Q 01/05

In which California city was Van Halen formed?

A) Long Beach

B) San Diego

C) Pasadena

D) Sacramento

Answer · why

C) Pasadena

Pasadena: the band built its following at backyard parties and high-school gigs there before graduating to Hollywood clubs such as the Starwood and th...

Q 02/05

In which country were Eddie and Alex Van Halen born?

A) The Netherlands

B) West Germany

C) South Africa

D) Indonesia

Answer · why

A) The Netherlands

The Netherlands: their Dutch father and Indonesian-descended mother faced racism there as a mixed-race couple, so the family emigrated to California i...

Q 03/05

Eddie Van Halen gave his drum kit to his brother Alex after hearing him play which surf song?

A) Wipe Out

B) Pipeline

C) Misirlou

D) Walk, Don't Run

Answer · why

A) Wipe Out

Wipe Out: Alex had been the guitarist and Eddie the drummer, so they swapped for good, and Eddie took up the electric guitar instead.

Q 04/05

In 1972, the band that later became Van Halen went by what name?

A) Yes

B) Genesis

C) Journey

D) Queen

Answer · why

B) Genesis

Genesis: the band later took singer David Lee Roth's suggestion to rename itself Van Halen.

Q 05/05

Before David Lee Roth joined Van Halen, what did the band pay him for?

A) Renting his PA system

B) Writing their lyrics

C) Booking their club gigs

D) Singing on their demo

Answer · why

A) Renting his PA system

Renting his PA system: Eddie said they soon decided it was 'much cheaper if we just get him in the band,' so Roth became their singer.