In 1976 Van Halen thought they had blown their chance at the big time when Gene Simmons of KISS gave them a shot at auditioning for manager Bill Aucoin and Paul Stanley in hopes of signing them to their label. But after hearing the audition tape the two just shrugged their shoulders and said, “So what?” Gene was flipping out because he thought Eddie was the greatest guitarist he’d heard since Jimi Hendrix. In a recent interview, Paul Stanley admits that he colluded with their manager to blow off Van Halen even though he knew they were great because it was taking Gene’s focus away from their own band. Van Halen was totally deflated, quote, “If Gene F***ing Simmons can’t get us a record contract, who can?” Of course, they were signed within months by Warner Brothers. And they were already showing unbelievable talent VERY early on...