Van Halen Rising

How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal

By: Greg Renoff

Narrated by: Sean Runnette

Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's summary

After years of gigging everywhere from suburban backyards to dive bars, Van Halen - led by frontman extraordinaire David Lee Roth and guitar virtuoso Edward Van Halen - had the songs, the swagger, and the talent to turn the rock world on its ear.

The quartet's classic 1978 debut, Van Halen, sold more than a million copies within months of release and rocketed the band to the stratosphere of rock success. On tour, Van Halen's high-energy show wowed audiences and prompted headlining acts like Black Sabbath to concede that they'd been blown off the stage. By the year's end, Van Halen had established themselves as superstars and reinvigorated heavy metal in the process.

Based on more than 230 original interviews - including with former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and power players like Pete Angelus, Marshall Berle, Donn Landee, Ted Templeman, and Neil Zlozower - Van Halen Rising is the first book to tell the untold story of how these rock legends made the unlikely journey from Pasadena, California, to the worldwide stage.

©2015 Greg Renoff (P)2016 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Renoff's book is a thoroughly entertaining read that will appeal to every hard rock fan." ( Publishers Weekly)

Great book

I have always loved Van Halen's sound since the first time I heard them on the radio. And it was fun with this book to follow their development from obscure band to rock phenomena.

GREAT book

I learned so many things from this book that I never knew about the mighty Van Halen, and I highly recommend it to anyone. My one beef: Sean Runnette was not the best choice of narrators for this book. He has a great “grandfatherly” voice, but I felt like I was listening to a Pepperidge Farm or Blue Bell ice cream commercial the whole time. Overall I loved it!

Very well done!

I'll never forget the first time I heard Running with the Devil back in 1978. Understanding how that song and others in that first unbelievable album came together was extremely interesting. My surprise?… It was the influence that Dave had on the band and how hard he worked to make it. As a result I have a lot more respect for him than previously.
Long live big rock!

I didn’t know half as much about VH as I thought I did

This is a must read/listen for anyone who considers themselves a Van Halen fan.

Fun story but a little rushed

This was a fun listen, especially if you like rock. Some parts seem rushed past and a lot of reader knowledge is assumed

Rock and Roll

loved every minute!! was very interesting and knowledgeable! I will be recommending it for sure!!!

This is the stuff heros are made of!

Always a Van Halen fan, I didn't know their talented tenacious background. Amazing! Heroes! ❤️

Entertaining story, superb narration

Greg Renoff really captures what is was like to be around one America's great rock 'n roll bands during their embryonic stage. Yes there was sex, drugs, and Rock, but there was even more hard work, determination and passion. The detailed accounts of Van Halen's early performances, just puts a smile on your face.
When you finish the book, you want so much more, especially the stories behind the soap opera years (1985, 1996, 98-2007)
Makes you want fire up some early Van Halen!

A must read if u love early Van Halen!

I grew up in and around the San Gabriel valley where Van Halen came from, so all of these locations are completely relevant to me. I grew up a few minutes from Pasadena, and been to almost all of the places and know how the police are in these areas. I'm not saying you have to be from here, but it is really close to home. It makes me feel good knowing that Van Halen came across the way and are from my neighborhood! Great story and narration.

informative

I loved Van Halen as a teenager and young adult. learning about their beginnings was very informative and entertaining!