TLC

After the conclusion of the successful FanMail tour, the ladies took some time off and pursued personal interests. However, it was during their contribution to the movie Twister that tension between Hagar and the brothers boiled over publicly with Hagar's departure. Left-Eye did, however, begin recording her solo album, Supernova. The band's Roth-era remake of The Kinks You Really Got Me was used in a Nissan commercial. The ladies eventually settled the feud, and The Challenge was never followed through. The hit single and award-winning video Right Now (F.U.C.K., 1991) was used to promote the ill-fated soft-drink Crystal Pepsi. In its November 28, 1999 issue, Entertainment Weekly ran a letter from Left-Eye that challenged her groupmates to record solo albums and let the fans judge which of the three was the most talented:. In addition to the band's success musically, the second incarnation of Van Halen also saw broadened use of the Van Halen brand as the band expanded its reach into other media with their music being featured in high-production value commercials and movies. Although it was David Lee Roth's innovative, over-the-top style that turned Van Halen from a member of the hard rock pack to the leader of it; Hagar's more conservative 'working man' person turned Van Halen into a franchise and icon.

Her contributions to the songs had been reduced to periodic eight-bar raps, and studio session singers often took her place on the background vocals for the groups' songs. Amazingly, Van Halen continued to enjoy tremendous popular success through the mid-90's, a period during which the anti-corporate rock, "Grunge Music" revolution, ended a decade of "Glam Metal" and dealt the final blow to many hard rock acts of the 1980s (Guns n' Roses and Poison to name a few). During and after the release of FanMail, Left-Eye made it known to the press on multiple occasions that she felt that she was unable to fully express herself working with TLC and Dallas Austin. In addition, Van Halen was nominated for two Grammy Awards- winning the 1991 Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal award for the album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. Like CrazySexyCool before it, FanMail won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album of 1999. Also, during this time, 17 singles breached the top 12 of the mainstream rock tracks chart. The videos for both songs were heavily fetured on MTV and BET, and three more singles received decent radio play without the support of a music video: "Silly Ho," "I'm Good At Being Bad," and "Dear Lie" (a video was shot for "Dear Lie," but it only played overseas). During Hagar's tenure, the band established a successful musical formula which delivered both commercial and artistic success. All four studio albums reached the #1 spot on the Billboard pop music chart.

FanMail was another success for TLC, selling 6 million copies and featuring the US #1 hits "No Scrubs," the first to feature Chili alone on lead vocals, and "Unpretty," an alternative rock-styled song about self-love written by Austin and T-Boz. Die-hard "old Van Halen" fans derisively referred to the new "Van-Hagar" sound as "soft" or "fluffy" when compared with the earlier Roth-era raucous 80s party, 'hair'-band style- a sound which Roth himself once described as a mix of "religion and hockey". TLC eventually began working with other producers for the FanMail album, until finally negotiating with Austin, who produced the bulk of FanMail and gave the album a futuristic, more pop-based feel. The result was a more mature, more integrated sound that differed markedly from the hard charging, straight through, run-away riffs of the group's earlier work. Left-Eye started her own Left-Eye Productions artist development company and signed Blaque, a TLC-like female R&B/hip-hop trio. Hagar's musical sensibility enabled Van Halen to be more accessible to a wider audience with lyrics that were more introspective and dreamy. This was coupled with expanded instrumentation by Eddie that demonstrated tighter thematic elements brought about through more advanced blending of sonic textures within each song. During this period, Chili appeared in the independent film HavPlenty and T-Boz recorded the solo single "Touch Myself" for the Fled soundtrack and co-starred in Hype Williams' 1998 film Belly with rappers Nas and DMX. Van Halen's period with Sammy Hagar was marked by two somewhat opposing trends: expansion of the band's commercial success and acceptance by a wider audience while at the same time experiencing a growing sense of fan resentment regarding the departure of Roth.

Austin wanted $4 million and creative control to work on the project, resulting in a stand-off between the producer and the artists. After this, every subsequent Van Halen album would break the top 5 of the pop charts. Preliminary work on TLC's third album, FanMail, was delayed when friction arose between the group and their main producer Dallas Austin, who was by this time dating Chili and helping to raise their young son Tron. The band's second production, Van Halen II, peaked at #6 on the charts and their fourth album, Fair Warning, topped out at #5. Reid by this time) was rescinded, and the group was set to re-enter the recording studio in 1997. (The Van Halen track "Runnin' with the Devil" and 1984's "Jump" are listed as two of the top 500 most influential songs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). TLC's contract was renegotiated, their production deal with Pebbitone and Pebbles (who had separated from husband L.A. In addition, both albums are regarded as milestones in rock and roll, ushering in artistic innovations that, although widely emulated, remain quite unique.

