The full-on assault of one of the most potent debut albums in Rock history was reverberating across the country today with the release of the self-titled debut album by Van Halen. The group had done some demo recordings with Gene Simmons providing guidance that generated interest from labels. Warner Brothers got the band to sign and the first album was hammered out in the studio in under a month. Recording was fast because the group had been playing the songs on it relentlessly at clubs throughout southern California. Opening stints on Journey and Black Sabbath tours and rapidly accelerating album sales elevated VH to headlining status within 18 months.
Other Noteworthy Classic Rock events on February 10 include...
1962 Metallica bass player Cliff Burton born.
1966 Bob Marley marries Rita Anderson.
1972 David Bowie performs as Ziggy Stardust on stage in London.
1971 Carole King releases Tapestry.
1974 Producer Phil Spector is seriously injured in a car wreck.
1974 Deep Purple opens US tour in Los Angles.
1977 The Clash starts recording debut album.
1986 John Lennon’s Live In New York City released.
1990 Closing night of Eric Clapton's 18 night residency at Royal Albert Hall.
1991 Bruce Hornsby and Branford Marsalis play the national anthem before the NBA All Star game in Charlotte.
1997 Sweet lead singer Brian Connolly dies of Liver failure and a heart attack.
1998 John Fogerty plays Fords Theater in Washington in tribute to Bill Clinton.
1998 Axl Rose gets arrested on disorderly conduct charge after an altercation with a baggage hander in Arizona airport.
1999 Musician Magazine suspends publication.
2003 Rolling Stones do a free concert in LA in support of climate change awareness.
2005 Roger Daltry is awarded Commander of the Order of the British Empire status.
2006 Neil Young Heart Of Gold documentary premiers.
2009 Van Morrison releases Astral Weeks Live at the Hollywood Bowl.
2017 Tom Petty honored as MusiCares Person of the Year in LA tributes that includes Heartbreakers reunion and performances by Don Henley, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, Gary Clark Jr., Jeff Lynne, Dhani Harrison...
