You can’t think of hard rock without Van Halen. Over the course of nearly fifty years, the band released monster hits, packed arenas, and influenced every kid who picked up a guitar. Singers came and went (and came back) but guitarist Eddie Van Halen was there through it all (along with his brother Alex). The band didn’t officially call it quits until Eddie died in 2020. While he never had a chance to write his own life story, fifty-plus hours of interviews offers a pretty insightful look at the man behind one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
Eruption: Conversations With Eddie Van Halen is an in-depth biography written by two music journalists who talked with the guitarist over the years at his own recording studio, 5150 Studios. The writers talked to Eddie’s friends and family for a fully fleshed picture of the man—and every topic is delved into, from his childhood as a Dutch immigrant in Pasadena, to his rocketing success as a guitar rock god, and the lows of his substance addictions. Of course the focus is the music, including a deep dive into MCMLXXXIV, and is required reading for genuine fans of rock.
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