Did You Know this Famous Van Halen Pic Was Taken in St. Louis?
It's no secret that Van Halen made many treks through the St. Louis area even earlier in their career, but did you know one of their most famous pics from those early days was taken in front of a St. Louis area McDonalds?
I grew up as a fan of KSHE (as many of us in my generation did) and knew that Van Halen had stopped by the radio station for many interviews. I've just come across this story shared by St. Louis Classic Rock on YouTube that explains how the picture of Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth in front of a McDonald's was taken on March 5, 1978 in Crestwood, Missouri.
Richard Upper is a famous photographer who has captured some classic rock moments during his career. This picture from March of 1978 in front of the Crestwood McDonalds is a classic capture of Eddie and David before the band had become superstars.
By the way, this McDonald's is still in Crestwood and just reopened after a remodel according to Fox 2 out of St. Louis. I believe this is the one at 9915 Watson Road. The sign is way different from the one that overlooked that Crestwood road back in 1978, but the picture is still in the newly remodeled McDonald's.
The picture is one you can purchase yourself through Richard Upper's website. It's a classic rock and roll moment that happened practically in our backyard back on a cold day in 1978.
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