In 1978, Van Halen was the new kid on the block—young, wild, and riding high on the release of their explosive debut album. Journey, on the other hand, was already an arena-filling act with polished hits and serious chops. So when the two bands hit the road together with Montrose, no one expected the opening act to start stealing the show.
But that’s exactly what happened. And what followed wasn’t just a battle of guitar solos—it was a fascinating case of backstage rivalry, mutual respect, and how competition can sharpen even the best in the business.
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Van Halen’s Meteoric Rise
Van Halen’s self-titled debut album dropped in February 1978 and flipped the rock world on its head. With tracks like “Runnin’ with the Devil,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love,” and the jaw-dropping “Eruption,” Eddie Van Halen introduced a guitar style that felt alien—tapping, harmonics, and phrasing that left jaws on the floor. Fans were amazed. Fellow guitarists were panicked.
On stage, Van Halen wasn’t just loud—they were electric. David Lee Roth bounced like a Vegas frontman on caffeine. Michael Anthony’s bass thundered. Alex Van Halen’s drums punched holes in the air. And Eddie? He didn’t just play the guitar. He spoke through it.
So when they were booked as openers for Journey and Montrose, things got interesting—fast.
Tour Tensions: Competition on the Road
According to bassist Michael Anthony, the heat was real. “They tried to kick us off the tour every week,” he said in later interviews, suggesting that Van Halen’s high-octane sets were making the headliners uncomfortable. The issue wasn’t personal. It was practical: no band wanted to follow that kind of act every night.
Eddie Van Halen remembered never getting a soundcheck during the tour, a subtle dig in the world of live performance. “We’d walk in, plug in, and just go,” he recalled. But even stripped of prep time, Van Halen’s sound cut through the room like lightning.
The band was raw, relentless, and hard to ignore. Which, naturally, didn’t sit well with everyone.
Journey’s Perspective
To their credit, Journey didn’t stay defensive forever. Steve Perry, who was still relatively new to the band at the time, later admitted that Van Halen “cleaned our clock plenty of times.” He described the younger band’s energy as “relentless,” and said it forced Journey to rethink their own approach. Rather than mope, they adjusted.
Journey’s guitarist Neal Schon, himself a gifted shredder, later commented on how tough it was sharing a bill with Eddie. “I’m just glad I didn’t have to go on after them,” he said with a smile.
Van Halen’s influence even went beyond stage presence. Inspired by the pounding precision of Alex Van Halen, Journey eventually brought in drummer Steve Smith—part of a lineup refresh that would lead to their biggest success in the 1980s.
Mutual Respect and Lasting Impact
Despite the backstage tension, there was respect. Steve Perry later credited Van Halen with helping Journey “wake up” and sharpen their live sound. The friendly fire of that 1978 tour didn’t break either band—it made them stronger.
By 1980, Journey had launched Departure and Escape, albums that would define their legacy. Van Halen, meanwhile, went on to dominate arena rock with albums like Van Halen II, Women and Children First, and 1984.
In hindsight, the 1978 tour wasn’t just a rivalry—it was a moment of mutual evolution. One band sharpened the other. And both walked away better for it.
Guitar Gods and Tour Lessons
At the heart of it all was Eddie Van Halen—a guitarist who couldn’t be ignored, underestimated, or outplayed. He wasn’t flashy for the sake of flash. He was innovating in real time, and people noticed. Even Journey, known for their melodic precision and studio polish, found themselves sweating after sharing the stage with him.
It’s a testament to how competition in rock doesn’t have to be toxic. Sure, there was some backstage grumbling, and yeah, maybe a few skipped soundchecks. But in the end, the music got better. The bands leveled up.
A Tour Worth Remembering
That 1978 tour isn’t just remembered for the drama—it’s remembered for what it produced. Two bands at pivotal moments, testing each other, learning from each other, and ultimately carving out their own legendary paths.
Eddie Van Halen couldn’t be held back by tour politics or opening slots. He just played. Loudly, joyfully, and with a level of skill that made even the veterans stand up straighter.
It wasn’t always friendly. But it was undeniably rock and roll.
