Best of Van Halen, Vol. 1

As a qualifier, my Jr. High/ High School years were DLR era; college years were all Sammy. I love all of it. Period. I’ve purchased cuts off of this album, but find the “Best of Both Worlds” to be the much more representative compilation album and “The Collection” vols 1 & 2 to be the ultimate remastered gems for fans. Considering the time period of this release, it’s easy to see the bias from the VH camp in highlighting DLR’s cuts in anticipation of a possible return. DLR cuts are all hard rocking, while Sammy’s comparable rockers are completely left out for almost all ballads. True fans know better; lesser fans will say “See, I TOLD you DLR was better!” Whatever. Glad to continue to enjoy all of it.

It’s time to accept the truth, no matter which lead singer you prefer, still one of the best, most influential rock bands in history. There’s no denying the early years with David Lee Roth, and the charismatic and loose vocals backed by relentless energy and onstage antics. And Eddie Van Halen’s gunslinging, machine gun, tight and fast paced guitar licks leave us all wanting more. One of the most energized bands in history! Hard, fast, and loud and always bringing the party! Then move into an era where Sammy Hagar steps in and delivers precise, high and on point vocals forcing Eddie and Al and even Mike to become better musicians. There is no denying that both eras we’re definitely the best of both worlds! If you love Van Halen as much as I do, you realize it’s like watching your children grow up infront of you. It’s so sad to listen to all these tracks and realize Ed’s not here and there will never be another chapter to this story that was cut so short. But at least they keep the tracks coming, and I can’t wait to get Van Halen box set 2, the Sammy years remastered! Very excited!

Thank you Eddie, Alex, Michael, Dave & Sammy

...This compilation makes clear what most everyone already recognizes: the drop-off from Roth to Hagar is shocking. They went from being a wild, fun, inventive, ground-breaking band to wanna-be Pop stars pretending they were metal. If it ain't Diamond Dave, it ain't Van Halen.

5 stars for the new DLR songs alone!!

I know most of Van Halen’s stuff was with Dave, but they were also amazing with Sammy. To say they should ditch the Sammy stuff in favor of DLR implies none of Sammy’s stuff was good. It was, very much so. Some of Eddie’s best guitar bits were with Sammy on vocals. Also this came out in ‘96, it makes little sense to tell them to change a 24 year old album. RIP EVH

rest in peace eddie

❤️

This is the greatest song ever recorded by Van Halen. The powerful lyrics by Roth, Michael’s amazing background vocals and Eddie’s ever magical guitar makes you wonder what this band could have become. I say the greatest Rock and Roll band of all time if only they would have recorded one more album. This magic they produced on these two never played songs off of this “greatest hits” album would have electrified the world and took this group to the stratosphere of rock gods. Eddie, do it for the world. Stop thinking of yourself, and let the people see just how great this band could be.

You DID NOT JUST SAY THAT