Both Pebbitone and LaFace countered that TLC simply wanted more money and were in no real financial danger, resulting in two years of legal hassles before the cases were finally settled in late 1996. Both albums have reached diamond status, each having sold over 10 million copies. They sought to renegotiate their contract wth LaFace--under their 1991 contract, they only received seven percent of the revenues from their album sales-- and to dissolve their association with Pebbitone. The band's top selling albums to date are their 1978 debut and 1984. They declared debts totaling 3.5 million dollars, much of it because of Lopes' insurance payments citing from the Rison arson incident and Watkins' medical bills, but the primary reason being that the three women were each taking home less than $35,000 a year after paying managers, producers, expenses, and taxes. The David Lee Roth era remains Van Halen's most critically and commercially successful period, having influenced nearly all bands who followed it. However, many were shocked when, in the midst of their apparent success, the members of TLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on July 3, 1995. Soon after, singer/guitarist/song-writer Sammy Hagar, who had been introduced to the band during a previous tour with Hagar's former band, Montrose, joined as the new vocalist.

CrazySexyCool eventually sold over 11 million copies, becoming one of only seven R&B albums to ever receive a diamond certification from the RIAA, and won the 1996 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. In the midst of their greatest commercial success and tour, the artistic and personal tensions between the musicians reached a breaking point, and Roth left the band on April 1, 1985 -- having been either dismissed or having quit, according to different reports. The album instead focused more on T-Boz's and Chili's contributions and a smoother, more fluid sound, similar to the most successful single from the first album, the US #2 hit "Baby-Baby-Baby." All four singles from Crazysexycool reached the Billboard Top 5, including "Red Light Special," "Diggin' On You," and the #1 hits "Creep" and "Waterfalls." "Waterfalls," an Organized-Noise produced record that featured an old-school soul-based musical arrangement, socially conscious lyrics criticizing drug dealing and unsafe sex, and an introspective rap from Left-Eye, became TLC's biggest hit ever, and its million-dollar music video—at that time the most expensive ever—was an MTV staple for many months. Music videos for the singles Jump, Panama, and Hot For Teacher, all became wildly popular. Left-Eye was released from rehab to attend the recording sessions, but the finished album featured significantly less of her vocals. (Eddie Van Halen played the lead guitar on the hit song "Beat It" from that album). TLC re-entered the studio with Dallas Austin, Dupri, Babyface, Organized Noise, and Sean "Puffy" Combs to record their second album, CrazySexyCool, during the fall of 1994. 1984 was praised by critics and fans alike, and peaked at #2 on the Billboard charts, behind the stratospherically popular Thriller by Michael Jackson.

Rison eventually reconciled with Left-Eye, and they continued dating on-and-off for most of the next few years. "Jump" became the band's first and only #1 pop hit. Left-Eye was eventually arrested for and indicted on charges of first-degree arson; she was sentenced to five years of probation and required to enter alcoholism rehabilitation. 1984 fully integrated electronic keyboards into the band's sound, (they had dabbled in electronic keyboards on earlier albums, but never so prominently.) The album's lead single, Jump, featured a boundy synthesizer hook and anthemic lyrics by Roth. Although firefighters were called to the scene, the house could not be saved, because of the toxic fumes from the gasoline. Van Halen's subsequent album, 1984 (released December 1983) became their commercial and artistic pinnacle, as well the breaking point for the original group. The Plexiglas bathtub quickly melted and set the structural frame of the house on fire. That record was eventually broken in the 90s.

