In 1978, Van Halen finally released their debut single, but Eddie was instantly “bummed” by the result

Van Halen’s first single was a cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me”, a choice that disappointed guitarist Eddie Van Halen, who wanted the band to lead with an original song. The single nonetheless reached the US Top 40 and helped introduce the group to a wider audience.

Producer Ted Templeman backed the cover, while Eddie later said he would have preferred the band’s own “Jamie’s Cryin’”. Their debut album also featured originals including “Runnin’ with the Devil” and “Eruption” and reached number 19. The band had spent five years working towards a record deal, and the article says they received 70 cents for each album sold.