Van Halen - Runnin' With The Devil (First Known Live Recording)

Van Halen
Conference Building
Pasadena Convention Center
Pasadena, CA
May 29, 1976
Runnin' With The Devil

[@brentj.peterson6070]

Michael Anthony never got enough credit. His vocals were essential to the VH sound.

[@HalJikaKick]

Agreed. That high voice.

[@icepick859]

Too bad that wasn't michael anthony

[@pauls5096]

@@icepick859 From wikipedia; "From 1974 until 1985, Van Halen consisted of Eddie Van Halen; Eddie's brother, drummer Alex Van Halen; vocalist David Lee Roth; and bassist Michael Anthony." So if it wasn't Michael, who was it?

[@dmoore0079]

@@pauls5096 It's unmistakably Michael Anthony. No doubt.

[@chloenkitty]

Amen! One of the best vocals in any band. His background vocals made van halen

[@danbam3411]

“I guess you guys ain’t ready for that yet. But your kids are gonna love em”

[@musicwitchrachaeloneil4601]

Eddies solo in BTTFu. Youll love my friends song.

[@michiel6282]

@@musicwitchrachaeloneil4601 Go Marty!!

[@davecrissinger8967]

He was born in 1955. Coincidence?

[@DIOSpeedDemon]

Back to the future, playing that guitar at the high school dance.

[@cheesemouse7774]

"Enchantment Under the Sea"

[@antoniosoul]

Eddie always smiled when he was playing, you can see the joy that playing guitar brought him.

[@RandyB199]

Yes, and that is infectious. He was awesome.

[@MikeMichaels1987]

@@RandyB199 His passing gave me a kick up the backside and inspired me to stop being a lazy at home acoustic player and get back into rocking it with an electric, amp and finding my own "Brown sound."

[@BakedNConfused]

If you could play like that, you'd smile too 😊

[@AndyK.23]

He has also said he was drunk most of the time when performing.

[@antoniosoul]

@@AndyK.23 Well that'll make you smile!

[@Dusty7508]

Dang. Eddie had his sound down even back in the day.

[@theamericanaromantic]

Makes sense. Your sound is mostly in your fingers.

[@gipnor]

I saw an interview with Steve Via and he said that Eddie was visiting him at his home studio playing around with Vai's personal gear and he was shocked that he *still* sounded like EVH despite the different equipment. His sound was definitely his own unique voice.

[@mrscottybergs]

Theres a great little similar instance and the video is on YT. Phish was playing at Farm Aid (99?) and Neil Young comes out to join them to the surpise of the band. Play Down By the River, and Neil is using Trey’s backup guitar and playing through Trey’s rig. He sounded basically exactly the same as he does playing through his own gear. Also apparently the guys from Phish asked Neil if he would play Powderfinger with them beforehand. He said he ‘doesn’t play that stuff anymore’ and then proceeded to play that song in his own solo set lmao. I guess he liked their playing enough to join them afterall.

[@MegaSuperbug]

His Sound is his Sound it's not gonna change because they signed a record contract

[@williamminyard5517]

Know kidding...right. wow!

[@carlov.3017]

Picked up my 10 year son from his baseball practice today - had the radio on, he says to me, "Dad, I like the old songs you listen to, better than today's music." I just smiled and turned the radio up.

[@jimkofron8638]

My kids were that way too.

[@TypeOneg]

Yup. My 2 kids cut their teeth on classic rock!!

[@wilsonblauheuer6544]

are you surprised?

[@brentj.peterson6070]

Good kid!!

[@brianligon2727]

My 11 year old has said the exact same thing to me. Sad this generation doesn't really have decent music they can be passionate about... but glad my boy has good taste.

[@michaeld7281]

I know it sounds ridiculous but these guys seemed to have come out fully formed..just a truly magic band.

[@tylerburcham9964]

Not really a ridiculous take. Their debut album is arguably their best with three of their top 5 songs in- Eruption, you really got me, and ain’t talking bout love. They really came out of the gate swinging and only got better.

[@MrSuperMarioKid]

Yeah they were already amazing musicians in the early days when they did cover songs. Over the years they got more polished and by the time they recorded their debut album they were a well oiled machine. Look at I'm The One from 1976 and compare it to the Whiskey A Go Go 1977 show, they still got it but definitely better in 77 right before the album

[@Fearzero]

@@tylerburcham9964 You Really Got Me = The Kinks

[@Purplexi]

Except for that up-tempo beat, yuuuuuck! Ya had to figure someone advised them to play it that way. Some slime, like Gene Simmons or even Dave himself.

[@williamnorthrup2335]

@@Fearzero As does Where Have the Good Times Gone.

[@tannertuner]

RIP Eddie. You provided the soundtrack for our lives

[@johngill2853]

Did he ever. We listened to so much Van Halen in early 80's

[@rogerandes8]

that is literally the truth for me. army ait training, and i was listening to everything van halen on my walk man ha. And the album 1984 still reminds me of ft bragg. i was humming this song while patrolling thru the woods all night on cold winter nights

[@1chumley1]

At Bragg our 2/504 BN Commander would blast this on loudspeakers for PT the morning of payday activities. This was in 04.

[@randal_gibbons]

Rest In Sound Eddie.

[@gladiator22666]

Van Halens first two albums were unbeatable 🤘👍

[@adrianmclaughlin9585]

Highway To Hell & Back In Black are better than the second VH album. And I'd but Back In Black right next to VH 1.

