From their exhilarating barnstorming performances in 1978 as an opening act to their ultimate homecoming as rock legends in 2015, Van Halen’s set lists underwent significant transformations throughout their illustrious touring career. Each performance not only showcased their musical evolution but also reflected the dynamic nature of rock music during those times.
Here’s a detailed chronological analysis of the typical set lists from each of Van Halen’s 15 major tours. This breakdown highlights the songs added from the band’s 12 studio albums for each new tour and identifies which tracks were removed from rotation, illustrating their constantly evolving repertoire.
It is important to note that Van Halen’s song selections often varied based on the lead singer during each tour. When Sammy Hagar stepped in to replace David Lee Roth in 1986, he strategically emphasized his own contributions to the band rather than relying heavily on Roth-era classics, creating a distinct identity for his time with the group.
Upon Roth’s return to the band in 2007, he made a clear distinction by performing exclusively Roth-era songs, never including any Hagar-era tracks in their set lists during the final tours. Gary Cherone, during his brief tenure as the frontman, took a more inclusive approach, blending songs from both eras.
Utilizing data from SetList.fm, we delve into the evolution of Van Halen’s set lists from 1978 to 2015, providing a comprehensive view of the band’s musical journey.
It’s crucial to mention that the entries below reflect the average set lists from each tour. Occasionally, Van Halen would switch up their performances for special shows or segments of tours. Tracking instrumental pieces like “Eruption” and “Cathedral” can be tricky, as these songs often transitioned into Eddie Van Halen’s nightly guitar solo showcase rather than maintaining a separate slot on the set list.
Explore the 1978 World Tour Set List and Highlights
After years spent perfecting their craft in clubs, Van Halen burst onto the global rock scene with their self-titled debut album in 1978. This explosive entry into the music world set the stage for their rapid ascent.
Capitalizing on their newfound fame, the group performed an astounding 174 shows that year, often serving as the opening act for iconic bands like Journey, Ted Nugent, and even the Rolling Stones. While they understandably prioritized songs from their debut album, they also incorporated tracks like “Somebody Get Me a Doctor,” which would later appear on their second album, adding an element of surprise to their set lists.
Typical 1978 World Tour Set List
1. “On Fire”
2. “I’m the One”
3. Bass Solo
4. “Runnin’ With the Devil”
5. “Atomic Punk”
6. Drum Solo
7. “Little Dreamer”
8. “Feel Your Love Tonight”
9. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love”
10. Guitar Solo
11. “You Really Got Me” (Kinks cover)
12. “Ice Cream Man” (John Brim cover)
Songs per album:
Van Halen: 9
Read More: Discover How Van Halen Conquered the World With Just 10 Shows
Unpacking the 1979 ‘World Vacation’ Tour Set List
In 1979, Van Halen maintained their momentum by releasing Van Halen II just thirteen months following their debut, showcasing a wealth of original material they had written prior to signing their record deal.
Transitioning into full-fledged arena headliners, they integrated a heavier selection of songs from their new album while retaining several favorites from their previous tour. Notably, they added “Jamie’s Cryin'” from the first album into their permanent rotation, further solidifying their diverse set list.
Typical World Vacation Tour Set List:
(new songs in bold)
1. “Light Up the Sky” (from 1979’s Van Halen II)
2. “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” (from Van Halen II)
3. Drum Solo
4. “Runnin’ With the Devil” (from Van Halen)
5. “Dance the Night Away” (from Van Halen II)
6. “Beautiful Girls” (from Van Halen II)
7. “On Fire” (from Van Halen)
8. Bass Solo
9. “You’re No Good” (Dee Dee Warwick cover, from Van Halen II)
10. “Jamie’s Cryin'” (from Van Halen)
11. “Feel Your Love Tonight” (from Van Halen)
12. “Outta Love Again” (from Van Halen II)
13. “Ice Cream Man” (from Van Halen)
14. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
15. Guitar Solo
16. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
17. “Bottoms Up!” (from Van Halen II)
Songs per album:
Van Halen II: 8
Van Halen: 6
Diving into the 1980 ‘World Invasion’ Tour Set List
In 1980, despite the fact that their album Women and Children First was filled with new material, Van Halen quickly turned things around, releasing their third album just a year and three days after Van Halen II.
