Van Halen *FULL SHOW* 1978 September 8. 8mm - 4k

**Link to classic version** • Van Halen September 8 ...
Step into the time machine with Speedy's Films as we unveil a rock 'n' roll relic - Van Halen live at the Niagara Falls Convention Center on September 8, 1978.
Filmed by Speedy himself on Super8 reels during his days as a photographer and tour bus driver in the vibrant '70s, this footage captures the essence of a legendary era in music history. Now, we're thrilled to present a revamped 4K version with updated audio, offering you an immersive experience like never before.
But that's not all! In a unique twist, we've decided to leave in all the audio in-between the video segments. This means you're not just getting the highlights; you're getting the entire show, trimmed only to remove the unnecessary "fat." It's a front-row seat to witness Van Halen's magic with every nuance, every riff, and every moment that made that night unforgettable.
In the spirit of complete transparency, we'd like to address a minor aspect of the video. During the final song, you may notice a slight variance in audio quality compared to the rest of the performance, and eagle-eyed viewers might observe a few scenes that aren't perfectly aligned. Regrettably, despite our meticulous efforts, achieving seamless synchronization for some scenes proved to be a challenging task. Additionally, we suspect there might be a missing song from the audio.
We extend our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. Please rest assured that we spared no effort to present you with the highest quality experience. Your understanding is immensely appreciated, and we trust that you'll still find immense enjoyment in this nostalgic journey with Van Halen.
As a tribute to Speedy's passion for preserving musical memories, we invite you to join us on this sonic journey. Your support makes it possible, and for that, we're grateful. If you'd like to contribute to the continuation of this musical adventure, feel free to donate at paypal.me/Speed...
Stay tuned for more excitement, as we've already released the classic version of this video on our KZbin channel. If you're a fan of the timeless charm found in our classic releases, you can dive into the enchanting world of Van Halen in 1978 right away.
8mm Transfer by: @GenesisMuseum www.genesismuseum.com
Audio Sync and Produced by: Speedy's Films

[@funhistory]

0:13 On Fire 3:13 I'm the One 7:53 Michael's bass solo 8:32 Runnin' with the Devil 11:44 Atomic Punk 14:21 Alex's drum solo 15:32 Little Dreamer 18:47 Feel Your Love Tonight 23:47 Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love 29:01 Eruption 31:45 You Really Got Me

[@LAT-qk3vj]

Thank you! 😄

[@batphink2655]

Cheers mate!! 👍

[@kottyzoomnoop1795]

Send me this link?

[@kottyzoomnoop1795]

Send me this please? ❤

[@DRUMTOY2002]

Thank you for this set list!

[@MikeHimmel]

Saw this tour and was standing about 20 feet out from the stage. They came out and destroyed it, blew uncle Ted Nugent off the stage. The kicker was that I got to meet Eddie earlier during the day at an in-store record signing. No one at that point had any idea what the tapping thing was all about because it wasn’t the age of KZbin. So my first tapping lesson came from Eddie, showing it to me via air guitar with his hands in the air! He was such a sweetheart. I got the chance to meet him a few times after that, and the way treated me never changed, even after he became a huge superstar. This folks was tantamount to seeing Hendrix in its own way. Later I had the wonderful opportunity of being featured on the Van Halen news. Desk for performing eruption myself.. What a lifetime of inspiration this guy gave us all! Thank you to whoever posted this. God bless you. Eddie Van Halen.

[@funhistory]

@MrGTRMAN777 Peaches in Rockville! I was there too! Do you still have your autographs or any photos? Still have a photo of me & Ed ... actually me & Ed's hair as he was looking down, focused on signing. I also recall Dave explaining to another fan how the photographer did the epic blurry LP photos. My parents wouldn't let me go to the Cap Ctr because the WaPo had reported fans brandished guns at Nugent shows; however, they did take me to see VH & BS in Pittsburgh a few weeks later. By the way, do you recall whether VH were shown on the Telescreen during the CC show? Since some of those are still available, I'm holding out hope we'll someday get to see it, assuming it was ever recorded. The only time the Telescreen was off was for Elvis due to his manager's strict control.

[@MikeHimmel]

yeah I have a DC 101 Tee shirt that Ed autographed for me! So cool that we were at the same show, the Cap Centre had a vibe man, it was an incredible experience@@funhistory

[@MikeHimmel]

yeah, ole' Ted couldn't compete with Ed, after that Nugent kinda started to fade off the radar.. I still love em tho, kooky dood!@@davidmack4185

[@marklarose8600]

you picked up like the rest

[@jeffreyhogan7298]

So cool!!👍💯

[@Chris-is1rd]

Unless you are old enough to have seen and heard these guys when they came out, you have no sense of how groundbreaking Eddie was. There was NO ONE doing what he was doing when he came along. Literally overnight rock guitarists everywhere wanted to play like him. It was effing crazy

[@shawnstarks1743]

There’s only been two in the Rock World. Hendrix was the first, Eddie was the last. Hasn’t been anybody since those two. DO ANYTHING GROUNDBREAKING

[@MichaelSmith-ig8bw]

I'm old enough to have seen them in '78 (backing up Black Sabbath!!). They came out of no where and took over almost right away. Pretty soon they were playing the big arenas and were superstars.

