Twisted Sister guitarist Jay Jay French recalled when he watched Van Halen’s opening act for Black Sabbath in his latest interview with Ultimate Guitar and admitted that Van Halen was way better.
As you probably know, Van Halen released their self-titled debut studio album on February 10, 1978. The album sold ten million copies in the USA and hit the charts all around the world. Its songs, ‘Runnin’ with the Devil,’ ‘Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love,’ and ‘Eruption’ were appreciated a lot.
Also, Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo in ‘Eruption’ is considered one of the best guitar solos in the world. Then, to promote their album, Van Halen started their world tour on March 3, 1978, and they performed as opening acts for Black Sabbath and Journey during their tour.
Many people, who attended Van Halen’s supporting act for Black Sabbath on May 16, 1978, including Twisted Sister’s Jay Jay French, admitted that Van Halen drew the greater attention and stated that Van Halen ‘blew Black Sabbath off the stage.’
In French’s words, he said:
“I saw Van Halen open for Sabbath with Ozzy and I thought they blew Sabbath off the stage. Completely blew them off the stage – I mean, I like Black Sabbath a lot, but Van Halen was hungrier that night – they were out there to prove themselves.”
However, Jay Jay French didn’t forget to give credit to Black Sabbath as a huge fan of the band, but he couldn’t lie about that opening ac, which foreshadowed that Van Halen would be a very famous and successful band.
