Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Van Halen vs. Adele for Billboard #1 next week


It’s down to hard rock vs. soft pop for the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 album chart next week.

Billboard.biz reports Van Halen might be on its way to a sixth career #1 album - unless Adele's “21” stands in the veteran band's way.

Industry sources suggest that Van Halen's “A Different Kind Of Truth” may sell about 180,000 to 200,000 copies by the end of the tracking week on Sunday, February 12.

Under normal circumstances, that would be enough for VH to bump Adele from the top slot, where she’s currently enjoying her 19th non-consecutive week at #1. This past week, “21” sold 122,000 copies.

However, this isn't a normal week.

Following vocal cord surgery last fall, Adele is set to return to live performance on the Grammy Awards this Sunday, where she’s up for 6 honors, including Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year.

Which means a whole of buzz and hype – and momentum – could lead to a flurry of sales for the Brit singer this weekend, keeping her at the top of the chart and prevent VH from a #1 debut.

If Van Halen does reach No. 1, it will be the band's first chart-topping album with reunited frontman David Lee Roth. Their last album with Roth - “1984” – spent five weeks at #2, prevented from the top spot by the Michael Jackson powerhouse known as “Thriller.”

Riding high on “1984’s” success, Van Halen's other four other #1s were their four studio albums with Roth's replacement, Sammy Hagar: “5150” (1986), “OU812” (1988), “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” (1991) and “Balance” (1995).

VH’s fifth #1 was 1996’s “Best Of Volume One” compilation, which featured two new tracks with Roth – his first songs with the band (at that time) in 12 years.

The new Billboard 200 chart's top 10 will be revealed on the morning of Wednesday, February 15.


Van Van Halen

Van Halen – Tattoo



See also:

Van Halen: ESPN running Tattoo contest
AUDIO: Van Halen – Outta Space preview
VIDEO: David Lee Roth interviews the Van Halen brothers
David Lee Roth defines the Van Halen sound
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10
VIDEO: Van Halen – A Different Kind Of Truth timelapse
VIDEO: Van Halen play secret show in Los Angeles
PHOTOS: First pictures from Van Halen’s secret show in Los Angeles
AUDIO: Van Halen – You And Your Blues preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – Beats Workin’ preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – As Is preview
Van Halen: David Lee Roth’s handwritten lyrics to Stay Frosty
Michael Anthony: No plans to challenge Van Halen over old songs
AUDIO: Van Halen – The Trouble With Never full preview
Sammy Hagar slams new Van Halen again
AUDIO: Van Halen – She’s The Woman preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – Big River preview
David Lee Roth talks new Van Halen album
AUDIO: Van Halen – Bullethead preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – China Town preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – The Trouble With Never preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – Stay Frosty preview
AUDIO: Van Halen – Blood And Fire preview
Wednesday: Van Halen to debut new song on CSI
Van Halen add more dates to US tour
Van Halen: Tattoo hits #1 on Billboard Hard Rock Singles chart
VIDEO: David Lee Roth explains Van Halen’s Tattoo
VIDEO: Van Halen unplug for You Really Got Me
Van Halen: David Lee Roth’s handwritten lyrics to Tattoo
Sammy Hagar slams new Van Halen single
Van Halen: Tattoo earns Top 20 debut on Billboard’s Rock Songs chart
Van Halen offering new album on vinyl
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10 for 3rd week
Eddie Van Halen donates 75 guitars to L.A. schools
VIDEO: Van Halen – Tattoo
Van Halen: ‘Tattoo’ video preview
Van Halen recording engineer talks about new album
AUDIO: Van Halen ‘Tattoo’ single goes on sale, extended preview available
Van Halen singer’s uncle raves about Café Wha? show
VIDEO: Van Halen’s David Lee Roth – Ode To Uncle Manny
Van Halen tops the hennemusic Hot 10 for 2nd week
Van Halen: ‘A Different Kind Of Truth’ Deluxe Edition details
Van Halen: 'A Different Kind Of Truth' track listing
VIDEO: Van Halen rock 1979 classics in New York
VIDEO: Van Halen rock 1978 classics in New York
AUDIO: Preview new Van Halen single, ‘Tattoo’
VIDEO: Van Halen rock 'Panama' at New York club show
VIDEO: Van Halen arriving at Café Wha? in New York
VIDEO: Van Halen debut new song at New York club show
Van Halen: ‘Tattoo’ single available for pre-order
Van Halen 2012 tour dates announced
PHOTOS: First pictures at Van Halen LIVE in New York
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hennemusic: Van Halen leads list of Rockers To Watch in 2012
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Rock News Artist Of The Year #1: VAN HALEN
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