Van Halen

Van Halen is an American rock band formed in the 1970s. From their debut album, Van Halen (1978) they became an influential band in American hard rock, releasing eleven studio albums, selling more than 80 million albums worldwide and earning the band the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most number one hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock List. According to the Recording Industry Association of America Van Halen is #19 on the list of Top Selling Artists of all time (having sold more than 56 million albums in the U.S.) and is one of only five rock groups that have had two albums sell more than 10 million copies in the U.S. The band and its best known former members were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 12, 2007.

In addition to being recognized for artistic contributions and success, the band is known for the drama surrounding its lead singer spot. Although the instrumentalists have remained the same (Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and until 2006, Michael Anthony), the band has recorded/toured with three different vocalists: David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone. Each departed (at least once) under cloudy circumstances. More recently Michael Anthony was replaced in the band by Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang, but this new lineup is not yet known to have performed or recorded.

Following their 2004 concert tour the band was on hiatus until September 2006, and since then the status of the band has been discussed by its members numerous times, though current details are vague. Other than three new songs in 2004, the band has released no new material since their album Van Halen III was released in 1998.