New tracks such as “Everybody Wants Some!!” and “And the Cradle Will Rock…” were designed to resonate with the arena audiences they were now attracting, showcasing their growth as a band.
The band embarked on the 130-date ‘World Invasion’ tour, introducing five songs from Women and Children First into their performances while dropping previous crowd favorites like “Somebody Get Me a Doctor,” “Beautiful Girls,” and “You’re No Good,” along with “Feel Your Love Tonight” from the first album.
Typical ‘World Invasion’ Set List:
1. “Romeo Delight” (from 1980’s Women and Children First)
2. “Bottoms Up!” (from Van Halen II)
3. Drum Solo
4. “Runnin’ With the Devil” (from Van Halen)
5. “Tora! Tora! / Loss of Control” (from Women and Children First)
6. “Take Your Whiskey Home” (from Women and Children First)
7. “Dance the Night Away” (from Van Halen II)
8. “Women in Love…” (from Van Halen II)
9. “Jamie’s Cryin'” (from Van Halen)
10. “Bright Lights, Big City” (Jimmy Reed cover)
11. “Everybody Wants Some!!” (from Women and Children First)
12. “And the Cradle Will Rock…” (from Women and Children First)
13. “On Fire” (from Van Halen)
14. Guitar Solo
15. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
16. “Ice Cream Man” (from Van Halen)
17. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
Songs per album:
Van Halen – 6
Women and Children First – 5
Van Halen II – 3
Examining the 1981 ‘Fair Warning’ Tour Set List
Van Halen maintained their prolific output by releasing the dark and aggressive Fair Warning just 13 months after Women and Children First. This album marked a pivotal moment where Eddie Van Halen took a more active role in the songwriting process, initiating a creative tug-of-war that would eventually lead to David Lee Roth’s departure.
The band slowed down their touring schedule slightly, marking the first time in four years they hadn’t played at least 117 shows in a year. Although the darker tones of Fair Warning didn’t achieve the commercial success of earlier albums, tracks like “Mean Street” and “Unchained” quickly garnered a dedicated fanbase.
During this tour, “On Fire” returned to its original spot as the show opener, while “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” closed the shows. The song “Feel Your Love Tonight” also made a comeback. To accommodate six new songs from Fair Warning, several previous favorites, including “Bottoms Up!,” “Loss of Control,” “Take Your Whiskey Home,” “Women in Love,” and surprisingly, “…And the Cradle Will Rock” were dropped from the set lists.
The audio recording from Van Halen’s June 11th concert in Oakland, California was reportedly captured in full and remains unreleased to this day. Notably, Van Halen did not release a live album during Roth’s initial tenure with the band. However, video clips of three songs from the Oakland shows have been shared by the band and are available for viewing below.
Typical ‘Fair Warning’ Set List:
1. “On Fire” (from Van Halen)
2. “Sinner’s Swing” (from 1981’s Fair Warning)
3. Drum Solo
4. “Hear About it Later” (from Fair Warning)
5. “So This is Love?” (from Fair Warning)
6. “Jamie’s Cryin'” (from Van Halen)
7. Bass Solo
8. “Runnin’ With the Devil” (from Van Halen)
9. “Dance the Night Away” (from Van Halen II)
10. “Sunday Afternoon in the Park” (from Fair Warning)
11. “Romeo Delight” (from Women and Children First)
12. “Everybody Wants Some!!” (from Women and Children First)
13. “Ice Cream Man” (from Van Halen)
14. “Mean Street” (from Fair Warning)
15. Guitar Solo
16. “Feel Your Love Tonight” (from Van Halen)
17. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
18. “Unchained” (from Fair Warning)
19. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
Songs per album:
Van Halen: 7
Fair Warning: 6
Women and Children First: 2
Van Halen II: 1
Delving into the 1982-83 ‘Hide Your Sheep’ Tour Set List
Seeking a break from their relentless touring and recording schedule, Van Halen opted to release a standalone cover of Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman,” in exchange for some downtime after an exhausting four-year stretch.
However, when the single became an unexpected hit, the band faced pressure from their label to produce a corresponding album. Reluctantly, they complied by compiling a mix of covers, instrumentals, and revamping unreleased tracks like “Hang ‘Em High.” Despite Eddie Van Halen’s dissatisfaction with the abundance of cover songs, Diver Down ultimately emerged as a surprisingly cohesive and enjoyable record.
