Released February 10, 1978, Van Halen’s debut album peaked at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album became widely recognized as the band’s popularity grew, selling more than ten million copies in the United States by 1999 and achieving RIAA diamond status. Van Halen contains many of their signature songs, including “Runnin’ with the Devil,” the guitar solo “Eruption,” The Kinks cover “You Really Got Me,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” and the cover version of John Brim’s “Ice Cream Man.”
Track listing
1. “Runnin’ with the Devil”
2. “Eruption”
3. “You Really Got Me”
4. “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”
5. “I’m the One”
6. “Jamie’s Cryin'”
7. “Atomic Punk”
8. “Feel Your Love Tonight”
9. “Little Dreamer”
10. “Ice Cream Man”
11. “On Fire”
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Van Halen's debut studio album was released February 10, 1978. The cover photos for the album were taken at the Whisky a Go Go, the Los Angeles club at which Van Halen often performed during the mid-1970s
Frankenstrat Guitar Photo By: PRPhotos.com
The guitar pictured on the cover of the album is Eddie Van Halen's famous Frankenstrat Guitar, a Fender prototype replica of which is now housed in the Smithsonian Institution
Greatest Debut Album Photo By: PRPhotos.com
Soon after its release, Van Halen became regarded by fans and critics as one of rock and roll's greatest debut albums, however its initial reception was mostly negative. In the U.S., the album reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100
Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love Photo By: PRPhotos.com
When Eddie Van Halen originally wrote the song a year before the album was released, he did not consider it good enough to show his bandmates. The song is only one of the few David Lee Roth-era songs that Sammy Hagar was willing to sing in concert when he joined the band in the mid-80s
Diamond Status Photo By: PRPhotos.com
In 1999, the album was re-certified by the RIAA for selling ten million copies in the U.S. alone. They are one of a handful of bands to release two RIAA diamond status albums, Van Halen’s debut remains one of their two best-selling albums, along with 1984
