Van Halen to Release Expanded Edition of ‘5150’ Album for 40th Anniversary
Van Halen is commemorating the significant milestone of the 40th anniversary of their groundbreaking album 5150 through the release of an extensive expanded edition. Set to launch on March 27, 2026, which coincides with the exact anniversary of the album, this reissue pays homage to the inception of the acclaimed “Van Hagar” era in a high-definition format.
This new collection will be accessible in various formats, including a 2-LP set available in both black and limited-edition green vinyl, a 2-CD edition, and a deluxe 3-CD/1-LP/Blu-ray box set. Fans of the band will have the opportunity to delve into the 1986 sessions and the celebrated tour that ensued for the very first time. The expanded editions feature an array of components including the remastered original album, which includes timeless tracks such as “Dreams,” “Why Can’t This Be Love,” and “Best of Both Worlds,” all meticulously remastered under the oversight of the band’s longstanding engineer, Donn Landee.
Additionally, the reissue boasts a dedicated disc (or LP) of rarities and B-sides featuring rare 7-inch and 12-inch single edits, along with extended versions of the album’s most prominent hits. Fans will also be treated to an unreleased live performance titled Live in New Haven (1986), recorded on August 27, 1986, at the New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This audio set captures the band during the peak of their inaugural tour with Sammy Hagar, presenting exhilarating live renditions of tracks like “Summer Nights,” “5150,” and even Hagar’s solo hits like “I Can’t Drive 55.”
One of the most highly anticipated components of the release is the Blu-ray HD Upgrade, which includes the premiere high-definition release of the iconic concert film Live Without a Net. Additionally, the Blu-ray features the original promotional music videos for “Dreams” and “Why Can’t This Be Love.” Following the format of recent reissues like For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge and Balance, the 5150 box set includes a top-quality booklet replete with rare band photographs from the era, replicas of backstage passes, promotional advertisements, and tour ephemera showcasing one of the most successful transformations in rock history.
The track listing for the Deluxe Edition includes the remastered original album in CD 1, rarities & B-sides in CD 2, a live performance in New Haven, CT (8/27/86) in CD 3, and the Blu-ray comprising Live Without a Net, “Dreams” (Promo Video), and “Why Can’t This Be Love” (Promo Video). Enthusiasts can now pre-order the expanded edition via the Rhino Store and the Van Halen Store. For an exclusive preview of the forthcoming set, the live rendition of “Summer Nights” from New Haven is currently available for streaming on all digital platforms.