The band returned to the stage in July of 1982 for nearly 100 performances, including their infamous US Festival performance. During this tour, nine songs from Diver Down were included in their set lists; however, it’s worth noting that “Cathedral,” “Intruder,” and their a cappella cover of “Happy Trails” are all relatively brief.
“Bottoms Up!” made a return to the set list, joining the Diver Down tracks and resulting in the removal of “On Fire,” “Sinner’s Swing,” “Hear About it Later,” “So This is Love?,” “Sunday Afternoon in the Park,” “Mean Street” (with “Unchained” being the sole Fair Warning song to survive into the next tour), and “Feel Your Love Tonight.”
Typical ‘Hide Your Sheep’ Set List:
1. “Romeo Delight” (from Women and Children First)
2. “Unchained” (from Fair Warning)
3. Drum Solo
4. “Runnin’ With the Devil” (from Van Halen)
5. “The Full Bug” (from 1982’s Diver Down)
6. “Jamie’s Cryin'” (from Van Halen)
7. “Little Guitars” (from Diver Down)
8. “Where Have All the Good Times Gone” (Kinks cover, from Diver Down)
9. Bass Solo
10. “Hang ‘Em High” (from Diver Down)
11. “Cathedral” (from Diver Down)
12. “Secrets” (from Diver Down)
13. “Dance the Night Away” (from Van Halen II)
14. “Everybody Wants Some!!” (from Women and Children First)
15. “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” (from Van Halen II)
16. “Ice Cream Man” (from Van Halen)
17. “Intruder” (from Diver Down)
18. “Oh, Pretty Woman” (Roy Orbison cover, from Diver Down)
19. Guitar Solo
20. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
21. “Bottoms Up!” (from Van Halen II)
22. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
23. “Happy Trails” (Roy Rogers cover, from Diver Down)
Songs per album:
Diver Down: 9
Van Halen: 5
Van Halen II: 3
Women and Children First: 2
Fair Warning: 1
Analyzing the 1984 ‘1984’ Tour Set List
Reeling from the pressure to fill Diver Down with cover songs, Eddie Van Halen established a recording studio at his home, demanding increased creative control for the next Van Halen album, 1984. He successfully overcame resistance from David Lee Roth and others to incorporate two keyboard-driven singles into the album, which proved successful when “Jump” became the band’s first and only No. 1 single.
The typical set list for this tour included seven of the nine songs from 1984. To accommodate these new additions, six of the nine Diver Down tracks were removed from the show, leaving only “Cathedral,” “Little Guitars,” and “Oh, Pretty Woman.”
Van Halen’s “On Fire” also made a comeback, which led to the exclusion of several long-time staples such as “Dance the Night Away” and “Ice Cream Man.” Remarkably, just six years after they burst onto the global touring scene, the original lineup of Van Halen performed their last concert together on September 2, 1984, in Nuremberg, Germany.
Typical ‘1984’ Set List
1. “Unchained” (from Fair Warning)
2. “Hot for Teacher” (from 1984’s 1984)
3. Drum Solo
4. “On Fire” (from Van Halen)
5. “Runnin’ With the Devil” (from Van Halen)
6. “Little Guitars” (from Diver Down)
7. “Cathedral” (from Diver Down)
8. “House of Pain” (from 1984)
9. Bass Solo
10. “Jamie’s Cryin'” (from Van Halen)
11. “I’ll Wait” (from 1984)
12. “Everybody Wants Some!!” (from Women and Children First)
13. “Girl Gone Bad” (from 1984)
14. “1984” (from <em>1984</em>)
15. “Jump” (from 1984)
16. Guitar Solo
17. “Oh, Pretty Woman” (from Diver Down)
18. “Panama” (from 1984)
19. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
20. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
Songs per album:
1984: 7
Van Halen: 5
Diver Down: 3
Fair Warning: 1
Women and Children First: 1
Van Halen II: 0
Examining the 1986 ‘5150’ Tour Set List
After the shocking split from David Lee Roth at the peak of their success, Van Halen brought in Sammy Hagar as their new frontman for the 1986 5150 album. Hagar, fresh off the success of his hit “I Can’t Drive 55,” was already capable of selling out arenas as a solo artist.
