The Van Halen family immigrates to the United States on 22 February 1962 with a piano and 75 guilders ($15 US) in their possession. They settle in California.
Edward and Alex form their first band - The Broken Combs, in 1965. Decked out in turtleneck shirts, the group performed lunchroom concerts at Hamilton Elementary School and featured Ed on piano and Alex on saxophone along with Don Ferris. In addition, Brian Hill played drums and Kevin Hill played a plastic Emenee guitar.
In 1966 Eddy begins playing his four-piece $125 Japanese St. George drum set, learning the Dave Clark Five's "Glad All Over" and "Bits and Pieces," while Alex takes flamenco guitar lessons. While Edward was delivering newspapers to pay for his kit, Alex would sit at the drums learning "Wipeout." A short time later, they switched instruments.
In 1971 Edward Van Halen attends a Led Zeppelin concert where he gets the idea for tapping after watching Jimmy Page perform "Heartbreaker."
The Trojan Rubber Company is formed, featuring Ed on guitar, Alex on drums, Dennis Travis on bass and occasional guitar, and a short-lived keyboardist. The band also went by the name The Space Brothers so they could perform at area schools.
he band Mammoth is formed in 1972, featuring Edward on guitar and lead vocals, Alex on drums, and Mark Stone on bass.
David Lee Roth auditions for Mammoth in 1973. He is accepted and leaves The Red Ball Jets to join Edward, Alex and.....
