Van Halen’s ‘5150 (Expanded Edition)’ includes rare New Haven concert recordings

A piece of Connecticut rock history is getting the spotlight as Van Halen releases 5150 (Expanded Edition), a 40th anniversary reissue featuring previously unreleased recordings from a 1986 show in New Haven.

The newly released collection includes more than 90 minutes of live audio captured at the former New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Aug. 27, 1986, giving fans a rare chance to hear the band’s performance during a pivotal era.

Originally released in 1986, 5150 marked the band’s first album with frontman Sammy Hagar, alongside Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured hits including “Why Can’t This Be Love,” “Dreams” and “Best of Both Worlds.”

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For Connecticut fans, the expanded edition offers a unique connection to the state’s music history, preserving a live performance from a venue that once hosted some of the biggest names in entertainment before its closure in 2007.

In addition to the live recordings, the release includes a remastered version of the original album sourced from the master tapes, along with rare single edits and extended versions. A Blu-ray edition also features a newly upgraded high-definition version of Live Without a Net, the band’s 1986 concert film recorded during the same New Haven performance.

Van Halen 5150 Extended Edition CD and Vinyl

The release coincides with the 40th anniversary of 5150, which went on to achieve multi-platinum success and helped define a new era for the band.

Standalone versions of 5150 (Expanded Edition) are also available on CD and vinyl, giving both longtime fans and new listeners a chance to revisit — or discover — a defining moment in rock history with strong ties to Connecticut.

Click here to save/order 5150 (Expanded Edition).

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Van Halen’s ‘5150 (Expanded Edition)’ includes rare New Haven concert recordings