Determined to establish a new identity for their lineup, the group chose to minimize the use of music videos, which had played a significant role in 1984‘s success, and removed almost all Roth-era songs from their set lists, retaining only four.
The show typically featured eight of the nine tracks from 5150, along with two from Van Halen, two from 1984, and two from Hagar’s solo career: “I Can’t Drive 55” and “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” during which Hagar engaged in a guitar duel with Eddie Van Halen.
Hagar generally refrained from performing the band’s recent hit “Jump,” instead inviting a fan or local celebrity to sing the iconic track. The show often closed with a cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll,” which was performed by Hagar and Van Halen during their announcement at Live Aid.
This tour marked the first time Van Halen’s performances were documented on home video, with a condensed version of their New Haven, CT show released as Live Without a Net.
Typical ‘5150’ Tour Set List:
1. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
2. “There’s Only One Way to Rock” (from Hagar’s Standing Hampton)
3. “Summer Nights” (from 5150)
4. “Get Up” (from 5150)
5. Drum Solo
6. “Dreams” (from 5150)
7. “5150” (from 5150)
8. Bass Solo
9. “Panama” (from 1984)
10. “Best of Both Worlds” (from 5150)
11. “Love Walks In” (from 5150)
12. “Good Enough” (from 5150)
13. Guitar Solo
14. “I Can’t Drive 55” (from Hagar’s VOA)
15. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
16. “Why Can’t This Be Love” (from 5150)
17. “Jump” (from 1984)
18. “Rock and Roll” (Led Zeppelin cover)
Songs per album:
5150 – 8
1984 – 2
Van Halen – 2
VOA – 1
Standing Hampton – 1
Exploring the 1988-1989 ‘OU812’ Tour Set List
Following a brief hiatus to allow Sammy Hagar to fulfill a contractual obligation for a farewell solo album titled I Never Said Goodbye (with Eddie Van Halen contributing on bass), the band embarked on what could be considered their most diverse album yet.
The 1988 release of OU812 showcased the band’s further exploration into keyboard-driven pop, along with genre-defying tracks like the country-influenced “Finish What Ya Started” and the prog/jazz fusion-inspired “Mine All Mine.”
During this tour, their set lists expanded to include four songs from 5150 alongside six from OU812, while also reintroducing “Runnin’ With the Devil” from the Roth era and adding “When Eagles Fly” from Hagar’s solo catalog. Notably, “Jump” was absent from the set lists.
This tour would mark the last occasion Eddie Van Halen played keyboards live on stage; for subsequent tours, they hired Alan Fitzgerald of Montrose and Night Ranger to perform the keyboard parts offstage. In 2004, they transitioned to using pre-recorded tapes of Eddie Van Halen’s keyboard performances.
The band’s February 1, 1989 concert in Tokyo was professionally filmed and remains widely available online.
Typical ‘OU812’ Tour Set List:
1. “A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)” (from OU812)
2. “There’s Only One Way to Rock” (from Hagar’s Standing Hampton)
3. “Summer Nights” (from 5150)
4. “Panama” (from 1984)
5. Bass Solo
6. “Runnin’ With the Devil” (from Van Halen)
7. “Why Can’t This Be Love” (from 5150)
8. “Mine All Mine” (from OU812)
9. Drum Solo
10. “Finish What Ya Started” (from OU812)
11. “5150” (from 5150)
12. “Cabo Wabo” (from OU812)
13. “When It’s Love” (from OU812)
14. “Eagles Fly” (from 1987’s I Never Said Goodbye by Sammy Hagar)
15. “I Can’t Drive 55” (from Hagar’s VOA)
16. “Best of Both Worlds” (from 5150)
17. Guitar Solo
18. “Black and Blue” (from OU812)
<19. "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love" (from Van Halen)
20. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
21. “Rock and Roll” (Led Zeppelin cover)
Songs per album:
OU812 – 6
5150 – 4
Van Halen – 3
1984 – 2
VOA – 1
Standing Hampton – 1
I Never Said Goodbye – 1
Reviewing the 1991-1992 ‘For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge’ Tour Set List
After creating three increasingly diverse and mainstream-friendly albums, Van Halen returned to their roots with the guitar-driven hard rock album titled For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge in 1991.
