Photo: AFP / AFP / Getty Images
Van Halen roared into a new era 40 years ago this week, on March 24th, 1986, with 5150, their first album with Sammy Hagar. The album was named after Eddie Van Halen’s home studio, and the record changed the sound of one of rock ‘n roll’s biggest bands.
5150 blasted out of the gate with four big hits, including “Why Can’t This Be Love,” “Dreams,” and “Best of Both Worlds.” It also launched a streak of four straight number‑one albums. The band seemed a little shaky coming off the end of the David Lee Roth era and the success of 1984. Michael Anthony says Hagar walked into their studio, grabbed the mic and instantly lit the place up.
The chemistry was certainly there. A single jam session later, Van Halen knew they had their spark back, launching the momentum behind 5150. To mark the big 4-0, fans can expect a deluxe edition this Friday—loaded up a remastered album, 90+ minutes of unreleased live recordings, single edits, extended mixes plus a high-definition Blu-ray upgrade of Live Without a Net.
[Source: Premiere]