Cool Rare Pics

Found these on what looks to be a relatively new tumblr forming, called Van Halen Rising:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/cd0eb2818...9h52o1_500.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/cf455c928...9h52o2_500.jpg
Killer #VanHalen photo taken from the front row at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kansas on 24 August 1980.
Salina, Kansas? I’m not sure I can even find it on a map, but those were the days when Van Halen performed in nearly every American city in support of an LP.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/ad0f21064...9h52o1_500.jpg
My Opa with the Van Halen Boys. 1978.

“My Opa played in the Royal Dutch Airforce band with Mr. Van Halen (Eddie and Alex’s father). Opa in the back with eyes closed. Alex on the left, Eddie on the right, family friend in the middle front, uncle Peter with creepy look in back. My Opa said he “remembers them pissing on his lap" when they were young, ahahah."

http://25.media.tumblr.com/63c60775a...9h52o1_500.jpg
A rare #VanHalen photo taken at Michael Anthony’s 1981 wedding to his wife Sue. Eddie’s playing a Les Paul in the background as David Lee Roth makes a toast to the bride and groom. Is Michael on bass, with his back to DLR? Wonder which songs they played that night?

http://25.media.tumblr.com/e4b562675...uwqfo1_500.jpg
This picture of Alex doing his “Toad" inspired drum solo was taken around 1972 somewhere in the San Gabriel Valley. It looks to me like the band - called Mammoth at this point - was playing at the back of a high school, probably in Pasadena or Altadena.

There’s a few things worthy of note. First, Alex is wearing a Pendleton shirt. Along with a pair of jeans, this was the band’s general stage attire: street clothes. They lacked stage costumes. That would come later after Roth joined.

Second, there’s a wha-wah pedal there in the foreground. This was Eddie’s sole guitar effect at this point, a product of his love for Clapton, no doubt.

Finally, if you look in the background, you’ll see a Wurlitzer keyboard on top of an organ. The band’s sets were heavy with Deep Purple and Santana songs when they had a keyboardist. The keyboard player, incidentally, is in the photo.

Mammoth was a four piece at this point, with the keyboard player, bassist Mark Stone and the Van Halen brothers comprising the lineup.

The addition of Roth would transform nearly all these aspects of this band, as Van Halen Rising will demonstrate.

You can check out more pictures like this in Elizabeth Wiley’s excellent Van Halen photo book, which is available on Amazon.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/9259f1d55...vhejo1_500.jpg

Young Van Halens

Photograph was taken in the living room of the Van Halen home at 1881 Las Lunas in Pasadena circa 1972. Eddie’s got his Gold Top Les Paul serial # 539381 purchased on 15 August 1969 at Music For Everyone in Sierre Madre, Ca. Looks like he’s already modified the guitar by removing the pickup covers.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahq8X...embedded#t=14s
This phenomenal film, shot at the Whisky in Hollywood in late 1977, provides a perfect way to open Van Halen Rising for business. Note that while those interviewed are part of the Punk/New Wave movement that most record industry observers thought would be the future of popular music, the first thirty seconds of the film shows that hard rock was far from dead. A billboard looms over the Strip for perhaps the greatest album of Aerosmith’s heroin-and-cocaine-years, Draw the Line. And the name of an local band from Pasadena that had been signed to Warner Bros. Records in the previous months, Van Halen, has its name up on lights in the Whisky marquee.

At the 54 second mark, scenester and KROQ DJ Rodney Bingenheimer introduces the Germs, one of the more notorious and arguably less talented of the LA punk bands and goes on to sing the praises of the city’s burgeoning Punk and New Wave scene.

Nonetheless, Bingenheimer championed all kinds of LA music, including an unknown hard rock band named Van Halen. In fact, in 1976 he played a key role in helping the band work its way up the ladder from one of the lesser clubs on the Strip, Gazzarri’s, to a higher profile gig at the infamous Starwood.

At the 1:50 mark, a less than enthused Joan Jett of the Runways appears. I have to wonder if she was cut out of the film because her lack of interest in talking on camera made the footage impossible to use.

Watch it all. It’s a fantastic piece of celluloid which documents the ways in which the LA Punk and New Wave movement rubbed up against the “industry," or bands signed to major labels, like Aerosmith and Van Halen, in the late 1970s.

Click here for a little preview of the Elizabeth Wiley book: http://www.amazon.com/Could-This-Be-...der_1466929294

Includes a cool cover shot, similar to that backyard party shot of Alex above, but there's a side/back shot of Eddie in this one too. Also, there's some interesting info in the preface of the book, including a little tidbit about how she's mentioned in the special thanks of the first VH album cover.

Coolest shit ever, Cowboy!

Look at Eddie playing the TV Yellow Johnny Thunders guitar, at Mike's wedding.
And those brothers still looked badass in 1972, with Ed's goldtop.

