Ok. 80's folks Van Halen or Van Hagar?
Posted by Own_Mirror7458@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 250 comments
For those that came of age in the 80's, which team are you on?
Van Halen? Up to 1984
Van Hagar? 1985-
I'm on Team Van Hagar!
They captured the late 80's better than Roth in early 80's. He was great for the 70's. But can't argue with Eddie on the need for change.
Your thoughts?
Wanted to get into a real GenX discussion. Have at it!
effugium1@reddit
I was into all of it, but my cutoff is the FUCK album, it’s boring to me today, apart from “Poundcake.” “Right Now” is lame and makes me think of Crystal Pepsi. I still listen to 5150 and 0U812. My favorite has always been the debut, though.
Gorrmb69@reddit
Van Halen and it’s not even close. Van Hagar was more poppy, which they may have already moved a little bit with 1984. There’s no way they would have achieved as much or more with Sammy from the beginning. Diamond Dave was a huge part of their success. Great frontman with a lot of charisma.
kapshus@reddit
Original VH was a force of nature. They had fun, the kind of excessive, goofy, substance abusing fun that R&R is all about. Sammy brought healthy diets, more melodies and everything that screams mature, adult partying. Different vibe.
Remembering a new VH video hitting on MTV and seeing the nutty Pretty Woman or those flying kicks from DLR, cmon, that was peak VH.
doubleohzerooo0@reddit
Yeah, I'm on team VH.
But isn't the original lineup more Gen Jones? Van Hagar is more GenX.
Gorrmb69@reddit
No way, born in 69 and listened to Van Halen from the late 70’s on. There probably wasn’t a bigger act when they released 1984. DLR was the coolest guy on the continent.
NGJohn@reddit
No. According to this sub, Gen X starts in 1961. The first year of Gen X would've been 17 when Van Halen was released. Even if you go by the standard range that begins in 1965, the oldest Gen X-er would've been 13, plenty old enough to get into Van Halen.
Also, Gen Jones is not an actual thing. It was made up by a TV producer named Jonathan Pontell so that he could--surprise!--sell shit to people who wanted to feel special and bought into his shtick.
Gorrmb69@reddit
Baby Boomers generation’s last year is 64. Gen X began in 65.
EasyBit2319@reddit
Its all made up to sell shite. Gen Jones just as real as any of the marketing.
escargotini@reddit
This song describes my feelings perfectly - Nerf Herder - Van Halen
ProjectAshamed8193@reddit
Hagar for the smarter lyrics DLR for the pure rock joy
Own_Mirror7458@reddit (OP)
Love the passion. Just looking for a discussion that is not medically based on this forum.
We're better than that! Keep em coming.
AMGRN@reddit
Well I told my husband once that I liked the Van Hagar songs just as much as the DLR songs and he told me if I ever said it again he’d divorce me lol.
I think he was kidding?
Lost-in-the-dark-@reddit
I was brainwashed into liking Van Halen by my 2nd ex. I preferred Hager due to his more sophisticated musical singing & writing. He couldn’t argue with the. He saw Roth on stage many times, dude couldn’t remember most of the songs because he was shit faced. Never had that happen with Hager. Think they got their first Grammy via Hager.
I think women preferred Hager. Most men idolized Roth. Smh. He was gross to me.
InstantlyTremendous@reddit
Better singer - of course.
More sophisticated writing - are you serious??
Lost-in-the-dark-@reddit
Yes. As serious as a heart attack.
InstantlyTremendous@reddit
Wham bam, Amsterdam. That Sammy Hagar?
Lost-in-the-dark-@reddit
When compared to Roth’s? Yes. And his singing was consistent. Add that he was a professional singer & never got so drunk that he forgot the words to songs he wrote.
Van Halen won their first & only Grammy, the for F.U.C.K. album. This was Hager’s.
Freightshaker000@reddit
Is your husband single? Asking as a man.
NGJohn@reddit
Your husband is a good man.
ToasterBath4613@reddit
How long till somebody says ‘your choice is on the Epstein list’?? 🤣🤣🤣
gozer87@reddit
Van Halen is better, but neither sucks.
