Van Halen | Van Halen II | 1979

**Van Halen – Van Halen II (1979 Original UK Pressing) – Warner Bros. Records – K 56616**

An excellent original 1979 UK pressing of *Van Halen II*, the explosive second studio album from American hard rock legends Van Halen, featuring Near Mint (NM) vinyl and a Very Good (VG) outer sleeve.

Released just over a year after their groundbreaking self-titled debut, *Van Halen II* captures the band at the height of their early creative energy, delivering a powerful combination of blistering guitar work, infectious rhythms and David Lee Roth's unmistakable vocals.

Featuring Eddie Van Halen's extraordinary guitar playing, alongside brother Alex Van Halen on drums, Michael Anthony on bass and David Lee Roth on vocals, the album remains an essential part of the band's celebrated original line-up catalogue.

This is a genuine 1979 UK Warner Bros. Records pressing, featuring the original cream-coloured Warner Bros. labels, early A1/B1 matrix cuts and distinctive STRAWBERRY mastering inscriptions.

**Pressing Details**

Artist: Van Halen
Album: Van Halen II
Year: 1979
Country: United Kingdom
Label: Warner Bros. Records
Catalogue Number: K 56616
Format: 12" Vinyl LP, Stereo, 33⅓ RPM
Genre: Hard Rock / Classic Rock

The record features the original cream-coloured Warner Bros. labels with the Warner Bros. shield logo and the wording "Made in UK".

Both sides carry early A1/B1 matrix inscriptions, together with STRAWBERRY mastering marks, identifying the mastering facility associated with this UK release.

**Matrix / Runout Information**

Side One: K56616 A1 – G.G. – STRAWBERRY, with additional etched manufacturing markings.

Side Two: K56616 B1 – G.G. – STRAWBERRY, with additional etched manufacturing markings.

Both runouts have been examined and are consistent with the documented 1979 UK Warner Bros. pressing.

The additional etched symbols and manufacturing identifiers may differ from the individual runout variations catalogued on Discogs.

**Track Listing**

Side One:
1. You're No Good
2. Dance the Night Away
3. Somebody Get Me a Doctor
4. Bottoms Up!
5. Outta Love Again

Side Two:
1. Light Up the Sky
2. Spanish Fly
3. D.O.A.
4. Women in Love...
5. Beautiful Girls

**Condition – Visually Graded**

Vinyl: Near Mint (NM)
Outer Sleeve: Very Good (VG)

The vinyl is visually graded Near Mint, displaying an excellent level of preservation for a record originally released in 1979.

The original outer sleeve is graded Very Good, reflecting its overall condition and signs of previous handling and age. Please examine the photographs carefully for the precise extent of any sleeve wear.

No fold-out poster is included with this copy. Posters were supplied with some examples of this release, but not all.

The photographs show the actual record and sleeve offered for sale, rather than stock images.

**About the Album**

Released in March 1979, *Van Halen II* followed the extraordinary success of the band's 1978 debut and firmly established Van Halen as one of the most exciting hard rock groups of their generation.

Recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in Hollywood and produced by Ted Templeman, the album captures the band's raw energy while introducing a slightly more polished and confident approach to their songwriting.

The opening track, *You're No Good*, transforms the familiar song into a powerful hard rock performance, immediately showcasing Eddie Van Halen's distinctive guitar sound.

*Dance the Night Away* became one of the album's best-known songs, combining an irresistible melody with the band's trademark rhythmic drive. Elsewhere, *Somebody Get Me a Doctor*, *Bottoms Up!* and *D.O.A.* demonstrate the heavier, more aggressive side of Van Halen's early sound.

One of the album's highlights is *Spanish Fly*, Eddie Van Halen's remarkable acoustic guitar instrumental. Following the revolutionary electric guitar showcase *Eruption* on the debut album, *Spanish Fly* demonstrated that his technical brilliance extended equally to acoustic playing.

The album closes with *Beautiful Girls*, a lively and instantly recognisable example of the band's exuberant approach to rock music.

Throughout the record, Michael Anthony's driving bass lines and powerful backing vocals combine with Alex Van Halen's dynamic drumming to provide the perfect foundation for Eddie's inventive guitar work and David Lee Roth's charismatic performances.

Although often overshadowed by the band's iconic debut, *Van Halen II* has become a firm favourite among enthusiasts of the original David Lee Roth era and remains a significant release in the development of late-1970s American hard rock.

**Why This Copy Is Collectable**

This example offers several attractive features for collectors:

• Original 1979 UK Warner Bros. Records pressing.
• Early A1/B1 matrix cuts.
• STRAWBERRY mastering inscriptions on both sides.
• Original cream-coloured Warner Bros. record labels.
• Near Mint vinyl condition.
• Original outer sleeve, honestly graded Very Good.
• An essential album from Van Halen's celebrated original line-up.

For collectors who prioritise vinyl condition over sleeve presentation, this copy represents an appealing opportunity to acquire an early UK pressing with particularly well-preserved vinyl.

**Important Information**

All records sold by Comfortably Spun Records are visually graded using the recognised Goldmine grading system.

Records are not play-tested, and visual grading cannot guarantee completely noise-free playback.

Every record is carefully cleaned before dispatch and securely packaged to help protect it during transit.

As this is a pre-owned vintage record, signs of age and previous handling may be present in accordance with the stated grading.

Please study the photographs carefully, as they form part of the description and show the actual item you will receive.

**Price: £14.99**