Van Halen

As iconic as Van Halen have come to be, they had to start somewhere.

Van Halen is the band's debut album, released in February 1978.  The album reached No. 19 on Billboard 200 in 1978.  By 1996, over 10 million copies sold in the U.S. and was certified Diamond.  (Wikipedia) 

Signature Van Halen songs from the debut album include - "Runnin' With the Devil," the "Eruption" guitar solo, "You Really Got Me," and many others.  (Wikipedia)

Point of intrigue -

Initial recordings in 1976 did not find interest with record labels and even Eddie Van Halen.  However, offers for concert performances were given and at one particular concert, the band was discovered by manager, Marshall Berle.  A performance at Whisky a Go Go (a Los Angeles club) caught the attention of Warner Bros.  From there, a contract was signed.  Early on, Van Halen opened for Journey, Montrose (whose vocalist was Sammy Hagar), and Black Sabbath in Europe and the United States.  (Wikipedia)

Point of interest -

A copy of Eddie Van Halen's custom created guitar - the Frankenstrat (a.k.a. The Frankenstein) - is housed in the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.  (Wikipedia)

Van Halen Certifications -

Certified Gold in May 1978

Certified Platinum in October 1978

Within the first year, over one million copies sold in the U.S. alone.

Certified 5x Multi-Platinum in October 1984

Certified 6x Multi-Platinum in February 1989

Certified 7x Multi-Platinum in September 1993

Certified 8x Multi-Platinum in July 1994

Van Halen International Certifications -

4x Platinum in Canada

Gold in Finland, France, Germany, UK

(Wikipedia)

The guitar solo in "Eruption" will forever be my most favorite signature.  To note, though, "You Really Got Me" charted No. 36 on Billboard in 1978 and "Runnin' With the Devil" charted No. 84 on Billboard in the same year.  

The iconic emphasis of the guitar in "Eruption" is where I will leave off.