[@Mtl3944]

First 4 albums can be played front to back, non-stop

[@balisaani]

@@adrianmclaughlin9585 those crickets you're hearing? People who agree.

[@balisaani]

First three at the very least - Women & Children First is top notch.

[@cliff5021]

But every song on those albums aren't "great". Eliminate EVH's style and they are plain. So then you say, well he's part of the whole. Yes, but without him they go no where. VH were good in their time. EVH brought back the guitar hero to rock which was important at the start of disco and electronic music.

[@dmarkj22]

This is Van Halen in their rawest purest form. Love it.

[@tauras665]

Gee......you think????? Great observation....SMH!!?!?

[@nikkiyoung5298]

Sounds grrrrrrreat!

[@euanelliott3613]

The value of Michael Anthony cannot be overstated. DLR entertains the crowd, and Michael strengthens the melody where David misses notes due to leaping around. Eddie and Alex also sound terrific, very assured. A winning combination.

[@finscreenname]

Alex sounds like he has a very small drum kit. Without Mike VH would not have been VH.

[@KevyNova]

Why do people always forget that Eddie was 50% of that backup vocal sound? I keep seeing ridiculous comments like “The Band wouldn’t have gotten famous without Mike” and “Mike was the sound of VH!” He added nice harmonies with Eddie and played simple bass lines. I’ve played with dozens of bass players who could easily have done what Michael did.

[@Buddycoop1]

Give it up for "Sauce" Soblewski!

[@chefscorner7063]

@@KevyNova So what are all these better Bass players doing now or even then? Working in the restaurant or construction Biz? Yeah, That's what I thought.. LOL..

[@SmedleyWarIsaRacket]

@@finscreenname Their is no such thing as Van Halen without DLR. Eddie would have eventually been known but the band Van Halen would never have happen without DLR.

[@livelydog5960]

I heard Running with the Devil when they played in my den in July 1976 at my sister's high school graduation party in Hawthorne CA. What a party! There were 4 people found passed out in the backyard the next morning. My sister refused to See VH when they hit it big as she had seen then dozens of times at backyard parties!! In the same house 5 years later, a friend of my roommates brought over a band mate when she was a groupie for Motley Crue. Yes, there was Tommy Lee... thin, no name punk, at the time playing the Starwood In Hollywood. I did not see Motley at the Starwood, but saw Quiet Riot there before they hit it big. Also saw Sammy Hagar at Pasadena High School Auditorium back in the day before Can't Drive 55 was out. Those were the great High School Days in Southern California.

[@jordin7091]

Yeah sure you did.Prove it.Pics vids etc??

[@ZCAR355]

Great story! Thanks for sharing!

[@jordin7091]

@@ZCAR355 And you believe it?

[@birdsnest7883]

Great story, thank you! I remember skate boarding on the boardwalk at mission beach, SD 1979. This was when guys could pull up in their vans open the back doors and play music for the whole beach. This one van started playing running with the devil album and I'm like "who in the F* is this band" I sat there and listened to the whole album. I remember it vividly. RIP EVH

[@Bridging_the_Political_Divide]

@@jordin7091. It is common knowledge they played ALOT around SoCal coming up. Eddie always joked they were a "10 year overnight sensation". They did alot of small backyard gigs.....

[@CynicalCharlatan88]

I’m 33 but always been obsessed with this song. Van Halen was a super team of musicians absolutely perfect

[@BlazinRiver1]

I was 19 when this came out....I ran out a got the cassette. This might be the best song on that album.

[@davidcammilleri5526]

Glad you appreciate amazing music. I first heard this song in an old camaro with 6X9 Jensen speakers, cranked to the max. 8 track tape too. We left the car saying, WTF did we just hear! They changed music forever!

[@dansmith8912]

Coming from a 55-year-old man who fell in love with Van Halen in 1980. I appreciate that. In my junior high pics all my school pictures have me with a giant Eddie Van Halen pin on my shirt lol. Those were great times! It was like an event each time a vinyl record or a cassette tape came out. Everybody got together and shared their expressions and thoughts about the songs on the new albums! Kids don't do that anymore!

[@ianmerill8712]

​@@dansmith8912same age, same opinion...I remember the first time I heard the radio plays of the first album...I discovered VH and KISS in the same year....blew my mind.

[@ingridthurner3651]

65. Born 59. I heard all of these phantastisc Bands. All! ❤

[@DMFSTUDIO]

The band was called "Mammoth" back in the day , saw them at a backyard party in Pasadena Ca in mid 1970s , They were awesome and I was so young😎

[@Dogleg1957]

Was that the band Steve soboleski put together? Mark Anthony is little brother .... Saw them a couple times I thought they were great but Steve seem to be under his brothers Shadow

[@Danimal77]

They were Mammoth from 1972 until 1974 with a different bassist and then changed their name to Van Halen when Michael Anthony joined the band in 1974.

[@diamondice3219]

Eddies first band was broken combs.

[@ShockMe1994]

DiamondIce 321 yeah but Mammoth was the name of this band before the name change to Van Halen

[@terrygreen5280]

super envious

[@ThePunitiveDamages]

Being a kid in the 70's was just awesome. The music was great and the risks that came with adventure were real. So lucky to have experienced the 70's.

[@just82much51]

Amen brother!!

[@jasonharris1636]

don't forget the cartoos!!