[@danmarcucci3207]

You are 100% correct!!@@shawnstarks1743

[@stanblackburn700]

Exactly what I was thinking. Ed is doing something here that was unfathomable; he was, probably without realizing it, changing the world of guitar and music.

[@DVincentW]

Edward himself said Allan Holdsworth@@shawnstarks1743, was the best he heard. Even in 1978, Allan was doing things other guitarists could only dream of. "Eddie made it okay for guitar players to PLAY again" - Frank Zappa. There will never be another EVH. However, there are cats out there who have taken it further. Im not one of them. I just love to play guitar. "You dont work music, you play it" - Edward

[@chrisl3158]

Best mix of V H I've ever heard: the bass guitar is as loud as the drums and guitar, and isn't lost in the background. Michael's contribution is essential.

[@patrickolee27]

Damn best audio from those days I’ve ever heard!!!

[@johnbeckwith1361]

This performance was so powerfull my home's power usage was going backwards while watching.

[@funhistory]

I drove past Ed & Al's childhood home this morning, which I've been wanting to do for years, then Roth's mansion, then the 5150 Coldwater Canyon complex ... & when I got home, these 2 Niagara videos were an overwhelming surprise! That '78 tour was magical, never to be repeated. Thanks!

[@ras124]

Get outta here!

[@funhistory]

@@ras124 You can use online navigators to do a virtual drive-by: 1881 Las Lunas 91107, 455 Bradford 91105, 3371 Coldwater Canyon 91604. Not quite the same as with a Christmas-morning sunrise, but still pretty good for hardcore VH fans.

[@paulthomasbranda7591]

Is it true that VH’s were more middle class and Dave’s parents well off?

[@wednesdaysdisaster2141]

@@paulthomasbranda7591 van havens were pretty poor and yes on Daves

[@JohnHughes-Ottawa]

I went by Eddie's house up in the Canyons... Wolfie was just on the other side of the gate, giving me shit for being there 😅 got a picture and split

[@monkface]

Really there aren't any bands that sound like this today, 45 years later. I mean there's hardcore insane metal bands that play fast and powerful. But they don't swing like this. That sorta high speed boogie that was in Eddie's DNA. Crazy screaming harmonics, ripping triplets, wild flanging sounds, whammy bar dives, tapping, fast percussive legato just locked in with his brother. Dave jumping around screaming like a banshee with an utterly unique scream. Mike holding down the bottom with a powerful loud voice. All at fast tempos with a ton of energy! Sheesh it's still powerful even after hearing the songs 1000 times! The mighty VH!

[@georgehuerta1990]

Man, I couldn’t of said that any better dude you’re absolutely 100% on the money there’s no one like them even today

[@stevejewell9263]

The high pitched stuff wasn't Dave though. It was all Mike. Dave weak vocals were easy to forgive and over-look because none of us gave a rats ass how bad and off key he was. Seeing Van Halen at this early point in time was all about Eddie and Eddie alone. Best thing about this video and sound recording is found in how you can barely even Dave most of the time.

[@hendrikheemels8615]

​@@stevejewell9263Not true. Roth made the band complete with his energy, stage presence, voice and screams, like if was hunted by the devil himself. Coming from an Eddie van Halen fan from Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Yes, the place Edward was born.

[@peterrezba995]

I agree 💯%

[@EddieReischl]

This version of "I'm the One" is so amazing. I guarantee nobody in that rock n' roll audience had ever heard anything swung like that before with that level of precision and speed.

[@Acemechanicalservices]

“I’m the One” is definitely my favorite VH song. Like you said, the level of swing in that song is unparalleled in rock music. The fact is, Alex always swung.

[@spuds6423]

​@@AcemechanicalservicesYou figure on who some of Alex's influences are....Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich and input from his dad.

[@batphink2655]

@@Acemechanicalservices Another who swings like a MOFO is Brian Downey of Thin Lizzy you must check him out more!

[@Malama_Ki]

Yeah, this wasn’t their parents Charleston or sock hop at Arnold’s. For the time, this was nuclear like an atomic punk.

