UAWIL #124: Van Halen - OU812

The Ugly American Werewolf in London Rock Podcast · Apr 13, 2023 · 1h 18m

Van Halen were about the biggest hard rock band in the world around 1988. The headlined the Monsters of Rock Tour over Scorpions, Metallica, Dokken & Kingdom Come and had big hits with their 2nd album featuring Sammy Hagar, OU812. On the heels of 5150 which followed the departure of David Lee Roth, Van Halen seemed poised for bigger and better things. But OU812 sold about half of what 5150 sold in the US, even though OU812 is a little harder than its predecessor. Were they listening to critics who felt 5150 was too heavy on the synths? Were they worried Diamond Dave was getting more praise…