There are those who are fans of the early Van Halen years, when the band was fronted by David Lee Roth. But even when 1984 was huge (in 1984, natch), I didn’t want to go to “Panama,” nor did I find myself “Hot For Teacher.”

Jump to 1985, and Diamond Dave was no longer with the band he’d been with since theearly ’70s. While it’s still unclear whether Roth quit or was fired, Van Halen released 5150 the following year with Sammy Hagar (“I Can’t Drive 55”) singing lead.

The band’s hard-rock edge had been filed down a bit, with a greater emphasis on keyboards and synthesizers. I much preferred this pop/power-ballad side of Van Halen, especially “Why Can’t This Be Love?” and “Love Walks In.” Here’s the former, which hit #3 on the Hot 100:

“When It’s Love” (detect a trend?) is also a favorite of mine from those early “Van Hagar” days, too. From their 1988 album, OU812, this single made it to #5:

By 1996, Hagar was out, and Roth was in, sort of, with the band appearing together on the MTV Music Video Awards to promote their The Best Of Both Worlds compilation. Shortly after, Gary Cherone of Extreme manned the mic for a few minutes. Then Hagar returned. Now he’s out and Diamond Dave’s back in the fold, with Van Halen currently in the middle of a reunion tour.

As for me, I think I’ll sit this one out with Sammy. That revolving door’s bound to swing ’round again.

Purchase Van Halen – “Why Can’t This Be Love” via iTunes.