This one took a lot longer than it should have, but only because I was down and out for four days with a (thankfully false) case of COVID.

Anyway, after reading DLR's [b:Crazy from the Heat|1041980|Crazy from the Heat|David Lee Roth|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387731006l/1041980._SX50_.jpg|1028373], Sammy Hagar's [b:Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock|9589792|Red My Uncensored Life in Rock|Sammy Hagar|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327966151l/9589792._SX50_.jpg|14476770], and Noel Monk's [b:Runnin' with the Devil: A Backstage Pass to the Wild Times, Loud Rock, and the Down and Dirty Truth Behind the Making of Van Halen|32726815|Runnin' with the Devil A Backstage Pass to the Wild Times, Loud Rock, and the Down and Dirty Truth Behind the Making of Van Halen|Noel E. Monk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1477179055l/32726815._SY75_.jpg|53312424], I've gotta say, this one seems to be the least biased, and most filled-with-facts story of the band's history, even if it basically ends with the start of Van Halen II, but honestly, it truly is about the rise of Van Halen, so...

No other book has put into perspective the long, hard-fought journey of Eddie Van Halen as he first learned, then mastered, then innovated playing the guitar. I honestly had no idea.

I've never been the biggest fan of David Lee Roth, nor am I now, but once again, this book puts that offputting over-the-top loudmouth personality into perspective, and carefully illustrates the part he played in moving the band forward. If anything, I do find the book slightly canted in Roth's favour, but hey, the guy shouting the loudest is always going to be heard the most.

All in all, a remarkably informative, and completely entertaining history of the early years of VH. ( )

A biography of one of the biggest rock bands ever, but also a look at Southern California culture in the 70's and the L.A. club industry. The author goes through the years of the changes in band members and styles, with particular attention to Eddie Van Halen's hard work in creating his unique sound and fretboard technique.

This book probably wouldn't interest anyone who doesn't like this band, unless the reader has an interest in reading about the struggles of a young band in general in the pre-Youtube days when they had to build a fan-base through appearances and word-of-mouth for years before getting a contract.
The first couple of pages are written from the gushing point of view a big fan, which I thought didn't bode well, but the writing became better and the research was extensive, with Renoff interviewing former bassist Michael Anthony and producer Ted Templeman along with lots of people who were involved with the band members along the way. ( )