When did Van Halen "jump the shark"?

[I Coulda Hada VH]

When do you think Van Halen "jumped the shark"?

Was it in 1982 with Diver Down and all of the cover tunes like (Oh) Pretty Woman, Dancing In The Street and Happy Trails?
Was it in 1984 with keyboard songs like Jump and I'll Wait?
Was it in 1986 with more keyboard songs like Why Can't This Be Love and Love Walks In?
Was it in in 1995 with the rapidly deteriorating relationship between Ed and Sam and the morose tone of songs like Don't Tell Me (What Love Can Do), Not Enough and Feelin' on Balance?
Was it in the summer of 1996 with the firing of Sam, the tease of the possible return of Dave and the eventual hiring of Gary?
Was it in 1998 with the release of the much maligned and poorly received Van Halen III?
Was it in 2004 with the less than stellar 3 new songs and awkward tour with Sam?
Was it in 2007 with the return of Dave and Mike being replaced by Wolfgang?

Or, did Van Halen never really "jump the shark"?

[vanCherone]

1988.

5150 was ok and the tour was really good. OU812 is just garbage and the tour was lame as hell.

[Ashe]

Oh yeah, this is going to turn out well.

[It's Mike]

For me, it was the 2004 tour but they were able to rewind the clock and make me almost forget about that on the first tour with Dave. But when I left the last show I saw in 2004, I was just about done with the band so that was my jump the shark moment.

[vcooper3]

1996, hands down. Sammy was let go due to differences over Humans Being. Dave was brought back for the two new BOV1 songs with an appearance at the ‘96 VMAs only as a gimmick.

Van Halen probably could’ve toured some Arenas And select stadiums if they went out with Roth in 97 or even 98. However they decided to go with Gary and wound out playing small venues like the house of blues. I thought the three tour was great, but in many markets the tickets didn’t sell as well.

I think the lukewarm reception to the three album and tour in many markets had a negative impact on the band.


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[VH1986]

Van Halen caught, fileted, and ate the freaking shark.

[wombattt]

5150, the album

[CaboChris]

VH III

[CaboChris]

I didn't give that band one thought after that until 2004.

[billy007]

April 1, 1985

[Jedi McFly]

1996, hands down. Sammy was let go due to differences over Humans Being. Dave was brought back for the two new BOV1 songs with an appearance at the ‘96 VMAs only as a gimmick.

Van Halen probably could’ve toured some Arenas And select stadiums if they went out with Roth in 97 or even 98. However they decided to go with Gary and wound out playing small venues like the house of blues. I thought the three tour was great, but in many markets the tickets didn’t sell as well.

I think the lukewarm reception to the three album and tour in many markets had a negative impact on the band.


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Yup, this was the breaking point.

Like the Hagar years or not, they were successful. With proper management and either Dave or Sammy the band could’ve attained the modern day cultural relevance of Aerosmith or Bon Jovi. They pissed that away over drama and insecurities.

[Dave's Dreidel]

1996, to steal from Midnight Phil, the year they shot their career in the foot...with a bazooka.

[phast]

When I think of all the joy VH has brought me throughout my life the positives outweigh the negatives a million to one.

I did not know Edward but knowing I will never feel the excitement of getting a new album and tour again is depressing.

[jimmy812]

Yeah, I don't see how it can't be 1996.

I understand people saying '85, but the band still functioned successfully after that. Personal feelings aside, they were still relevant with Sammy.

1996 was a clusterfuck and the band's popularity and success was never the same after that.

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

Since I enjoyed everything the band ever did, obviously to varying degrees, they didn't completely jump any shark. They certainly tripped over it in 96 by not bringing Dave back for good, again in 2000 for not making it work with Dave yet again, and 2004 for getting back with Sam. But redeemed themselves with some really good, fun tours, and a great album in ADKOT to cap their career. Wouldve liked more, but they have more quality releases than the vast majority of bands.

This thread is going to go down in flames.