[@snowdog64]

I was at that show with my brothers 14 years old at the time who would have thought all these years later I would be watching it. Unreal

[@speedysfilms]

@snowdog64! The magic of live music-especially a show like Van Halen in '78-can create memories that last a lifetime. Who could have imagined, back then, that you'd be reliving those epic moments years later? Life's full of surprises, and this journey back to that show is truly unreal and special. 🤘 #TimelessRockMemories #VanHalenMagic

[@crosswalklarry]

Me too!

[@PainterDans]

Right, still remember the first time I heard the first album at myfriends house. Never imagined i would be watching this show on my phone in 2024

[@roberthoeg1964]

This concert was on my 14th birthday forever RWTD😎✌👹

[@CP-kb1du]

Same here ...there was a world besides Kiss Cheap Trick Queen ....

[@stephenlandry9343]

I saw VH in New Orleans July 13 1978. Eddie melted my brain. I didn't know them when I went but couldn't ever forget them when I left. They were un fucking believable.

[@patrickolee27]

A whole generation had that same reaction ! 🎉

[@stephenlandry9343]

@@patrickolee27 They sure did. I had just started playing guitar and I knew that I could never play like that. So I never tried changing styles. I just kept on playing my les paul no whammy bar ever. Eddie had that down no need for me to try. So I didn't and I'm glad I didn't. 😎✌️

[@FStoppers]

What was Rock radio like back then? VH1 came out early 1978 yet rock fans were going to see Sabbath and didn’t know of VH yet 6 months later? In my mind Eruption was so huge that it was instantly on the radio everywhere but maybe it took much longer to gain momentum?

[@stephenlandry9343]

@@FStoppers OH man radio was the shit back then. Yes eruption was played all the time. It was like hearing the best songs off all the great albums. You could request anything and they would play it. Today it's just the same rotation of tired ass fuckin shit you heard a million time. I try not to listen to anything but albums or CD now. The 70s ruled!

[@jonathannation4050]

My first concert. Saw this tour when they opened for Sabbath. Changed my life.

[@MrBrutalGeorge]

Same here,opened for Sabbath and Van Halen definitely destroyed them . I left half way through sabbath’s set . I will never forget that moment in my life!

[@kevinrothe361]

I was at Nassau Coliseum when they warmed up for Sabbath. Fans were screamming " Van Halen, Van Halen" all through Sabbath's set. Needless to say there was no encore from Ozzy. These guys blew my f'n mind. Eddie's Eruption was off the f'n wall. One of the greatest shows I've seen and at 65 years old I've seen a shitload of awesome shows.

[@WhizMitchell]

Amazes me that footage is still being excavated on this band. Love VH.

[@Newbomb_Turks_Punch]

Probably so much out there too!

[@seangerstenlauer7067]

Just absolutely blistering guitar playing. To talk about tapping takes away from his incredible rhythm, fills, and songwriting. Every tune is a wealth of sick riffs with endless mind blowing licks

[@MackAxyzz]

...and only 23 years old at the time ha

[@speedysfilms]

Excited to share this FULL SHOW version with everyone! It's a new approach, leaving in all the audio for a more immersive concert experience. For true Van Halen fans, this is a treat that captures the essence of the live performance. Can't wait to hear what you think! 🎸🔊 #VanHalenExperience

[@VanHalenStarWars]

Greatest American rock band ever

[@daveskritterkingdom]

Oh this is epic, but maybe instead of the annoying black screen, use a still shot from the end of the prior clip? 😁

[@hollylewis5302]

Duuuuude! You know, I saw them in July of 1978 in KC so this would've been the set I saw, but have absolutely no recollection of the entire concert except for a flash of being in Royal stadium (I went to see Kansas, the headliner. SummerJam). I can't find any footage or audio of it either (a couple of photos), so this is as close as I'll get! Yes, we were over partying! lol. I was 17. Anyway, this is AMAZING! I've also never seen photos of Eddie in this silver, sparkly shirt! THANK YOU SO MUCH for putting this up even though the video cuts out! What causes that? Does the film stick to itself? I'm glad you got what you got out of it! Great Christmas gift for the world! ❤🤍🖤🎸👑

[@colinhamilton6493]

Who recorded this, and how did they sneak the bulky camera into the show. Thanks

[@tomjames8268]

Thank you SO VERY MUCH!!!

[@FlydreamMedia]

Wow. This is a time machine. I cant imagine seeing Edward do this at this point in time. He was a guitar god at even that young age!

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

Eddie had one of the great nervous systems of his age. What capabilities! Swing, time, accuracy, artistry, and showmanship

[@noaveragejoe]

Love hearing Michael Anthony's bass up front! He kept up more than fine with the Van Halen boys and should have gotten more credit!

