Van Halen released “5150” on March 24, 1986, their first album with Sammy Hagar after David Lee Roth’s departure. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, surpassing their previous album, 1984, and produced hits like “Dreams,” “Why Can’t This Be Love,” and “Love Walks In.”
The title 5150 was inspired by Eddie Van Halen’s home studio in California and a legal code for individuals with mental health issues.
Donn Landee served as the producer, and Mick Jones from Foreigner contributed to the production, resulting in a mix of ballads and hard-hitting riffs. The album features nine tracks written collaboratively by Eddie Van Halen, Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony, and Alex Van Halen, and a 40th-anniversary expanded edition is set to be released with remastered versions, bonus tracks, and unreleased live recordings.