T-Boz would continue to battle her condition, and eventually became a spokesperson for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America in the late 1990s. The band toured for nearly a year on the basis of Van Halen, firmly establishing their reputation as a talented and exciting live band. During TLC's first national tour as Hammer's opening act, the other bandmembers discovered that T-Boz had sickle-cell anemia, an aliment which she kept a closely-guarded secret until she became ill while TLC was touring the southwestern United States. Van Halen also introduced the guitar world to the band's signature "Brown Sound": a nickname given to the combination of Eddie's own relaxed, experimental style coupled Templeman's production technique that produced a distinctive tone sought after by other musicians. The musical formula was augmented by the girls' brightly-colored videos and curious costuming: each girl wore unwrapped condoms on their clothing (Left-Eye also wore one in a pair of glasses over her left eye), apparently advocating contraception. According to folklore, before the release of the first album, Eddie would play his solos with his back to the audience to hide his technique from imitators. TLC's lyrics, chiefly written by Left-Eye and Dallas Austin, were playful, female-empowering anthems characterized by Left-Eye's quirky, nasal-toned raps, T-Boz's low-voiced lead vocals, and Chili's powerful vocals and harmonization. Nothing like it had ever been heard on record and "Eruption" granted Eddie Van Halen immediate guitar god status among players worldwide.

Besides being an acronym for "tender loving care", the name "TLC" was based upon the first names of the original members of the group: Tionne, Lisa, and Crystal. executive, and Ted Templeman, who would be the band's first producer, in a meeting that took place after a show at the famed Starwood Club in Los Angeles. Reid & Babyface, Dallas Austin, Jermaine Dupri, and Marley Marl to produce their first album. Eventually the band was signed by Mo Ostin, a Warner Bros. The girls were signed to LaFace through a production deal with Pebbitone (with Pebbles taking the role of the group's manager), and almost immediately went into the studio with producers L.A. KISS’ management passed on signing the band, and the tape did not lead to a record contract. Reid was impressed with Watkins and Lopes, but felt that Jones should be replaced; within a few months, former Damian Dame backup dancer Rosanda Thomas was brought in to replace Jones. In 1976, Gene Simmons of the rock band KISS, caught one of the band's shows and financed the production of a demo tape. The bootlegged demo commonly circulates around the internet under the name of "Zero," featuring unfinished and alternative lyrics to many of Van Halen's more famous early songs as found on the first few albums.

L.A. The band became a hit in the Los Angeles, California club scene of the early 1970’s. Impressed by the girls, Pebbles renamed the group "TLC" and arranged an audition for the group with local record label LaFace Records, run by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Pebbles' husband, Antonio "L.A." Reid. Playing gigs under various names including The Trojan Rubber Company, The Broken Combs, Mammoth, and Rat Salad (after the Black Sabbath song), the band eventually settled on the name Van Halen as suggested by Roth. 2nd Nature eventually managed to arrange an audition with R&B singer Peri Reid, professionally known as "Pebbles," who had started her own management and production company, Pebbitone. Edward and Alex, growing tired of paying the "PA Tax" to Diamond Dave, brought him into the Van Halen fold in 1974. Her request was eventually answered by Tionne Watkins, a native of Des Moines, Iowa who moved to Atlanta with her family at an early age, and Lisa Lopes, a rapper and singer who had just moved to the city from her native Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with only a keyboard and $750. David Lee Roth, a noted entrepreneur his entire life, rented out his public address system to the band on many occasions.

In 1991, Atlanta teenager Crystal Jones put out a call for two more girls to join her in a hip-hop/R&B group to be called "2nd Nature". Through the years, Mike consistently performed well on vocals, earning himself the moniker "Cannon Mouth" for being louder than the lead vocalists. However, the group was just as noted for its controversy as it was for its success. Going through a number of potential vocalists, Van Halen consisted primarily of a power trio in its primordial existence. Edward Van Halen and Michael Anthony took turns at the microphone. Over a decade of activity and four studio albums, TLC currently holds the title of being the best-selling R&B girl-group of all time, selling 22 million albums, scoring four #1 hits, and crossing over successfully to pop audiences. While he was away, his brother Alex would practice on the drum set. As Eddie saw his brother excel on the drums, he decided to switch and learn the guitar. Before signing to LaFace Records through a production deal with R&B singer Peri "Pebbles" Reid, the group's name was changed to "TLC," and Crystal Jones was replaced by Rozonda "Chili" Thomas. As legend goes, in order to pay for his drum set, Eddie worked delivering newspapers.

