Sammy Hagar & Michael Anthony Talk about Writing/Recording Van Halen's "5150"

[@BigPerm2004]

And this is why my appreciation for Van Hagar runs so deep. Seeing the friendship that Sam and Mike have is awesome!! Just two normal people, that knew and appreciated what Van Halen was, and still is to fans.

[@JohnRussoPBC]

Yep could hang out blend in at the weekend gathering and chill vibe not to mention they are awesome and have a blast playing !

[@charleskandrut7022]

Just 2 regular guys! Roth always has to be the center of attention!

[@stevelibby6852]

I prefer Sam Halen.

[@charleskandrut7022]

I prefer Van Halen over Van Rothstein!

[@lobabobloblaw]

No drama llamas here. Just some good ol’ average rock gods. :)

[@walterevans2118]

I remember so much about the 5150 album when it first came out in early 1986 …The sheer intense inventiveness of Ed’s guitar ideas,,,,The crazy floating trans Trem on Get Up sounding like lap steel,,,,The sheer groove of Best of Both Worlds,,,Sammy’s mind boggling vocals on Dreams,,,,The sheer brightness of Summer Nights with its quirky interludes of just guitar and the stratospheric backing vocals,,, the riff sequence on the track 5150 and me thinking -‘these are even better riffs than the ones Ed came up with on 1984 ‘ ….Alex’s drum sound and propulsion, the craziness of all the spoken vocal tracks going on during ‘Inside’ …and above all with it came the realisation that EDWARD’S talent was the spark in VH ……Not Roth’s. 5150 was just a GLORIOUS album. ….It lit up the year of 1986 like an H BOMB.

[@gokhanersan8561]

Exactly my feelings. 5150 was a revelation of Eddie’s musical genius-to those who cared for music.

[@WhyTheHorseface]

And Roth and Templeman made “Eat ‘Em and Smile”. A fine rock record with some good songs, but 5150 was a next level masterpiece.

[@Archangel_Reez]

I still have the original audio cassette ❤

[@WhyTheHorseface]

@@Archangel_Reez me too! The first cassette I bought with my own money (at K-Mart in Greeley, Colorado)!

[@chucky6311]

I agree 5150 is something very special summer nights shows Ed’s creative genius the backing vocals are out of this world .a band really working together it’s the only Sammy album I rank with any other , and I love them all

[@Deetroiter]

“why can’t this be love?” Is absolutely killer. The sound and energy from every member is mind blowing. And those backup vocals from Michael are second to none.

[@teamrecon2685]

Saw that tour, and words can't describe the musicianship. Ed's solo on 5150 alone is worth the price of admission.

[@johnknouse6984]

I remember Dave left Van Halen and everyone was like "Oh no what are they gonna do!". Answer: Sammy. 5150 came out and rocked the shit out of the world. Plain and simple. I'm so glad Sammy and Mikey are makin music together still. 2 rock legends that still got the chops and cajones and the heart. Love you guys.

[@TheHockeyDude27]

I rock the shit out of that album, I can't imagine the excitement back in 1986!!!

[@johnnyenglish9622]

The difference is Sammy is a musician who plays a good guitar unlike Roth.

[@libertarianrevolution7026]

5150 is one of the very best Van Halen albums. Classic.

[@merlinames9197]

Right behind the 6-pack.

[@Dooguy]

? @@merlinames9197

[@billparker7410]

@@merlinames9197 LOL, right? It might be one of the best Van Hagar albums (couldn't say since I don't really like any of them) but the REAL Van Halen albums are on a whole other level!

[@lastwordTSS]

Best VH album!

[@ugaais]

7th best

[@CarbiesChronicles]

Dreams is my all time favorite Van Halen song!!

[@HyperHorse]

It's not just one of my favourite Van Halen songs... it's one of my all time favourite songs ever!!!!

[@Ticonderoga12]

Man wat a song

[@CaptainCraigKWMRZ]

I feel so old... But so privileged to have lived (and played) thru this wonderful time that will sadley never happen again.

[@frankfiocco8004]

Mike and Sammy, you gents are legends. Absolutely thrashed 5150, on tape in the early 90s driving around with my mates. Cheers for the music.

