Van Halen albums have always sold millions of copies, but curiously the first time they topped US charts was in 1986 with their album 5150 (the first with Sammy Hagar as vocalist). After that, almost all Van Halen studio albums reached the n. 1 position in US charts. They could have done it before, at least with Diver Down and 1984, according to their sales performance. But they couldn't reach US charts position 1, because in 1982-1984 there was the highest selling ever album in that position: and in this album Eddie Van Halen appeared as guitarist!!! It was Michael Jackson's Thriller.

Van Halen has been one of the most famous and acclaimed American hard rock bands for almost 3 decades, most notably in the late 70s, 80s and 90s. Van Halen has sold more then 80 million albums worldwide and in the eighties they had the highest record of number 1 singles in rock charts. The band has been invariably associated with two main factors throughout its life: the wonderful inspiration of its founder and lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen, one of the most famous guitar heroes of all time, and the dramatic and mediatic attention surrounding the exits of former members, above all as concerns vocalists: David Lee Roth, Sammy Hagar, Gary Cherone are all strong characters and protagonists of the whole rock scene, and this has caused long controversies among each of them and with the remaining members of the band. In recent years the band re-united with David Lee Roth (its original singer) at vocals and fans are still eagerly awaiting for a comeback in studio and on tour. Van Halen were inducted to Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.