The 500 - #415 - Debut - Van Halen

I was inspired by a podcast called The 500 hosted by Los Angeles-based comedian Josh Adam Meyers. His goal, and mine, is to explore Rolling Stone's 2012 edition of The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. 

Album # 415

Album Title: Debut (Self-Titled)
Artist: Van Halen
Genre: Hard Rock, Heavy Metal
Recorded: Sunset South Recorders, Hollywood, California
Released: February, 1978
My age at release: 12
How familiar was I with it before this week: Very
Song I am putting on my Spotify Mix: Runnin' with the Devil

As I've said before, my favourite three bands for most of my early teen years were: (1) Rush, (2) Van Halen and (3) Cheap Trick. This debut album by Van Halen was certainly one that supercharged my love of rock music into high-gear. It was one of the first records I purchased with my own money and for about three years it was on my turntable daily. I knew every nuance on every track. In the late 70s and early 80s, the four members of this group were the epitome of cool -- musicians with confidence, swagger, flare and the talent to back it up. 

Shortly after moving to London, Ontario in the late Spring of 1980 I learned that Van Halen was coming to town on the Canadian leg of their Invasion Tour. Within days of the news, I figured-out local transit in order to purchase a general admission ticket at Sam the Record Man. I began counting the days. 

General admission meant there were no designated seating assignments. I wanted a place near the front of the stage and the best way to secure it was lining up early on the day of the show. My plans hit a speed-bump when my mother reminded me of an appointment with a knee specialist on the morning of the show. Then, she said, "we should stop downtown to see Terry Fox arrive at Victoria Park".

Terry Fox on his Marathon of Hope (1980)

Terry Fox, now one of Canada's most revered and famous heroes, had recently embarked on The Marathon of Hope. Fox, whose right leg had been amputated due to cancer, was running across Canada in order to raise awareness for the disease. He hoped to convince every Canadian to contribute a single dollar to his cause and reach a goal of 25 million dollars for The Canadian Cancer Society.

His marathon began quietly on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean near St. John, Newfoundland. By the time he reached Ontario, his fame was growing steadily. With the medical appointment out of the way, I got to hear him speak to the crowd -- hours before the concert -- but I was in an adolescent panic. With every tick of the clock I kept thinking...."People are lining-up ahead of me!!"

The London Gardens (c 1980)

Nevertheless, I made it to the show in plenty of time and begrudgingly joined the lengthy line that had gathered. Once inside, the floor of the arena was quite crowded and, reluctantly, I found an aisle seat in the stands. It provided an elevated view of the stage, well above the heads of the throng below. In all honesty, The London Gardens is a small venue for a rock show, holding fewer than 5000 people. There really wasn't a bad seat in the house. The show was everything I'd hoped -- loud rock music, a brilliant light production, incredible musicianship and lead singer David Lee Roth's acrobatics and comedic banter.

David Lee Roth leaping from the drum riser during
a performance on the 1980 Invasion Tour

In retrospect, the medical appointment was a  boon because I was able to attend the Terry Fox event. His Marathon of Hope celebrates a bittersweet 40th anniversary this year. On September 1, 1980, just outside Thunder Bay, Ontario, Terry tearfully suspended his run because the cancer had returned and spread to his lungs. He died on his 22nd birthday, June 28, 1981.

It is the recollection of that day in 1980 that make me thankful to be alive. I got a chance to see two significant events in the history of my city, and I am still clicking a keyboard 40 years later to share the tale.