Classical Composer Reacts to VAN HALEN's Debut Album (Side 2) | The Daily Doug | Episode 774

[@grd5150]

One of the greatest debut albums of all time!!!

[@ronstewart6362]

The Greatest IMO 👍🎸

[@handsomerube]

@@ronstewart6362 I have this tied with Boston’s debut. Both amazing for different reasons.

[@ronstewart6362]

@@handsomerube I love that album also👍. But this one Changed my life as a musician.

[@stephanea5364]

Appetite destroys it

[@revwillyg6450]

@@stephanea5364appetite is one of my favorite albums ever. It however, does not in any way "destroy" VH 1

[@Cymbaline713]

The "waka waka" sound in the Atomic Punk intro is done done by rubbing the edge of his right hand up and down over strings, while using a phase shifter pedal into his amp.

[@user-re5zc2ss5h]

Yep, perfect description.

[@pudgydaddy]

Correct!

[@Sharris65]

Isn't it the pick edge? He's "scratching" with the pick.

[@hyzeronhisrizer]

@@Sharris65 Yes, exactly!

[@OlettaLiano]

I got that sound by scraping the edge of my pick up and down the E and A strings while palm muting.

[@jbacker1190]

"Is that the guitar? How is he doing that?!?" That ought to be the title of this vid. It's the same thing we all said in 1978. Still get goosebumps hearing this...

[@ericferreri4436]

Hahaha 'How is he doing that?' is basically everyone's reaction to the whole album. It's perfect.

[@patricklenehan1778]

Not the first to ask that about Eddie.

[@johncandy473]

This album changed everything for the guitar imo, one of the best debuts ever!

[@Laurikiwi]

The solo from Ice cream man takes my head off even today, all time great

[@Slick-ng5kf]

Still my favorite EVH solo.

[@DMKali]

Michael Anthony anchored the vocals constantly! He was amazing…

[@ChrisSmith-gx4bz]

He still is!

[@revwillyg6450]

@@ChrisSmith-gx4bzI'm glad Sammy won Mikey in the big divorce 😂

[@sgtbigballs666]

Too bad he isn't a little better at playing bass haha

[@c.j.7752]

10 years old when this dropped. Mom took my radio away for a week shortly thereafter.

[@WhiskeyShred]

😂🤘

[@rothed16]

😂😢😂😢😂

[@JohnSmith-mx8wp]

#c.j.7752 This is as it should be

[@Toasterfinal5]

Not a single bad song in this debut album 💿! Eruption will forever bring me back to my care free, high school days.

[@stevennovakovich2525]

Me too!

[@Madmarsha]

Ain't it great when a song/album does that?

[@aquadime3336]

The Atomic Punk is so underrated

[@deadforever]

"How is he doing that" is such a relatable reaction to hearing Ed do something for the first time.

[@supertal244]

Michael Anthony has "highs from hell" as Eddie Van Halen said one time. Anthony's voice is beyond incredible - an incredible 1st tenor. Mixed Ed's second tenor voice and Diamond Dave's low voice, they had a super vocal group. Man, there will never be a band like Van Halen again. At least we were here when they were around! That first album turned everyone upside down - changed everything!

[@2216sammy]

Eruption was never worked out beforehand , it was simply Edward warming up backstage before a show and Ted Templeman heard it and said it needs to be on the album . Eddie admitted he made a mistake in the beginning because he got turned around but decided to leave it instead of fixing it . Eddie never took it seriously but everybody else did.

[@dottiegillespie8067]

I was 13 when this came out. It was revolutionary for us. Everyone loved it. We said goodbye to Kiss! You rock Doug!

[@Psyborg777]

Oh my God that's exactly what happened to me and my cousin we bought it at Middle Earth records in Downey California

[@RMInt-qp8mq]

Van Halen raising the bar in the fun department was a major reason the 80s was such a fun decade!

[@skoon002]

"How is he doing that?" - the phrase most often said when listening to Eddie Van Halen.

[@keithvanhen8387]

So true lol

[@One_Proud_Papa]

Dave era Van Halen was big time influenced by 50's and Motown music. And according to Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony is the true voice of Van Halen. His harmonies are just incredible.

[@MarkMay-cr6bv]

I think anyone that listened to Van Halen from Day 1 -- years before Sammy Hagar entered the picture -- knows about Michael Anthony and his vocal importance to the band pre- and post-Dave. We hardly need Sammy to draw us a picture.

[@Stoovey24]

​@@MarkMay-cr6bvit was just a comment, not a dick. Don't take it hard.

