Van Halen

American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California in 1972 by brothers Eddie Van Halen (guitar) and Alex Van Halen (drums). Original lineup completed by Michael Anthony (bass) and David Lee Roth (vocals). Their 1978 self-titled debut introduced Eddie's two-handed tapping technique on "Eruption," fundamentally reshaping rock guitar.

The Roth-era run produced six albums from Van Halen (1978) through 1984. After Roth's 1985 departure, Sammy Hagar fronted the band through four #1 albums: 5150 (1986), OU812 (1988), For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991), and Balance (1995). Hagar's exit was followed by Gary Cherone's brief tenure, then a Roth reunion (2007-2020). Eddie Van Halen died in October 2020. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.