Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal

by Greg Renoff Narrated by Sean Runnette

Overview

After years of gigging everywhere from suburban backyards to dive bars, Van Halen-led by frontman extraordinaire David Lee Roth and guitar virtuoso Edward Van Halen-had the songs, the swagger, and the talent to turn the rock world on its ear. The quartet's classic 1978 debut, Van Halen, sold more than a million copies within months of release and rocketed the band to the stratosphere of rock success. On tour, Van Halen's high-energy show wowed audiences and prompted headlining acts like Black Sabbath to concede that they'd been blown off the stage. By the year's end, Van Halen had established themselves as superstars and reinvigorated heavy metal in the process.



Based on more than 230 original interviews-including with former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and power players like Pete Angelus, Marshall Berle, Donn Landee, Ted Templeman, and Neil Zlozower-Van Halen Rising is the first book to tell the untold story of how these rock legends made the unlikely journey from Pasadena, California, to the worldwide stage.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

08/24/2015
Most accounts of major bands focus on the fame and fortune of rock stardom. By contrast, Renoff (The Big Tent) covers America’s preeminent hard rock act in the years before they became famous. He argues that Van Halen “transformed the staid sound of metal into something that sounded fresh and vibrant” by fusing essential metal elements, such as heavy rhythms and guitar virtuosity, with monster hooks and soul-inspired grooves. Renoff charts Van Halen’s earliest years playing in the garages, gymnasiums, and backyards of suburban Pasadena, Calif. Drawing on many interviews with band associates, he details how drummer Alex Van Halen and his guitar prodigy brother, Eddie, hooked up with born showman “Diamond” David Lee Roth and bass maestro Michael Anthony to become California legends. Armed with a bottomless well of confidence and “impossibly tight pants,” Roth led Van Halen to the top of the Pasadena backyard party circuit, building a following that helped the band score a record deal and, eventually, rock immortality. Renoff’s book is a thoroughly entertaining read that will appeal to every hard rock fan. Agent: Bob Diforio, D4EO Literary Agency. (Oct.)

From the Publisher

This prehistory is usually glossed over in accounts of the band, but in Van Halen Rising, author Greg Renoff devotes an entire book to it. It’s the tale of hardworking kids with nothing in common learning to fuse pop and heavy metal into a new sound that completely changed the music world. It also vividly shows that the personality clashes that would later destroy the band were there from Day One.” — Rolling Stone

“In an excellent new book called Van Halen Rising, author Greg Renoff argues that, in the era of disco and punk, Van Halen’s arrival saved heavy metal. While that may be hyperbole, there’s little arguing that the backyard party band from Pasadena put Los Angeles back at the center of American rock & roll, where it’s largely stayed ever since.” — LA Weekly

“Renoff explores in depth Van Halen’s reluctant journey from back yard band to superstardom and, in particular, the role of David Lee Roth’s ambition and entrepreneurial skills.” — Forbes

“Renoff’s book is a thoroughly entertaining read that will appeal to every hard rock fan.” — Publishers Weekly

“It’s a rollicking roll through the life and times of a group that mowed through more groupies and drugs than could possibly be good for a young fella … a fascinating read.” — Pasadena Star News

From the Publisher - AUDIO COMMENTARY

"Renoff's book is a thoroughly entertaining read that will appeal to every hard rock fan." —Publishers Weekly

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170746736
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	03/15/2016
Edition description:	Unabridged

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