[@SteveStrummerUK]

Doug, Eddie got the 'scratching' effect in Atomic Punk by rubbing up and down across the strings with the flat/palm of his right hand and enhancing the effect with his phaser pedal.

[@eggman7527]

I haven't heard these in about 30 years and, strangely, the thing that struck me the most was how solid Alex was on the kit. Damn, could he take care of business!!

[@jackaubrey3037]

Can't sleep on the Reverend on ANY Van Halen song.

[@jonnuanez7183]

One gets overlooked, no matter your skill set, when your brother is Eddie Van Halen.

[@rufmixaudio8646]

All those gorgeous harmonies are from Michael Anthony. Another interesting thing about the mix is Ed’s guitar is panned one way and the effects on his guitar are panned opposite.

[@cryptoholica72]

The plate reverb is on the right.

[@ak47dragunov]

Eddie himself plays a big role in those backing vocals as well. He and Mike blended great

[@ZIG4ZAG20]

Eddie was “unorthodox” which I translate as being inventive, original, experimental, simply on another level when it came to technique, speed and style. No one before or since equals his talent or contribution to music, guitar, and awesomeness.🤘🖖✌️🎸🎸🎤🥁

[@kennethalbert4653]

12:40 When Doug does that little dance I cant help but think of the Gopher from CaddyShack !

[@NewBritainStation]

That’s what I always thought!

[@badmotorbreath5206]

😅👍

[@Ninang363]

1978 I was a sophomore in high school and it was also one of the best years in Rock and Roll History. The albums that came out in 1978 were phenomenal

[@terrylandess6072]

It's not 'stoner' music like most of what we were accustomed to with a few exceptions.

[@Spiritbro77]

I was too. Graduated in 1980. We lived That '70s Show. Literally. You are correct about all the albums from that year.

[@Ninang363]

@@terrylandess6072 I consider it "Arena Rock"

[@51502]

Myself also those were great times in music ​@@Spiritbro77

[@stevennovakovich2525]

I was a sophomore as well. Magical times and music.

[@connorburtontraining1297]

Van Halen II next! Soon I hope

[@roxammon5858]

As a guitar player myself, this album blew my hat off.

[@ifkekanrunning4768]

The second side of this great album is a wait for the tapping on Ice cream man, iconic! it has been quite some time since I listened to these somgs, but I got every note imprinted in my brain.

[@georgehuerta1990]

I can’t believe that you have never heard this. This album was revolutionary. It was something that nobody was doing. It changed the way I listen to music. It changed the way guitar was played even sheet music had to be rewritten because of Edward Van Halen. this album made me realize everything that was being played was boring compared to what this album was showing us and what guitar playing going to the next level really was this is the reason Edward Van Halen to me the greatest guitar player in my generation

[@Gentile108]

I’m so happy you brought up the background vocals! It does set them apart from ordinary bands that hire singers or overdub the lead vocalist multiple times. VH is one of a kind

[@Humb7757]

Yes …. Fantastic 1978 summer’s Classic Rock releases… Van Halen… Explosive First album! 100%

[@onthatdirtroad]

Doug, this album changed the world! VH is like no other.

[@gwts1171]

Doug has been unveilin' the Van Halen. Side two is my favorite. Atomic Punk may be my favorite song from the Dave years. The whole album has such a swing to it. Thanks for the video, Doug!

[@kdm71291]

This music is simply so satisfying.....their chemistry, the structure, the dynamics, their individual contributions...and, of course, Eddie...playing like nobody had heard before! I've stated this often: I've heard their music, especially during the DLR era, as "California Party Rock", but the genre that best describes them is simply as "Van Halen"!

[@charlesroberts8803]

The first tour they opened for Ted Nugent. Ed got Ted's attention. Ted loves Eddie, asked if he could play though his rig and in a recent interview with the author of the new Van Halen book couldn't say enough good things about Ed, praising him.

[@Frankincensedjb123]

When this came out, I was just a few years into playing guitar and had just joined a band. After listening to EVH, my hopes of becoming the world's greatest guitar player were crushed. 😆😅🤣 I then knew what people in the 60s felt when they first heard Hendrix. "Is that the guitar?" you asked. That's exactly what many were saying back then, even guitar players. EVH, one of a kind.

[@asharmstrong6730]

Saw them on tour in the UK for this album, supporting Black Sabbath on their 10th Anniversary tour. They probably regretted having Van Halen as the opening act...

[@gandalf679]

I was 18 when this album dropped, I bought two copies, One album, and one 8-track, for my '66 ford galaxy....great album debut for a band...we were changed!!!!