Mixednutbag@reddit
I like Sammy. He seems like a cool guy. But for me Van Halen is Roth.
EasyBit2319@reddit
This is a joke, right? Van Hagar was an embarrassment
ComprehensiveLife597@reddit
Hagar was technically a better singer but the songs that DLR sang were cooler. DLR was a more entertaining showman.
TheFlaEd@reddit
The issue that's never addressed are the two phases of Eddie. The Van Halen songs were , for the most part, better. Eddie went into his synth phase with Van Hagar and the guitar work wasn't up front the way we wanted it to be. That being said, I'm still team Van Hagar. I always found Dave to be annoying. So did the rest of the band.
Obvious-Way-846@reddit
I’m in the minority, but I like Hagar.
retroafric@reddit
Neither.
Never liked ‘em.
stevis78@reddit
Van Hagar
RiotDad@reddit
Van Halen and it’s not even close imho. Hagar gets hokey real fast. Early Van Halen albums are just masterpieces and even 1984 has massive bangers on it.
Due-Leek7901@reddit
It's an age thing. No way anyone cognizant enough to really experience first six albums converted when Sammy joined. Just no way.
Now, with all the water under the bridge now, it's different. Dave is full clown... Or something... mode now. Hard to reconcile what he is. And I imagine Sammy's just an older version of himself. So through that lense, I didn't know.
And the Dave reunion was shit
But Van Halen was first six albums. If those never happened and we just had the Sammy albums, Van Halen would not be talked about like they're talked about now. They'd be like Europe or something.
leolicious24@reddit
Van Halen….in 5th grade when 1984 came out it was an experience!
Rockosayz@reddit
Van Halen
Realistic_Back_9198@reddit
Little known fact: Sammy Hagar is now so old, he finally *can* drive 55.
harc70@reddit
Van Halen, no contest
Rocksurf80@reddit
Van Hagar, When Its love was the track that made me love Van Halen
Mr_Stike@reddit
I was 13 and it blew my mind. I saw them with Sammy in 86, 89 and 91. The show in 91 was Hagar's birthday, they had evidently been partying all day and they sucked.
I can't recall the last time I listened to any of the Hagar era albums (I actively dislike some of those songs-Dreams? Yechh) but all these years later I still love the Roth era albums.
DPax_23@reddit
Diamond Dave
imscruffythejanitor@reddit
Crystal Pepsi? Fuck that. Van Halen
homeslce@reddit
Is this seriously even a question? Van Halen was legend…Van Hagar was meh…yes Van Halen had run its course and I understand the breakup but that doesn’t mean that Van Hagar is in the same league
itgoesineasy@reddit
Van Halen! No way things were right without Dave
PeachieSpeechy22@reddit
Sammy was the best thing for Van Halen. Took them from we are kinda popular being goofy and just doing covers to super stardom. They would have never reached the highs they did with DLR. Sammy brought out the best in Eddie by allowing him to show his talent. Van Hagar by far!!
ComicDoughnut@reddit
Kinda popular? Their first album and 1984 both sold over 15 million copies each. None of the Hagar albums got close to that. They were huge before Hagar.
PeachieSpeechy22@reddit
Then all Dave wanted to do was snort coke and do covers. So yeah sooo much better with him.
ComicDoughnut@reddit
If you want to argue that they were better with Hagar, that's a matter of opinion. To say that they were kinda popular with Roth and Hagar brought them to super stardom is both insane and just flat wrong. And yes, they were better with Roth.
raistlinwizard1@reddit
Van Halen all the way...who could forget, "You Really Got Me!"...
stabbingrabbit@reddit
You have laid down the gauntlet. Shall you choose swords or pistols for the duel.
DasBearkicker2112@reddit
Van Halen… I remember the exact point on the planet I was standing when I heard VH I. Van Hagar doesn’t remind me of anything.
Fit_Beautiful6625@reddit
Like them both
Carinyosa99@reddit
I have never understood the appeal of David Lee Roth. I wasn't a big fan of the band with either lead, but I liked Sammy Hagar better.
