Favorite Van Halen Era

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Mine would have to be (like at least 95% of the fans) the Diamond Dave era (1973-1984) because he brought charisma and showmanship on stage every time he performed with the group.

Plus, the group was harder sounding due to Eddie Van Halen's virtoroso guitar playing which has not been heard before.

My favorite album is their debut album from thirty years ago because it still had the same raw power that the band was known for when they first hit the hard rock/heavy metal scene.

Sammy Hagar was very good in his role as DLR's replacement, but Gary Cherome almost ruined the legendary half metal group.

i agree.....though I liked some of the riffs on VH3. Eddie had some very cool riffs in the beginning but I really like the way his sound evolved on the F.U.C.K. album and I still emmulate it to this day...This was one of the records I used to learn to play.

The Diamond Dave Era Part One (1973-1984) - that is Van Halen to me. I just could never get into the Hagar and later periods much at all though undoubtedly Eddie is still an amazing guitarist. Just something about the early material - it has an energy they've never matched. And Dave had so much more personality than Hagar. I realize Dave is back now and they've been touring... Are they planning to write new material with him? I'm curious how it would turn out if they do.

The first era with the exceptions of the 'Diver Down' release, and the most popular song from 1984. After dave left the band, the replacement singers couldn't replace DLR, and Eddie's guitar tone had increasing amounts of processing, as well as the fact that he stopped using late 60's plexiglas panelled Marshall amps, both of which which caused it to suffer.

Yeah that's definitely something else I didn't like about the post-1984 era aside from the lack of Dave. The guitar tone really changed and I think all the processing obscured Eddie's playing too much. The earlier tone had so much more raw power to it.

Which Van Halen era is your personal favorite?

( ) The Diamond Dave Era Part One (1973-1984)
( ) The Van Hagar Era (1985-1996)
( ) The Diamond Dave Era Part Two (1996)
( ) The Cherome Era (1998)
( ) The Van Hagar Era Part Two (2004)
( ) The Diamond Dave Era Part Three (2007-present)
( ) I like all eras of Van Halen
( ) I don't like Van Halen period
(·) Van Halen who?

Part of the decline of EVH, is not only the tone and processing that he had, but also the lack of inspiration. I suppose that being an alcoholic multimillionaire that has everything that he could possibly want will kill the inspiration when the realization that he never have to do anything ever again comes to him. --He's nowhere near as good now as he was on the first few albums.

Yep - sadly that seems to happen a lot with musicians. Apathy brought on by success suppose. I can think of many bands / artists that have amazing output early in their career and its just downhill from there. There are rare ones that can keep it going strong for decades - those seem extremely rare though.

I grew up with my dad blasting Balance on the ol' Pioneer stereo system at home, absolutely LOVE that album to this day. Seventh Seal, what a song. For me, it's nostalgia, other stuff might be better, but this album brings me back.

Is anything more worth hearing from the band for someone who heard the first s/t and Fair Warning, and liked the latter more?

'Women And Children First' and 'Mean Streets' come to mind, everything after that, save for some of the stuff on '1984' was crap AFAIC.

I don't think anyone likes the Cherone era, Van Halen III was a terrible album.

I am deliberately ignorant of the Cherone era. I blocked my ears.
Their first four albums were it. I continued to buy their albums up to "Balance", not caring for the post-made-it-big songs themselves but addicted to EVH solos. (The solo he did on Michael Jackson's "Beat It" is my all-time favorite air guitar solo to perform.)
I am never one to yell sellout or whatever. The band, and in particular Eddie, did enough for me on those first four albums that they are permanently immune from criticism, even if I have lost interest in their newer exploits.
EVH will always be one of my favorite guitarists.

I never liked Sammy Hagar until I heard Dreams. This is such a great video. Exhilirating!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjPEBunlstQ[/youtube]

Here are the best vids courtesy of YouTube!


The best solo music videos that Dave and Sammy had done:

My favorite DLR vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgqlx0FZ8hM

My favorite Sammy Hagar vid:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_QmludKu1g

The Best DLR-era music video of Van Halen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5t5GukrWOU

The Best Van Hagar era music video of Van Halen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCkQZOnCN3k


The Best Cherome Era music video of Van Halen:
NONE ZILTCH ZERO BIG FAT O

I really enjoyed their stuff up until DLR left. Though I also enjoyed the 5150 album with Hagar, after that it went downhill for me. There is song here or there that I get into, but nothing like their early stuff.