Van Halen Rising

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)

Truly Outstanding!!!

Would you consider the audio edition of Van Halen Rising to be better than the print version?

I only use Audible for my book consumption these days due to eye strain but this one did not disappoint.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Van Halen Rising?

Without a doubt the story of the 'secret' entrance staged by Roth and Berle. I thought I was a VH fan but somehow had never heard this story!

Have you listened to any of Sean Runnette’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, first time.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The entire book moved me. The perseverance these guys displayed (especially Edward and Alex from the moment they boarded the ship to come to America) was just tremendous!

Any additional comments?

To Greg Renoff, thank you sir for the ULTIMATE Van Halen book! Your passion shines through here on every page. I highly recommend this for any VH fan (or even a passing fan).

11 of 11 people found this review helpful

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!

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

Van-Halen Fan? Get This Book Now!

This book is amazing!! Going back to the early days when, Van-Halen, would play backyard parties to 2000 people?!?! And they promoted everything themselves. No agents, no management... just them. This book focuses on the first Van-Halen album...the first tour...and how Eddie kicked every guitar player's ass, when they wanted a piece of, Eddie. You will not be disappointed with this awesome book!!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

fantastic listen

A very well done compilation of multiple sources in telling the story of one off the greatest rock bands of all time.

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

GREAT book!

I thought the story was fantastic and the delivery extremely well done. I only wish the book were longer and went into the Van Halen story after their first album and especially after Dave left. I'll but that book when the guy writes it.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

Hard work pays off, cream rises to the top.

I will listen to this again! I get to relive my long, lost love in Van Halen! The book took me there! I wish, I could have seen them when they were coming up, or maybe if they could be my brothers. Wake Up! Book is finished...

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Great book

Great overview of the band before they were discovered. excellent narration as well as content.

7 of 9 people found this review helpful

More to this story

The story continues. Now Roth is back with the band there is a story there. Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony told (and are telling) there side. Now this is a group of guys in their 60's it's time to be clear. Like Civil War Veterans from both sides meeting at a Gettysburg reunion.

Im an old Van Halen fan. And their music has been a party with old friends who you trust. During the drama I felt betrayed, but got over it. This book brought back some of the good times.

9 of 12 people found this review helpful

Fair warning

I have to give you fair warning this is a great book. I listened to the audible version and I was totally entrenched for eleven hours something minutes. What a great book from start to finish, no spoilers here, you'll have to find out for yourselves.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

An interesting story, but needs a tight edit

Would you try another book from Greg Renoff and/or Sean Runnette?

Probably not. Not that this was bad. I enjoyed the story. It just went on way too long. They told too many stories about their early days, playing at private parties. I get it. They paid their dues and did a lot of these. I just don't need to know the details about each and every gig.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

I would have done it in half the words. And then I would have sufficiently covered the Sammy Hagar years. I know it's about their rise to fame, but it's a miss that it didn't include the later years.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

It was just ok.

Do you think Van Halen Rising needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes. I'd call it Van Halen Falling. I'd start it with the Sammy Hagar years, cover the many failed reunions, the Wolfie years, the many failed reunions, and take us to today.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Interesting but limited

An interesting collection of interviews from a multitude of sources. Differs from other accounts of events as press interviews often do.

The narrator?was a little uninspiring.

Good but long & repetitive

A good book for Van Halen fans taking them up to early success. Quite long & repetitive. A lot of cover song yard parties discussed. I didn't realise the influence of Dave Lee Roth. Worth a listen.