The Very Best Of Van Halen, Featuring Three New Tracks, Explodes Into Stores July 20

Van Halen, one of the greatest hard rock bands ever, will release The Very Best Of Van Halen on July 20th. The two-disc, 36-track assemblage of full-on rock features three newly recorded and highly anticipated Van Halen songs and comes in the midst of their 2004 summer tour.

The Very Best Of Van Halen spans digitally re-mastered cuts from the group's 11 classic rock albums. The CD showcases the band's newly recorded single "Up For Breakfast," and debuts just-completed tracks-"It's About Time" and "Learning To See," all featuring vocals by Sammy Hagar. Additionally, material from 1993's Live: Right here, right now, highlighting concert cuts from Hagar's 1985 performances with Van Halen, are included. The collection features liner notes by Rolling Stone scribe David Wild and will be released by Warner Bros. Records to all retail outlets and www.onlyhitmusic.com [ http://www.onlyhitmusic.com/ ].

Van Halen has sold more than 50 million albums, kicking-off with their 1978 self-titled debut (powered by such classics as "Runnin' With The Devil," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love" and the beefed-up version of "You Really Got Me"-all included on The Very Best Of). The signature sound of Van Halen proved equally popular on 1979's Van Halen II, which hit #6 on the Billboard Album charts. Through 1980's Women And Children First, 1981's Fair Warning, 1982's Diver Down, and 1984's 10-million-certified 1984, each Van Halen release progressively escalated up the charts, boosted by the sounds of "And The Cradle Will Rock," "Panama," and the Billboard #1 Pop single "Jump," among others.

In 1986 the Van Halen lineup featuring former Montrose singer turned solo artist Sammy Hagar released the chart-topping LP 5150, which featured the band's top-selling single, "Why Can't This Be Love." This was followed by the #1 albums OU812 (featuring the hit "When It's Love"), the slyly titled For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (with the #1 Album Rock hit "Top Of The World" as well as "Right Now") and the multifaceted Balance, which delivered the smash "Can't Stop Lovin' You."

Source: Warner Strategic Marketing