From The Ticket Stub Vault: Van Halen (or is it Van Hagar?)

August 20, 1986 (Montreal Forum)

Following the much publicized departure of David Lee Roth from Van Halen in 1985, the band was soon joined on the frontlines by singer and guitarist Sammy Hagar. Hagar had enjoyed moderate success both as a member of Montrose and as a solo artist (“I Can’t Drive 55“)

The first album featuring Hagar on lead vocals was “5150“, released in March 1986. With Eddie’s new-found fondness of keyboards (as evidenced on the hit “Jump“) the album went on to be their first #1 on Billboard, propelled by songs like “Why Can’t This Be Love“, “Dreams” and “Love Walks In“. Within days of the album’s release the band hit the road for a tour that would last until November of that year. There were only two Canadian dates, one at the CNE in Toronto on August 18th and the other in Montreal two days later.

The concert was, in a word, deafening. I can still recall the show opening with the sound of Eddie wailing away somewhere offstage and then simply strolling on to the stage as he played and was joined by the rest of the guys as they took their positions. The band then kicked into high gear with their classic cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” and the aural assault went on from there. New Van Halen, old Van Halen…lots of ground was covered. And with the addition of a second quitar on stage, Eddie had more time for keyboards which were featured prominently on 5150. There was a new Van Halen pulling into the station, and old and new fans were ready to climb on board.

But it wasn’t just seeing Van Halen that night that made it memorable; it was also the choice of opening act. When I heard who it was going to be, it wasn’t anyone I could ever guess would be in the position of opener: Canadian rock legends Bachman-Turner Overdrive. But this was not the BTO of old; this was BTO as a trio, featuring Randy Bachman, his brother Tim and ex-Guess Who drummer Garry Peterson keeping the beat. On this night however, Peterson was replaced by drum tech Billy Chapman, as Peterson had suffered an injury to his leg.

I don’t know if it was because they were opening for an act like Van Halen in front of a crowd ready for some kick-ass rock n roll, but on this night, this version of BTO did not disappoint. In fact, I’ve never heard “Takin’ Care of Business” rock so hard. The crowd couldn’t get enough. One of the best reactions to an opening act that I had ever seen.

Up next: Randy Bachman is working on a new album, scheduled for release later than this year. As for the reunited Van Halen with David Lee Roth (but minus bassist Michael Anthony) there is some new material in the works but it’s unlikely it will see the light of day until sometime mid-2010 due to Eddie’s recent surgery on his hand. And as for Sammy Hagar, he’s busy rocking with his new supergroup Chickenfoot.

Here’s how Van Halen closed out each show on that tour. My ears, my ears…