Q 01/05

In which California city was Van Halen formed in 1972?

A) Los Angeles

B) San Diego

C) Pasadena

D) Sacramento

Answer · why

C) Pasadena

They built a following playing backyard parties and high-school events, drawing up to 2,000 people to city parks.

Q 02/05

In which country were Eddie and Alex Van Halen born?

A) The Netherlands

B) West Germany

C) Luxembourg

D) Indonesia

Answer · why

A) The Netherlands

Their father Jan was a Dutch musician and their mother Eugenia was Indonesian-born; the family moved to Pasadena in 1962.

Q 03/05

Which instrument did each brother originally play before they swapped?

A) Eddie violin, Alex trumpet

B) Eddie piano, Alex bass

C) Eddie bass, Alex piano

D) Eddie drums, Alex guitar

Answer · why

D) Eddie drums, Alex guitar

Frustrated, Eddie told Alex 'OK, you play drums and I'll play your guitar.'

Q 04/05

Which band name did the brothers drop in 1972 because a British group already used it?

A) Yes

B) Genesis

C) Journey

D) Boston Tea Party

Answer · why

B) Genesis

They became Mammoth, then in 1973 simply Van Halen.

Q 05/05

How did the band first get to know David Lee Roth?

A) They rented his sound system for $10 a night

B) He was Alex's college roommate

C) He won a talent contest they judged

D) He was their first manager

Answer · why

A) They rented his sound system for $10 a night

Roth was an Indiana-born Pasadena transplant with a PA system the young band needed.