Song:Jump
Album:The Best Of Both Worlds
Van Halen was one of the most popular bands of the 80s. Jump was their only number one hit in 1984. The ironic thing is the use of synthesizers on Jump and the album 1984 led to the departure of lead singer David Lee Roth. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer brother Alex Van Halen were born in The Netherlands but the family moved to Pasadena, CA in 1962. Their dad Jan Van Halen was a jazz musician. They met David Lee Roth in 1972 when they wanted to rent a sound system from him. Instead they let him join the band. In 1974, they replaced original bassist Mark Stone with Michael Anthony from the band Snake. At first they called themselves Genesis. Of course they had to change that, first to Mammoth and then to Van Halen in 1974. Roth claimed it was his idea. He thought the name Van Halen could be like Santana. They played Los Angeles clubs until they signed with Warner Bros. in 1977 by Mo Ostin and Ted Templeman. Templeman had produced The Doobie Brothers. Their debut album Van Halen was released in 1978. A cover of The Kinks' You Really Got Me was a top 40 hit. The album was certified Diamond and the band toured successfully. They were very successful for the next few years. But Eddie Van Halen and Roth clashed over the direction of the band. Van Halen liked a more serious approach. Roth was more of a showman. It all came to a head with the album 1984. Van Halen began to use more synthesizers over Roth and Templeman's objections. Though they came to a compromise, it led to Roth's departure despite the album's success and that Jump was their first #1 hit. Van Halen wrote the keyboard riff for Jump in 1981. The band hated it but Templeman convinced Roth that it could be a hit and Roth should write lyrics for it. Things deteriorated during the ensuing tour. Van Halen was upset that Roth was doing outside projects without checking with the band. Roth was upset with Van Halen's drug abuse. Roth left after his cover of California Girls was a hit. Sammy Hagar, who knew Templeman from the band Montrose, replaced Roth. You can get all of Van Halen's hits on this 2CD comp. The band has continued. They still tour sometimes with Roth. Their latest CD was released in 2012. Here's the video for Jump by Van Halen.
I never was a big fan of theirs. I did know some guys who really were into them and big fans of the group. I did hear about the epic battles between Roth and Eddie Van Halen. There was bad blood between the two for a long time, maybe even now. To bad, they were good and had talent. Just could not get along. Good 80's band for the decade.
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