The story begins long before the name Vandenberg became synonymous with melodic European hard rock. In 1976, after playing in local bands since his early teens, and at just 22 years old, Adrian Vandenberg formed Teaser, a heavy blues-rock outfit rooted in the swagger and soul of Free and Bad Company. Frontman Jos Veldhuijzen bore an uncanny resemblance to a young Paul Rodgers; a fitting visual shorthand for the band’s sound. (Fun fact: in 1995 Vandenberg was invited by his favorite vocalist Rodgers to play a solo on ‘Fire and Water’ on a re-recorded version of that epic song). Teaser recorded a four-song demo and, armed with it, Vandenberg began an almost obsessive campaign, knocking on the doors of every major label in the Netherlands. The response was depressingly uniform: rock was finished, and his kind of music had no future.

Only one label disagreed. Run by Dutch rock ’n’ roll pioneer Peter Koelewijn, the independent imprint took a chance on the young guitarist and his band. Teaser recorded their debut album at the newly opened Wisseloord Studios in Hilversum – the first album ever tracked there – long before the facility would host artists such as Mick Jagger, Elton John, Def Leppard, and Scorpions. The single “Do It to Me” was released in 1977 and received substantial Dutch radio airplay, followed by the self-titled album a year later. Vandenberg’s guitar work did not go unnoticed: he was voted into the Top 10 of best Dutch guitarists by Muziekkrant Oor, alongside Jan Akkerman (Focus), one of Adrians heroes and inspirations, and George Kooymans (Golden Earring). Relentless touring across the Benelux and Germany followed, laying the foundation for what was to come.