Simon Hosford’s Fair Warning To Perform Van Halen’s First at Melbourne Guitar Show

The Melbourne Guitar Show will have a special treat for 2019 with Simon Hosford’s Fair Warning performing the entire debut album from Van Halen.

Van Halen’s self-titled debut was released on 10 February, 1978. The band had been recording since 1976. Their first three-song demo was financed by Gene Simmons of Kiss. Sessions for the ‘Van Halen’ album began in October, 1977 with production by Ted Templeton.

Templeton has been a member of 60’s pop band Harper’s Bizarre. In the 70s he switched to production and produced albums the Doobie Brothers first two albums, including the hit ‘Listen To The Music’, Carly Simon’s ‘Another Passenger’ and the Montrose debut, which featured singer Sammy Hagar who would later join Van Halen.

‘Van Halen’ was recorded in the studio as a live album (ie: one take with all members together simultaneously in the studio). Michael Anthony once recalled how the band didn’t have many songs so they just recorded the songs from their live show in the studio.

The cover photos of the band were taken at West Hollywood’s famed Whiskey A Go-Go.

By 1996, ‘Van Halen’ had sold over 10 million in the USA. It ranks alongside their ‘1984’ as their biggest seller.

Van Halen Tracklisting

Side one

1.”Runnin’ with the Devil” (last played by Van Halen, 4 October, 2015, Hollywood)
2.”Eruption” (last played by Van Halen, 24 April, 1980, Cincinnati)
3.”You Really Got Me” (last played by Van Halen, 4 October, 2015, Hollywood)
4.”Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (last played by Van Halen, 4 October, 2015, Hollywood)
5.”I’m the One” (last played by Van Halen, 26 June 2013, Osaka)

Side two

6.”Jamie’s Cryin'” (last played by Van Halen, 18 June 2013, Nagoya)
7.”Atomic Punk” (last played by Van Halen, 18 June 2013, Nagoya
8.”Feel Your Love Tonight” (last played by Van Halen, 4 October, 2015, Hollywood)
9.”Little Dreamer” (last played by Van Halen, 3 July, 2008, Québec)
10.”Ice Cream Man” (last played by Van Halen, 4 October, 2015, Hollywood)
11.”On Fire” (last played by Van Halen, 2 September, 1984, Nuremberg)