Van Halen with Sammy Hagar vs...

[Brett]

I agree. But which album is better? VHI or 5150?

Dude, I’m not even answering that. Lol.

[Little Dreamer]

It's hard to be objective when we're such hardcore fans. There's too much personal, emotional investment. I am not sure I can be objective about 5150, for example, the first VH record that came out while I was already a fan (I got into VH summer of 84). Same with 1984, the first VH record I ever bought.

[I Coulda Hada VH]

Dude, I’m not even answering that. Lol.

You don't have to.

You, VS, LD and this whole site all know I prefer the Dave era, but I also love the Sammy era. I give Sam all the credit in the world for stepping into an almost impossible situation and helping the band stay at the top of the rock world for almost another decade.

[I Coulda Hada VH]

It's hard to be objective when we're such hardcore fans. There's too much personal, emotional investment. I am not sure I can be objective about 5150, for example, the first VH record that came out while I was already a fan (I got into VH summer of 84). Same with 1984, the first VH record I ever bought.

100%. I will never forget hearing Eruption for the first time in 1978 and thinking to myself
and all at the same time.

[Little Dreamer]

I think i now look at all 12 VH records as chapters in a book. It's hard to compare the introduction with the middle part. They each serve a different purpose. Of course there's one chapter... the pages have been torn off (chapter 11).

[Brett]

I just remember hearing Eruption and not understanding what it was. I didn’t know if it was a guitar or what was going on. Or how somebody could make anything sound like that.

[I Coulda Hada VH]

[Little Dreamer]

This video brought me some major closure, the first time I saw it!
The part at 7:20
Coz when I was a young lad learning VH and playing songs like RWTD for the first time, I could NEVER get the triads in the chorus to sound as good as Ed. Something always sounded off and not as tight as him. Now I know why. Damn you young kids who have youtube to solve every musical mystery in the universe!!!

[I Coulda Hada VH]

This video brought me some major closure, the first time I saw it!
The part at 7:20
Coz when I was a young lad learning VH and playing songs like RWTD for the first time, I could NEVER get the triads in the chorus to sound as good as Ed. Something always sounded off and not as tight as him. Now I know why. Damn you young kids who have youtube to solve every musical mystery in the universe!!!

That Eddie Van Halen guy was pretty good.

[I Coulda Hada VH]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/9KSJKBqmYVQ

[BlofeldsCat]

I give Sam all the credit in the world for stepping into an almost impossible situation and helping the band stay at the top of the rock world for almost another decade.

So who had the more arduous challenge, Sammy coming in for Dave or Jake coming in for Randy.

[Bad to the Bone]

for me it was always Van Halen and then there was everyone else. yes, some bands were huge during that time but I didn't think any of them were on VH's level, With Dave or With Sam. Bon Jovi? c'mon. Poison? get outta here. even like U2 were not IMO even close to VH. VH still had that magic, they were simply the best band in the world from 78-95, nobody else was even close.

[ziggysmalls]

I know this will be flamed but I don't believe Sammy walked into an impossible situation. You had a band coming off their biggest album. Yes their flamboyant singer left but you still had a known commodity with Eddie Van Halen. He wasn't like the guitarist from Til Tuesday. He was Eddie Freaking Van Halen. You had name recognition which followed the band. You also brought in a very successful solo artist who according to Sammy was about as popular as Van Halen. He had name recognition with the same audience.

It was 1985 which wasn't like changing singers of a similar style band in 1995. Melodic rock AOR bands were about ready to move into their golden years. If there was ever an era for melodic rock with great guitar solos, it was from about 1985 to Nevermind. You couldn't pick a better time outside of the early 80's which were good but nothing like what was going to come.

MTV which was very influential also was on board with promoting the band due to their hour long special which was produced within a few weeks of the tour.

Was it difficult to a degree? Sure but given that Sammy was already established and Van Halen was an incredibly talented band with a great songwriter....not sure it was impossible to be successful. I think Back in Black was far more impressive due to the lack of MTV and its simply is one of the greatest rock albums of all time. Doesn't mean that Sammy and the boys didn't do a great job. 1998 with Gary was a totally different situation. Wouldn't have worked with anybody outside of Dave. If Dave never left and they hired Sammy in 1998. it would have failed.

Timing is everything.

[I Coulda Hada VH]

So who had the more arduous challenge, Sammy coming in for Dave or Jake coming in for Randy.

Good question. I would say Sammy.

[VH1986]

Lol. There is no competition.

I agree. It's Sam Halen for the win.