not afraid to put on a show too and the strength of his character and vocal ability made them a spectacle to behold. again a nice choice Fil. peace man. to add to your ever growing list of pending reviews, how about some Billy Gibbons?

I saw them in about 81 or 82. Really tight playing, lighting, everything. One thing I remembered was that they had speakers in the back of the venue too. Anthony did a bass solo, and it sounded like a jet flying from one end of the colosseum to the other.

LOVE DAVE! BEEN WATCHING HIS NEW "ROTH SHOW" AND LEARNING ALOT OF CRAZY AND COOL HISTORY IN ROCK,MARTIAL ARTS AND LIFE!👊💪🇺🇸

Michael Anthony really is an underrated bassist. Hey has some thunder on the live stage. Good point Fil regarding that DLR "screatch" that he does so well. It's a shame his ego held his career back so much. And EVH is spot on with his live playing as always. Another great analysis Fil!!

This was the best Eddie VH era...just pure joy to see and hear!

I was 18 years old when i saw Van Halen live at the Bristol Colston Hall, UK, supporting Black Sabbath on their Never Say Die tour.The first Van Halen LP had recently been released. The folks that were still drinking in the bar couldn't get back to their seats fast enough when they heard the opening riff of Running With the Devil which was quickly followed by Ain't Talking About Love. They absolutely stole the show. I believe Sabbath removed them as the touring support act once they realised that they were too good.

I saw them on their 1984 tour it was really good. David Lee Roth was never a tremendous singer not that he was bad by any stretch, but in that era I would have to say that he was a total Entertainer and that might have made up for any lack of vocal ability. Again I'm not saying he couldn't sing I'm just saying he was pure entertainment in my view.

Michael Anthony is the back bone of the back up vocals. His voice is really good.

My favorite line up. VH with DLR!💎 Saw them in the early 80s. I love this! They were a really cool band!🤘🎵👏

Michael Anthony's backing vocals are a major part of the Van Halen sound.

I love the album fair warning

Old school VH!!! My boys!!

The thing that's so good about Eddie's tapping and so hard to reproduce is the way he uses vibrato with each hand and incorporates bending into the taps. sure anyone can do any of those things, but nobody does it intricately and naturally as Eddie does. Then you toss in some of the harmonic stuff and his good standard lead playing with some fast runs and interesting scale choices and you have someone who's truly unique and influential at the instrument.

Saw Van Halen in 1980 - my 3rd concert . Yeah I’m old. 😐 But unforgettable show. Overall one of the best overall live bands I’ve seen. Best live album imho Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet band- Live Bullet. FINALLY going to see Bob Seger in March. Yesss Thanks Fil.

Van Halen was my very first ever Rock Concert ! I did a dance solo to this song as a freshman in High School and placed first in a competitive Cheerleading Event, ahhhh ahhhh the memories! Nice review!

You just made me feel so old...in the 70's I was listening to Van Halen, but I feel better when it is 1979!

I was 24 when Van Halen hit the market...I was a touring musician and I told my band mates...”music just changed!” And it did! Wow, Eddie, who can top and man David Lee kicked ass! Eddies phrasing and michael’s vocals were spot-on...thanks for the commentary man! I use to be guilty of doing all my vocals in the studio...especially dbl tracking my lead vocals!

These guys are the reason I love rock. First concert I went to. Hooked for life. I seen them in 79. And other years.

Have to say, Van Halen is one of my favourite bands 🤘🤘

It's no wonder how special Van Halen was, they each had their own unique ingredient that added up to greatness: Eddie's guitar prowess, Dave's vocals - screams, Michael's harmonizing vocals and Alex's snare drum sound.

Hard to beat this classic line up! Great professional lead singer, master guitarist and booming rhythm section. I've always respected each member of the band for what they brought to the table.

I suspect that most of the commenters on this video are huge VH fans, so I'm likely not going to write revolutionary information, but.... Eddie is known as being perhaps the greatest electric lead guitarist, a great composer, and that smile with a cigarette hanging out of it. But even though we all know it, the casual fans have no idea that EVH is also one of the greatest Rhythm Guitarists in history. Self taught, and poor as a kid; Eddie couldn't afford effects pedals so he had to invent ways of setup and playing that achieved similar results to the effects. He is a tone monster, and incredibly inventive in his technique. There is no other like him.