[@Stoovey24]

8-track! My parents had one hooked up to the basement sound system...

[@LittleJohnaton]

You're lucky man :)

[@gandalf679]

@@LittleJohnaton Indeed, friend, indeed.

[@Madmarsha]

I was 15 when this came out. This is one of those albums that I have owned on vinyl, cassette, CD, MP3. I never had any 8 tracks cos I thought I was a little too young for that so I am sorta surprised this was even out on 8 track.

[@user-ds8bi2fw9e]

rock-n-roll, was more raw, back then. And, Alex, is definitely under rated !

[@ianbetts2397]

I have only just discovered you on KZbin. This album is still 45 years later my favourite of all time. Eddie clearly imo the greatest guitarist who ever played. Thank you for your reviews.

[@daredevildaryl2645]

"How is he doing that?!!!!!" This question has probably been asked more than any question in rock. EVH was a game changer. Lord, how he is missed

[@lemmy9809]

You can not pick a fault with this masterpiece..its just so unbelievable how good it is ..I never get sick of listening to it..probably one of the greatest albums ever recorded..ever ...end ❤❤❤

[@jamesvolpe3581]

One of my favorite albums of all time!!

[@johntheisen6791]

Yes Van Halen ll

[@kenkonwick6660]

Btw u noticed the extensive use of E flat. It really works well with Edward's "Brown Sound", which he developed with his self built amps, whammy bar and his technique

[@Mister_Samsonite]

Man, nobody else played a boogie shuffle like Eddie!

[@mattblatchley2061]

YES!!! This^^^^^^^^

[@swordmonkey6635]

The first two Van Halen albums didn't have a lot of alternates in tuning because they were written for playing in clubs where retuning wasn't a practical thing without multiple guitars. VH recorded VH1 live for the most part outside of a vocal isolation booth. In the overhead drum mics, you can hear Edward's guitar in the background. Live.

[@christianbockholt5053]

Hallo from Germany,it is a metal monday,i wish y'all fun

[@fredfabris7187]

Great review! Thanks…..one of my favorite all time bands

[@1992YR]

Van Halen’s debut album is the greatest of all time! You can still see why when it came out in ‘78 it set the music world On Fire!

[@timwirasnik5878]

This Album went Diamond!

[@stevennovakovich2525]

In-line with "Diamond Dave".

[@Itsjandz105]

The backing vocals on feel your love tonight to me always had a beach boys sound.

[@mournblade1066]

"Little Dreamer" is my absolute favorite Van Halen tune. So underrated.

[@roffem8638]

One of the best album of all time and Little Dreamer is the crown. Thank You Doug! / Rolf from Stockholm

[@TheErazar]

I was -15 years old when this album released. Still rocks!

[@ricardoalon3826]

The Mighty Van Halen, this album changed music forever!!

[@KennethStCyr-dv6cm]

Never ever forget it until the day I die. My best friend Randy said "hey...I got a new album you have to listen to!" Who is it I said. VAN HALEN...who is Van Halen? LOL...a 100 watt stereo with a turntable and 15 inch woofer speakers...in like a 12 x 12 bedroom. The needle dropped on Running with the devil..and that was it...I was a fan.

[@WayneKitching]

Feel Your Love Tonight's vocal harmonies remind me of the Beach Boys.

[@bassbuffricky]

Timeless album by one of the best rock bands ever. RIP, Edje.

[@dtchinacat3973]

Atomic Punk is the BEST SONG they ever did; but I also have an "Affinity" for Little Dreamer, too! Who am I kidding, it's all GREAT!

[@michaelkrutz5737]

DOA is tops for me.

[@monicafryer3250]

I loved your video Doug.I love Van Halen.I enjoyed how you enjoyed their music.Thank you for a awesome video on Van Halen.:)🤘

[@KC-pc8ou]

This is a great reaction - love your enthusiasm! You cannot go wrong by reacting to all songs on their first 7 albums (all of Dave's and Sammy's first with the band). There are also some solid live versions to check out as well. You're going to run into some Dave vs Sammy .. but I don't see how a truly deep fan can dismiss 5150 (and the huge live energy that came from that). Keep in mind I was just transitioning into middle school and finding harder rock music during transition from Dave to Sammy - I can respect the heartbreak for someone following the band from day one. Keep going!!

[@russelltrahan5865]

Doug! I've been a Van Halen fan for decades--since I was a kid. Thank you for making me sit and listen to the album in one go. I've played these songs on guitar for decades now, and know them backwards and forwards. That said, in today's world of streaming it's easy to lose the cohesiveness of these classic albums, and you got me to sit and appreciate it with you in the sequence intended probably for the first time. Thank you! (BTW, you channel is awesome. Loyal follower here!)

