Greg Renoff

“What was captured on tape sounded apocalyptic. 'Eruption' (first titled 'Guitar Solo,' according to the song’s track sheet), takes flight after a quick drum fill and a power chord. Edward sends notes and harmonics soaring before diving down with some gravity-defying tremolo bar bends. Alex and Michael then fire off a flak burst of three chords. Edward maneuvers again, twisting and turning, strafing and bombing before turning on the jets and heading skyward with a flurry of notes. He recedes again, leaving only a descending low note in his wake. After another pause, he attacks again, faster than ever. He weaves and twists and then unleashes his secret weapon: his two-handed tapping technique that would astound and confound guitarists across the world. Finally, an atomic blast, courtesy of Edward’s Univox echo chamber, concludes this minute and forty-three seconds of open warfare on the guitar world.”
― Greg Renoff, Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal

“They were like, ‘Wow, look at this guy! Wow, look at that!’ David Lee Roth was the first local guy to open the shirt, show the hairy chest, and say, ‘We’re here to par-tay. I’m here for sex. I’m here to have sex.’ He looked like a complete Neanderthal, and he moved onstage like a fucking Chippendales dancer, like a stripper. David had a new way of doing things. It was unique. Look at Randy Rhoads during that exact period of time. He was very effeminate. Van Halen wasn’t doing that. They’d play some dance and get fucked up on coke and fuck chicks.”
― Greg Renoff, Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal