• Exclusively Van Halen: The Story Behind the Festival Where Van Halen Scored $1.5 Million! 9/23/24

  • Sep 23 2024
  • Length: 25 mins
  • Podcast

Exclusively Van Halen: The Story Behind the Festival Where Van Halen Scored $1.5 Million! 9/23/24

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  • https://youtube.com/live/K6y4OeQAJWE Striped Frankenstein Relic, RBW Guitar - http://sweetwater.sjv.io/eKk5jZ Please note : the above is an affiliate link and helps support the show! By 1983, all-day rock festivals were nothing new in the U.S., with iconic events like California Jam, Texxas Jam, Day on the Green, Monterey Pop Festival, and Woodstock drawing massive crowds. However, a full-day festival dedicated entirely to heavy metal hadn't yet taken place on American soil. Across the Atlantic, the UK had already hosted a few Monsters of Rock Festivals at Castle Donington, spotlighting headbanger favorites like Rainbow, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Scorpions, and Blue Öyster Cult. Taking inspiration from these, the organizers of the second US Festival, Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and promoter Bill Graham, made a brilliant decision: they dedicated Sunday, May 29th, 1983, exclusively to heavy metal fans. The lineup was a metalhead's dream: Van Halen headlined, with Scorpions, Triumph, Judas Priest, and Ozzy Osbourne as support. The festival also gave a platform to then-up-and-comers Mötley Crüe and Quiet Riot. Interestingly, Joe Walsh was initially slated to perform that day but was moved to "Rock Day," headlined by David Bowie, on May 30th. To get Van Halen to pause work on their upcoming album—the now-legendary 1984—the organizers had to offer a hefty paycheck. And hefty it was: Van Halen reportedly received $1.5 million for their two-hour set, an unheard-of sum at the time. Not only that, but Van Halen went all out backstage. According to Pete Angelus, a key collaborator on the band's music videos and stage lighting, David Lee Roth decided to spend a significant portion of their payment creating a lavish backstage compound. "Dave thought it’d be a great idea to take a substantial chunk of that money and build a 'backstage compound' where he could hang out for five days before the event," Angelus shared in the 2011 book MTV Ruled the World: The Early Years of Music Video. "He had his friends out there, different trailers, and even dancers flown in from strip clubs." Angelus also recalled filming a short, staged documentary a month before the festival to depict the wild happenings in the compound. Despite the fun, the extended partying seemed to catch up with Roth. "An hour before they were set to go on, I noticed that five days of partying had caught up with Dave. He was a little shaky, but he was just enjoying himself," Angelus laughed. While Roth may not have been at 100%, Van Halen still delivered. Watching footage of their US Festival performance today, you can see Roth occasionally flub a line, but the band's energy and party vibe were unmatched. For two solid hours, they owned the stage, capturing the spirit of 1980s hard rock at its peak. “Exclusively Van Halen" is the ultimate destination for all things Van Halen. Step into the world of rock and roll legends as we delve deep into the history, music, and trivia surrounding one of the most iconic bands of all time. Join us as we explore Van Halen's storied career, from their electrifying performances to the making of their timeless hits. Get to know the band members, their inspirations, and the stories behind the songs that have rocked generations. But that's not all – tune in for exciting giveaways where you can win exclusive Van Halen merchandise and more. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just discovering the magic of Van Halen, this show promises to keep you entertained, informed, and rocking out from start to finish. Get ready to jump into the world of "Exclusively Van Halen" and experience the music like never before. We talk all things Van Halen!
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