GoingHeeled@reddit
Van Halen! Van Hagar moved to the soft rock category as my parent’s music. Van Halen was more fun.
SmokedLimburger@reddit
Wow OP. Way to chose violence.
Successful-Sense-270@reddit
Right? I married a Hagar unknowingly. We just avoid the subject.
Titania_2016@reddit
Condolences, it must be difficult life.
Successful-Sense-270@reddit
20 years. If I murdered someone is be on parole by now.
SmokedLimburger@reddit
Exactly. Why talk about it when we can just repress it? It’s just how things are done.
NGJohn@reddit
Pick your battles.
AMGRN@reddit
I just choked on my soda 🤣🤣🤣
lotus_ink@reddit
Doesn’t matter. Liked em both. It was all about EVH anyway.
BeginningPhilosophy2@reddit
What?!
KieranJalucian@reddit
both
Project807@reddit
I saw Van Hagar in concert. No energy whatsoever from anyone but the bassist. Eddie shredded but was a complete statue on stage.
Civil_Fall_3914@reddit
Hagar
Aggressive-Bath-1906@reddit
I am on Team Van Hagar. They were just a more mature sounding band. I still like the original VH, but I listen to the Hagar albums much, much more.
Upper-Profession2196@reddit
Van Halen, I don't recognize the other thing.
LordZany@reddit
They both suck
Fit-Yogurtcloset3023@reddit
Van Halen ALL THE WAY!!! Hagar was total poseur! Van Halen was no longer a thing after David Lee Roth. No comparison really. Actually makes me feel a little upset just having to read this question. “I don’t feeeel tardy”
TimHuntsman@reddit
Both and Gary on VHiii. Good music.
HoochieKoochieMan@reddit
This. Much love for Gary.
Titania_2016@reddit
Yeah, I don't know much about Gary but I do feel.He got a short end of the stick.Because there's no way he can win.In this competition. Put them in a different group.He did probably done a lot better. But then, I i'm leaving know about him because of VH, so there's that too.
HoochieKoochieMan@reddit
Extreme has some good hits. More than words, Cum and play… solid songs.
kocknoker@reddit
Im a sammy fan but both rock
Unique_Anteater5667@reddit
This discussion is as important as who was better Led Zeppelin or The Firm. Van Hagar doesn’t represent Led Zeppelin in this argument, if you were wondering.
Reachforthesky777@reddit
I wasn't into either. Not throwing any shade or hate, they just never clicked with me. I do love that so many people connected with their music, though.
Big_Historian_1548@reddit
Let’s see……. Though I don’t dislike Sammy, personally, I think that there’s just zero comparison in terms of their music. DLR w/VH was revolutionary and killed it musically, lyrically and vocally (and yes, I love Diver Down too). Compare 1st albums after Dave left: Eat Em and Smile vs. 5150. VH might have headed in a new direction that Eddie needed, but IMO Dave wins that first round battle, giving even more credence to his time with VH.
Accomplished_Ant_371@reddit
Hagar for musicality and band cohesion. DLR for personality and image.
TripMaster478@reddit
Halen. Paid very little attention to them after the split.
Samhain-1843@reddit
I’ll add. Hearing Sammy Hagar shout out 5150 repeatedly was just annoying
Samhain-1843@reddit
Once DLR left, Van Halen ceased to exist for me.
StopLookListenDecide@reddit
Two different bands. Like them both quite a bit
I_Am_Exaybachay@reddit
Diamond Dave baby!
greytgreyatx@reddit
He's just a gigolo...
Catharpin363@reddit
Hummala bebhuhla zeebuhla boobuhla hummala bebhuhla zeebuhla bop
DiscountAcrobatic356@reddit
Dave - dude had charisma up the ying yang. Chicks loved him. I loved chicks. Checkmate.
And, Eddie young and always with a goofy shit eating grin on his face as he unleashed another mind melting solo.
missdawn1970@reddit
"Goofy shit eating grin" is a perfect description. I loved his smile.
Basic_Scale_5882@reddit
Blasphemy!
ThreeIfByBike@reddit
Glad to see so much DLR love. That version of the band was incredible and fun. Van Hagar is adult contemporary rock, which is fine if that's what you're in to.