[@michaeltlewis3481]

Kudos! Loved this reaction, sir! It was fun to hear you demonstrate some of the vocal harmonies-it really helped me to hear them better. I feel that is a subtle but valuable educational component that you showcase on your channel.

[@kencreten7308]

when I saw them open for Sabbath in 78, they started with On Fire, and blew my teenage ass away... this was also partially helped by supplies from a 1 armed Vietnam vet that had mercy on our lack of party supplies.

[@RememberEddieYork]

Rapper Tone-Loc sampled Alex Van Halen's drum intro to 'Jamie's Crying' for 'Wild Thing'.

[@OlettaLiano]

As a bassist, I always loved covering Van Halen. The bass lines are always fun and easy to play.

[@JohandeHakkelaar]

What a magnificent album , clear and crisp sounds… of all instruments… amazing!

[@Tmac327]

If I had to only listen to one band the rest of my life it would be Van Halen. Hands down. Great reviews, glad to find your channel!

[@quix99]

Eddie and alex loved old stuff like dave clark 5

[@VikingOzzie]

I remember as a kid the day my cousin showed me this album for the first time. So amazing.

[@thunderbird233]

I truly enjoy your commentary for all that you review. Great stuff and so much fun.

[@lordmortarius538]

Is that the guitar? How is he doin that? THAT is certified Guitar Wizard Eddie Van Halen. The things that man can do with a six-string are legendary.

[@mattmarcz7574]

The best debut album since "Are You Experienced"

[@mark240862]

The needle could drop on any groove and I'd be happy. The best rock album ever made.

[@TheDietrichDaniels]

Someone once described Van Halen as "The Beach Boys of Hard Rock."

[@andrewgarin2486]

I bought this album in '78 for my older brothers birthday present and I ended up liking more than him, but it was played constantly on our Pioneer audio system downstairs by the pool table constantly. Wishing i could return to those special times. On the vinyl, and the big speakers, it was magic to hear!

[@georgehuerta1990]

Amen bro me to 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@mikeh3851]

They say that Van Halen saved Rock and Roll. This album proves it. Back in the mid 70's, disco was taking over the airwaves. This album gave us rockers something to sink our teeth into. I saw them in 78 in Chicago at the Aragon Ballroom. They blew the roof off the place. I still have one of Eddie's picks that he threw into the crowd. Thanks for sharing that with us, Doug.

[@jackaubrey3037]

Wasn't that their first ever show as a signed act? You've got a Honus Wagner of guitar picks.

[@robertmarcotte276]

I was 13 when I first heard this. It was like a smack to the music scene. I enjoyed the smack and haven't looked back. 58 now and still listening. Never gets old.

[@kariy2187]

"Never gets old", Do You mean, Yourself or this LP? By the way, I´m 59 and listening too.

[@robertmarcotte276]

@kariy2187 well age is just a number. I haven't heard anything that comes close to vh. They don't even play vh that much on the radio today. More people are just getting around to listening to vh. Hopefully the fan base will grow.

[@kariy2187]

@@robertmarcotte276 I agree, hopefully

[@Daniel-kx3xs]

I love the fact it's 2024 and Eddie still has people asking, "is that a guitat?". Yes in Atomic punk ed is muting the strings with left hand and scraping the strings with a pick on it's edge by the pickups. Also a phase 90 effect is giving it that swirl sound.

[@stevennovakovich2525]

Had it on 8-track and vinyl upon release when I was all of 16 years old. Remember it well. Saw them in 1980 for the "Women And Children First" tour. Amazing.

[@sim0n17]

That intro to Atomic Punk sounds like a muted chuck, meaty part of the palm rubbing across the strings, on guitar played through a flanger or phaser pedal. Your comment on their backing vocals setting them apart from their contemporaries is spot on,... along with Eddie's playing of course 😇

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

I think it was an MXR Phase 90 phaser

[@Mertztillithurts]

@@ChrisHopkinsBass Yeah that's what he used back then and for a LONG TIME!

[@sim0n17]

@@ChrisHopkinsBass yep, more likely than not his phase 90, but he had access to flangers in the studio - I should have researched it

[@getexis8685]

I remember buying this album when people were still asking the store to allow us to listen to two or three tracks to decide whether to buy it. When listening to the first two tracks of the album I took out the headphones and said: - "I'll take it now, please!" One of the great bands on this planet.

