‘5150’ is the seventh studio album by iconic American rock band Van Halen, released on 24 March 1986 by Warner Bros. Records.
This album marked the beginning of a new era for the band, being the first to feature Sammy Hagar on lead vocals, who replaced David Lee Roth.
The album's title comes from Eddie Van Halen's home studio, known as 5150, which is also a term used by California law enforcement to refer to people with mental disorders, in reference to Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code.
‘5150’ reached number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, surpassing the band's previous album, “1984”.
Despite controversy over the vocalist change, the album was a success, being certified double platinum shortly after its release. During the promotional tour, a live video entitled ‘Live Without a Net’ was released.
Initial reviews were mixed, but over time, ‘5150’ has established itself as one of Van Halen's most important recordings. The album's music includes tracks such as ‘Why Can't
This Be Love’ and ‘Dreams’, and highlights Eddie Van Halen's skill on both guitar and keyboards.
The album's line-up includes Sammy Hagar on vocals, Eddie Van Halen on guitar and keyboards, Michael Anthony on bass and backing vocals, and Alex Van Halen on drums.