RiffRandellsBF@reddit
DLR was never fake. Dude's still skipping through the Ego-Denial Zone to this day.
Titania_2016@reddit
Kudos to him for that. It's got to be great to never grow up!
-Ancalagon-@reddit
Dave was a better frontman and Sammy a better singer/musician. Glad I got to experience both. Gary sucked.
MaximumJones@reddit
This. Dave REALLY put on a show, but Sammy is one of the greatest singers in rock music. I liked both bands for entirely different reasons.
And to me they were truly two completely separate bands and even musical styles.
Titania_2016@reddit
I agree. I find personally, I really enjoy the original Van Halen and all its schlock. But Van Hagar had some really good songs.They just lacked- the oomph. Hands down Sammy's definitely the better singer, but man- you can't beat Dave as a front man.
attaboy_stampy@reddit
Very fair comparison.
Ok-Maize-284@reddit
Agreed. Gary didn’t suck though, he sucked in that role. He’s actually quite talented I think
thepuncroc@reddit
Talent seconded. Intuink it's also fair to say that him failing in "that role" had as much to do with the rest of the band being inflexible.
Like, Extreme had a lot of range, Nuno is a force of nature easily on par with (ahem surpassing) EVH... I don't think Gary was the problem, i do think they were trying to bake a cake when they should've realized they were pie.
Mirenithil@reddit
I agree on both counts re: Dave being a better frontman and Sammy being a better singer. I'm Team Sammy because I value singing skill over showmanship, but respect to both.
renegade7717@reddit
Van Halen
percolated_1@reddit
Both. I dug DLR’s solo records too, especially Skyscraper.
Moat-or-Boat@reddit
Van Halen hands down. It's not even a competition.
MovingTarget-@reddit
The fact that the second had to retain the "Van" shows you which one had the lasting influence
FredSanford4@reddit
They were both know as Van Halen due to the brothers. Van Hagar is used to differentiate which one someone is talking about. They never advertised themselves as Van Hagar.
attaboy_stampy@reddit
I mean, you still had the 2 guys with the actual name
Hot-Celebration5855@reddit
What if it was called Sammy Halen?
unclejoe1917@reddit
Van Halen was an extremely influential hard rock band with a massively charismatic singer. Van Hagar was power pop, even weaker than post-Pyromania Def Leppard.
Few_Whereas5206@reddit
Both great. Over time I favored Van Hagar.
RandomObserver13@reddit
I can appreciate both eras but honestly VH jumped the shark somewhat with 1984 when they added all the synths. Everybody was all about Jump and I was sitting there saying um, Panama is the best song on this album. Then I discovered Ride the Lightning and moved on. Wasn’t sure what to expect with 5150 but I still remember popping it in the tape player and hearing “Hello, baby!” and realized it was going to be good. Despite all the heavy synth Dreams is still one of my favorite songs, though Summer Nights is a very close 2nd.
I also should say I bought Eat ‘em and Smile and Skyscraper and played them quite a bit. Skyscraper is an epic road trip album and still have many memories associated with it. Steve Vai is underappreciated as a guitarist.
GooseNYC@reddit
Van Halen, be serious.
Super_Ad4363@reddit
Both. Each brought a new dynamic to the band.
alvehyanna@reddit
Agreed. 90s needed a different sound and attitude. David was great for his time and is a classic.
If I HAD to pick, Sammy, but only cause I'm a young X'r and while I like the big-hair rock band days, 1989 is when I started really paying attention to music.
Substantial-Toe96@reddit
I’ll wait. Til your Hagar drowns.
Upset_Peace_6739@reddit
More like Van Neither for me.
Gwilym_Ysgarlad@reddit
Van Halen. While Van Hagar was more commercially successful, Van Halen were more real rock n' roll.
Boshie2000@reddit
Van Herman
9inez@reddit
VH died with “Jump.” Nothing else needs to be said.
The_Illhearted@reddit
Van Hagar
Particular-Loan5123@reddit
That’s when I decided to go alternative
feder_online@reddit
Two different bands...
grumpvet87@reddit
I am a guitarist and grew up worshiping Eddy.