[@tstricklin853]

Agreed,we had it made and didn't know it 😂

[@jamesholmberg3158]

You mean STD's ?

[@SteveMillerongoogle]

Agreed. I was in the 7th grade when Van Halen arrived. Still my favorite decade of music to listen to.

[@chetsacharko4147]

I would literally give up ten years of my life to relive 76 to79.

[@westernmac5944]

Eddie is just better at guitar than all the rest of us, ever.

[@TheSanityInspector]

He made you either want to take up guitar, or quit guitar.

[@genuengine]

he stands alone

[@AudioStorm1980]

You guys are def

[@jmdavison62]

Don't forget Allan Holdsworth.

[@rickcamp7807]

@@AudioStorm1980 Yet you're here listening to eddie. Lol. You're aren't very bright

[@randywissler9923]

Damn Michael Anthony was already so on point with those backing vocals!!!

[@michaelfrazia4569]

Secret weapon of that band

[@gfcardi]

@Kevin Prima lol. Mike taught Eddie how to not sing.

[@ShockMe1994]

Kevin Prima not true

[@theunknown4570]

Your born with it. Or you are not. Trust me.

[@donanders2110]

Now according to Eddie, it was he in fact that was the soulful harmonies present in this band! Wtf ever!

[@markod442]

damn even a shitty recording eddie's brown sound is there , it sounds like Alex is pounding on empty paint cans but damn eddie's guitar rips

[@Gamevet]

Creme always rises to the top. Eddies was a human guitar.

[@jamesbeason9256]

The brown sound is what Eddie called Alex's snare. He said "It sounds like he's beating on a log.". For some reason it became known as Eddie's sound. Eddie said it in an old interview. It's out there.

[@musek5048]

@@jamesbeason9256 you are correct sir. the kicker being that Alex started out playing guitar and Ed on drums but then Alex would always find Ed noodling on his guitar when he would get home so he said fuck it i'll play your drums and see how you like it! best revenge ever since it gave us the mighty Van Halen. I remember reading an interview with Ed where he says that he always loved how dirty Alex's snare sounded, like "molasses". so he tried whatever he could to make his guitar sound just like that snare. Thats what I always loved about Eddie's style and personality. He never got into it for the fame, he just LOVED music. It made me realize when I started playing guitar years ago that instead of focusing on seeing how fast i could play notes that i should pay more attention to the nuance of my tone and techniques. And the more i carefully listened to EVH the more i started to understand this. I never learned to play songs like "eruption" note for note but i learned how to play them and sound like MYSELF.

[@mikedreucci4236]

Did he really play a Strat on this?

[@ShockMe1994]

Kouki Munster that is NOT what happened, Eddie went out doing his paper route to pay for his drums & he caught Alex playing them & he got really good & Eddie IS the one who said fuck it, you play drums.

[@clubredken13]

After this song, Huey Lewis stood up and said ..'Sorry boys, you're just too darn loud.'

[@kevinthebassfelon1304]

@ clubredken...... Actually, What Huey Lewis had said was, "Sorry boys, you're just too darn loud... Plus, if you made it BIG, Might as well face it, You'll be Addicted to Drugs!!"

[@robgeorgia8801]

@Pete Lucchini I can definitely understand that. I loved Van Halen from their first album all the way to 1984. I went to the 1984 tour in Atlanta Georgia and am still glad that I got to see them before they broke up. However..... It was the worst damned concert that I've ever been to in my life and I've been to a lot shows over the years. Hey.....I read your post again. You saw their first tour........and I saw their last tour. I still listen to their old stuff.

[@michiel6282]

Legendary

[@clubredken13]

@@robgeorgia8801 I also saw their first tour. With Sammy. 5150 tour. At BC Place in Vancouver '86. A highlight was Sammy running up to the catwalks above the stage and hanging off it with one hand. I'm scared of heights so I pretty much crapped myself. I was a big hit with my buddies on the 2 hr. drive home.

[@MJ98774]

@Pete Lucchini I saw them in '81 during their "prime" years and DLR was stinkin' drunk. I was still a punk kid, but I saw Rush two weeks before and they CRUSHED it. Needless to say, at the time, VH was a disappointment, and Rush was so good, I stopped going to concerts for awhile. TBF Eddie still annihilated...so that was cool.

[@ecleveland1]

I remember being a kid and hearing their album when it first came out. All of my friends used to go to one of their houses and listen to it and others because their father had a great stereo with big speakers. Great days back then for sure.

[@jayssonblack3179]

Ah yes, I’d go to my buddy Bruno’s mom’s house and we’d listen to it on a reel to reel through a stereo system that took up an entire wall. And that system earned every inch of space it took up. 🤘 Now we get weird little Bluetooth speakers that fit in our pockets. 🫤

[@paulwatsonLN]

Friends used to work on their Camaros, novas, and mustangs, on their driveways, with their buddies, while drinking beer and cranking up the radio.

[@Smokey298]

Some of us still do

[@daviswendye]

My older sister's boyfriends...every.single.damn.one.

[@tomj4406]

..and Plymouth Fury coupes with 440's. In fact, I have one for a summer daily, rn in Wisc. Kind of in Rat Rod condition, but sweet sounding & oh so much fun :) Plenty of Corona & VH helped in getting her sea worthy, once more after a 23 yr hibernation. #furyvanwinkle on Insta.