[@anthonyfelker1712]

The rock world always hates bass players!

[@jmon312]

​@@anthonyfelker1712He didn't write anything, sir. He just played what he was given.

[@reubensane5539]

No one was ready for this perfect storm! We’ll never see the likes of something like this again.

[@benjaminharris8721]

Wow!! Never Seen/Heard Footage of The Mighty Van Halen Like This.....Great to Hear Diamond Dave Actually Singing at the Highest Level, Alex Beating The Drums, MA Killing It on Bass and Harmony and Eddie doing what he always Did....Pure Gold

[@user-xc4dt5qb6w]

I've seen .. random bits of this particular show elsewhere..but this is the first time I've seen ALL of the debut album performed - since of course they were promoting that new record...mind blowing. Hearing "little dreamer" and "show your love" is a real treat. I've yet to find "little dreamer " anywhere. Just spectacular and surreal. Dave has the audience transfixed and Edward is just plain a joy to watch because he's so freaking obviously having a blast. I am a die hard original VH fan -14 when this record came out and it's still as exciting 46 damn years later.

[@FingersOnAFretboard]

Fuuu... what a ferocious live performance. How could this NOT melt your brain in 1978? On Fire indeed! V H Young & Bold! Jezuz Chrust, everybody's tone is just like the record! They really DID just hit record took off to the stars! No tricks. just talent!

[@Johnsormani]

Eddie played some great guitar parts over the years in Van Halen, but they would never compare to the shock the first Album caused to guitar players and music lovers of the world. It was so out of this world. I was 14 and just sorted to play guitar myself when VH1 came out. A year later I saw them live at the pinkpop festival. Wow.

[@dagony7383]

First four albums they were the "mighty Van Halen" did not like anything after that,with diver down and 1984 they lost their fire.and the Hager years they were just a preppy MTV rock band .

[@iggyfritz7150]

When these guys were hungry they literally blew everyone else off the stage. Roth used to actually sing and remember words and quite possibly the best preformer front Man ever. But time waits for no one. They were a shooting star that will never be replaced. Eddie Alex Mikey and David will live forever in our Hearts and minds. Anyone who was lucky enough to witness them in their hey day, their lifes were changed forever. Eddie and Alex were the genius behind Van Halen I feel so blessed that God blessed us with Van Halen. Every time I see a video of them my heart cries. What the hell happened to our Music 😢

[@joewalker511]

Eddie has to be the most naturally gifted rock player of all time! His sense of groove and swing is like a studied jazz player...everything thing he ls playing here is landing right in the pocket! True genius who came out of nowhere to modernize the instrument! To hear him play and sound like this in 1978 must have blown everybody away....

[@lrn_news9171]

George Lynch was around at this time as well and was extremely innovative on the guitar and one of the best. Already had his sound in 78 and touring the same clubs.

[@FreeMTrider]

Gifted yes....but also countless hours of practice and jamming with Alex. Those brothers had that jazz groove locked in. And by adding Dave they connected with a guy who understood this. It was also his background and led to some great song writing arrangements to harness that talent.

[@Japanese_Made_Easy_Podcast]

Another thing people don't really mention is just how cool Eddie looked compared to the other guitarists of the time. Killing it on all levels.

[@FreeMTrider]

Absolutely......all of those guys were like athletes on stage that drove it to another level.

[@BubbaZen10]

Page was the only one that ever looked cooler to me personally

[@SteveBoyd-vt5rp]

That was pure van Halen!! Live on king Edward!!🎸

[@PhilFeedback]

I saw them in November of 1978 as the opening act for Black Sabbath. It was the concert that Ozzy passed out in the wrong hotel room and the concert was rescheduled. So I got to see Van Halen Twice in a week’s time

[@wallywallace7410]

Nashville!

[@spuds6423]

Geezer talks about that in his book which is really good... especially the Audiobook

[@michaelsharpe4415]

This is unbelievable! The audio quality is fantastic. VH detonated like a nuclear bomb when they blew up the existing paradigm of Rock in 78. I saw them open for Sabbath at The Omni in Atlanta on the 78 tour. This takes me right back to that show. For Van Halen nerds like me, this is one of the best Christmas presents of all time! Thanks. I’m donating immediately

[@ciadella1971]

Niagara Falls NY is my hometown. Its a dump now but in the 70s it was a great place to grow up. I was 7 in 1978. This was about 10 min from my home. Someone needs to build a time machine soon! 😊

[@speedysfilms]

Absolutely, @ciadella1971! It's incredible how a place can hold so much nostalgia. Your hometown of Niagara Falls, NY, might have changed, but the memories of its vibrant past remain priceless. A time machine to revisit those moments would indeed be magical! Here's to the timeless charm of growing up in a great place like Niagara Falls during the '70s. #NostalgiaJourney #TimelessMemories

[@kristinfield-macumber5899]

The talent on that stage is mind-blowing!