[@4G632]

ロック史に燦然と輝く最高の名盤。 38年前からずっと大好きです。

[@WanderingNC]

When I was in the Gulf War, I bought a Walkman but didn’t bring any tapes with me, but a buddy of mine gave me 5150 to listen to. I wore that tape out, and still to this day, I can’t hear it without thinking back to that time. You guys were there with me the entire time. Thanks! Incidentally, another dude I met was a guitar institute grad and cut one of his electrics down to size to fit in his duffle bag. He fashioned some amp out of a piece of radio equipment and was jamming on the back ramp of his APC. He had an acoustic he somehow bought in country that was missing the top ‘e’ string and I bought it from him for $20. I took one strand of commo wire and it was the same diameter as the ‘e’ string, and lo and behold, it actually tuned. I wrote a song called ‘Misguided Souls’ on that acoustic while I was there. True stories 🎶✌️

[@Foxtrot1967]

Your music will live on long after we're gone. Thanks for the memories Sammy, Michael, Eddie, Alex and Dave too - the early stuff was just as great.

[@VivaToddVegas]

I miss Van Hagar era Van Halen more than words can express. My eyes are welling up as I write this. That album changed my life. They were so filled with talent and fun and brotherhood. Live Without A Net was the first rock concert I ever saw. To me, it was like being bathed in bright light, like that scene in the Blues Brothers when they're at the church and they discover their mission. Nothing was ever the same again after that.

[@nickknight5543]

Back when Roth left I wasn't thrilled and was part of the Van Hagar camp. I finally realized tht all the problems that Van Halen were having were caused by the VH brothers. I'm happy that Mike has been with Sammy for so long because the VH brothers did Mickey dirty.

[@shable1436]

Not all problems were caused by bros, Roth started separating himself as DLR and then egos started really affecting them, causing dividing factions

[@autk]

That's a crock

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Who's Mickey?

[@bobravenscraft5376]

Sir

[@bobravenscraft5376]

DLR. I always thought Ed was best I ever heard. Still do

[@eddoney8829]

This album hooked me forever. Greatest rock album ever. Greatest rock band ever.

[@gokhanersan8561]

Yes.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Sticky Fingers or Exile on Main St. would like a word with you, not to mention Led Zeppelin IV and Dark Side of the Moon. 5150 isn't even the best Van Halen album, which is widely considered to be their debut album, Van Halen.

[@gokhanersan8561]

@@OMGWTFLOLSMH You have read too much Rolling Stone mag. Put your reading glasses down, open your ear, and listen.

[@eddoney8829]

@@OMGWTFLOLSMH Dark Side? LOL. Pot smokers not allowed to comment.

[@gokhanersan8561]

@@eddoney8829 as it was spoken in the 1994 movie The Shadow: “the clouded mind sees nothing.”

[@trevorray6212]

10 days!!!! wow!! you only hear that for bands first album when they already have songs in place. But this is another level.... 10 days for a whole bunch of brad new songs and lyrics. Incredible.

[@merlomusic007]

With a new singer and a badass one at that! 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@AntonioBarsanio]

Those were the times of incredible music and talented beyond magnificence rockers!

[@JayZes11]

Pure magic and no filler! Amazing album start to finish!

[@AkikoMakiOfficial]

5150 is one of my all time favorite albums from you guys. My vocal range is a bit lower than Sammy and I can’t help but, cringe when I think of what he has to go through to sing that song(But it is absolutely perfect!). My hat goes off to you, 10 days, one unbelievable album and all the summer memories made from such wonderful music. You guys ROCK! 🤘🎸😉

[@thebourg]

VH 2 was released 3/23/79. 5150 was released 3/24/86. March is a good month for Van Halen

[@robhasenwinkle]

Oh cool, I turned 10 on the release date of VH 2. And 5150 was released a day after my 17th birthday. Perfectly timed.

[@lucastucker1979]

Quite possibly my favorite record, period. Love that you and Mikey are still flying the VH flag.

[@wasp4eva1]

I get sick of hearing the comparisons between early VH & with Sammy. Both are great, & this is probably my favourite VH album.

[@sweetestbluebird]

Dreams is one of my all time favorite songs~ it still gives me chills when I hear it. It is magical for me.

[@hollylewis5302]

Amazing! 10 days? The stars were aligned!

[@salvatoredioguardi3132]

Will never forget listening to that cassette as a teenager in my 1967 Chevy Malibu!! Blaupunkt stereo and speakers of course!

[@monstrok]

I saw a show on that tour and to this day, it was the most energetic that I've seen out of more than 100. Four incredibly talented people sharing their music to an enthusiastic crowd that reflected their energy right back to the stage and back to the audience again. So memorable.

