Van Halen began a new chapter 40 years ago with the release of 5150, the first album featuring the lineup of Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony. 5150 marked the band’s first #1 album with hits like Why Can’t This Be Love, Dreams, and Best Of Both Worlds and continued their streak of multi-Platinum releases.
Rhino will release 5150 (Expanded Edition) on March 27th, just days after the album’s 40th anniversary. The LP/3CD/Blu-ray collection includes the 1986 album remastered directly from the original master tapes, overseen by the band’s longtime engineer Donn Landee. Additionally, an Amazon-exclusive green vinyl version will be available the same day.
The set also introduces more than 90 minutes of previously unreleased live recordings from the band’s August 27th, 1986 concert at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum in New Haven, Connecticut. These are joined by a selection of rare 7” single edits and extended 12” versions. The Blu-ray includes a new high-definition upgrade of Live Without a Net, Van Halen’s double-Platinum 1986 concert video that was also recorded that same August night in New Haven, along with promotional videos for Dreams and Why Can’t This Be Love. Pre-order here.
Standalone versions of 5150 featuring the remastered album and rarities will also be available the same day as a 2CD set or a 2LP on black vinyl. Ahead of the release, the live version of Summer Nights from the New Haven show is available today digitally, along with the HD remastered video (see below) and listen here.
Van Halen recorded 5150 at Eddie’s 5150 Studios in California beginning in late 1985. Released on March 24, 1986, the album debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, becoming the band’s first #1 release. It quickly became one of the best-selling albums of Van Halen’s career, earning 6x Platinum certification in the U.S., and was followed by the extensive and highly successful 5150 Tour. On stage, the new lineup focused on new material like Love Walks In,Best Of Both Worlds, and Get Up, while still delivering early VH favorites like Panama and Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love.
5150 (Expanded Edition):
LP/3CD/Blu-ray Track Listing
LP: Original Album Remastered
Side One:
- Good Enough
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Get Up
- Dreams
- Summer Nights
Side Two:
- Best Of Both Worlds
- Love Walks In
- 5150
- Inside
Disc One: Original Album Remastered
- Good Enough
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Get Up
- Dreams
- Summer Nights
- Best Of Both Worlds
- Love Walks In
- 5150
- Inside
Disc Two:
- Best Of Both Worlds (Single Edit)
- Dreams (Single Edit)
- Love Walks In (Single Edit)
- Why Can’t This Be Love (Extended Version)
- Dreams (Extended Version)
- Best Of Both World (Live)
- Rock And Roll (Live)
- Love Walks In (Live)
Disc Three
New Haven Veteran Memorial Coliseum, New Haven, CT (8/27/86)
- There’s Only One Way To Rock
- Summer Nights
- 5150
- Panama
- Best Of Both Worlds
- Love Walks In
- Guitar Solo
- I Can’t Drive 55
- Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love
- Wild Thing
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Rock And Roll
Blu-ray:
Live Without a Net (HD Upgrade)
Dreams (Promo Video)
Why Can’t This Be Love (Promo Video)
5150:
2LP Track Listing
LP One:
Side One:
- Good Enough
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Get Up
- Dreams
- Summer Nights
Side Two:
- Best Of Both Worlds
- Love Walks In
- 5150
- Inside
LP Two:
Side One:
- Best Of Both Worlds (Edit)
- Dreams (Edit)
- Love Walks In (Edit)
- Why Can’t This Be Love (Extended Version)
- Dreams (Extended Version)
Side Two:
- Best Of Both Worlds (Live)
- Rock And Roll (Live)
- Love Walks In”(Live)
5150:
2CD Track Listing
Disc One:
- Good Enough
- Why Can’t This Be Love
- Get Up
- Dreams
- Summer Nights
- Best Of Both Worlds
- Love Walks In
- 5150
- Inside
Disc Two:
- Best Of Both Worlds (Edit)
- Dreams (Edit)
- Love Walks In (Edit)
- Why Can’t This Be Love Extended Version)
- Dreams (Extended Version)
- Best Of Both Worlds (Live)
- Rock And Roll (Live)
- Love Walks In (Live)
15 Responses
Here we go! This looks amazing but….. What is this worth? I would say around 50 dollars! They are asking for 99 dollar. Not worth it to me!!! The greed train keeps rolling!
1982……a friend had the VHalen 2 album cover painted on the back of his denim jacket.
That was a popular thing back then…….painted denim jackets.
I had one myself, Silas, of Kiss. Roth era VH painting on a denim jacket, alright! That’s defined as cool. Hagar era? Honestly: can you picture walking around school with some naked man lifting something on your back? You’d be asking to be pushed down the staircase behind the noisy metal shop. VH lost all coolness, gathering unto themselves all things effeminate in the songwriting department. So it’d be like walking around with a Frankie Goes To Hollywood painting on your jacket.
LOL!!
No I disagree, I don’t think you can compare 5150 to Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Mr R&R, I agree with you. Roth era > than Hagar era. Roth was a rock star who brought a “party” vibe to the band with heavy songs. While Hagar was a better singer and more melodic song writer, he did not have the swagger of Roth, one of the best frontmen in rock history.
But can’t blame only Hagar for the change in Van Halen’s sound after he joined….cuz Eddie wanted the band’s sound to change, too, as he was getting more synth oriented.
The 5150 tour was my first time seeing Van Halen. I think 5150 is a good album, but I like any of the first four Van Halen albums alot more.
Yes Rattle,
As our resident “Redhead,” Doug R. always states that, about Hagar.
He says, that people love to blame Hagar for the poppy direction that Van [Hagar] went in, but the truth is, that it was actually Eddie, who wanted to change the sound.
Doug R. is not wrong, as I read in many Van Halen books, that is what caused the rift between Eddie and Roth. Roth wanted to remain a heavy band, and EVH wanted to move on to a more commercial sound. Therefore, the blame cannot really lay completely at the feet of Sammy Hagar.
What angered Eddie the most, was that Roth did not want to change the sound, yet he went on to re-record covers of the Beach Boys‘ California Girls and Louis Prima‘s Just A Gigolo, which was completely poppy and kind of schmaltzy. So, I do see a bit of hypocrisy in that, as well.
As for Roth as a frontman versus Hagar, well, in my humble opinion, there really is no comparison. While I agree with you, that Hagar may have the better voice, visually Roth was sexy as hell and I agree, he had swagger. Also, he could do all those onstage splits, his samurai sword stuff, etc. Roth is/was a true showman and a complete Renaissance man, so there really is no comparison, in the frontman department.
EVH went overboard on the keys, Hagar was not a fan of keyboards (watch the 2006 Livin’ It Up tour) his rendition of “Right Now” with Vic Johnson on guitar speaks for itself! Roth started using keys on Eat ’em And Smile, but then he REALLY went overboard on Skyscraper! EVH was all over the map in the ’80s, originally wanted Daryl Hall and even considered Patty Smyth to replace Roth! But in fairness to EVH it really was a sign of the times, Ozzy – The Ultimate Sin, Iron Maiden – Somewhere In Time, Judas Priest – Turbo, just to name few who got suckered in by the keyboard craze that was so big in the ’80s…
At this point I was still depressed Dave was gone. I still bought it but the music just didn’t speak to me.
why can’t the expanded edition be $51.50? here it comes….