In 1973, Mammoth is formed. This is the beginning !!!
The band features Edward on vocals and guitar, Alex on drums and Mark Stone on bass. The band plays local pubs and clubs. The PA is rented and later on this year, David Lee Roth is invited to join the band as a vocalist, also because he had a PA of his own.

In 1974, Mark Stone leaves the band. After a garage audition, Snake's bassist and vocalist Michael Anthony accepts an invitation to join the band, quitting his band, which also was in the local club scene. The band name is changed due to the fact that there's another local band called Mammoth. There are a lot of names on the table, including Rat Salad, but they end up taking Dave's suggestion, the family name... Van Halen.

In April (supposedly on the 4th) of that same 1974, Van Halen earn their spot as a regular band at a well known club in West Hollywood, Gazarri's. It's around that time (some say May 17) that Robin "Ruby" Leiren becomes Edward's guitar tech (a first for the guitarist), him who knew Ed since Marshall Junior High School.

In May 1976, Kiss bassist Gene Simmons spots the band at the Starwood in LA. He later sponsors a demo at Village Recorder Studios, also in Los Angeles. There are a lot of new processes involved, including some overdubbing (a couple guitar solos recorded at Electric Ladyland Studios in NY). During that brief passage through New York, the band performs using Kiss equipment for S.I.R.'s Bill Aucion. The band is supposed to sign but strangely the band Piper is the one to get the contract, as "...Van Halen has no commercial potential..."

Precisely one year later, in May 1977, on a rainy Monday night, Van Halen is "rediscovered" by Ted Templeman and Mo Ostin at the Starwood. Later that year, a 25-song demo is recorded from which the band's first album will be extracted (the "Looney Tunes" and "Blueprint" albums contain these recordings).


On February 10th, 1978 the band's self-titled album is released and on May 24th, it's certified gold. On October 10th, the album is certified platinum. In July, Edward Van Halen gives his first interview for a national magazine, Guitar Player. On December 10th, Dave, Edward, Alex and Mike go back to the studio to begin recording the second album, Van Halen II.

In 1979, on March 23, Van Halen II is released and on April 3, it's certified gold. One month later, on May 8th, it's certified platinum.