Van Halen's Frontmen Trivia Quiz

Answer: David Lee Roth

"Jump" was released as a single on December 21, 1983, and was included on Van Halen's sixth studio album "1984," which was released on January 9th, 1984.

David Lee Roth joined Eddie and Alex Van Halen as the singer for their band Mammoth in 1972 and a couple of years later (1974) they changed the name to Van Halen and took on bassist Michael Anthony. Roth's first tenure with the band lasted until 1984, at which point he left to pursue a solo career. A brief return occurred in 1996 to make a compilation album, but it seemed as though that would be it for any reunion possibilities, until they reconnected for a world tour in 2006 (with Wolfgang Van Halen now on bass). The reunion held together long enough to produce one more studio album, "A Different Kind of Truth" in 2012. The band officially dissolved with the death of Eddie Van Halen in 2020.

David Lee Roth got the idea for "Jump" after watching a news story about someone who was threatening to leap from a building. He imagined that a bystander might encourage the person to "go ahead and jump," and he transformed this scenario into a metaphor for taking bold actions and seizing opportunities in life.

"Jump" is one of Van Halen's most famous tracks, known for its distinctive synthesizer riff played by Eddie Van Halen. This song marked a significant shift from their usual guitar-heavy sound and became their only song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, where it held for five weeks.

Answer: David Lee Roth

"Panama" was released as the third single off "1984" on June 18, 1984, after already coming out with the album earlier that year in January. It did not fare quite as well in the charts as "Jump" from the same album, peaking at Number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. Regardless, "Panama" is a high-energy song with a memorable guitar riff that continued to be performed by the band, even as it changed lead singers.

Although the title "Panama" might suggest a connection to the country, the song was actually inspired by a car. David Lee Roth decided to write it after realizing he had never penned a song specifically about cars, despite often writing about women, partying, and fast vehicles. Interestingly, during the bridge, you can hear the sound of Eddie Van Halen's 1972 Lamborghini Miura S revving, which adds an authentic automotive touch to the track.

Answer: David Lee Roth

"Tattoo" was released on January 10, 2012 as the first single from the band's 12th studio album "A Different Kind of Truth," which was itself released on February 7th. This marked the return of David Lee Roth to the band after a long hiatus (and two intervening lead singers in Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone). The song only reached Number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Tattoo" draws its musical foundation from an earlier Van Halen song titled "Down in Flames," which dates back to 1977 and was part of their live performances during the band's formative years. The lyrics of "Tattoo" explore themes of personal expression and highlight the importance of tattoos as a means of self-identity.

Answer: Instrumental

"Cathedral" was an instrumental piece released with Van Halen's fifth studio album on April 14, 1982 (while Roth was still the band's frontman). It showcased Eddie Van Halen's innovative guitar techniques, using volume swells to create a unique, organ-like sound.

He recorded the track using a 1961 Fender Stratocaster, employing echo and chorus effects to enhance the ethereal quality of the music.

Answer: Sammy Hagar

"Inside" was released along with the rest of the album "5150" on March 24, 1986, and was not put out as a single. It is the closing track on the album, featuring Sammy Hagar in a laid-back, conversational style and includes humorous banter among the band members.

'The Red Rocker' joined Van Halen in 1985 and was the band's frontman until 1996, when Roth came back to do a compilation album. He returned for a second stint from 2003 to 2005, after which Gary Cherone joined the band as his replacement.

Answer: Sammy Hagar

"Poundcake" was released on June 10, 1991 as the first single from Van Halen's ninth studio album, "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge," which itself came out a week later. The song reached Number One on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks, where it stayed for three weeks.

"Poundcake" is notable for its distinctive guitar sound, which Eddie Van Halen achieved by using a power drill on his guitar strings. This innovative technique added a unique texture to the song's hard rock vibe. The lyrics reflect themes of desire and attraction, with Sammy Hagar's powerful vocals driving the song's energetic feel.

Answer: Sammy Hagar

"Amsterdam" was released on June 26, 1995 as the third single from Van Halen's 10th studio album, "Balance," which itself came out five months earlier on January 24th. The song reached Number Nine on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks, where it remained for eight weeks.

The lyrics of "Amsterdam" were inspired by Sammy Hagar's experiences and impressions of the city during his visits. The song reflects the freedom and vibrant atmosphere he felt in Amsterdam, including references to the city's liberal stance on cannabis. This led to some controversy within the band, as Eddie and Alex Van Halen, who were born in Amsterdam, felt the lyrics did not do justice to their birthplace. Despite this, Hagar insisted on keeping the lyrics as they were, emphasizing his perspective as a tourist.

Answer: Instrumental

"Baluchitherium" was an instrumental track released on January 24th along with the rest of the album "Balance." It was not released as a single. The song was named after an extinct genus of large, hornless mammals that resembled rhinoceroses and lived during the Oligocene epoch.

The track highlights the band's instrumental skills, featuring intricate guitar work by Eddie and dynamic drumming by Alex. "Baluchitherium" ended up being one of three instrumental pieces on the "Balance" album, showcasing the band's ability to explore different musical styles.

Notably, "Balance" was the last album to feature Sammy Hagar as the lead vocalist and the final album to include bassist Michael Anthony in its entirety.

Answer: Gary Cherone

"Once" was released on March 17, 1998 as part of Van Halen's 11th studio album, "Van Halen III," and was not released as a single. Featuring new frontman Gary Cherone with lyrics written by him, the ballad had a reflective and introspective tone and showcased a different side of the band's musical style. Musically, "Once" is built on a foundation of piano, gradually building up to an extended guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen.

Gary Cherone preceded his short stint with Van Halen as the lead singer of Extreme, which he co-founded in 1985. Cherone joined Van Halen late in 1996 after Sammy Hagar left and the band had a short reunion with David Lee Roth. Altogether, Cherone was the frontman from 1996 until 1999. After leaving Van Halen, Cherone continued to pursue music, forming the band Tribe of Judah and later reuniting with Extreme.

Answer: Gary Cherone

"Josephina" was released on March 17, 1998 along with the rest of "Van Halen III." It was not released as a single. The song's lyrics tell a story of longing and curiosity about someone named Josephina, reflecting on the past and seeking deeper knowledge about her life. "Josephina" is one of the tracks that highlights Gary Cherone's lyrical style and his ability to convey complex emotions through music.

Answer: Instrumental

"Neworld" is the opening track of "Van Halen III" and is purely instrumental. It sets a contemplative and melodic tone for the album. The song prominently features Eddie's guitar work, showcasing his ability to craft intricate and emotive instrumental pieces. "Neworld" is relatively short (1:45), providing a serene introduction before transitioning into the more dynamic and energetic songs that follow on the album.