Original artwork for Van Halen's first album, rejected for being "too punky" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 05-01-2009, 11:47 PM

An eBay user is selling off his copy of the original artwork for Van Halen’s first album, which not only has the band’s original, name-written-out-in-full logo, it has a picture of the band where David Lee Roth is relegated to the background–and sorta-mimicking Johnny Rotten:

The reputed story is that David Lee Roth spotted a Sex Pistols similar pose and requested the same for his cover. When this version was done, he rejected it as he thought it was too punky.

Noel also told me that Alex hated his photo, it made him “look like a giant”.

A close-up of the original art, in which Alex is up front (for some reason I thought he was actually Dave, and that Alex had dyed his hair):

I have no idea which Pistols shot Dave was inspired by (perhaps one from this shoot?), but I’m glad that someone stepped in and changed the logo, at the very least. Sure, the original version would have looked awesome in ballpoint pen on a cloth binder, but it would have resulted in more people spelling the band’s name “Van Halan” than not.

http://idolator.com/5224652/would-va...the-same-punch

TJL · 05-02-2009, 02:15 AM

That looks like crap.

The album cover we all know and love is much better.

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TJL

That looks like crap.

The album cover we all know and love is much better.

I agree. The album cover that ended up being used is now iconic - and BETTER!!

ABlairican Pie · 05-02-2009, 08:22 AM

It almost made sense, the first one, with the punk rock poses, since David Lee Roth called himself the "Atomic Punk" on the one song. I think back then everyone who was hard rawk or heavy metal was compelled to adopt a "punk"/new wave" pose, because that was what was selling. Thank God they stuck with the other one, the first one looks kind of primitive.

I remember over thirty years ago, before I or anyone had ever heard of Van Halen, I thought, what a cool-looking band! I wonder if they're any good or if they'll go far. Then when you heard the songs, it was like WOW!!

These guys are awesome!!! I was thrilled when I saw them open for Black Sabbath in 1978. Sabbath had some serious competition back then. It was the tour that spelled the end for Ozzy with them back then, VH were one of the reasons why he was forced out.

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 11:55 AM

^ Sounds like an awesome show. Thanks for sharing the story!!

Nighthawk76 · 05-02-2009, 12:15 PM

The picture on the original album cover is slightly older too. I think it might be from 1976. I have a book of early Van Halen photos, and if I'm not mistaken, that is photo taken of the band around the time Michael Anthony joined.

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 12:27 PM

In any case, I don't blame Alex Van Halen for not liking his picture here - he looks scary!!

Nighthawk76 · 05-02-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

In any case, I don't blame Alex Van Halen for not liking his picture here - he looks scary!!

Al always looks scary.

He's one of the great drummers though. I think with all the attention that Eddie gets, people tend to overlook Alex. Just listen to "Poundcake" or "Panama"; that man rocks!

catlover79 · 05-02-2009, 02:59 PM

Oh, yes, he's one of my fave rock drummers. He started out on the guitar, and Eddie started out on drums, they switched and the rest is history. But he looks even scarier than usual in that pic.

ABlairican Pie · 05-03-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

^ Sounds like an awesome show. Thanks for sharing the story!!

Yeah, it was amazing, VH were these up and coming young guys from Pasadena, they were wild, Dave did all this high kicks and Eddie and Michael just roamed the stage. Alex thundered on the drums and each member got their own solo spot. Alex Van Halen did a drum solo with strobelights flashing from underneath his kit, and Eddie played an extended version of "Eruption", which became the new guitar song everyone in the world HAD to learn! Hearing that song for the first time blew everything else away. Dave even made comments such as "Last week we were back east trying Milwaukee's finest--and I'm not talking about any goddamn beer!!" The band was hilarious and just awesome to see.

05-01-2009, 11:47 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Original artwork for Van Halen's first album, rejected for being "too punky" An eBay user is selling off his copy of the original artwork for Van Halen’s first album, which not only has the band’s original, name-written-out-in-full logo, it has a picture of the band where David Lee Roth is relegated to the background–and sorta-mimicking Johnny Rotten: The reputed story is that David Lee Roth spotted a Sex Pistols similar pose and requested the same for his cover. When this version was done, he rejected it as he thought it was too punky. Noel also told me that Alex hated his photo, it made him “look like a giant”. A close-up of the original art, in which Alex is up front (for some reason I thought he was actually Dave, and that Alex had dyed his hair): I have no idea which Pistols shot Dave was inspired by (perhaps one from this shoot?), but I’m glad that someone stepped in and changed the logo, at the very least. Sure, the original version would have looked awesome in ballpoint pen on a cloth binder, but it would have resulted in more people spelling the band’s name “Van Halan” than not. http://idolator.com/5224652/would-va...the-same-punch Attached Images
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05-02-2009, 02:15 AM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	That looks like crap. The album cover we all know and love is much better.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

05-02-2009, 08:22 AM	#4
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	It almost made sense, the first one, with the punk rock poses, since David Lee Roth called himself the "Atomic Punk" on the one song. I think back then everyone who was hard rawk or heavy metal was compelled to adopt a "punk"/new wave" pose, because that was what was selling. Thank God they stuck with the other one, the first one looks kind of primitive. I remember over thirty years ago, before I or anyone had ever heard of Van Halen, I thought, what a cool-looking band! I wonder if they're any good or if they'll go far. Then when you heard the songs, it was like WOW!! These guys are awesome!!! I was thrilled when I saw them open for Black Sabbath in 1978. Sabbath had some serious competition back then. It was the tour that spelled the end for Ozzy with them back then, VH were one of the reasons why he was forced out.
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05-02-2009, 11:55 AM	#5
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	^ Sounds like an awesome show. Thanks for sharing the story!!

05-02-2009, 12:15 PM	#6
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	The picture on the original album cover is slightly older too. I think it might be from 1976. I have a book of early Van Halen photos, and if I'm not mistaken, that is photo taken of the band around the time Michael Anthony joined.

05-02-2009, 12:27 PM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	In any case, I don't blame Alex Van Halen for not liking his picture here - he looks scary!!

05-02-2009, 02:59 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Oh, yes, he's one of my fave rock drummers. He started out on the guitar, and Eddie started out on drums, they switched and the rest is history. But he looks even scarier than usual in that pic.