Whats on your turntable tonight?

Spiritofradio - The band Stryder that you mentioned is different that the English Band Strider. Look up Strider "Misunderstood" and the 1st album Strider  "Exposed", with the song Esters Place on it. There isn't any correlation between them and Van Halen.  As for Van Halen other than the Sammy Hagar years, they were just like any other bubble gum radio spot music band.

Also check out Hard Stuff  - Bullet Proof and their 2nd album Bolex Dementia. There original band name was Bullet until they changed labels.

I don't know if you are familiar with Gary Moore's band Skid Row that was out long before the Hair band Skid Row. Gary Moore that when he was 18 years old did an album called 34 hour and his album Skid Row. This was the dawning of a great guitarist that traversed several genre of music and did them really well.

@730waters,

On your point above regarding Van Halen. I’m pretty sure I get where you’re coming from.....although, I’d disagree on VH 1st lp...which is, IMO, one of the best pure rock debuts of all time.
("S/T" & "Mean Street" are the original line-up's best lps, IMO)

The Sammy Hagar years...I’ve always enjoyed, yet I never owned them. but Sammy IS one of THE great rock singers and his performances when he fronted VH where great!

As for Gary Moore, his last lp, a live lp is coming out soon.

During the time of the 1st Van Halen album, there were so many new rock bands that changed the whole structure of Rock music. You had Judas Priest "Sad Wings of Destiny", Yesterday and Todays 1st album, Ronnie Montrose, Edgar Winters, Led Zeppelin Black Sabbath and many other band that took music to the music to the next level. A lot of this music was feel good music. When you listened to these albums they made you want to get up and become part of the music. You had the Scorpions, UFO, Riot, Granicus that all had the most incredible technology for mixing and engineering their albums that we were treated to some of the great recordings that we enjoy today. 

Drive-By Truckers "American Band"
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IMO, when we start talking about Judas Priest, etc.. that changes to more of a (metal) category as well that should be considered. Not sure about any distinction you are trying to make between VH. JP, and so on regarding, "Feel Good Music"

Susan Tedeschi "Just Won't Burn"  2014/APO