Today In Rock: February 10th, 1978 – Van Halen’s Debut Album
On this day… Van Halen’s self-title debut album dropped. The set included “Runnin’ With The Devil,” “Eruption” and a blisteringly brilliant cover of The Kinks “You Really Got Me.”
Producer Ted Templeman made it known he was looking for a “guitar hero” act. It was suggested he check out a local L.A. band named Van Halen.
On a rainy night in mid-1977″, Templeman and Warner Bros. executive Mo Ostin saw Van Halen perform at the Starwood in Hollywood.
Warner offered the band a rather basic two album recording contract, one that heavily favored Warner.
The deal left Van Halen over $1 million in debt at the conclusion of their first supporting tour as the opening act for Journey and Ronnie Montrose.
“Van Halen” has sold more than 10 million copies in the United States.
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