And the Cradle Will Rock…

Alright, Zoo Freaks, it’s your favorite hippie DJs from The Zoo Crew, spinning the righteous vibes of Van Halen’s “And the Cradle Will Rock…” from their 1980 album Women and Children First. This track is a total banger, but did you know it’s got a wild story behind it? The opening riff, which sounds like a gnarly guitar, is actually Eddie Van Halen shredding on a Wurlitzer electric piano, cranked through an MXR Flanger and his 1960s 100-watt Marshall Plexi amp. According to a 1985 Guitar World interview, Eddie banged on a cluster of keys—no specific notes, just pure chaos—to create that iconic “wooshing” intro. He even broke two keys from pounding so hard! Some fans on Reddit have geeked out over the isolated keyboard track, calling it a mind-blowing glimpse into Eddie’s genius.

Here’s another juicy tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: that very first sound in the song isn’t even the Wurlitzer. As Kevin from Beverly Hills shared on Songfacts, it’s Eddie scraping the rear springs of his Floyd Rose tremolo system while messing with the trem bar at max volume. Talk about innovative! Eddie himself said in interviews that he got some pushback from bandmates, especially David Lee Roth, who reportedly quipped, “No one wants to see your dead ass playing a keyboard.” But since the Wurlitzer sounded more like a distorted guitar, it got a pass. Posts on X from fans like @RocknronVH still rave about the song’s raw energy, with one calling it “A+ Van Halen” for its haunting vibe.

Let’s dive into how Van Halen got their start, ‘cause these cats were born to rock. Formed in Pasadena, California, in 1973, the band started as a backyard party act called Mammoth, with brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen on guitar and drums, respectively. According to their bio on Wikipedia, Eddie originally played drums, but swapped with Alex after realizing his brother was better at it. They recruited bassist Mark Stone and vocalist David Lee Roth, who was replaced by Michael Anthony in 1974, solidifying the classic lineup. By the mid-’70s, they were tearing up the Southern California club scene, playing covers and originals. Their big break came when Warner Bros. caught their set at the Starwood Club in 1977, leading to their debut album in 1978, which went Diamond with over 10 million sales.

Van Halen’s rise wasn’t just about the music—it was their wild, high-energy live shows that made them legends. As noted on Van Halen News Desk, their relentless touring and Eddie’s virtuosic guitar work restored hard rock to the forefront. Roth’s over-the-top persona, described by photographer Mark Weiss on Songfacts as loving the camera, gave the band a larger-than-life image. From those early days, they’ve influenced countless musicians, with fans on Facebook and groups like Van Halen Fans still sharing stories of epic concerts. You can catch more Van Halen action on their Instagram, where they post throwback pics, or join the chatter on fan forums like VHLinks.com.