I like both David and Sammy. David was glam, and perfect for the times. Sammy was great for a new version of the band and was a good complement.
I refuse to pick between the 2 different versions
therelybare5@reddit
Is this a monthly question or what? I’m actually tired of answering it!
Alternative-Neat-123@reddit
robm1967@reddit
Ok, Van Halen was great, girls flashed the band more than any other concert. W/Sammy, he wasn't the showman DLR was but a great musician. Can't lose either way.
Catharpin363@reddit
Gotta hand it to these Russian bots, they're getting better and better at using a few lines of text to make Americans want to fight each other
Own_Resource4445@reddit
Team Sammy, by a country Mile
curiousleen@reddit
I’m a Hagar girl
rameyrat@reddit
I'm on Team Hagar but I sure would miss Dave if forced to choose one or the other. They're two different bands to me and both are so damn good!
Komaisnotsalty@reddit
OMG, original VH was just OG GOAT level shit (did I get that right??? I need a Gen Z to proofread that slop).
Love Sammy though. I'm kind've slutty when it comes to music - I like it all, even when others hate it.
Unless they're off-key or just totally suck and are unoriginal, bring it. I'll listen to anything once.
Lost-in-the-dark-@reddit
Hager. The music writing during that time was spectacular. Roth was a good time, but Hager was musically more sophisticated.
gohdnuorg@reddit
Agreed. I was 10 in 1986 and wore out that 5150 tape. My mom put OU812 in my easter basket. So yeah, team hagar. HOWEVER when I was 8, i remember holding a tape recorder up to the console tv to record the audio of JUMP. believe it or not, i'm not a huge fan, but that is definitely where my musical journey began.
PlaxicoCN@reddit
Two different eras of a great band. You sound like someone asking "LASAGNA OR NACHOS?!?"
bsunwelcome@reddit
Original, before they got synthesizers (pre-1984). Panama, Jump, etc were so overplayed I'm still sick of them! The only iteration of Hagar I like is Montrose.
FrostnJack@reddit
Both. Pretty sure I have every album around here somewhere—DLR through VH
Last_Banana9505@reddit
DLR over Sammy.
The Sammy era held so much promise, but to me, it only delivered AOR/yacht rock. There was some good stuff with the red rocker but tracks like 'why can't this be love' left me uninspired.
Compared to 'ain't talkin bout love', this one makes me want to chug a brew, grab a guitar and rock out.
NGJohn@reddit
These are exactly the two songs I use to explain why I listen to Van Halen and not Van Hagar.
Tiny-Albatross518@reddit
Diamond Dave. 1984’s jump… on mtv
posaune123@reddit
Had to see if I was in r/unpopular opinion
Van Halen with David Lee Roth was more 80's Than Pac-Man
kristtt67@reddit
Both
GlassMotor7387@reddit
Both. Both are good bands, but you have to separate them. Take them as two distinct and separate bands and they are both pretty awesome.
Head_Effect3728@reddit
Hmmmm, you really got me with this one. I love DLR, but we ain't talkin about love. Hagar was a man on a mission and he finished what he started. Right now, I'd have to say both singers were the best of both worlds, but if push comes to shove, I'm taking Hagar.
SeanSixString@reddit
I love Sammy and Van Hagar … I think Hagar is the better musician and singer … but I’m Van Halen on the strength of 1984 alone.
thembones44@reddit
Depends, if you like more hard rock and cover tunes, the Roth era. If you like softer hard rock and ballads, Hager era.
Honestly, if you look at YouTube videos of the DLR concerts, sorry but they suck. He barely sings most of the time, is more interested in jumping around. I get it, but as good as a front man he was, the concerts were sad. Band is playing their asses off and hes behind or out of the lyric structure, just not a good singer, live that it, IMO.
Sammy era had its limitations also. He was another one running around on stage, could do without his solo stuff thrown in there.
Great band either era, liked them both. Just an opinion.
jmakioka@reddit
Hagar is undeniably the better song writer, but the energy with Roth was undeniable.
I prefer Roth Van Halen.