[@fishfire_2999]

How cool would vids of that be ? Passing the oldschool lefthander around drinking some brewskies .

[@johnnieguitar5724]

@@daviswendye ha ha ha ha :)

[@williamjeffreys2980]

That guitar tone just kills me. My brother went to see them at a local show before the first album was released. He said "Man, you gotta hear these guys".

[@Michaelgracon]

Echoplex into a Marshall just kills it

[@jimgodofbiscuits]

Saw them as opening act for Black Sabbath in August of '78 and even as a young teen it was clear this band was going straight upward. I'll never forget seeing Eddie do Eruption that time, it is burned in my mind. It was a small general admission venue and we were very close to the stage. I was a big fan of Sabbath and the old guard having mostly older friends (who corrupted me at an early age :)) and was there for the Sabs and had not yet heard VH...i bought the album the next day!! I saw them on their following headlining tours, what great shows!

[@mikeimmonen6619]

Ain't really nothing like a Marshall plexi

[@sam8404]

@@mikeimmonen6619 aint really nothing like a Marshall period

[@mikeimmonen6619]

@@sam8404 Precisely

[@daniellebcooper7160]

The 70's, what a time to be alive!.

[@marcjeffrey7304]

Probably in the top three most recognizable Van Halen songs. I don't think they had a clue what a monster this would become. RIP Eddie

[@KevyNova]

Dave knew. He said “You’re Gonna hear this song on the radio!”

[@EKNYR]

@@KevyNova Dave is the only reason it did in all honesty. Throughout all the BS Ed more or less admits that he was happy covering songs and having a real job and Dave made them take the VH name, all the goofy visual stuff, and most importantly the insistence on all original tunes.

[@schreds]

i can remember back yard kegger parties with VH playing ,, growing up in Southern California in the 70s and 80s a special thing ,, much has changed

[@guitarofdestiny]

What a time and a place that must have been. Totally incredible my friend

[@drewgrows7765]

Loved the keg parties with a band. I would always stop on the way and get a xl soda cup for my beer. They probably went away for for legal reasons.

[@Lengsel7]

I remember back yard kegger parties in general. If you drove around, listened, and looked long enough, you would usually find one. There was also muscle-car cruising on whatever blvd. ...yes, much has changed.

[@guitarofdestiny]

@@Lengsel7 every kegger we tried to throw, and this was about 15 years ago ended up either in a huge fight or the person that owned the house getting ripped off. Seems like people weren't as shady in the 70's - 80's when it came to that sort of thing.

[@schreds]

@@guitarofdestiny all of southern California was like that back then , from New Port to Big Bear ,,you never new who'd u see playing at parties especially if u hung out up in LA or the valley ,, leather wolf ,, motley crue ,, RHC all before they were anybody ,, great days

[@elguerochoyero2220]

Michael Anthony’s backing vocals really stand out here

[@Weshopwizard]

Just not a true VH sound without him!!

[@5thomasjeffers]

No Mike no van Halen.

[@fivestring65ify]

Anthony made the vocals in this band. Doesn't matter what Eddie says.

[@robertrodriguez787]

They should get rid of Eddie's son and bring back Michael Anthony

[@dragonsfire6664]

You might want to remind Eddie of that, poor guy gets no respect

[@cyborgmetropolis7652]

Nothing like listening to these early recordings to conform the true talent behind the success.

[@ericdronzek9535]

This is a great comment.

[@73BGTA]

As outstanding as this is, this is a great example of how important the right producer is. Ted Templeman heard this and said: 'Really cool tune, guys - what if we tried pulling the tempo back a bit?' And the rest is history...

[@philbellmore9944]

Ted Templeton was the MAN. He knew exactly what rock should sound like

[@Metalhorn]

100%. Ted doesn't get nearly enough accolades for his contributions to VH. As cosmically awesome as Eddie is/was, Ted's work recording and focusing Eddie (and Roth!) on the Roth-era albums... was invaluable. Fair Warning, I, and 1984, especially, as those 3 albums are all-time top 20.

[@jamesmiller6217]

They were playing it slower before they met Ted. Check out the Gene Simmons demo (or VH Zero) from 1976

[@KevyNova]

@@jamesmiller6217 yeah, every band plays faster on stage than in the studio.

[@PNW_Sportbike_Life]

Less disco lol

[@muzkmn36]

Van Halen 1 is the best debut album ever. I remember walking onto my HS campus my freshman year and hearing somebody’s boom box blasting this guitar solo that sounded like angels. I had to find out what/who that was. It turned out to be Eruption and Eddie Van Halen. I have never been the same since.

[@rafphiano3963]

Seen them in 81’ 2 nights in a row. Incredible, Vocals, backup vocals, Bass guitar, Rhythm and Lead guitar, and Drums. In addition to their personalities they brought the party to the stage. They made you feel like you were part of the band.

[@DichardSwagBoss69]

Oh that’s awesome! Where abouts? :)

[@artdrtr2]

I saw II, Women Children First and Fair Warning tours in Chicago at the amphitheater when I was in H.S. I was so into VH!

[@Bricklinsv1970]

I still cant believe Eddie is gone. RIP Eddie, you will always be the King!

[@anthonyklein9129]

I saw their first world tour in 1978, unreal is all I can say, no one could touch that sound back then!!

[@backtoshallabal6662]

how about the blizzard or diary tour was that untouchable?