Originally called 2nd Nature, the group was founded in Atlanta, Georgia by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, and Crystal Jones. Eddie, subsequently, took an interest in playing the drums. TLC was a hugely successful R&B and hip-hop group that was active from 1991 until 2003. As they grew older, Alex took an interest and began to learn the guitar. Our Georgia History: Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes (http://www.ourgeorgiahistory.com/chronpop/501). As young children, Alex (the older of the Van Halen brothers) and Eddie were trained as classical pianists. Our Georgia History: TLC (http://www.ourgeorgiahistory.com/chronpop/1327). Eddie and Alex's father, Jan Van Halen, was an accomplished musician and encouraged his sons' love of music (the band would eventually feature the elder Van Halen playing the clarinet on the song "Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)" from the album Diver Down (1982)).

"Does Going 'Broke' Mean Artist Really Doesn't Have Any Money?" (http://mbhs.bergtraum.k12.ny.us/cybereng/nyt/rapper01.htm) by Anita Samuels and Diana Henriques, February 5, 1996. The Van Halen family emigrated from Nijmegen, Netherlands to Pasadena, California in the 1960’s. 2004: "Come Get Some" (featuring Lil Jon and Sean Paul of the Youngbloodz). Van Halen is a United States hard rock band named after the guitarist Eddie Van Halen and his brother drummer Alex Van Halen. 2003: "Damaged" (US #53). The Best of Both Worlds [greatest hits] (2004). 2002: "Hands Up". Van Halen III (1998).

2002: "Girl Talk" (US #28). Best of Volume I (1996). 2000: "What It Ain't (Ghetto Enuff)" (Goodie Mob featuring TLC). Balance (1995). 2000: "Dear Lie" (US #51). Live: Right Here, Right Now (1993). 1999: "Unpretty" (US #1) (a remix sampling of Dennis Edwards' "Don't Look Any Further" was issued to urban markets instead of the original version). For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge (1991).

1999: "I'm Good At Being Bad". OU812 (1988). 1999: "No Scrubs" (US #1). 5150 (1986). 1998: "Silly Ho" (US #59). 1984 (1984). 1995: "Waterfalls" (US #1). Diver Down (1982).

1995: "Diggin' On You" (US #5). Fair Warning (1981). 1994: "Red Light Special" (US #2). Women and Children First (1980). 1994: "Creep" (US #1). Van Halen II (1979). 1993: "Hat 2 Da Back" (US #30). Van Halen (1978).

1993: "Get It Up" (US #42). That same year, Hagar also released a live album (Hallelujah), which featured Anthony and Cherone. 1992: "What About Your Friends" (US #7). In 2003 Bassist Michael Anthony joined part of Hagar's solo tour and performed together with Hagar and his band, The Waboritas. 1992: "Sleigh Ride". I'm the kind of guy you go out with if you want to split your friend with a bottle.". 1992: "Baby-Baby-Baby" (US #2). The difference between me and him is that "he's the kind of guy you go out with to split a bottle with a friend.

1991: "Ain't 2 Proud 2 Beg" (US #6) (a 1992 remix features the first appearance of OutKast). In an interview, he contrasted his personality with Hagar's by saying: Sam is a laid back, friendly kind of guy. 2003: Now and Forever: The Hits. A classic quotation from the tour came from Roth. 2002: 3D. In the summer of 2002, David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar teamed up for the Heavyweights of Rock (known tongue-in-cheek as the 'Sans-Halen' or 'Sam & Dave' Tour). 1999: FanMail. Since his departure from Van Halen, Gary Cherone has been busy with various projects including his new band Tribe of Judah.

Rozonda "Chili" Thomas (1991–2003). Sammy Hagar remained active musically. Lisa "Left-Eye" Lopes (1991–2002). The last word is that he is developing an adult theatre show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins (1991–2003). He also occasionally performs live as a feature solo act. Since his departure, Roth has produced a number of albums and toured with his DLR band (his most recent release being Diamond Dave (2003)).

In 2003, David Lee Roth brought a court action against Van Halen, their management, and record company claiming he was left out of 1996 royalty renegotiations. Alex Van Halen continued to work with his brother on new material at their fabled 5150 recording studio. In 2002 Eddie's 21 year marriage to actress Valerie Bertinelli ended in divorce. He also underwent cancer treatment and made a complete recovery.

In 2001 Eddie Van Halen had hip replacement surgery. Gary Cherone, lead vocals (1996-1999). Sammy Hagar, lead vocals (1985-1996), (2004-). David Lee Roth, lead vocals (1974-1985).

Edward Van Halen, guitar, piano and keyboard, backup vocals. Alex Van Halen, drums and percussion, backup vocals. Michael Anthony, bass, backup vocals.