With the lone exception of the surprise hit “Right Now,” which featured a traditional piano rather than keyboards, the album maintained a robust wall of guitars. Consequently, their live performances also shifted, minimizing the use of keyboards in favor of a more guitar-centric sound.
Even after over 20 years of global touring, Van Halen was anything but a nostalgia act; they introduced six songs from their new album into the set list while scaling back on tracks from 5150 and OU812. The basic structure of the set mirrored their previous two tours with Hagar, featuring three songs from his solo career alongside three from the Roth years.
This tour also marked the first time Van Halen released an authentic live album, the impressive double-record set Live: Right Here Right Now. A companion home video was also released, showcasing the energy and excitement of their performances.
The live album featured an extensive collection of 24 tracks, including almost all the songs from F.U.C.K and a cover of the Who’s “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”
Typical ‘For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge’ Tour Set List:
1. “Poundcake” (from 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
2. “Judgement Day” (from 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
3. “Runaround” (from 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
4. “When It’s Love” (from OU812)
5. “There’s Only One Way to Rock” (from Hagar’s Standing Hampton)
6. Bass Solo
7. “Pleasure Dome” (instrumental) (from 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
8. Drum Solo
9. “A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)” (from OU812)
10. “Panama” (from 1984)
11. “Why Can’t This Be Love” (from 5150)
12. “Finish What You Started” (from OU812)
13. “Eagles Fly” (from Hagar’s I Never Said Goodbye)
14. Guitar Solo
15. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
16. “I Can’t Drive 55” (from VOA)
17. “Best of Both Worlds” (from 5150)
18. “The Dream is Over” (from 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
19. “Jump” (from 1984)
20. “Top of the World” (from 1991’s For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
Songs per album:
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge – 6
OU812 – 3
5150 – 2
1984 – 2
Van Halen – 1
VOA – 1
Standing Hampton – 1
Exploring the 1993 ‘Right Here Right Now’ Tour Set List
On their first tour supporting a live album instead of a new studio release, Van Halen faced the challenge of not having fresh material to incorporate into their set list.
To keep things interesting, they mixed up their performances using their extensive back catalog, reintroducing songs that had fallen out of the rotation in recent years, and giving “Right Now” (which had only been performed 35 times on their previous tour) a consistent place in their set list.
Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive 55” and “Eagles Fly” were removed to make way for another song from I Never Said Goodbye, titled “Give to Live.” Additionally, Hagar delved deeper into the Roth-era catalog by performing both “Jump” and “Unchained.” Most shows concluded with a cover of Neil Young’s classic “Rockin’ in the Free World.”
Typical 'Right Here Right Now' Set List:
1. “Mine All Mine” (from OU812)
2. “Poundcake” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
3. “Judgement Day” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
4. “Why Can’t This Be Love” (from 5150)
5. “Runaround” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
6. “Panama” (from 1984)
7. Bass Solo
8. “Pleasure Dome” (instrumental) (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
9. Drum Solo
10. “Dreams” (from 5150)
11. “Right Now” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
12. “Finish What You Started” (from OU812)
13. “Top of the World” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
14. “Give to Live” (from Hagar’s I Never Said Goodbye)
15. “Best of Both Worlds” (from 5150)
16. “Eagles Fly” (from Hagar’s I Never Said Goodbye)
17. “There’s Only One Way to Rock” (from Hagar’s Standing Hampton)
18. Guitar Solo
19. “Unchained” (from Fair Warning)
20. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
21. “Jump” (from 1984)
22. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
23. “Rockin’ in the Free World” (Neil Young cover)
Songs per album:
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge – 6
OU812 – 2
5150 – 3
1984 – 2
Van Halen – 1
Fair Warning – 1
I Never Said Goodbye – 1
Standing Hampton – 1
Examining the 1995 ‘Balance’ Tour Set List
Van Halen faced turbulent waters during their fourth and final studio album with Sammy Hagar. The internal conflicts and the rise of grunge music heavily influenced the disjointed Balance, which nevertheless soared to the top of the charts.
With Eddie Van Halen dealing with a hip injury and drummer Alex in a neck brace, their concerts during this era became infamously known as the “ambulance tour.”
There was a noticeable increase in variety within the set lists compared to previous tours. While it may not be listed in the average set list below, “There’s Only One Way to Rock” was performed at approximately two-thirds of the shows, and Balance‘s lead single “Don’t Tell Me (What Love Can Do)” was included in about half of the performances. (You can see the full tour statistics here.)