[@badmotorbreath5206]

Incredible debut album but my favorites are Fair Warning and Women & Children First.

[@marshallgeorge3819]

Back to back amazing stuff. Eddie sounds amazing on both of those records.

[@Panicagq2]

Eddie tuned flat and sometimes tempered his B string as well, and the band just tuned to Eddie. In '78 was at a boarding school in rural Oregon when someone got this record on a trip to town - because it had a cool cover! He played it loud in our open-plan dorm and we were just blown away the moment the car horns kicked in. Just 15-20 teenagers standing there in a group WTF Then we played it again and again so we could learn the air band parts.

[@marshallgeorge3819]

yep - either Eb Ab Db Gb Bb Eb or Db on that low E on songs like Unchained.

[@cosmiccowboy7764]

Rocklahoma 1980 lineup -Pat Benatar, Sammy Hagar Band, Van Halen , and Doobie Bros headlining with Michael McDonald. Sunburn , beer , and bikinis! What a great experience!🤠🎶

[@susangrimes6451]

8th grade when this came out.... great album

[@dennyclosser8456]

This album is the beginning and the spark of the metal movement! Hard rock ‘n’ roll played with flare and Guitar like nobody else in this day and era could play… and I do mean nobody. All of the grades of today John Petrucci, steve by, Joe Satriani all heard this and we’re like just literally blown away and they all asked how is he doing that especially on eruption! And all four of these guys get their do because real musicians know just how great all of these guys really were

[@patrickcampion7966]

I was only around 10 in '78, but my brain was massively influenced by my older brother and sister who were in their late teens at the time. I can clearly remember the day they came home from a trip to the mall with new album purchases and played them, she with Blondi's Parallel Lines, and him with Van Halen's debut. She was not entirely into most of the Van Halen Album until Ice Cream Man played, which she absolutely loved. I was very fortunate to grow up with their musical influences. To this day I love both of those albums!

[@markfx12]

In true classic rock radio DJ mode, you talk over the instrumental intro during "Little Dreamer"!

[@sweetwilliam5150]

Doug. We are all-in for you reacting to every VH studio release. It can be done!

[@robt1304]

Alex was so underrated , he was a beast on the skins

[@gregorykenfield3134]

Albums like this are the reason that people like me who were young when they came out are unimpressed with the new music of today.

[@yes_head]

And were unimpressed by later bands like Guns N Roses.

[@dannyholloway2007]

With those vocals, this is the beach boys meets metal!

[@dannyholloway2007]

Yes, going through their albums chronologically would be a true adventure.

[@VodkaSelekta]

The intro guitar sound is muted strumming through a phaser pedal to make that jet engine sound.

[@squidly2112]

They had an interesting formula back then, you will notice that most notes played by Eddie in his solos can be played on predominantly black keys of the keyboard, while the rest is predominantly on white keys. A fascinating formula that led to some amazing sounds. FYI, the intro sound you hear on that guitar is done with the palm of his right hand over the pickups. I bet I listened to this album more than 10,000 times during my Jr. high and high school years. Used to walk around with a boom box all the time playing this album over and over as I cruised with my friends (on foot) all around town, usually late at night (mischief 😉)

[@TK-fk4po]

Just imagine what it was like when that first came out. I heard it when I was in Boy Scout camp and I was eight years old and I could not believe what I was hearing.

[@gregyaklin5980]

Using the Eb tuning really helps the vocals on hitting those higher notes. :-)

[@johnnieangel99]

This debut rocked the world. I was just starting high school. We were blown away. I remember a roumor making its way around that Van Halen were mearly KISS without their make up. Fell for it for a day. But was like yeah man no that's bs

[@bradhardesty3361]

Thanks for your praise of Michael Anthony. Everyone knows how great the rest of the band was but fail to talk about Mike. A HUGE part of their sound. They have always been my favorite band of all time. I prefer the Dave era but it doesn’t really matter who’s singing. I love Sammy and Garry also. It’s just all great shit

[@lgmnowkondo938]

the first hard rock band to bring in some major key dominance!

[@ronaldelliott4373]

Glad to see you enjoying this remarkable debut album. Saw their first Tour warming up for Montrose and headliner Journey. All three were great but Van Halen was who everyone had to see. No one had ever heard anything like Eddie before. Good to see you delving back into Cream this summer. Regards

[@stevedockeray]

Thanks for this it has been a long time since I listened to it all ( bought it when it dropped ) - Saw them live on their first visit to Vancouver BC in 1979 where they dropped some new songs from the just released Album 2 into the mix .

[@MissingMars]

Van Halen II -YESSSSS