Van Halen one of the most original bands of the 80s. Each musician in the band brought something new and unheard of😎

I saw Van Halen on the 1984 tour when I was 16 and the one main things I remember from that concert is that David Lee Roth refuses to sing the song as it is or was recorded. It drove me nuts. I remember him singing maybe every other line during the whole concert. I think he was drunk as well. All that said and I’m still a huge Van Halen fan and I went with Dave when he left.

Diamond Dave was the best frontman to ever grace a stage.He knew how to get the party going and keep it going.Best band ever!!!

Van Halen was truly a force of nature back in the day. Wouldn't have been who they were without the inspiration of Mark Farner's showmanship and Grand Funk Railroad. Mark paved the way for playing, great vocals, dancing around and driving that sexual energy. I can't watch Van Halen without being reminded of GFR in their hay-day. Another great show Fil💗💗💗💗💗

In Australia, I never heard of Van Halen until 1984 (Hot For Teacher & Jump). Wiki shows 1984 was the 1st album to be popular in Australia. I first listened to Van Halen Album #1 only a few years ago. My first impression was Eddie was a complete virtuoso and, in terms of revolution, like a 2nd Hendrix, however lacking the scope & breadth of composition and styles Jimi had. More amazing, I could not believe it was 1978! In 1978, I was listening to Alice Cooper, Bowie, soon Led Zep and some Sabbath but Eddie Van Halen were so advanced for 1978!!! For example, when I first heard Jimi Hendrix in 1983, I thought he was miles greater than Led Zep. I thought most of the Van Halen songs were rhythmically ordinary despite the amazing clean virtuoso guitar playing (except for I'm The One and Atomic Punk, which had very adventurous guitar rhythm). I would have liked Van Halen to do something much more adventurous, such as compositions like John McLaughlin but obviously he was into party music. Eddie certainly had the potential to be much greater than he was.

Michael would do the high harmony, and Eddie the middle harmony.

Techniques and trick little things they do which I've never been aware of, and again thanks for making a mention of the bass.

The signature sound roared in the 80's with Roth's kung fu jumps, Eddies sound and a solid bass line, they brought the girls on board to these rock shows. Having a ticket to there show didn't only mean a good show but serious eye candy for the guys..

There were 2 albums that got me hooked on hard rock & heavy metal. 1-Judas Priest- Unleashed In The East. 2-the first Van Halen album. They both came out around the same time, I was 13. Those 2 albums got me hooked, here it is 40 years later and I still love this kind of music ! EVH was the most influential guitarist to come out of that era. I read guitar sales in music stores rose 500% after the 1st album release, that says a lot on the impact of Van Halen on the music scene. Van Halen is what got me to start playing. You know when you are a kid and you hear music like that for the first-it's almost a spiritual experience.

Had to check out another one of your videos. Couldn't go to sleep after hearing the Van Halen disaster in Greensboro video. Great analysis.

Its soooo nice to hear someone talking positively about Dave,im so done with everybody moaning about Dave.These were the best years in my opinion.Dave was a MONSTER frontman.Love the fact this guy is totally enjoying the music!!!!

Roth is also a martial arts trainer and brings this into the show with leaps jumps twisting flipping kinda what Elvis did.hes bores and full of engrey. One of the best show bands next to Ted nuggboth fly by harness also

There are no words that can over state Eddie Van Halen’s greatness. In the blink of an eye, how guitarists played their instrument changed. Every Hair Metal guitarist in the 80s imitated him. Saw the 1st two versions of Van Halen live and both were amazing. I remember as if it were yesterday hearing VH for the first time. A friend returned from the Marines. He was stationed in Japan and he came home with a monster stereo system and VH debut. Running with the Devil caught my attention and Eruption followed, and followed, and followed. I think I played it over 20 times in a row. Great video , great analysis as always. I enjoy your respect and understanding of what it takes to do what these people do.

Your assesments are spot on every time I watch you break down some of my favorite gigs. to me, the ability for a band to sound like their records playing live is very important. I listen to more live records than studio. I would love to see your take on the 88 Guns n roses ritz show. setting aside Axl being a D-bag, an riots, an the feudes everyone remembers them by, the show was pretty darn good. the raw rock n roll in that show is a favorite of mine. no theatrics or light shows. just amps guitars drums an vocals.