The albums with him are legendary and I understand how it got tiring for them so the energy was different with Hagar. They sought that out and got exactly what they wanted / needed.
w3woody@reddit
Journey.
Dogstar_9@reddit
Hagar for vocals.
But, Ed's groundbreaking guitar work came in the Roth era.
Ok_Common_1355@reddit
Van Halen of course!
ExpertRegister1353@reddit
They all suck.
Western-Host1384@reddit
IMO, two completely different bands. Both awesome.
Fillmore80@reddit
Van Halen without a doubt! They call it Van Hagar for a reason...
cofclabman@reddit
Both. They were different, but I enjoyed both.
justfukkingtired@reddit
Halen all day every day…but one of my favorite song and video is Right Now…30+ years later still a favorite.
Right now it’s what’s happening.
Mysterious-Dealer649@reddit
Dave’s first solo album and 5150 were battling it out when I got my license and was driving around literally all day for awhile. I had both of them at the time but looking back it’s Van Halen with Dave all day every day
bookant@reddit
Halen and it's not close.
Randeth@reddit
I never cared about the showmanship that Dave brought to the band. I liked many of their songs, but Sammy's era was so much better musically.
genx_horsegirl@reddit
Van Hagar who??
Dave, my dude. Every day every way.
Lumbercounter@reddit
I remember thinking Eddie’s guitar was back in the lead when the first Van Hagar album came out. Dave was just getting too over the top for me.
FluxusFlotsam@reddit
people who prefer Van Hagar fuck through the dick hole in boxers
BIGscott250@reddit
I wore out both 1984 and 5150 cassettes. But imma go with Sammy.
MattonArsenal@reddit
I’ll never forget this conversation… Several drinks in at my wedding reception, I don’t know why but this question came up with a good friend of mine. He just looked at me and said “I reach down between my legs, ease the seat back… THAT is your answer.”
btqlover@reddit
Van Halen all the way. Better show live. Better vocalist. Better production.
Prestigious_Sweet_95@reddit
Both
GentleBob72@reddit
Love em both
attaboy_stampy@reddit
I so love original recipe Van Halen to this day, but 5150 is still maybe my favorite album. One of a small handful of cassettes that I actually wore out in high school. I love love love 5150 and OU812.
I don't know which one I'd say I prefer though. It's kind of an equal blend. I love the original group, but there some real turds on the albums too. Whereas I think I love almost every song on 5150 and OU812, and I like the majority of For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. It's like I have a higher appreciation percentage of the songs of the Van Hagar era.
Illustrious-Pea-7105@reddit
Both suck
TallyAlex@reddit
Live Without a Net was the best concert I've ever been to until a couple of years ago when I caught Dropkick Murphys in Boston on St. Patrick's Day.
Van Halen with Sammy fronting. Dave was and is a clown.
SkunkMonkey72@reddit
I'll gi with the original " Atomic Punk"
Ray_The_Engineer@reddit
Give me original VH every day and twice on Sundays.
Van Hagar was fine, some good, fun stuff there, but the music they put out on the first few albums was unique and has stood the test of time.
Stompboxer1@reddit
I'm probably going to get raked over the coals for this one, but I didn't like either of them.
bodhi471@reddit
Solidly Van Halen, though I liked Sammy Hagars work, diamond Dave had an edge that Sammy didn't have.
eatsleepdive@reddit
C'mon gimme a break
TimelyExternal5769@reddit
One break, comin' up!
DiscountAcrobatic356@reddit
Unchained….
missdawn1970@reddit
Nothin stays the same...
Remy0507@reddit
Both were great in their own way.
Old_Use7058@reddit
Dave is the only answer
missdawn1970@reddit
Van Hagar had some great music, but DLR's vibe was what made VH great. I saw Van Halen with Sammy Hagar at Monsters of Rock '88, and my friends and I left early because it just wasn't Van Halen without Dave.