[@Ibaneddie76]

Badass! The kings of rock! Eddie will always be #1

[@speedysfilms]

🎄✨ Wishing all our amazing viewers a rockin' Christmas filled with joy, laughter, and the timeless melodies that make this season truly special. Your support has been the greatest gift, and we're thrilled to add a bit more cheer to your day! Today, we're dropping not just one, but TWO holiday presents for you: in 4k with update audio, the full concert version and the classic version of our Van Halen 1978 performance. May your holidays be Merry and Bright! 🎁🎶 #MerryChristmas #RockOn 🤘

[@billvoss979]

Thank you so much man I live in Buffalo New York I was in 7th grade at the time but I seen them on May 26th 1980 in Buffalo for the second time but I did know a few people that went to the show they said it was awesome a life-changing moment for me but actually the first time I heard him in 1978 on Van Halen one was really the beginning

[@themobseat]

Salute to the bootleggers and tape traders who preserved musical history for the future to enjoy!

[@MrMegaFredZeppelin]

The BEST upload I have seen on KZbin in a very long time😃Van Halen KICKING ASS!!!!!!!!😁ROCK ON!!!!!!!🤘🏻🤙🏻✌🏻

[@lojomidnight4083]

I'm so honored that i got to see, No let me re-phrase that...experience... Van Halen in their hay day. Saw them over 25 times starting with 1980 Invasion.. Even the Hagar days because it was always about Eddie for me.

[@howardthrust]

Van Halen I Tour! Frankenstrat from the Album Cover! Everybody FIRING!! All the impact of the Jimi Hendrix Experience @ Monterey a decade before...AND THEN SOME!! "Where Have All The Good Times Gone?!!" 💥

[@AtomicGarden68]

My asperations of becoming a famous baseball pitcher at 10 years old was finshed after an older son of my mother's friend took me in his room with his quadrophonic stereo lol and cranked up Eruption with my jaw wide open wondering what did I just listen to??? Sports was over and I was mowing lawns to buy a guitar. I'm still playing and writing music 45 years later.

[@baratheda777]

I was born in 1982, so I wasn't even a thought when this happened. Van Halen are my favorite band of all time, and I did see them(minus Mike) in 2007(kick ass) and 2012(Ed was killer, Roth was not great). Stuff like this is priceless. Van Halen are as important as Mozart to many fans, and it's important to remember that us younger fans will be the ones to allow them to spread to even younger generations! I love this! There is no way for me to go back and be there, but stuff like this is the next best thing. Thank you for uploading this

[@louabraham7708]

Saw this same show about 3 weeks earlier. Backstage at outdoor gig in Bay City, MI. Dave was even wearing the same pants! The energy!

[@DavidSanchez-bq9jv]

I Believe Bob Seger Was The Main Act? My Late Cousin Saw That Same Show Also.

[@louabraham7708]

@@DavidSanchez-bq9jv You are correct. Cheap Trick was also supposed to be on the bill but couldn't make it due to illness I think.

[@MusicTherapyLaz]

I can only imagine what this was like live! One of my life's greatest regrets is not seeing them live! 😢😎🤘🎸Long Live The King... EVH!

[@publicanimal]

Michael Anthony's bass sounds so sweet on this.

[@HaveaVH5150]

This brings back so many memories,WOW! I saw them the week before in Philly at the Spectrum. Tue.Aug.29 78’ for $6.00,looking at the stub now. Unbelievable raw energy. Because of that I saw them every time they came back to Philly.I have most of the Stubs framed with the small Frankenstrat in the middle.Early 80’s I took some great pics of Eddie up front.Thank you very much! 🇺🇸🎸🤘🏻 I have a stack of stubs from 70s to present and organizing them to frame.Glad I grew up at the right time.

[@Malama_Ki]

Great town and venue to go to shows. Plus the Troc, TLA, SOOOO many great places around the area. My band lived there 90-95. Our weed connections wife had a dad that worked for PNC Bank and sold us their box seat tickets to any show we wanted. Good times. Great music town all around. Now in my 50’s living almost 30 years in the tropics (Virgin Islands and Now Hawaii) I wish I’d’ve went to even more shows.

[@HaveaVH5150]

@@Malama_Ki You are right,they still have a few amount now. Back in the day you could easily see 3 or 4 great bands in a month. One of my favorites was The Tower Theater!

