What’s your favorite Van Halen album cover? What’s your least favorite? The website Classic Rock History has made their choices. In fact, they’ve come up with a ranking of all twelve of the band’s studio albums.
Before you give us your list, let’s take a look at the Van Halen album covers that ranked in the top five as chosen by CHR‘s Brian Kachejian:
#1 – Women and Children First (1980)
“In the number one spot on our Van Halen Album Covers Ranked list is the outrageous cover to ‘Women And Children First’. Like we said before, the David Lee Roth years had so much personality besides all that great music. The photo that graced this cover is one of the best shots ever taken of Van Halen. The design that went along with it was just perfect!”
#2 – Van Halen (1978)
“The perfect cover to introduce the band to the world. The individual images defined an excitement that was met times 100 when you listened to the album for the first time. Stared at this cover for hundreds of repeated listens.”
#3 – Fair Warning (1981)
“Van Halen’s best album had a somewhat disturbing cover that really defined the heaviness of the music within. This album cover bothered me and also fascinated me at the same time. There was a also a grittier texture to this album cover when it was first released. I don’t know what disturbed me more, the guy punching or the kid pointing? The art was taken from Canadian artist William Kurelek.”
#4 – Balance (1995)
“I am still trying to figure this one out. Something about the duality of man and the kids forming Van Halen logo.”
#5 – 5150 (1986)
“‘5150’ was the Van Halen album that presented the debut of Sammy Hagar as Van Halen’s new lead singer after David Lee Roth left the band. The album cover showcasing Atlas was trying to define how powerful and strong the band was with Sammy Hagar taking over the lead vocal spot.”
For album covers ranked 6 through 12 check out the Classic Rock History article HERE.
We want to know what you’re favorite Van Halen album covers are. Give us your 1-12 ranking below!