[@dariusstuart2010]

I saw them in Reno NV on that same tour. They where great! It's interesting to hear the different lyrics to this song but I'm glad they changed them.

[@robertgrubb746]

Was at the Oakland show, they killed it🤘

[@lonewolf.63]

Saw them in 78 with Journey and Montrose. Looking back at that time nobody would've thought that Sammy Hagar from Montrose would be playing with Van Halen in the future, and that they would become THE band everyone wanted to be like

[@gregorymarquez3628]

I also saw them in 78 in Nuremberg Germany. I was in eighth grade. My family was stationed in Germany at the time There were only about 200 people in the audience. Wow what a show. I still have the ticket stub.

[@harrisonrg777]

blown away how much eddy still sounds like him. his tone is clearly all in his playing. no matter what rig he has or how it’s even recorded he still has his signature sound. it’s crazy that he sounded that good in the 70’s.

[@MisterSwagify]

Well that and the fact he was largely using the same equipment. There's a reason Eddie never sounded quite the same from the 90s onward, and it's without question because all his gear changed.

[@chrisb8655]

@@MisterSwagify His early sound, especially 1978-1981, is the best rock sound I've ever heard.

[@tylerthedestroyer5723]

@@MisterSwagify that's definitely true, but there's a great story (rock folklore) about one time when VH was first getting big and people were all talking about Eddie, Ted Nugent was saying it was all in Eddie's gear and anyone could do it. Well Ted eventually got a chance at a soundcheck to play Eddie's full concert setup, about to prove anyone could play like him if they had his gear. He started playing, and to everyones surprise, he sounded exactly like Ted Nugent.

[@weirdshibainu]

Hopefully, one day, these crazy kids will get a record deal.

[@rokyericksonroks]

Actually, they got a record contract but only with a lot of difficulty. Thank goodness they had enough determination.

[@svenlindroos8830]

At least put this demo on Bandcamp! Ya never know!

[@saltysenior6454]

@@svenlindroos8830 I heard they gave up on music. They all work at Walmart.

[@jenbill]

I think with a little more practice might even be able to play at the school dance on Friday night. 😂

[@dianathompson7597]

The deal they got after two records was sign up again and you will owe ten million dollars,, nice right

[@aljustal6554]

Eddie was 21 years old here, and had been playing guitar for, at most, a decade at this point. A sobering realization to those of us with many years of "not quitting my day job", hobby-type guitar playing who can't even fathom playing a solo like this or any of the blazing runs he could already drop on you effortlessly.

[@job1778]

It’s amazing what practice can achieve.

[@Halcyon156]

I read that while his brother and friends went to parties Eddie would stay at home grinding on guitar and it shows!

[@andrewwasson6153]

Not quitting my day job either. It took me a long time (decades) before I had a good selection of VH tunes in my repertoire. Exciting times when you can finally play VH hooks. Practice, practice, practice.

[@turolretar]

Talent is a thing ya know

[@Atlas65]

@@turolretar Exactly. There is always in the comments when someone is really good. Yeah he just has practiced so much that is why he is so good. There are alot of people that don't have the talent that would never reach that level by putting in the same work, and just as many hours..

[@Marcus_C51]

Holy Christ-when Eddle comes in with the arpeggio riffs section it's just smokin'! It totally transcends the quality of the recording almost---the master and his tone! Love it. It's still hitting me hard--we all miss you EVH------RIP!

[@5roundsrapid263]

I first heard this bootleg about 20 years ago. It totally captures his tone.

[@entertain402]

refrain from taking the Lord God's name in vain....

[@lonewolf1053]

Nobody's guitar sounded like that when they came out.. EVH was the first to bring a lot techniques that are still used by all great rock guitarists today.. like it or not.. it's true.. Rock On Everyone..

[@solidsnakec20]

way ahead of his time

[@MikeMichaels1987]

Hell yeah, well said LW

[@TexTropicana]

Van Halen is a national treasure...

[@breastmeatonly]

"If everything goes right for us."

[@MikeHanson]

Guess we'll never know? 🤷

[@shotaholic1]

hindsight...need I say more?

[@MikeHanson]

@Travis Lamb Lamb Yeah, that guy is just trying way too hard. Who does he think he is anyway?

[@Buddycoop1]

I wish I could personally thank Dave and Eddie for giving me much happiness. Those two genius's creations will live forever til the world implodes.

[@ATK10155]

Roth knew it. He and the dudes knew they had something. And they did it. Never stop believing in your music. Even if the world is plagued by tastes that differ your own

[@dougdavis8986]

Anthony Tyler Kesterson : blah blah blah

[@S10lifted95]

I though that said testes. Lol!

[@StupidEarthlings]

Yea.. never stop believing in your music.. if its the late 70's..and your VanHalen..

[@jamesholmberg3158]

If Devo can succeed, I guess ANYBODY can...

[@chrism1046]

@@jamesholmberg3158 😂 I unfortunately remember them

[@antithug7942]

Ted TempleMAN. He was THE MAN behind the boards in the studio. R.I.P. Eddie!

[@DrewMIATL]

Absolutely agree!!

[@Mr25thfret]

Before Ted Templeman, I never paid attention to the producers. When Ted left VH, the next album I said, "What changed?". Ted's the man. I mean in the beginning, he took basically the same sound we've heard from the Simmons Demo, Zero, and made VH1; One of the greatest rock albums of all time.