[@HaveaVH5150]

@@Malama_Ki Enjoy those islands 👍

[@Malama_Ki]

@@HaveaVH5150 We hit Philly right after the Empire closed and had parties at our warehouse we rented where Princeton Ave met I-95 with Nicoletti’s beer distributors around the corner. We gigged all over Philly and south Jersey and had ragers at the Warehouse once a month to pay the bills. Later we helped start Rhawn Street Studios. Good times, great city for rock-n-roll. 🤙🏼🤙🏼🌴🌊🏄🏼🏝️🌋Aloha from Fissure 8, Leilani, Puna

[@HaveaVH5150]

@@Malama_Ki Wow,bet you have a lot of great memories! I’m old and can’t take the crowds as much now. Can’t hug the front of the stage anymore. Did just see Wolfgang VH put on a good show in his Moms hometown recently. Small venue The Queen. Keep Rocking and keep enjoying your beauty out there.🎸🤘🏻

[@ShaKimono]

A true testament to the power grace and fire of VAN HALEN in all their glory loud blazing and heartfelt a moment and magical time now crystallized in our hearts forevermore

[@donovanedwards5150]

Best Christmas I have received in quite a while! This is absolutely amazing!! Love seeing bands when they were the opening acts. You can always tell who were hungry and going for it vs. those who didn't. KISS and Van Halen are two examples of bands who just went for it all and blew out the headliners...every single night. That's why they became the biggest bands on the planet during their prime. Love it!!!

[@GT-bz9nc]

Incredible capture of a wonderful era in rock. Back in the days when if you wore a concert tee shirt to school the morning after you saw the gig, you would be approached all day for details. As a high school student in late 70’s, I was blessed with close proximity to the Spectrum in Philadelphia and affordable tickets to see many of the classic bands. None gave a powerhouse performance like Van Halen did. Even the last VH concert that I saw - Fair Warning tour in Lakeland. FL 1981 - was a barnstorm.

[@steveec9704]

This is incredible footage the tones coming from EV's guitar is amazing

[@voccsaycee30]

This is the greatest thing ever

[@matejfele9971]

Best Van Halen right there.

[@robotron17]

I had no idea that Roth could sing those whistle tones so loud. Amazing.

[@paulojosegavinhodesiqueira392]

One of the greatest in Hard n Heavy History.

[@ianlaws8971]

Fantastic, the whole band are On Fire, Dave's voice is at its best here! thanks so much for this wonderful footage.

[@rklewis2]

I saw them exactly one week later at Cobo Hall. Opened for Black Sabbath. Blew them off the stage. A couple of the guys I went with never heard of them. They thought I was nuts when I said I was going to see THIS band, and laughed at me saying that they were going to blow them off the stage. Until after the show, lol. Told me I was right.

[@randyrousseau2726]

I was there at combo hall I actually got back stage after Van Halen was done but never met any of the band members we were walking towards the room they were in and security stop us so we we watched Black Sabbath from the side of the stage didn’t meet them either 😢

[@rklewis2]

@@randyrousseau2726 Freaking awesome memory though! I was way up in tier C. Ugh.

[@iggyfritz7150]

Mikey was and still is a bad ass bass player and amazing singer

[@DennisMooney-ey5wp]

He rode the coattails 🧥 of other people

[@thomasstevens1436]

Definitely! And you can really hear him on this. Integral part of the VH sound. Great vocals and great feel and chops on bass, which you would obviously need to play with the Van Halen brothers. It’s not just Eddie or Alex that swings so hard, it’s the whole band! Wow. Just amazing recording.

[@jmon312]

​@@thomasstevens1436Do your research. He sucked, and contributed not much besides playing others people's music.

[@thomasstevens1436]

@@jmon312 just listen man. It’s all right there on the recording. If you can’t hear that, I can’t help you bro.

[@musicalSFCat]

Brought back some wild cool memories, times. '78 Van Halen tour was epic. Great job, synching vintage 8mm color footage & audio together. Saw two concerts from their debut tour in the S.F. Bay Area, during my early rock 'n roll teen years. Both gigs were outstanding. 💯💥🎸

[@luxdico]

the cream of the crop ... and it just went on and on for decades ... what a band, what a legacy.

[@Jeff_H_the_Guitarist]

Man, this is the best Christmas gift ever!

[@offmyleg1]

Yes! This is an incredible find....Thank you, ill be watching this for years to come

[@kennyking4050]

Omg! Fantastic! I only heard of this. Now to witness this is absolutely fantastic! Thanks so much!!😃⭐️🙌🙌⭐️👍

[@loucaruso3971]

I"m 59 yrs Ol, Honestly Feel Van Halen From "78 To "82 Is Unbelievablely Great !!! This Is A Gem At It's Highest Quality !!!! But The Damn VH Logo Please Has To Disappear !!!!