The_J_Bird@reddit
Definitely Van Halen. David Lee was a fool to quit the band.
exhaustedexcess@reddit
Van Hagar
Sammy Hagar was a musician in his own right. David Lee Roth was good but not as good I thought
MyriVerse2@reddit
I don't even like calling Van Hagar a rock band. They can piss off to Cabo Wabo.
badgko@reddit
Both
justino@reddit
chrispd01@reddit
Just when I thought Van Halen couldn’t be a worse band it became Van Hagar …
HippieJed@reddit
Saw them with both front men. I enjoyed the Sammy shows more. Dave and his ego was crazy. Sammy just rocked and had a blast
PheesGee@reddit
Van Halen all the way
zoot_boy@reddit
Bruh
Virtual_Mechanic2936@reddit
Van Halen. I like Sammy Hagar, but David Lee Roth is a straight-up show.
LookOutMuppets@reddit
I prefer Hagar, but I can appreciate them both.
DeNiroPacino@reddit
Sammy Hager is a talented musician no doubt, but I never warmed to Van Halen Mark II. Roth infused that band with magic. All four of them together were magnificent. They made five albums that will live forever.
Advanced_Tax174@reddit
Is this a joke?
lectroid@reddit
Clearly rage bait.
UpOrDownItsUpToYou@reddit
I think they wrote better so far with Hagar but I was always kinda meh regardless of the singer.
LibertyMike@reddit
Van Halen. I liked many songs from Sammy's time in the band, but I don't think their albums were as good overall.
FUWS@reddit
I bet OP prefers Three Stooges with Shemp over Curly.
Own_Mirror7458@reddit (OP)
Nah. Benny Hill all the way!
ohyesiam1234@reddit
Van Halen. They jumped the shark with Hagar.
Massive_Look8179@reddit
VAN HALEN!!!! Hot for teacher man.
PeorgieT75@reddit
I’m not a huge fan, I only really like the debut album, so Dave.
Shut_It_Donny@reddit
I appreciate Van Hagar, but Van Halen was more “pure” rock.
Van Hagar suffers because Eddie fell in love with synth. If those hits were guitar songs… who can say. I just did not care for so much synthesizer from a guitar legend.
NorthAmericanSlacker@reddit
Who cares?
CaptainlockheedME262@reddit
Van Halen ended with 1984. The other band doesn’t exist.
QuttiDeBachi@reddit
1984 vs 5150
Both albums kick ass can’t decide
nekkid_farts@reddit
You can't really compare the two, because they're two totally separate forms of music. Van Halen had a completely different sound than van hagar. I liked them both but for separate reasons.
watchwatertilitboils@reddit
I guess you're not Gen X, because no Gen Xer would ever ask that question. lol
Sufficient_Stop8381@reddit
I like both. OG VH for the classics, even though I thought DLR wasn’t as good a singer but it worked for that era. Sammy could sing and play guitar and they had some good tunes from the Hagar era too.
RottenSalad@reddit
Both. I just treat them (in my mind) as different bands altogether. They were also from different eras of music. I don't think Van Halen could have adapted to that, nor could Van Hagar have managed in the late 70's early 80's.
ailyara@reddit
Neither. The only thing I like about VH is the aweseome synth opening to Jump, everything else sucks.
New-Specific4225@reddit
Van Halen by a mile. Roth era is the OG and is what I consider their best albums.
Hot-Butterfly-8024@reddit
Dave post-VH became an EMT and worked in NYC, started open water ocean kayaking, moved to Japan to study under a kendo master. Literally because that’s what and who he is. I like Sammy. His solo work and stuff with Montrose is badass. He is not even remotely the same species of frontman as Dave, and there is simply no way he was ever going to fill his ballet shoes.
UnrealizedDreams90@reddit
Yes.
I consider them basically two different bands. Different singers, styles, and Eddie's songwriting matured a lot.
If I had to choose, Van Hagar by a narrow margin. I was just getting into music after 1984 came out, so that's what I was exposed to first. Plus, the songwriting is better.
No_Hovercraft_821@reddit
While I do like some of Sammy's solo work, VH without DLR just isn't Van Halen.
Busy_Paint_5680@reddit
Sammy Hagar is the man. Twice, three times the musician DLR is/was.