The video clip sounds very interesting, gotta watch that one!

Great photos, especially Al doing his solo in a schoolyard! Cant imagine how cool it would've been to see the Brothers playing back in those days.

Yes it was salina Kansas......
Jessh they used to play everywhere and then some...
August 22, 1980 Kansas City, Missouri United States Kemper Arena
August 23, 1980 Omaha, Nebraska Omaha Civic Auditorium
August 24, 1980 Salina, Kansas Bicentennial Center
August 26, 1980 Corpus Christi, Texas Memorial Coliseum
August 27, 1980 San Antonio, Texas Freeman Coliseum
August 28, 1980 Houston, Texas Sam Houston Coliseum
August 29, 1980 Shreveport, Louisiana Hirsch Memorial Coliseum
August 30, 1980 Baton Rouge, Louisiana Riverside Centroplex
September 1, 1980 Mobile, Alabama Civic Center Arena
September 2, 1980 Jackson, Mississippi Mississippi Coliseum
September 3, 1980 Beaumont, Texas Fair Park Coliseum
September 4, 1980 Dallas, Texas Reunion Arena
September 6, 1980 Norman, Oklahoma Owen Field
September 7, 1980 Amarillo, Texas Amarillo Civic Center

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_I...e_Tour%22_Tour
Looks like they played 7 different places just in Texas!

very nice pics btw,,,,,,thanks!

Incredible find.

Thanks for sharing.

Makes you wonder who runs the tumblr and how they have all of this cool stuff...

I'm not completely sure how they work, but different people contribute media to it......so you can check out their individual stuff as well.
Here's the link: http://vanhalenrising.tumblr.com/

Cool pics.

I'm not sure what it is, but something is going on. The guy that has that youtube channel I posted stuff from recently put this up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjisbrw0ThE and he references the bands official site - must have some connection with the band, which makes me think his stuff is legit. There's some new VH news blowing in the wind people, and it's coming early next week. Keep your ears and eyes open!

Seen this pic before in a book, so many great players and it just stinks of rock star cred!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/8a7fb8164...sfdgo1_500.png

Some fantastic images - thanks!

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Originally Posted by CalFB

Cool pics.

I'm not sure what it is, but something is going on. The guy that has that youtube channel I posted stuff from recently put this up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjisbrw0ThE and he references the bands official site - must have some connection with the band, which makes me think his stuff is legit. There's some new VH news blowing in the wind people, and it's coming early next week. Keep your ears and eyes open!

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that guy is not legit, though.

The VHII "Eruption II" is not even remotely Eddie.
Even Jeff at the Links disputes this, and he knows the band, personally.

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Originally Posted by CalFB

Seen this pic before in a book, so many great players and it just stinks of rock star cred!

http://25.media.tumblr.com/8a7fb8164...sfdgo1_500.png

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Who's that chick next to Iommi?

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Originally Posted by 1234over

Who's that chick next to Iommi?

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More importantly...........is that Andre the Giant behind Phil Lynot?? Jeezus that dude is huuuuuuge!

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Originally Posted by cowboydan

More importantly...........is that Andre the Giant behind Phil Lynot?? Jeezus that dude is huuuuuuge!

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And I thought Janis Joplin died way before 1978...

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Originally Posted by 1234over

And I thought Janis Joplin died way before 1978...

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That's the actual joke the Phil Lynot just got done delivering, which is why everyone is laughing at Ozzy.

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Originally Posted by cowboydan

That's the actual joke the Phil Lynot just got done delivering, which is why everyone is laughing at Ozzy.

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Hahhaha, 'cept Ozzy is better looking!

It's amazing that, in those days a dude like Tony Iommi would just casually wear painted-on, black satin pants and platform shoes. Like to go to the store or something...

Totally amazing stuff !!!
A hundred thanks for posting these photos and links , Dan .

Awesome :wow:

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Originally Posted by cowboydan

More importantly...........is that Andre the Giant behind Phil Lynot?? Jeezus that dude is huuuuuuge!

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I was thinking it could be Gene Simmons.

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Originally Posted by MrSmooth67

I was thinking it could be Gene Simmons.

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Good point !
I can almost picture the KISS boots between Phil's slightly spread legs . Is it just me ?

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Originally Posted by unchainedguitars

that guy is not legit, though.

The VHII "Eruption II" is not even remotely Eddie.
Even Jeff at the Links disputes this, and he knows the band, personally.

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Yeah, he seems to have some legit and some not legit stuff, dunno why he'd do that to pass it all off as legit.

I don't know, but I want a full on Classic Van Halen Rock Documentary about the rise of the Mighty VH so badly...............I'm talking 2+ hour movie, professionally done, for the theaters, movie..... with tons of interviews, old footage and actual VH music as the score.