[@marcostabile848]

This is gold, early van haven, mind blowing, thanks for sharing ❤

[@maxmenius9839]

Pure raw energy that no one could outdo.

[@iggyfritz7150]

Without a doubt this is history of the most brutal amazing Rock band that changed Music and lives just as the Beatles did.

[@DavidSanchez-bq9jv]

😊

[@BradYaeger]

I'm 57 so I was around when they came out and it hit like a ton of bricks . And that's before we even had the visuals of the live act. All 4 pieces were unique sonically . You couldn't take one part away and have it work the same. Some may question Daves vocal skills, but I don't . I'm a singer , and what he did was very impressive . Nobody sounded like him, and he was able to put melodies and expression to some very unique music. Alex had his own sound, Michael provided the floor and those now classic harmonies , and of course Eddie being Eddie. It's hard to listen now and try to imagine that first time because they have always just been there ever since.

[@jeffowens5150]

Kick ass! The kings of rock power. Yes - when Roth could still sing. Frankenstein before the red paint! Long live the memory of EVH and the Van Halen legacy!

[@lonewolf1053]

Hell yeah!...When these guys came out this is why they were blowing all the headliners out of the water....Long live EVH !..🎸🎸

[@massapower]

Alex Van Halen has always been a Killer Drummer, but when a band is fresh & just starting out.. ALEX here is a FKN BEAST !!😁👍 Congrats on the amazing Work you out into this. Not sure how you recorded the Audio, but it sounds FKN-TANTASTIC !!

[@geraldhartley]

Incredible footage and sound!! THANK YOU. I didn't get to see Van Halen in concert until 1980, but this brings back so many memories of when rock concerts were magical events!! DLR was the ultimate showman.

[@DreidMusicalX]

Oh man thanks so much for posting this! Takes me back to the concerts seeing them.

[@SLiMCHiCKeN5150]

Eddie's playing is always album quality. Very rarely does he mess up live (2004 excluded) 🤟

[@beaubradley2171]

And unfortunately that’s the time i finally got to see them live. Heartbreaking. Ed was a mess and couldn’t play anything. Tried to play Eruption and it was unrecognizable.

[@jgil2757]

Thank you for sharing this video. I think it really captures the energy, intensity, and excitement of Van Halen in 1978. I also saw them in 1978 in Binghamton, NY and this brought back some great memories. VH in 1978, the best of the best.

[@michaeldavid4690]

I’ve always wanted to see early years concerts !!! Thank you!!!

[@thesoultransferprotocol721]

First time I saw VH and many other band s was at the Day on the Green 78 in Oakland California. I was 9. My babysitter took me while my parents were in France for holiday for 2 weeks. This was the catalyst moment when the music experience took off as a kid. Her BF worked security and we were backstage for hours. It was a scary magical experience. She was the coolest hippie-chic sitter. Im 55 now and shed be 74. I have been trying to find her for years to say hello and thank her for taking me. My mom and dad found about years later. Mom was pissed, dad was cool with it. LOLOLOL. And since then I have seen VH over 26 times. My best shows were Oakland 81 Fair Warning tour, The US Fest 83 and 1984 tour at The Cow Palace in SF.

[@Malama_Ki]

Good luck, I hope you find her.

[@MichaelMaxwell747]

Way cooler than the usual babysitter stories, some of which, I am sure even the "victim" loved and bragged about.

[@davehazel5632]

Oh man, this is amazing. I'm from Niagara Falls, NY and I was at this show. It was my first time seeing Van Halen and I was blown away. I saw them two more times after this, but this blew me and my friends away. Thanks for the video.

[@Jacen13]

To go back to these times … 😯🎸 .. I mean, I was a baby in ‘78 but would’ve loved seeing them in the 80’s or 90’s!

[@007stopjockin]

You're not the only one!!!! I want to be at that house when they turned the neighborhood into a zoo LOL! That story is classic!!! 007

[@MAG-li5jo]

My first concert was Van Halen at the San Diego Sports Arena on 7/8/78. This was their first tour as a headliner.

[@texasbrowncoat]

Same... Mine was in Lake Charles, LA on 7/29/78. The civic center held, maybe, 10K. There was only about 1000 there. I stood at the front of the stage, in front of Eddie, for the whole show. Besides the incredible skill and art on his guitar... he had that freaking smile the WHOLE TIME. It was contagious.

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

Saw their 1978 World tour 30,000 jaws where on the ground after the show we never seen or heard anything like them before simply incredible and brilliant

[@rb9581]

Funny how an old recording from 45 years ago can be such a fantastic gift in today’s world! Simply magical! Merry Christmas and thank you from an old Van Halen fan, miss you Ed 😢 still hard to believe he’s gone!

