Greg Renoff

Greg Renoff was born in the Bronx and grew up in New Jersey. Renoff earned his Ph.D. in American history from Brandeis University and is the author of 'Van Halen Rising: How a Southern California Backyard Party Band Saved Heavy Metal,' which will be published by ECW Press in October 2015. He lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

55 Years Ago: A Negative Concert Review Ends Cream

Adulation, Eric Clapton later conceded, had gone to his head.

35 Years Ago: Van Halen Release ‘Hot for Teacher,’ Then Everything Goes to Hell

Fourth and final single from hit '1984' album also signaled the end of original lineup's spectacular run.

How Jimi Hendrix Turned Away From Psychedelia on ‘Band of Gypsys’

Unfortunately, by the time this album was released, the group had already broken up.

Why More Than 500 Pink Floyd Fans Were Arrested at L.A. Shows

City's top cop had already declared himself the "meanest police chief in the history of the United States."

How David Lee Roth Really Left Van Halen

Like the histories of all great rock bands, Van Halen’s past includes some landmark dates.

The History of Eddie Van Halen and Keyboards

Even the great ones get things wrong sometimes.