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Diver Down, Van Halen

Updated: Oct 4



"Rocking into Puberty: Van Halen's Diver Down Unleashed!"


When I stumbled upon Van Halen at 15, little did I know I was about to unlock the door to a world of electrifying rock 'n' roll magic. Eddie Van Halen, the ultimate "guitar hero," proved his mastery time and time again. The mesmerizing rendition of Roy Orbison's '50s classic, "Pretty Woman," reimagined by Van Halen, hooked me with an introduction that makes it impossible not to crank the volume up. It was one of their anthems, igniting arena concerts as they closed their sets. I could not witness until years later when they had a different group alignment, including Sammy Hagar.


The serendipitous moment happened during a routine grocery shopping trip to "Aurrera" with my mom. As she kindly indulged me with a purchase to stop me from whining, I chose an album from the "new" rack with the most captivating cover - a choice I couldn't understand until years later during my first scuba diving adventure. Little did I realize that listening to "Diver Down" a few times would transform me from a child to a full-fledged rock 'n' roll-obsessed teenager, adorning my room with a wild collection of posters.


"Diver Down" may not be Van Halen's best album, but every track is a testament to Eddie's guitar mastery. The album showcases the band's versatility, blending their signature hard rock sound with captivating covers and mesmerizing instrumental tracks. In addition to Orbison's timeless hit, the album has several other covers from The Kinks, Martha and the Vandelas, and Roy Rogers, though back then, I wasn't interested in knowing the original artists—all I cared about was the electrifying experience.


Over the years, "Diver Down" has remained a constant in my all-time favorites list. Van Halen opened up a treasure trove of their past, and as they continued to surprise us with their musical evolution, the love and fascination continued to grow.


"Diver Down" is a gem that is always worth listening to. It is a portal into the rock 'n' roll magic of Van Halen's legendary career. So crank up the volume and let yourself be carried away by the electrifying energy of this unforgettable album.

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