Unreleased 1974 Van Halen Demo ‘Glitter’ Coming With Alex Van Halen’s Anthology Book

Genesis Publications will include a never-before-released Van Halen recording, a 1974 demo called “Glitter,” as a bonus 7-inch picture disc packaged with Alex Van Halen’s signed limited-edition anthology book, simply titled “Van Halen.” The book is scheduled to arrive in November in a run of 1,500 numbered copies worldwide, each signed personally by the drummer.

“Glitter” was recorded in 1974 and features Alex Van Halen, his brother Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth, along with the band’s original bassist, Mark Stone. Genesis Publications states that its release will make “Glitter” the earliest Van Halen recording ever put out officially.

• Book: “Van Halen,” written, curated and signed by Alex Van Halen, 312 pages, published by Genesis Publications in November
• Total print run: 1,500 numbered copies; Deluxe edition (350 copies per Genesis/Louder reporting, described elsewhere as 150 deluxe copies) already sold out
• Collector boxed set: copies 351 through 1,500, priced at £345 ($525), still open for pre-order
• Bonus 7-inch picture disc features “Glitter” backed with a spoken-word Alex Van Halen interview segment

Where the “Glitter” Demo Came From

Although it has never had an official release, “Glitter” has circulated among fans for decades as a bootleg, turning up on the unofficial Van Halen/David Lee Roth collection “Back In Circulation.” It also surfaced in 1998 on the Dave TV section of David Lee Roth’s website, posted there alongside a companion demo from the same recording session, “Gentlemen Of Leisure.”

Both tracks were recorded at the Pasadena home of David Lee Roth’s father, Dr. Nathan Roth. At the time, the tapes were handed out to Los Angeles club bookers as a way of drumming up early live show opportunities for the band.

What’s Inside the Collector Boxed Set

The picture disc’s artwork draws on the design of Van Halen’s 1984 tour, while its spoken-word B-side comes from new interviews Alex Van Halen recorded specifically for the anthology project. Each Collector edition book is quarter-bound in black vegan leather with silver-edged pages and a silver-debossed Van Halen logo modeled on the band’s 1978 world tour branding, all housed in a black clamshell box decorated with the band’s emblem and Alex Van Halen’s burning-ring motif.

Buyers of the Collector boxed set also receive a reproduction 1979 Van Halen Productions keychain, three replica stage-used Eddie Van Halen guitar picks, six art postcards measuring 6 by 4 inches, and the exclusive “Glitter” 7-inch.

What’s in the Book Itself

The 312-page anthology pulls from Alex Van Halen’s personal archive, opened up for this project for the first time. Its photography spans from the band’s earliest days through their first tours of Japan in 1978 and on to standout performances at the 1983 US Festival and 1984’s Monsters Of Rock.

Alex Van Halen previously released a memoir, “Brothers,” in 2024.

More Info

• Previously unreleased Van Halen recording to be released with limited edition Alex Van Halen book | loudersound.com
• VAN HALEN: Previously Unreleased 1974 Demo ‘Glitter’ To Be Included With ALEX VAN HALEN’s Limited-Edition Book | blabbermouth.net
• Unearthed Early Van Halen Demo "Glitter" To Be Released With Upcoming Anthology Book | consequence.net