[@DrewMIATL]

@@Mr25thfret agreed. 5150 sounded sloppy compared to Ted Templeman’s sound.

[@DIOSpeedDemon]

I was just a Senior in High school when this Album dropped like in the summer of 78? It blew everyone away with the songs and eruption. Every music fan was arguing what kinds of effects , Eddie used to make eruption and Eruption was the most played High School Graduation songs for years to come. This album and Panama were the best for me and then Sammy hagar dropped 5150 in 1985 and that was a musical match made in heaven!.

[@gotguitar]

Wow... This just shows how far ahead of the game they were way back then.

[@scottarivett496]

Love the pics of EVH playing a Strat!

[@coldacre]

you know that the white with black stripes guitar he's holding on VH1 is the same guitar, right?

[@tomitstube]

"a little something here that's going to be on the radio pretty soon..."

[@billygreenville59]

...with a few important "tweaks," here & there. ;)

[@Sandra-Ross]

This is gold, Im here in april 2022. Van Halen forever.

[@EricMakingWaves]

I recently learned to play the album version, but now I have to learn to play it like this. What an incredible piece of rock history.

[@Crinkle65]

Back up vocals already solid in place.

[@jonasjasinsky9815]

who's doing them apart from anthony?

[@7dollarhaircut]

jonas jasinsky Ed.

[@jonasjasinsky9815]

+Steve Owens doesn't sound like him

[@mustardproductions3531]

Holy crap. Eds solo is the same one that made it on the multi platinum debut

[@rick3747]

Amazing that Edward was only about 21 in 1976 when they recorded this. RIP Edward.

[@ultimatebasses]

Eddie's tone was always perfect. RIP my friend.

[@jamestcallahanphotographer]

Back when ‘California’ evoked this mythical place for us East Coast dudes. So many people I’ve known in my life have pulled up stakes and said - “I’m movin’ to California.” And off they went, never to return. I was always kind of jealous of that. All the coolest shit that ever was came from California - Apple computers, Van Halen...it was the land of incredible innovation where guys like Brian Wilson, Steve Jobs and Eddie Van Halen created the impossible out of very ordinary beginnings. I saw it in movies and TV, and heard it in the music. I still hear it in Van Halen’s music, that wonderful era of the 70s and 80s. It seemed a totally free and open environment. And that’s the world Van Halen came out of, the one that fostered and encouraged innovative thinking...which sadly, seems to me to not exist anymore. All of you who experienced it, be very glad you were there. We always think things will always be as WE knew them. But change is a constant @nd inevitable (and necessary) thing. It’s the way of the Universe. I’m just glad we have Edward’s legacy to remind us of his greatness. I mean, my god, listen to that guitar sound and playing...once a generation, that’s all you get, and then they’re gone. And you think, Wow...what did we just witness?

[@jasonbeatty831]

Love hearing David and Michael Anthony harmonizing so well even that early on.

[@AtWhatRedLight]

The more I learn about you the more I admire & respect you as a individual & musician 🎸 RIP Eddie Van Halen 💕. We’re all still listening to you!!

[@vinimaguire8109]

RIP Eddie... Heaven has new six string angel you'll never be forgotten !!

[@kvhmusica5754]

That guitar tone! On point!

[@johnmuldoon8295]

on point? fuck off twit.

[@TralfazConstruction]

May 29, 1976. Sends a chill down my spine. My wife and I, newlyweds, were headed to the beach; Island Beach State Park in New Jersey. We stayed at my parents home in Surf City, New Jersey, the previous evening (Friday) and set out for the park around 8 AM. That all came back to me just in seeing the date information in the description. Marvelous!

[@quicknameversus744]

Its an Oldie,Your Kids are gonna love it

[@seanmcnally5560]

Amazing how little was changed from this to when they recorded it in studio. Their engineers and producers simply came along for the ride.

[@EKNYR]

“Hey guys wanna lay off the coke for an hour and slow it down by 60BPM?”

[@ellipsec01]

Many bands sound their best when recorded live and raw. Van Halen is one of them.

[@gregorypkampwirth8852]

When I was 15 I heard their song "Beautiful Girls" on my friend's stereo. I never heard anything like it b4 and I was mesmerized!!

[@ToldAlthea]

Lexington Mass 4th of July Carnival - circa ‘77. “Runnin’ With The Devil” BLASTING out of the carny game booths. Me (Age 17) to my friend: “Who IS that f’n band playing out of the speakers at the dart booth? “ Van Muthafuckin Halen

[@ginogenero7972]

How cool is it to hear EVH in a club before it all happened? At this point he was at the PEAK of my guitar career. RIP Eddie

[@riccizech]

So raw & unrefined I love it feel like I’m discovering them on the beginning of their journey

[@YT0091]

I'm really impressed with the quality of this recording considering it's the first known live version. You think about the recording equipment available back then to what was a small band at the time. And the fact that it had to be magnetic media which degrades over time.

[@shanemarcotte2062]

Right. Makes me wonder about the authenticity. I realize that it's without a doubt Van Halen. I'm not sure about it's age.