JJQuantum@reddit
Van Halen was better music all day. I liked Van Hagar but it was music made for the industry, to just make a buck. They were no longer rebels at that point.
10202632@reddit
Are you serious? No contest! DLR all the way!
WilliePullout@reddit
Halen
RemlikDahc@reddit
OU812???
ryancementhead@reddit
I never hear Van Hagar on any of the rock station here, but Van Halen is still on high rotation.
Aromatic_Revolution4@reddit
Van Halen was a rock band
Van Hagar was a pop band
Edward_the_Dog@reddit
It's a false choice. You can like and appreciate both.
ChronoMonkeyX@reddit
You can, but people can also have a preference.
ChronoMonkeyX@reddit
Never was a huge fan, but thee feelings songs I enjoy are with Dave, and I never liked hagar's voice.
Strangewhine88@reddit
Halen.
Low-Palpitation-9916@reddit
Van Halen, but I saw Van Hagar on the tour with Alice in Chains opening for them and that's still one of the best concerts I've ever attended.
Panem-et-circenses25@reddit
Same. It was my first concert, in 1991. Great show, but DLR forever
Panem-et-circenses25@reddit
Van Halen is and always will be eternal with DLR. anyone else is a knock off
ubermick@reddit
Different vibes. Van Halen is cooler, but as I got older felt Van Hagar is better music.
spintool1995@reddit
I wasn't a huge fan of either, but the DLR version had more songs I remember, and I loved the Hot for Teacher video.
Splatford@reddit
Halen all the way ...to be honest Hagar had some good tracks but the entire feel of the bands were completely different
https://i.redd.it/faw18s2wr8uf1.gif
Livid_Bag_4374@reddit
Van Hagar. DLR can't sing his way out of a paper bag. Sammy is so much more the musician.
Desperate_Gold6670@reddit
Easy. Van Halen.
rei1004@reddit
Van Halen ❤️
Amazing_Effective758@reddit
You must be a doucher
Electronic-Ear2329@reddit
Like both - 1984 was my first concert. Also a Sammy/Montrose fan beforehand, so probably played a role in being more accepting of the new direction/sound - can see perspectives from both sides of the fanbase
RiffRandellsBF@reddit
Two different bands. Like them both.
pinballrocker@reddit
Neither, fuck butt rock
QuiJon70@reddit
Buy the time I was paying attention DLR was a comedian up has been. Hazard kept that band relevant in a way they never were again even after fucking him over bringing back Roth. (Who couldnt sing for shit anymore like a sadder axl rose)
So frankly the entire guitar playing world learned how to play like Eddie. So im gonna say van Halen as a group became nothing after dropping sammy.
Zooter88@reddit
Van Morrison?
KnightKrawler68@reddit
Van Halen
Period
udonbeatsramen@reddit
The first VH I heard was Hagar era, so I’ll always like that stuff. That said they had way more swagger with Dave
sobayarea@reddit
Van Halen, I still have found memories of my David Lee Roth poster that hung in my room for several years.
roman41@reddit
Van Halen. Come on, man!
Cautious_Walrus8722@reddit
Love both but have always been a Sammy guy.
1984 is probably my favorite VH album too. I really do love it all!
NGJohn@reddit
Van Halen was Van Halen. Van Hagar was. . .something else.
This_Fkn_Guy_@reddit
HALEN!!!
knucklesmalone@reddit
Are you even serious?
SamCanyon@reddit
Both. Do I want to feel badass, or do I want to feel uplifted? Am I feeling Trans Am or Jeep Wrangler? Cut-off sleeves t-shirt, or rayon shirt? It’s all gravy, baby.
chipinserted@reddit
Vh all day
ArcanumAntares@reddit
Van Low Effort Post
Capital_Historian685@reddit
Come on man, Diamond Dave.
Flat_6_Theory@reddit
Van Halen put out more songs that I like. Van Hagar was pretty alright too. Both are in my music library.
Dead_Inside50@reddit
VanHagar. DLR was too corny. I'll take my downvotes to go.
TIPtone13@reddit
Both
CurdTurdBurglar@reddit
Metallica
No-Syrup-3746@reddit
Van Halen. The late 80s sucked.