[@KeithSpinneyMusic]

Yeah, with Roth, they were a party band. We would crank them up at our little parties on the weekend but it was 5150 that made me a fan. And Live Without A Net was pure awesomeness!

[@rightbro]

Nah

[@LordVikingLive]

Oh wow, Dreams was the last song? I thought they were talking about number 9, Inside. 5150 is my favourite album of all time.

[@therealwilfreddierkes9980]

😂

[@Chris_Prime]

I blasted this song many times on my JBL car-stereo and Alpine speakers while riding in my 1982 T-Top Z28 Camaro heading down Summerlin avenue to Fort Myers Beach!!! The wind rushing through my hair! Breathing the fresh salty air! The sunshine! The freedom! The joy! This song made me feel alive!!! Thank you Sammy and Michael, Eddie and Alex!!!

[@HyperHorse]

Dreams is not just one of the best Van Halen songs, or one of the best songs of 1986. It's one of the best songs ever recorded in the whole of rock music history!!!!!!

[@lastwordTSS]

Hell yeah!

[@elparadisowellnesscentre]

Sammy Hagar replaced DLR in VH. Big shoes to fill but he did it and he is such a talented singer, songwriter and business man. Very magnetic person, it seems.

[@walterevans2118]

Thanks SO MUCH for these memories guys.

[@robertrichardson5285]

I remember sitting on the beach of Lake Michigan listening to this. My buddy brought his pick-up and had these giant speakers. The whole beach could here it and they loved it. Good times, good memories!!

[@peppermintspacecapsule9898]

My first and favourite VAN HALEN album. GET UP blew my teenage mind! The guitar intro sounds like a car changing gears! 🚕🎸 🚕 🎸 🚕 🎸

[@walterevans2118]

Yep...lol ....That will be Ed's 'TRANS TREM' bridge on his guitar....Its set up in such a way that all 6 six strings SHIFT IN TUNE WITH EACH OTHER.

[@peppermintspacecapsule9898]

@@walterevans2118 - I saw a few guys using those bridges, but none could match EVH 😁

[@walterevans2118]

@@peppermintspacecapsule9898 Ed was writing SONGS which made use of the devices unique capabilities. Ed was way ahead of others on this.

[@peppermintspacecapsule9898]

@@walterevans2118 - Agreed! 👍

[@RandyJurgens]

I still play this album today and it still sounds great 👍👍👏👏👏💯💯

[@jeremydiamond8824]

🎶You are instrumental 🎵in the 🔊Van Halen 🔉world Sammy Hagar 🎸just amazing that they had you 🗝️!! You saved them in so many ways 🎤, not only as a musician but also a friend , uncle,father and loved one of the of the 🎙️Van Halen family 🎙️! Your the Red Rocker 🎸and Van Halen tried and true !! A true gentleman and an amazing artist who loves his passion of ROCK AND ROLL 🎸 🔈🎼

[@mikeyID]

You guys are awesome. Miss those days 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

[@jandvadams]

Sammy. You have no idea how much I loved your solo career. I thought you were great on your own. And then when I heard that DLR left VH and they were on the hunt for a new frontman, I always hoped that it would be you. And then I heard it was. I was stupid happy. And when Why Can't This Be Love was released my mind was blown. I was driving in my brother's 79 NOVA when the song first aired. It blew my mind. I bought the album as soon as it was released. It is still one of my favorite albums of all time. And every time I listen to it I think to myself. Sammy didn't need Van Halen , but Van Halen sure needed Sammy. And it was magic. Thank you.

[@zaz4667]

Those were some AWESOME concerts! I collected all the full CDs, import CDs, and single CDs, learned all the songs on guitar, seen the concerts, Thanks guys! Best time ever!

[@fredbassett444]

Loved this album and I say Michael Anthony's backing vocals was the glue to the Van Halen sound....behind Dave and Sammy. Dreams will always be one of the bests songs Ever.....pairing it with the Blue Angels matched the power of the song!!!!

[@SimonLloydGuitar]

Im 53 now and these songs mean so much to me all these years later. 5150 has some of the best songs VH ever recorded. Brings tears to my eyes. Sammy's vocals on this record are utterly outstanding. The song writing is just perfect. Sammy and Michael are such lovely guys too. Thank you boys for the feelings and joy you've given me over the years. Love from England.

[@heldermartins8785]

Bought it when it came out, upgraded it to DVD, and now Spotify is my best friend. Its always my go to choice when its time to make dinner. To this day, no one got food poisoining.

