Not many groups do acrimony and conjecture quite like Van Halen. Behind the sold-out stadiums, explosive guitar solos and eye-watering commercial success, the metal band had many different chapters, three different frontmen, and a wildly oscillating existence. For most fans, though, their classic period is fronted by David Lee Roth.
After all, during this period, the group's music was at its rawest, with the searing technical ability of guitar hero Eddie Van Halen augmented by Roth's swaggering showmanship. Plus, the group had all the right minerals for success with a rhythm section of bassist Michael Anthony and drummer Alex Van Halen. They quickly erupted from the California scene and put a distinctive twist on metal, which needed rejuvenating.
However, early on, an artistic and personal schism emerged between Eddie and Roth. While they played together for nine years, which saw them secure astronomical success, Roth wanted popularity at all costs and wasn't bothered if they secured it with cover songs like their debut single, the terrible rendition of The Kinks' 'You Really Got Me', or if it was original songs about stale tropes such as partying and women in the vein of Aerosmith. On the other hand, Eddie wanted original and much darker songs.
Although both men were effective counterbalancing agents to one another, on 1982's Diver Down they started to split beyond repair. While making the album, Eddie replaced his original guitar and synthesiser compositions with five covers of popular songs, some of which became singles such as 'Dancing in the Street' and '(Oh) Pretty Woman'.
In response, Eddie built a cutting-edge recording studio at his home, which allowed him to subtly regain his grip on the creative process. The result was the hit album 1984, which produced the iconic crossover success 'Jump', a record marked out by its prominent synths and electronic textures. This became their last album with Roth until 2012 when he preferred traditional guitar-led rock.
In early 1985, during his final stages with Van Halen, Roth released his strange pop EP Crazy From the Heat as something of a response. Just six months later, he officially left the band. His replacement was former Montrose frontman Sammy Hagar, a completely different vocalist and personality. His inclusion revived the group and led them on a run of four number-one, multi-platinum albums.
While Hagar would also leave Van Halen under acrimonious circumstances in 1996, Roth's exit is still the one that is shrouded in the most conjecture, with both camps having differing tales. However, what is clear is that after a Rolling Stone interview appeared in 1986 with Eddie damning his old bandmate, he was more than peeved.
Over a year after departing from Van Halen, David Lee Roth was in Toronto for a show at the Maple Leaf Gardens. Prior to his performance, his record label hosted a press conference where he talked about his debut album Eat 'Em and Smile and introduced his new band, featuring Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, and Greg Bissonette. True to form, Roth also addressed Eddie Van Halen's negative comments about him in the press.
Roth claimed that before his departure, he and Eddie openly discussed that they were having a musical and "career difference". They both accepted they would go their own ways, shed tears, hugged it out, and then Eddie left. At that point, although sad, Roth thought things were okay with his old outfit. Then, just two weeks later, he was shocked to read in Rolling Stone about "what an asshole I am" and how "poor little Eddie" was forced to spend the last 12 years of his life "living a lie". The irritated Roth then likened the piece to a slice of gossip that the National Enquirer was known for, particularly in light of Eddie's wife, 'backing up' his claims in the piece.
Roth claimed he had remained silent for months while enduring repeated jabs from his former bandmate. Despite Eddie Van Halen's criticisms, Roth maintained that there was no reason for fans to feel they had to choose between the two. This fundamental difference in approach highlighted the underlying issue that ultimately caused the band's breakup: competition.
He said: "I don't think you have to make a choice, but Van Halen demands it! Van Halen is demanding, for some bizarre, retarded reason, for the audience to make a choice: 'You have to either love us and hate him or vice versa.' They demand it."
Roth, who had been diplomatic until that point, then ripped the gloves off, delving headfirst into the inherent artistic and personal dichotomy that had torn Van Halen apart in the first place: "Well, I'll rise to the challenge. Fine, I eat you for breakfast, pal. I eat you and smile."
"Since my very first days with the band 11 years ago, I have always had the feeling that one day I would wake up in a cold hotel, all the rooms would be empty, and I would be stuck by a phone with a busy signal. From the first day," Roth told Billboard in 1985. "Nothing has changed."
Additionally, Roth had been sidetracked by the idea of turning Crazy from the Heat into a film featuring him in the starring role. He wanted to bring the rest of the band into the production and asked Eddie Van Halen to create the soundtrack, but the guitarist declined the offer.
During an interview with Rolling Stone in 1986, Eddie declared this moment the final straw in their relationship. He claimed Roth said: "I can't work with you guys anymore. I want to do my movie. Maybe when I'm done, we'll get back together."
Meanwhile, Roth reflected in 2014: "The bottom line is I wanted more control. I was always butting heads with Ted Templeman about what makes a good record. My philosophy has always been I'd rather bomb with my own music than make it with other people's music."
The truth is, the two men were simply too grand to be opposing forces within the same greoup, so a split was likely always on the cards.