Maybe the announcement will be more tour dates. That's all the official site has on it anyway.

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Originally Posted by CalFB

Maybe the announcement will be more tour dates. That's all the official site has on it anyway.

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That would be my guess.

So we're treating a Youtube channel with lots of fake videos's announcement as an actual Van Halen announcement? My guess is maybe the channel has some unseen footage.

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Originally Posted by cowboydan

I don't know, but I want a full on Classic Van Halen Rock Documentary about the rise of the Mighty VH so badly...............I'm talking 2+ hour movie, professionally done, for the theaters, movie..... with tons of interviews, old footage and actual VH music as the score.

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I would love for one just like the recent EAGLES documentary.
Now, that was awesome & thorough!
Three hours plus of Doc footage, then a vintage concert on disc three.

Michael Anthony could be the Don Felder character.
Ed would be Glenn Frey!

Really dug those pics, especially the one with Alex. It's cool to see that he didn't always have this enormous kit since he started playing.

Rare pic here....
Attachment 43486

and here...
Attachment 43487

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Originally Posted by thismusicsux

Rare pic here....
Attachment 43486

and here...
Attachment 43487

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That's a great photo with Jan! Al looks to be "feeling no pain"...

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Originally Posted by Nick AVH fan

Really dug those pics, especially the one with Alex. It's cool to see that he didn't always have this enormous kit since he started playing.

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It would be interesting if he still owns that nice little kit since he still has all his old monster kits...

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Originally Posted by Jungle Drummer

It would be interesting if he still owns that nice little kit since he still has all his old monster kits...

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That was the kit he used till the 1979 tour, it's in a museum last I saw. It's the '78 silver sparkle set minus the subwoofer bass drums in front.

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Originally Posted by Nick AVH fan

That was the kit he used till the 1979 tour, it's in a museum last I saw. It's the '78 silver sparkle set minus the subwoofer bass drums in front.

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Ahh, good eye, Nick. Also, minus the black Octobans he got part way through the first tour!:thumbs-up:

And the 14x12" Tom that he has in the front. Probably more too.

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Originally Posted by Jungle Drummer

That's a great photo with Jan! Al looks to be "feeling no pain"...

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That is a priceless photo !
I love it :wow:

http://25.media.tumblr.com/dc9767504...9h52o1_500.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/a6878954b...9h52o1_500.jpg
Edward #VanHalen and Van Halen, somewhere on tour, 1978.

He’s customized everything from his Frankenstein guitar to his Marshall cabinets, which have every inch of the black Tolex vinyl material stripped off of them.


http://24.media.tumblr.com/1061cb89c...9h52o1_500.png
http://24.media.tumblr.com/309862b47...9h52o2_400.jpg
How popular was #VanHalen in April 1984?

They were so popular that Dallas kids were willing to stay up all night waiting in line for tickets for the band’s July shows.

They were also willing to take on a snarling police dog and 18 squad cars worth of cops when things got out of hand.

I hope the kids that went to jail got their tickets first…

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Originally Posted by cowboydan

How popular was #VanHalen in April 1984?

They were so popular that Dallas kids were willing to stay up all night waiting in line for tickets for the band’s July shows.

They were also willing to take on a snarling police dog and 18 squad cars worth of cops when things got out of hand.

I hope the kids that went to jail got their tickets first…

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Ah yes!!! I remember well ...camping overnight for my VH/1984 tickets. With internet sales..that doesn't happen anymore does it ?!?

Got some interesting info on Van Halen Rising...........

Roth Army ‏@Roth_Army 10 Jul
Best of luck! RT @GregRenoff: @Roth_Army Working on book on #VH's early days. 200+ intvs; many lumniaries. Blog here: http://vanhalenrising.tumblr.com

Looks like Van Halen Rising is a book about the early days. Sounds very cool.

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Originally Posted by cowboydan

http://25.media.tumblr.com/dc9767504...9h52o1_500.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/a6878954b...9h52o1_500.jpg
Edward #VanHalen and Van Halen, somewhere on tour, 1978.

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I have been wondering, is there any way to tell the difference between the '78 shows that they headlined, and the shows they opened for Black Sabbath? Like this pick looks like it is their own set, but I wouldn't think they would have had the same lights and staging when they were openers. Anyone know some tell-tale signs? I know they got rid of the platform shoes pretty quick, and maybe Roth's leather pants were only used for their early, headlining shows...

I don't know if there was a difference. But I haven't seen enough full stage photos to really back that up.

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Originally Posted by Nick AVH fan

I don't know if there was a difference. But I haven't seen enough full stage photos to really back that up.

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I don't know either, but opening bands always seemed to have minimal lights, and not much stage to work with. Pics like the one above look like decent size productions. Until the last year or so, I had always assumed that the tours for the first album were all opening gigs. I've really been getting into the '78 pics lately!