ARTIST

Van Halen

Data provided by Discogs.

American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1974 by Dutch-American brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen. Initially formed as a trio called "Genesis," then "Mammoth," in 1972 (Eddie on guitar and lead vocals, Alex on drums, Mark Stone on bass), and renamed "Van Halen" by David Lee Roth (ex-Red Ball Jets), who joined the band in 1973 after Mammoth had rented a PA system from him. Michael Anthony (ex-Snake) replaced Stone on bass. First demo recordings were done in 1976 by Gene Simmons of Kiss. Signed to Warner Bros. in 1977 by Ted Templeman, and released its debut album in 1978.