Van Halen rising : how a southern california backyard party band saved heavy metal

After years of gigging everywhere from suburban backyards to dive bars, Van Halen - led by frontman extraordinaire David Lee Roth and guitar virtuoso Edward Van Halen - had the songs, the swagger and the talent to turn the rock world on its ear.

The quartet's classic 1978 debut, Van Halen, sold more than a million copies within months of release and sky-rocketed the band to the stratosphere of rock success.

Their high-energy shows left fans and bands alike floored.

Based on more than 230 original interviews, Van Halen Rising tells of the band's electric rise to fame.