This is a pretty great book about the origins of Van Halen up through their first tour. That's where it ends. Very well researched. Very interesting to read how integral Dave was to the look, sound and success of that band. If you're into the band or rock bios it's worth checking out.
yeah he's been doing a handful of interviews. it's definitely worth a read. you'll probably plow through it quick too. it's one of those kind of books.
( digs up old thread...puts down shovel...wipes brow )
I had a $5 credit from Google Play awhile back, & bought this with it. I can't say I'm "plowing through it" because I've been exclusively reading it in the bathroom on my Kindle.
Eventually, I've gotten about 2/3 of the way through it, & it's REALLY good.
-- Edited by MonoStereo on Friday 3rd of June 2016 07:33:19 AM
yeah if Pat hadn't already done a VH themed show back in 2012 I would've suggested he get the author Greg on as a Rock Solid guest. He would've made a good one. Glad you're enjoying the book. My favorite quote is where VH is opening for I think UFO and a friend of VH asks Dave if they're nervous about opening up for them and Dave says "Ed's gonna blow Michael Schenker off the face of the ****ing Earth." That's confidence man.
Yeah, that was great. I'm a big VH fan, but wouldn't consider myself a superfan who's completely down with all the band history, etc. So it's been cool to read how much of the drive to success came from Roth's constant cheerleading.
I just finished the hunk where they worked with Gene Simmons, & that was a hoot as well.
yeah I mean I'm a diehard VH fan (struggled to accept Hagar. Still don't listen to those albums much at all.) I always knew Dave pulled his weight but after reading that book you really get a sense of how integral he was to the success of that band. Glad you're enjoying it. I'll be curious to see when you're done if you wish the book kept going through the rest of the band's history, or at least up through 1984.
I've heard him on a few interviews and he's kinda sorta mentioned it's crossed his mind. I did mention it to Pat and he said he tried getting the guy on the show but because he's not in Los Angeles it didn't work out. But he said he'd like to in the future do a new all-VH episode cause apparently he wasn't happy with the last one due to Gary.
