The book begins with an account of Van Halen's explosive arrival on the California hard rock scene in 1978, revealing the powers of lead singer David Lee Roth, wunderkind guitarist Eddie Van Halen, good-natured bassist Michael Anthony and complex drummer Alex Van Halen.

The story follows the band's development and success, through Sammy Hagar's replacement of Roth in 1985, and his own replacement by former-Extreme singer Gary Cherone in the late Nineties.

Along the way, appearances are made by prominent supporting players, including Eddie Van Halen's wife Valerie Bertinelli, musical collaborator Michael Jackson and business partner Gene Simmons of Kiss. - more on this story