[@markthatcher4853]

Eddie was on fire 🔥 And the whole band in this concert ❤

[@tomjames8268]

THANK YOU SO INCREDIBLY MUCH FOR THIS!!! THIS IS A GIFT!!!

[@Mtl3944]

Holy hey, is this great? Rock and roll......memories of those 70s and the music that defined us.

[@AndyHoke]

This video was a real treat! Such talent, such joy.

[@abep5150]

OMG. Ed plays the Im the One solo even Faster than the record. He is playing that groove at breakneck speed. Simply the best. 🎸

[@johncarter44]

The Mighty Van Halen! 🎸🤘🎆

[@speedysfilms]

Rock on 🤘🤘

[@viewoftheaskew]

This is pure gold, thank you speedy! Often imitated but never duplicated, they were a force of nature like no one had ever seen. I saw them open for Black Sabbath in Detroit in 1978, and despite the sound guys mucking up the mix they still stole the show. Never been a band like this since and likely never will, they were so ground breaking!

[@Gravyballs2011]

This summer, I learned that my sister-in-law's first concert was seeing Van Halen two months after this recording. San Antonio, TX in November. She had no idea who VH was. She went with her cousin who somehow scored an extra ticket. "It was very loud, and there was plenty of pot smoking" which was scandalous to her teenage mind.

[@speedysfilms]

What a fantastic story, @Gravyballs2011! Your sister-in-law had quite the introduction to Van Halen-two months after this iconic recording in San Antonio, TX. The innocence of experiencing the intensity of a Van Halen concert for the first time, especially with the backdrop of "plenty of pot smoking," adds a unique charm to the memory. Those teenage reactions to the rock 'n' roll world are priceless! #VanHalenMemories #RockNRollJourney

[@billyz5088]

~~ I saw them about a month before this show - a good part of the tour had them opening for Black Sabbath - but for the show I saw they opened for Ted Nugent - and Ted had lost his great singer / guitarist by then - Derek St. Holmes - so it was not a fair fight - VH stole the show ..

[@jerrymarlow5453]

Saw them open up for Sabbath on this tour in Virginia. Wow! Ran out and bought their album the next day. The Mighty Van Halen!

[@OfficialHankIII]

ONE THE BEST BASSISTZ AND HIGH HARMONY SINGER'S A LEGENDARY TIMELESS ROCK BAND COULD ASK FOR!!!! !!!

[@Malama_Ki]

Him and Ed’s voices really worked well together.

[@forvaughn]

This is fantastic!!! Thank you Speedy for posting!

[@napoleonjones23]

I will never fathom how Ed could have spoken so badly about Mike all those years. Listen to him and Al on this!!!! Amazing!!!’

[@garywuebben4951]

Amazing footage, thank you for posting

[@AndyThomas_mrblitz]

that guitar solo on atomic punk... so emotional... oh my goodness... this is my favorite time for van halen... right around 1978

[@joepipe1010]

Thanks so much for this show !!!🎉❤ Im waiting for an official video from VH family since many years ago. A revolution no doubts !!!!!!

[@edleeart1788]

My high school friend Neil introduced me to Van Halen - up until that point Foghat, Rush, Journey were our go to records for air guitar sessions to kill time. We listened to the album which just came out in 1978 blew our mind much like Star Wars did in the previous year. I had at least two records and many in high school bought the album. I never got to go to one of Van Halen's concerts until 1984 when I saw them at Madison Square Garden. Still regret not seeing them in 1978 live. That would have been amazing! !

[@gregorybill1479]

I saw this tour in 1978 when they opened for Journey. I was backstage watching the show from stage right. I ended up hanging out and partying with the band and Neal Schon from Journey. I have a great photo of me, EVH, and Neal Schon hanging out together. Eddie was such a nice guy! I knew then that Van Halen would be a band for the ages. I’ve been a fan ever since and seen them play numerous times. Lucky you say? You bet your ass I was lucky.

[@rafaelix74]

Thanks a lot for sharing this amazing job!!

[@bentfishingrod]

My first concert, Van Halen opened for Black Sabbath, Seattle 1978, God what a show! good Times back then! RIP Mike and Ben (my brothers)

[@alzg8779]

So Great! Thank you Speedy!

[@retrogameguy9941]

gotta love the disco ball hanging over the VH backdrop. it was the beginning of the end of one era of music and the start of another. ironic you might say 😉

[@leethomas255]

Thanks so much for the upload. This was the golden age of VH, who are, after 35 of listening to them and many other heavy rock / metal bands, one of THE best. And if you take Dave out, definitely one of the tightest and talented bands of the past 70 years. 👍✨☮️

[@MrKentheken]

What a gem! Thank so much❤