[@5150show]

5150 percent incredible

[@motorcity7137]

Such a lame attempt

[@kodiakfamily8032]

I love this album. This and Diver Down are my most listened to VH albums. Eddie's work is off the chart. In VH1 pure raw. In 5150 - his finesse is right up there. The song 5150 - it's one of the best guitar work I know of. RIP EVH. Thank you Sammy and Mike!

[@benrose7534]

I can remember hearing this for the first time.. thinking to myself how the hell could this be more perfect the fact that you guys tuned in so well is quite amazing.. thank you for all the good times !

[@TheBrowncoat2112]

Sammy and Mike have been musical soulmates for nearly 40 years. Still great to see these two as friends all these years later.

[@mookyyzed]

Best time in my life when this album released. Freshman in high school, zit faced, skate punk, shit for brains. I listened to this album thousands of times over the years. Never gets old. Too bad I did😫

[@kennethmcintyre6942]

Thank you Sammy and Michael for creating one of the Greatest Rock records ever followed by The live without a net home video. I have such great memories of the 80s because of those two things. Timeless songs and one of the best Power Ballads ever recorded Love walks in! RIP Eddie we miss you. Thanks for the memories ❤

[@alexanderscott6332]

I watched live without a net on VHS until it was a tracking nightmare... VH had never toured here and this was all I had... it's now officially 5150 time!! that opening riff on that song is incredible.

[@JamesKonicki-q4w]

This is the album that hooked me for life!

[@markoutwithmark]

5150 is a great album and an even better song!!

[@SoCal780]

I have always loved this album and still listen to it quite often. Saw the tour too, which was the only time I ever saw VH live. Awesome show! This record is timeless.

[@carsandchrome]

A big thank you to both of you for the dedication and all the great music over the years!!

[@scottfast03]

Still to this day one of my favorite albums. Love seeing these videos.

[@Enoch-Gnosis]

Love that Album lots of great memories!

[@ThomasSlayer]

Thank you guys, I love what you have done. Huge fan always.

[@blakefrei3015]

Thank GOD ALMIGHTY for HIs great wisdom, brilliance, genius, omniscience, omnipotent power, grace, and eternal grandeur, which is the miracle with which he blessed us in creating Van Halen. Glory to Him for giving us EVH, Hagar, Alex, and Michael Anthony during the glorious year of 1986...perhaps the greatest rock musical year in Earth's history.

[@paulmetzger4165]

The best rock band of all time! Love the Hagar years and have seen Sammy several times live since then. A lot of amazing records were left on the table from the break up I’m afraid but I’m thankful for the catalog that we still get to enjoy.

[@LastHumansGarage]

after "1984".... the band came back alive for me with 5150. That opening song really hits me deep.

[@witka133]

every day i listening van Halen and i love you guys for almost 40 years. I'm from 1974 and my father was playing van Halen on the radio and i grow up with a lot of music. why can't this by love was on headbangersball and i will never forget how great Sammy was in the band and Van Halen II was born. I'm from Holland and that's dubbel why i love Van Halen.

[@kayjones613]

I've been a fan since before anyone knew you! I bought the album based on Eddie's great hair, took it home, listened and fell in love with the music! BUT when Sammy joined, the band went to a level so much higher that I barely listen to the previous years. After all these years, I can still sing right along and know just about every note to the Van Hagar songs!!! Lol You 2 were a huge blessing to Van Halen! I stopped listening to the new albums without you boys.

[@davidmerlin3344]

I remember waiting by my radio when we were told the day and time of the first release “Why Can’t This Be Love”. It was very different for the former Van Halen sound I was used to but I loved it. I bought the album and was blown away with how good and unique it was. Then I saw one of the first shows in Birmingham, Alabama 3 or 3 weeks later.

[@rgs4x]

5150 Was an awesome record. Mikey you are a class act always. With DLR's drama with WGVH you are always kind and the glue of VH. So glad you and Sammy together are still making great music. Rock on!

[@xp50player]

You guys are so positive and upbeat, great ambassadors for the VH legacy.

[@davethornton6913]

Gotta say my fav album

[@TwentyOneRoyalMusic]

Couldn't love you two dudes more.

[@theunknown4570]

That Album is part of my DNA. The soundtrack to my youth. Thanks, VH.