Yay, David Lee Roth - I liked his solo work too. Could you do a vid on the Cars and Cheap Trick one day, please? Thank you.

I love that thing EVH does where he plays fast muted hammers/pulls and gradually slides his right hand up the neck towards the headstock so all the harmonics pop out! Such a cool "trick" - Gary Moore did that a lot too in his early rock/metal days.

Most people exhale when they scream. Diamond Dave inhaled, that's how he got that sound. :-)

yeah , DLR's little nuanced screams were brilliant

Elated to see your reaction to a young and Mighty VH! Very interesting to hear a musicians perspective regarding Eddies prowess and just how truly dynamic those guys were back the day with only guitar, bass and vocals! There were also 3 pro-shot videos from Oakland in 1981 during the Fair Warning Tour which were live versions of Unchained, Hear About it Later and So This Is Love. I really think you would enjoy and appreciate those (maybe even react ;-). Thanks for this great review...keep it up!!

Another exquisite description of techniques used!

Could not have said it better my self, great review of VanHalen, thanks Fil.

Wow...They were young! Especially Eddie Van Halen himself! Haha, great video Fil, and keep up the good content!

Greatest band in the world on a bad day

Love the early vh. Thanks fil, spot on as always. Also dont forget, with no dave there would be no dance the night away etc. Interesting to note, while most would use master volume on amp or attenuator evh dropped wall voltage to achieve face melting tones at lower useable volumes. He was an early pioneer of the floyd rose on and on. Alex and mikey created rock solid rythym section. And they needed a second guitarist or keyboardist

Glad you pointed out that this is a three piece instrumental band. The group Van Halen created what was known as the "wall of sound" and there was none like it. The wall surrounded you and immersed you in an orgasmic frenzy, and I mean that in a very good way. Roth was the front man in every sense of the word, and while the band was executing miraculous feats of daring virtuosity, Roth had a way to let everyone know that it was all just for fun. The picture of Einstein sticking out his tongue at the world could be a metaphor for the genius that was Van Halen... sticking out their tongues to the audience to let you know it was just pure hedonism behind highly calculated feats of wonder! In my over 40 years of going to concerts, Van Halen and Queen were two bands where I felt an afterglow, fully satisfied that I had witnessed perfected technical expertise as well as perfected raucous anarchy!

What's extraordinary is how amazing Eddie's rhythm playing is, it's a great as his soloing in my opinion. He plays in such a relaxed, joyful manner, always smiling. As a guitarist, I think entering that head space when playing live is really difficult. Thanks so much for pointing out that Eddie often recorded with "one" guitar track, just like live playing. This further proof that he deserves his legendary status. I saw VH at an multi-act outdoor show on their 1st national tour and after playing Eruption he changed to a Goldtop Les Paul for You Really Got Me. Perhaps this was pre-Floyd Rose or maybe he broke a string?

One of the best to do it. Arguably, The Best.

I really think Alex is underrated as a drummer too in someways and their background vocals are up there w the greats like The Beach Boys.

Great singing....Michael Anthony holding all that together for DLR....great playing and most of all Great Songs..just pure rock n' roll excitement..if you were 18 at the time and it didn't make you want to pick up the guitar..bass.. drums..etc..well.. things ain't working out right..lol..it certainly did for me..''Dance the ngiht away'' one of their finest

the backing vocals are so solid its an anchor for the whole song

In my humble opinion, Eddie Van Halen was THE pre-imminent rock guitarist of his generation. To me, the single most important aspect of any great musician is how INNOVATIVE he is. In other words, what does he leave his fellow musicians to emulate, long after he's gone. With "Fast Eddie," his legacy is unquestionable. Listen to his technique and tasty licks during his solo in Michael Jackson's "Beat It, or even "Panama." His riffs, his talent, was nearly endless.

Great analyses as always Fil - you nailed every part of their music, performance, guitar playing, and vocals. I got into Van Halen in '83 with the Diver Down album...then got the rest of their catalog. Amazing band.

Nice video. In my opinion, their backing vocals are often overlooked. They are very unique sounding and instantly identifiable with the band.

