Van Halen released their album 5150 on March 24, 1986. This was the band’s seventh studio album and their first with Sammy Hagar, following David Lee Roth’s departure. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, surpassing the peak of their previous album, 1984, which had been blocked from the top by Michael Jackson’s Thriller.
Three hit singles came from 5150: “Dreams,” “Why Can’t This Be Love,” and “Love Walks In.” The RIAA awarded the album six Platinum certifications. The title 5150 was inspired by Eddie Van Halen’s home studio in California and is also a legal code for individuals with mental health issues. Recording sessions began in November 1985 and wrapped up by February 1986.
The story of 5150 actually started in July 1985 when a mechanic working on Eddie’s Lamborghini mentioned Sammy Hagar. Donn Landee, who had engineered the band’s earlier albums, stepped up to produce this one, with help from Mick Jones of Foreigner. The sound of 5150 marked a shift, blending ballads and love songs with the hard-hitting riffs fans loved.
The album features nine tracks: “Good Enough,” “Why Can’t This Be Love,” “Dreams,” “Love Walks In,” and more. All songs were co-written by Eddie Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, and Alex Van Halen.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary, an expanded edition of 5150 will be released this Friday. It includes a remastered version, bonus 7-inch single edits, extended 12-inch tracks, and a CD with unreleased live recordings from their August 27, 1986 concert in New Haven, Connecticut. The Blu-ray features Live Without a Net from that show, now available in HD for the first time. Fans can pre-order the anniversary edition now!
