It was 45 years ago today (February 10th, 1978) that Van Halen released their self-titled debut album. The collection, which hit Number 19 on the Billboard 200, peaked at Number Four on the magazine’s Top Rock Albums chart, and redefined the direction of hard rock for the 1980’s. The set, which was produced by Ted Templeman — best known for his work with the Doobie Brothers — spawned such instant radio staples as “Runnin’ With The Devil,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” and the band’s killer reinvention of the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.”
The tracklisting to 1978’s Van Halen is: “Runnin’ With The Devil,” “Eruption,” “You Really Got Me,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” “I’m The One,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” “Atomic Punk,” “Feel Your Love Tonight,” “Little Dreamer,” “Ice Cream Man,” and “On Fire.”
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