It’s one of the ongoing debates of rock: David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar? The issue has divided fans of the mighty Van Halen for decades. It’s no surprise that a large portion of fans side with the band’s original incarnation featuring David Lee Roth which took the rock world by storm in 1978. The Hagar years have often garnered antipathy which, to this writer, seems unwarranted.
The relationship between Van Halen and its lead singers could be described as complicated at best. Roth was an enigmatic frontman fueled by ego, while guitarist Eddie Van Halen was a reserved virtuoso who let his music do the talking. On paper – and in sound – they certainly made a dynamic duo. But the two had a fractured relationship from the get-go. Although the first six Van Halen albums speak for themselves, it’s well-documented that behind the scenes the group was imploding. Roth’s control over the spotlight, musical direction, and even groupies became too much for the rest of the group to bear. After years of butting heads, Dave left the band in 1985.
With Roth abruptly out of the picture, Eddie, Alex, and bassist Michael Anthony were unsure of what to do. Eddie’s phone was ringing off the hook with calls to collaborate from the likes of Pete Townshend, Brian May, and even Phil Collins. Torn between the allure of putting together an “all-star” record or continuing on with a new frontman, the fate of the band was left to a coin flip. The group decided to continue, but the question remained – who was going to front the biggest rock band in the world?
What happened next was something from a rock n’ roll fairy tale. Eddie rolled his Lamborghini into the shop of renowned exotic-car mechanic Claudio Zampolli. He spotted a Ferrari across the room and inquired who owned it. Zampolli replied, “That’s Sammy Hagar’s. You should give him a call!”
1986 - 5150
1. Good Enough 4:04
2. Why Can't This Be Love 3:48
3. Get Up 4:37
4. Dreams 4:54
5. Summer Nights 5:06
6. Best Of Both Worlds 4:49
7. Love Walks In 5:11
8. "5150" 5:44
9. Inside 5:02
1988 - OU812
1. Mine All Mine 5:14
2. When It's Love 5:40
3. A.F.U. (Naturally Wired) 4:31
4. Cabo Wabo 7:04
5. Source Of Infection 4:02
6. Feels So Good 4:32
7. Finish What Ya Started 4:25
8. Black And Blue 5:27
9. Sucker In A 3 Piece 5:56
10. A Apolitical Blues 3:52
1991 - For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
1. Poundcake 5:21
2. Judgement Day 4:39
3. Spanked 4:53
4. Runaround 4:21
5. Pleasure Dome 6:58
6. In 'N' Out 6:05
7. Man On A Mission 5:04
8. The Dream Is Over 3:59
9. Right Now 5:22
10. 316 1:30
11. Top Of The World 3:53
1995 - Balance
1. The Seventh Seal 5:18
2. Can't Stop Lovin' You 4:08
3. Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do) 5:56
4. Amsterdam 4:45
5. Big Fat Money 3:57
6. Strung Out 1:29
7. Not Enough 5:13
8. Aftershock 5:29
9. Doin' Time 1:42
10. Baluchitherium 4:05
11. Take Me Back (Deja Vu) 4:43
12. Feelin' 6:34
