10 Best Hard Rock Comeback Albums Ever
9. 5150 - Van Halen
The seventh studio release from Van Halen, it seemed 5150 was a real gamble prior to its release, with internal conflicts going on behind the scenes. Frontman David Lee Roth had previously left the group, and Van Halen were struggling to find a replacement, while studio execs were pushing for them to discontinue the group name due to Roth's departure. It seemed like Van Halen was no more.
Enter Sammy Hagar - after being referred to Eddie Van Halen, the pair hit it off and work began on the album. 5150 was released in 1986 and went on to reach number one in the US, surpassing the group's previous effort.
The album itself was a far cry from what Van Halen had produced previously with Roth, containing more love songs and ballads than the straightforward rock style. That was by no means a disappointment to fans though, with many starting to nickname the group 'Van Hagar' in tribute to the new frontman. The album paved the way to a new era for them, with Hagar collaborating with the band well into the mid-90s.