[@tonymcrae6510]

Scott are you kidding. Everybody pays big money to try to get old sounds now. Analog and tube. Not to mention it was prob cleaned up digitally

[@robbiestewart89]

A lot of degradation depends on the type and brand of magnetic media that was used originally to make this recording. If expensive chrome or metal tape was used as is used in most studio recordings, then it would have most likely survived the degradation issues. However, it normal bias tape like TDK or Maxell tape had been used, the there would have been some degradation, which came usually be cleaned up digitally. However, if some bargain brand tape like those three for a dollar Certrons, or the private label blue ones you used to find in Kmart's had been used, the forget about it. But regardless or brand or type of tape that was used, literately all tape suffers from sticky shed syndrome where it will stick to the heads when played back, especially as it sits up for a while, doesn't get played, and moisture builds up in it. That's when you have to bake it in a convection oven at 140 degrees Fahrenheit before attempting any playback. This usually works for about 30 days, but it gives the listener enough time to either make a safety copy or transfer it to digital.

[@shanemarcotte2062]

David Neil Gordon and?

[@stevejackson2986]

Storage conditions are a major factor too. A cool and dry environment is ideal, if I'm not mistaken. Regardless, climate control catered to the materials being stored can make a huge difference. I think also, since this is a likely a soundboard recording, the tape was a home cassette tape straight off the live mixing board, and not a large reel to reel, studio master type tape. I think cassettes tend to last a long time, maybe even longer than the larger format studio grade tape. My dad has cassettes he made in the early 70's that still play perfect today, probably because they've been inside, in a cool, dry, air conditioned house most of the time. I'm not surprised if the original source tape survived intact all these years.

[@falquest]

It’s been said a hundred times already... but damn! The most envied and sought after tone on the planet - by an unheard of kid playing in a club! Unbelievable!!

[@jamesschreier4023]

I still recall hearing this and then yelling "Mom I need to buy an electric guitar like now!!"

[@acapece421]

its amazing looking back at how important it was in those days to go with friends out to a club to see the "next big group" or hear a "new sound". It was like you and your friends discovered them. So many great shows.

[@stevehiscox1473]

This album totally blew me away the first time I heard it back in i think 1977. I was 13 and I knew that it was heavy rock for me!

[@nathanmcclellan8078]

Not to discredit anybody at all BUT...listening to this only proves how much of a genius Ted Templeman was. He really knew how to make a great band sound greater.

[@quinnrollen]

Couldn't agree more!!

[@John-dk8vx]

I was thinking exactly the same thing! VH's first few albums sounded so raw yet paradoxically so slickly produced! I don't know how to explain this contradiction other than to credit it to Ted's production!

[@nancybabbage1169]

people dont realize their big songs were pretty much arranged for them

[@robmorrison1043]

Nathan McClellan , Don Landee as well. They did a phenomenal job in studio with them, as they never could duplicate their sound on stage! The Eagles, they are not! Lol

[@chrislee4616]

I was just thinking the same thing...

[@stevefisher2121]

Man if there was only video to go with this!!!!!! RIP Eddie - you are greatly missed.

[@shanehughes740]

1976.....what else in '76 sounded anything like this? I had no idea they had their sound down like this so early on. Awesome!

[@paulleeder5365]

Saw them at MSG in NY in 1981 - loudest band I ever saw! Opened with “Unchained” - blew the roof off the Garden.... girls up front taking their tops and bras off and throwing them onstage... crazy...

[@steveb7310]

Paul Leeder Fair Warning...the best Van Halen album ever. In my humble opinion.

[@randyswanson4461]

I know how they feel,I’m a janitor and have to endure the same harassment

[@drh-ov7eq]

Two brothers .. becoming one of the greatest band's in history...thanks Eddie and Alex

[@sgt.grinch3299]

This music just rocks and brings joy to the soul. Thanks guys. Miss you Eddie!

[@brianneill3609]

Ed had his sound together. His Marshalls sound great... just turn `em up

[@mikeburch2998]

It's pretty good but it could use more cow bell.

[@biffstop4339]

Druuuuuuuuuugs

[@obundrick]

That's boc

[@davidblase6564]

Dam

[@stevenenglish1729]

More cowbell indeed

[@mikeburch2998]

@MorbidManMusic But it's still funny. Ok if you have a joke go ahead... I'm listening. It better be fucking funny. :-).

[@835g]

The birth of a legendary band that will change rock n roll forever

[@luisrojas3173]

Yoooooo I just got chills listening to this. How is it that this is my favorite Van Halen song of all time and this is my first time listening to the OG recording. Sheeeesh this was definitely special.

[@13thRaven]

It is truly jaw dropping how many were inspired to pick up a guitar, including me, thanks to unique musicians like Hendrix, blackmore, page, clapton, evh and many other incredible talents. It's truly beautiful

[@JeeGee114]

I find it really fascinating that Eddie was born in the Rozemarijn straat in Nijmegen. My hometown and the oldest city in the Netherlands. Also this was one of my first singles I ever bought. Still one of my favourites.

[@alagogo]

The guitar player is decent, he could probably have a career in music if he practiced every day .

[@patroche550]

alagogo ok you obviously don’t know anything about Eddie Van Halen. This dude you are listening to right now is one of the best guitar players of all time

[@celt2453]

@@patroche550 r/whooooosh

[@rulerofomicronpersei8]

Whoosh!

[@Bonzeeemer]

@Cobb Knobbler It didn't go over his head. His reply went over everyone's head Its hard to be sarcastic in a message

[@patroche550]

Cobb Knobbler haha ehat do you mean

[@brianclarke5213]

I absolutely love this version way more than the studio cut.

[@nikkiyoung5298]

Me too!

