Van Halen American Hard Rock Band
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California in 1972. They enjoyed immediate popularity and influence from the release of their debut album, Van Halen in 1978, which lasted until the band's lineup destabilized in the late 1990s. As of 2007 Van Halen has [2] sold more than 80 million albums worldwide[3] and earning the band the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most number one hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.[4] According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Van Halen is #19 on the list of top selling artists of all time (having sold more than 56 million albums in the U.S.)[5] and is one of only five rock groups that have had two albums sell more than 10 million copies in the U.S. The band and its best known former members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12, 2007.[6]
Van Halen's early music with David Lee Roth often crossed over from hard rock into heavy metal. However, when Sammy Hagar joined the band, a more mainstream, "pop" sound was adopted. This makes any specific genre definition difficult.
In addition to being recognized for artistic contributions and success, the band is known for the drama surrounding its lead singer spot. The band has gone through tenures with four different lead singers, but the (multiple) exits of Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth were surrounded in controversy and mass press coverage. David Lee Roth is once again the current lead singer.
Following their 2004 concert tour the band was on a hiatus from the public until September 2006, when word was confirmed that Wolfgang Van Halen was now a new member of the band, replacing Michael Anthony on bass. Eventually, Roth would rejoin after a few delays. After long speculation, in August 2007 it was finally confirmed that the band would do a tour with the new lineup in late 2007 across North America. In 2008, an album and further worldwide touring are proposed to follow.[7]
Other than three new songs in 2004, Van Halen has released no new material since their last album Van Halen III was released in 1998.readmore>>
from wikipedia