[@martintapia9374]

I never had the privilege of seeing Van Hagar but I did see Michael Anthony with Van Halen in 1981 + 1983...in 1981 San Antonio...he did the very best Bass Solo I ever heard, really impressed me...quite crazy too, stepping over his bass and then destroying it...quite cool

[@thundersnow819]

We love you guys!

[@MaryJo-t4g]

That was awesome, was at that concert, of that tour...the year after seeing you, solo. That was a great album...they all are.. VanHagar

[@toddprater14]

Was 16 in high school when this album dropped in 86’..a lot of great tunes,it was a different Van Halen, but still good…

[@magamaga1827]

As a 14 yr old in summer of 86, man it was great watching the video for Dreams every day on MTV. Little did we know how lucky we were.

[@caffeinefixPHX]

Undeniably ONE of the GREATEST ALBUMS OF ALL TIME!!!! 👊🏽💪🏽🎸🎤🎹🥁🎼🖤☠️⚓️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️

[@keepontruckinoutlawlife1248]

Best album ever in history!!!!!

[@Charlie-fo5ds]

The title track is outstanding and should have been a single!!

[@Bernz66]

This album was my summer time album of 1986….

[@sneakywan]

One of my favourite albums of all time.

[@andrewkratz226]

I absolutely love this album.

[@jp8950]

You guys shaped generations of humanity with your music. We will always love you for it!

[@gcHK47]

Dreams was what made me a Van Halen fan. 5150 rules!

[@STEVYN_W-A-Y]

Love every song!! Dreams is the best man oh man great stuff!! 10 days? Wow!!💯✌️

[@dohmarau]

Love Sammy and Michael... Van Hagar was the soundtrack in primary school, still love it all

[@benedettomansueto4016]

5150 is an absolutely beautiful and brilliant album. Poetry melodic

[@andrewhillabrand4432]

Classic Album! The new Box set is awesome. I picked up the vinyl one but will also be getting the CD set soon. Can’t wait to see the summer tour

[@lovelylisawarriorqueen7923]

So much fun going to those concerts back in the day!

[@bm8406]

5150 was a paradigm shifting record in a year (decade really) of great music. I love both of the first two iterations of VH, but 5150 came out at just the right time in my life to be extremely impactful and influential. The record (like most of their records) still holds up today in my opinion.

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

Man Sammy is so Humble you got to love that man. Saw Van Halen with Eddie and Wolfgang an Diamond David Lee Roth at SDSU Viejas arena 12 years ago. Sammy is great nothing bad to say. 👍

[@5150chicago]

IN 10 DAYS!!!!!! Just amazing!!

[@tracycase4520]

Young people need to hear what their grandparents listened to back in "their" day. Thanks gentlemen. You made the 70's and 80's better.

[@nigelhasenbaum]

This was my first experience with hearing Van Halen. I got a cassette tape for Christmas of this album and I didnt know what it was. From that very first track I was absolutely blown away. I immediately had the inspiration to learn the guitar after having it sit under my bed in a case at the age of 14.

[@tnourse]

I’m old school and love the Roth years. But the band (especially) Eddie seemed so happy with Sammy. That was amazing. 🤘

[@davidwenzel717]

I love 5150

[@robhasenwinkle]

They recorded 5150 in 10 days? Holy Shit!

[@kevinhall3449]

Thx fellas, listening to y'all doing what you do has been terrific many many many many ...........times. the lead vocal got Way better 'roundabout 5150 time; and Mr Mike was always excellent vocally, as a player, and I've no doubt he was and is an A-Grade band mate. HatsOff to the 'unheralded' one.

[@MapleJames76]

I truly believe Mikey was the heart of that band. He NEVER EVER had anything bad to say about anyone. Ever. And to see this friendship last all these years speaks volumes. Great dudes, both of them. Thank you for the awesome music.

[@critters08]

Love Walks In is soo us and this whole album, we got together since spring/sumer 1992 ty so much again🥳🙌🥰🫶🤘

[@seemedoit]

Two of the coolest and most approachable Rock Stars ever! I love these two

[@bryanmcdermott4204]

I love videos with information like this. It's so cool to hear how things happened.

[@HD-ew1ii]

Seen Van Hagar and The Red Rocker. Loved them both

[@cappercapper485]

Sammy is 76 years old and still brings it.

[@staxmantim]

This was done in 10 days & it took Def Leppard & Mutt Lange years & millions of dollars to make Hysteria

[@fvingerhoed]

Still stands that record. Amazing