Van Halen: A Visual Biography

Presenting the NEW SOFTCOVER EDITION of Van Halen: A Visual Biography by Martin Popoff, following the now out-of-print hardcover release. (This edition showcases a stunning new cover photo of Eddie Van Halen.)

This visually stunning book spans 224 pages. With roughly 330 images—over half being electrifying live shots from five decades of guitar mastery—the remainder showcases rare memorabilia, magazine ads, 45 sleeves, promo items, ticket stubs, and passes. For the first time in a Van Halen coffee table book, both David Lee Roth’s and Sammy Hagar’s solo careers are included. An exquisitely detailed, nearly 20,000-word timeline traces the band’s storied career.

Millions of fans agree: Van Halen truly deserves a comprehensive visual biography. From single sleeves and passes to posters, promo items, and—most importantly—the band members themselves (Dave, Ed, Mikey, Al, Sam, Gary, and Wolfgang), Van Halen embodied an explosion of color and energy. This book is a visual feast that captures their vibrant legacy.

Celebrate this legendary band’s karate-kicking action from the mid-1970s through their final tour in 2015 and all the solo projects in between. Martin Popoff’s acclaimed, detail-rich timeline—filled with fascinating trivia—guides readers through forty years of Van Halen’s monumental rock history.

From “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Jump” to “Panama,” “Hot for Teacher,” and “Right Now,” these iconic anthems are accompanied by the compelling narrative of Van Halen’s two legendary frontmen: Diamond David Lee Roth and Sammy “Red Rocker” Hagar. Both are spotlighted in depth, including their solo careers, within the broader celebration of the band’s evolution.

The result is a vibrant symphony of words and images—a book that sets itself apart from previous Van Halen collections by including an array of rare memorabilia, unique ephemera, and captivating images on every page. Readers are invited to bask in four decades of the band’s exhilarating, edge-of-your-seat rock legacy.

• SOFTCOVER
• 224 pages
• Approximately 330 images
• Size 11.7" x 8.25" x 0.6"
• Weight 2 pounds
• Hardcover published 2020 in the UK (out of print)
• Softcover published 2025 in the UK

Author Martin Popoff has penned 115 books on hard rock, heavy metal, classic rock, and record collecting. For 14 years, he was Editor-In-Chief of the now-retired Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles, Canada’s foremost metal publication. He has also contributed to Revolver, Guitar World, Goldmine, Record Collector, Bravewords, and more. He currently resides in Toronto.