Van Halen

Sam Coghlan was Deputy Director and Senior Consultant of the Thames Ontario Library Service Board, Southwestern Ontario.

Heavy metal exists as a sub-genre of rock and roll which typically can be identified by three crucial elements: blistering guitar solos, screaming vocals howling out lyrics of adolescent sexual lament and, most importantly, volume. The band, Van Halen, is among the vanguard of heavy metal — if a group of bands seemingly bent on imitating the late Led Zeppelin can be said to have a vanguard.

The popular concept of heavy metal is partially created by a proclivity among such bands for leather and metal presented together in an arrogance that suggests only barely subdued violence. This book about Van Halen, however, does much to dissipate such impressions. The text by Peter Goddard rings out like a paean to the unbridled enthusiastic joy that characterizes the spirit of this band. Four intelligent, well-trained musicians ( two bearing the last name, Van Halen) are shown to be actively pursuing the having and the giving of fun. Neither bitterness, social maladjustment, nor misogyny is evident. Goddard’s writing here is an example of rock advocacy at its best.

The book is not a reference book; it is a fan’s book. Some facts on the band are given, but these are interspersed throughout the book. The interesting interview with David Lee Roth evidences the intelligence behind the band’s music and movements.

Philip Kamin’s photographs complement Goddard’s writing. They demonstrate the band’s vitality and they show that these musicians are actually having a good time. The genuine enthusiasm which Van Halen shows for what they’re doing as reflected in this book is sufficient to convince anyone at least to try to like their music.