Ep 2. Van Halen

In the second episode of Breaking the Band season 1, we take a look at one of the most famous rock bands in history - Van Halen. The episode explores the rise and fall of the band and how it all started with their larger-than-life lead singer, David Lee Roth.

The episode starts off by showing us how the band came together in the 70s, with the Van Halen brothers, Eddie and Alex, forming the core of the group. They were later joined by David Lee Roth who became the face of the band and their flamboyant frontman. The episode paints a vivid picture of how the band's sound was heavily influenced by Eddie Van Halen's unique style of playing the guitar.

As the episode progresses, we learn more about the band's early years, which were marked by a string of successful albums and hit singles. The band's popularity continued to grow exponentially, but with that success came some challenges. The episode shows us how the band members started to become divided on certain issues and tensions began to surface between Eddie and David.

We also get to see how the band's drug and alcohol use affected their careers and relationships with each other. This leads to a number of infamous incidents, such as David Lee Roth's arrest for buying cocaine in 1980 and his subsequent departure from the band soon after.

Despite these challenges, the band continued to put out hit albums and singles, and their fans remained loyal. However, the band's success was not without cost. We see how their relentless touring and partying started to take a toll on their personal lives and the band's relationships.

In the latter part of the episode, we see how the band went through a number of lineup changes, with Sammy Hagar replacing David Lee Roth as the lead vocalist in 1985. This leads to a new era for the band, with a new sound and a new lineup. However, this new era does not come without controversy, and we see how the band's fans and critics react to these changes.

As the episode draws to a close, we get to see how the band's fortunes continue to ebb and flow. In the end, we are left with a sense of the band's impact and legacy in the world of rock and roll, despite their challenges and struggles. Breaking the Band season 1 episode 2, Van Halen, is a gripping and insightful exploration of one of the most iconic rock bands of all time.