[@AlanHarrison-cw3uz]

I don't

[@kiddmarlowe1534]

The drive starts not when bass and drums get going but when Ed's guitar enters the scene. That is the VH sound right there! If you can't hear that then there's not much else to say. That guitar sound for this time was unique and turned many guitarists into either pursuing guitar like madmen or selling their guitars to pawn shops and quitting altogether.

[@carlbamburg7439]

I know what you're driving at here, but you can't discount the 'swing' feel of the bass and drums on this track.. or any other VH tune of that time.. It was a critically important element of the overall Van Halen sound..

[@50hellkat2]

yeah actually that "platt" sound of alex' snare is a signature part of VH sound and its on full display here.

[@josephnorman2567]

Very good, nice cut, pure raw energy.

[@andrewlaw5628]

R.I.P. Mr. Edward Van Halen. You were a true genius in every sense of the word!! Though most pf us know you for the unbelievably awesome and jaw dropping guitar pyrotechnic flare you had ( and deserved of every accolade are you for it) it was always your rhyrhm skills and songwriting that floored me!! The pocket and groove of your playing...otherworldly!! The swagger you had as you fused unbelievable lead playing amongst such wicked rhythm!! As many people would say you were awesome as a lead player, your true magic was found in RHYRHM and songwriting. Again, R.I.P. MR. Edward Van Halen. Gonne far too early and never replaced nor forgotten!!

[@markbelanger7394]

Rock gods that is all I am saying 61 years old I grew up with these guys.

[@rdmkeytohwy]

Ahhhhh....takes me back to the days of my youth. I filled many hours listening to these guys. Their first album is still absolutely killer in every way. Love it!

[@attorneyronfrey7973]

These guys will never make it.

[@keithharrelson2617]

Yeah, I agree, no chance, the guitar player is mediocre and the lead singer seems a little dull, and boring. Seems he lacks confidence and self esteem...oh well, maybe they could go into accounting or something.

[@quinnrollen]

Maybe they need a different lead singer...

[@michaelbaker3598]

totally need the guitarist from Joan jett

[@guitarplayer5611]

Singer is a jim dandy clone!

[@eddierayvanlynch6133]

The four stages of fame: 1- "Who are you?" 2- "Get me Van Halen! " 3- "Get me someone like Van Halen. " 4- "Who are you? "

[@randydogs61]

With a catalog of over 300 songs in their back pocket, from countless hours on the road, practicing walking around the house, playing a teisco del rey 4 pickup guitar with 8-10 switches and with no amp, while other kids were outside, EVH was in his room as a teen practicing, but he had from the age of five yrs old played piano via lessons from a Russian piano teacher. His mom and dad wanted both to be concert pianists, from routing out a space for a humbucker with a chisel to straight wiring a pup to the single control, some stuff was planned down to the nth degree, and some stuff was just a happy accident. that was Van Halen.

[@Mr25thfret]

Thanks so much for putting this out here! History!

[@DRC-of2ci]

What an amazing recording. And they sounded so damn tight as a band from day one

[@jmpsthrufyre]

Tairy Hesticles AVH got some skills. It's hard hitting that hard and sounding even and steady. What a beast.

[@JUGGERNAUT-66]

Man you can tell Eddie is just hungry and on fire here in his playing and Dave sounded coherent and actually with it...

[@rcdenis1]

Yep, they had something to prove at that point. And afterwards they went pop.

[@blachubear]

That's because they were poor, weren't on coke & it was just the 4 of them trying to make it, of course they sounded like a well oil machine. When the money, drugs, alcohol & hangers on crept in years later, that's when things got out of control and the band trying to hang on

[@aj101pf69]

And then he met Jack Daniels

[@dougdavis8986]

DAN HALEN : you're a dork. One of the lamest solos ever....and he does it 3 times.

[@JUGGERNAUT-66]

@@dougdavis8986 OK

[@DufDavis]

It's nice that you can hear Michael's harmony vocal so clearly.

[@brycekibbey8640]

There's some music you never forget the first time you hear it. I first heard this song when I was a freshman in HS walking through the school parking lot and it was blasting full volume from someone's car. I was like "IDK what the f*ck that it is but it's f*cking awesome!" Still is.

[@luf2u250]

What a nice surprising treat!! Thank you!!

[@petromusic23]

Man.....the guitar tone was already sounding amazing!!! Thank you for posting!!! 🎸🎸🎸

[@jacobcrozier]

Peter Cast I did not expect a fast-ass-beautiful-solo

[@npg68]

That stood right out to me as well.

[@KeckArmy]

Peter Cast I thought the guitar sounded forced and the tone sucked.

[@surferbri5346]

There's stuff out there where Eddie recorded himself at like 14, and he was already fantastic.

[@Waterinmenbenen]

KeckArmy : 🤦‍♂️

[@hansfreekit]

Every GREAT BAND is a sum of its parts.

[@radamus210]

Boy this song sure evolved not only in musical score but lyrics too. One of the first guys on the block to get their albums, we couldn't wait to go out and get it. They went supersonic right out of the gate.

[@erikx7740]

Great to see how this Song changed in these years between this concert and the 78' record

[@stevenpivornik4921]

I agree. The song did slow down a bit, Eddie enhanced the sound a little, and Dave improved the lyrics :) They did good for themselves.

[@stevenpivornik4921]

@eric loy They were just starting out as a band. Sooooo much room for improving later on down the road :)

[@btnonsense7713]

Not much 😜