Eddie Van Halen is also a fantastic pianist. He and his brother both. As kids, every year they entered a piano contest, with thousands of competitors and Eddie consistently either won it or came in among the top few runners up (I believe his brother, as well.) Also, he did this while playing by ear. He could not read music, which his piano teach did not know for years, until he was found out.

David was EXTREMELY athletic---still does Gung-fu. Quite the Philosopher as well. He's nothing like you'd expext from his On stage performances.

October 19th, 1982. Spectrum Philadelphia, Pa. Eddie had broken his hand a few days before and VH had to cancel some shows in Jersey but thankfully the tour had resumed that night and me and my bud from school were able to see them live, my first legit concert, I was barely 15 years old. First thing I saw was Eddie, Mike, and Alex on stage and they started playing the opening riff of Running With The Devil. I was so focused on Eddie's cast and how he was playing I forgot about Dave and then wondered "where the hell was Dave?" Next thing I know a spotlight shines on him standing on a platform or amp or something, looked like it was fifty feet tall for all I knew (obviously not) and he jumps and does a mid-air split, lands perfectly and rolls right in to the song without missing a beat. Crowd went nuts. About halfway through the show they're jammin' to Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, I'm standing against the railing on the second level and someone smacks my ass. I turn around and see this super cute chick in ripped denim jeans smiling at me. Then she came in real close nuzzled up against my neck, bit my earlobe and made this "grrrrrrr" sound that sent a shockwave through me that I will never forget. Then she backed away, yelled "whooooooo" and danced out of my life. Great show, great memories.

Pretty cool. Was hoping for something earlier. Hearing VH for the first time was almost a landmark experience for me.' You Really Got Me', KMEL SF radio when no one 'here' knew who they were. I had the middle bedroom of a 3 bedroom house and when the track finished after a work day, a room mate and i met in the hallway. "Did you hear that???!!!". Blown out! DJ even warned us, i got something that's gonna knock you out. Bought the album quick as i could.

What a great live band

Also did you notice how Eddies playing a non Floyd strat..and he keeps it in tune!.after abusing the standard whammy bar..amazing

What's up Phil!! Its your boi from across the pond in spfld Illinois, great job

In thier prime actually about 3yrs after this around 81' was thier prime, they were just so far ahead of everything and everybody and i just am happy i got to grow up in the 80' and experienced the anticipation of a new VH album and my other favorite bands when i was 11yrs old in 1979..😄

I'm not sure, but VH first album.... Runnin with the Devil, Eruption, Ain't talkin bout love, You Really Got me, amongst others....was my favorite album. I had it on 8-Track I believe in about 1978 or 79. It was different than the other music I was into, and Eddie Van Halen blew me away. I'd never heard a guitar played that way before. DLR was great too at the time...lol...before he got to be insufferable. Panama was another song that I really liked, but it was on a different album. Ain't Talkin Bout Love was a chilling tune, and I related some private experiences with that particular song. Edit: When I said I'd never heard a guitar played that way before, the only other artist/guitarist that I could compare EVH to at that time was perhaps Peter Frampton, from Frampton Comes Alive, back in 75 or 76 I think it was. Hey, I was just a kid myself, like 12, but I had brothers 5-7 years older than myself, and I listened to what they turned me on to. Except in the case of AC/DC, of whom I discovered of my own accord, and turned THEM on to. Other things that I recall being popular at that particular time in the USA...at least in my backwater area of the country, was TJ Swan Wine, Jack Daniels Whiskey, Colombian Gold marijuana, High Times magazine, US Olympic hockey, and Chevrolet's. What a time to be alive. Rock \m/.

Seen Van Halen back in the late 70's on the sunset strip in Hollywood at the whiskey a go go every weekend for months! with all the rest of the guitar gods like Randy Rhoads when he was with Quiet Riot! if I could I'd do it all over again!

Thanks so much

Saw van halen's 1978 & 1979 Tours absolutely incredible. Van Halen are Rock Royalty innovators/geniuses

Fun level 11...such a great live band! They had it all, and I agree the backing vocals just great. Eddie of course off the charts!

Love early Van Halen and the background vocals by Michael and Eddie were so key to their sound. Never liked "Diamond Dave's" feminine style but I still wore their cassette tapes out.

Its Eddie's rhythmn playing that always impressed me... Very deep groove player..