As had become customary, six songs from the new Balance album were integrated into the set list, displacing tracks from OU812 and most of the significant singles from 5150.
Two shows from Toronto in August 1995 were filmed and aired via Pay-Per-View in December of that year, although the concert has yet to be made legally available on home video.
Typical ‘Balance’ Tour Set List:
1. “The Seventh Seal” (from 1995’s Balance)
2. “Big Fat Money” (from Balance)
3. “Runaround” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
4. “Top of the World” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
5. “Amsterdam” (from Balance)
6. Bass Solo
7. “Aftershock” (from Balance)
8. “Why Can’t This Be Love” (from 5150)
9. Drum Solo
10. “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” (from Balance)
11. “Feelin'” (from Balance)
12. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
13. “Right Now” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
14. “You Really Got Me” (from Van Halen)
15. “Eagles Fly” (from Hagar’s I Never Said Goodbye)
16. Guitar Solo
17. “Jump” (from 1984)
18. “Dreams” (from 5150)
19. “Panama” (from 1984)
Songs per album:
Balance – 6
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge – 3
5150 – 2
Van Halen – 2
1984 – 2
I Never Said Goodbye – 1
OU812 – 0
Examining the 1998 ‘III’ Tour Set List
For the second time in their career, Van Halen parted ways with a lead singer after the Balance tour, replacing Hagar with Gary Cherone of Extreme fame for the much-maligned III.
Regardless of public opinion on that album, Cherone’s arrival brought a frontman who was enthusiastic about performing songs from both eras of the band’s history. Alongside the five tracks performed from III on an average night, the group also resurrected rare Roth-era gems like “Mean Street” and “Dance the Night Away.”
They included the biggest hits from the Hagar era as well. Oddly enough, Cherone became the first singer to perform “Humans Being” from the Twister soundtrack live with the group, as it was released after the Balance tour.
Michael Anthony also took on a new role during this tour, replacing his usual bass solo with lead vocals on Van Halen II‘s “Somebody Get Me a Doctor.”
The band’s April 20th concert in Sydney, Australia was filmed and broadcast live on MTV, leaving fans hopeful for a potential Van Halen III box set in the future.
Cherone was ultimately dismissed from the group following a short-lived effort to record a second album together, and none of the III songs have been included in any Van Halen set list since.
Typical ‘III’ Tour Set List
1. “Unchained” (from Fair Warning)
2. “Without You” (From 1998’s Van Halen III)
3. “One I Want” (From 1998’s Van Halen III)
4. “Mean Street” (from Fair Warning)
5. “When It’s Love” (from OU812)
6. “Fire in the Hole” (From 1998’s Van Halen III)
7. “Why Can’t This Be Love” (from 5150)
8. “Romeo Delight” (from Women and Children First)
9. Drum Solo
10. “Dance the Night Away” (From Van Halen II)
11. “Humans Being” (from the Twister soundtrack)
12. “Somebody Get Me a Doctor” (from Van Halen II)
13. “Year to the Day” (From 1998’s Van Halen III)
14. Guitar Solo
15. “Right Now” (from For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge)
16. “Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love” (from Van Halen)
17. “Josephina” (From 1998’s Van Halen III)
18. “Panama” (from 1984)
19. “Jump” (from 1984)
Songs per album:
Van Halen III: 5
1984: 2
Fair Warning: 2
Van Halen II: 2
Women and Children First: 1
For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge: 1
OU812: 1
5150: 1
Van Halen: 1
Twister Soundtrack: 1
Analyzing the Summer 2004 Tour Set List
Reuniting with their former frontman, Van Halen’s summer 2004 tour with Hagar was marred by personal conflicts and struggles related to substance abuse efforts within the band.
During this tour, they showcased the heaviest focus on Roth-era tracks of any tour featuring Hagar as the frontman, with “Jump” serving as the opening number of each performance. Anthony continued to play his role in the spotlight during “Doctor,” while most of Hagar’s solo tracks were performed during his nightly acoustic segment, eliminating the previous guitar duels.
They also performed three songs from the new The Best of Both Worlds compilation album, which are often considered forgettable.
Following the tour-closing show on November 19, 2004, significant milestones were reached: it was the last time Hagar performed
