HAGAR, SAMMY voa P-13321

The Red Rocker’s Defining Moment: Sammy Hagar’s ‘VOA’ Reissue (P-13321)

Today’s entry focuses on the album that turned Sammy Hagar into a household name just before he joined the biggest band in the world. We are examining the 1986 Japanese Promo Sample reissue of VOA (Voice of America), released on Geffen Records with the catalog number P-13321.

The Speed Limit Anthem

Originally released in 1984, VOA is the Red Rocker’s most commercially successful solo effort. It is anchored by the massive hit single “I Can’t Drive 55,” a song that became an MTV staple and a global anthem for rebellion against the speed limit. Beyond the hit, the album features a mix of hard-driving rock and melodic hooks, including “Two Sides of Love” and the heavy title track “VOA.” This specific 1986 reissue is historically significant as it was released by Warner-Pioneer just as Hagar was skyrocketing to new heights as the frontman for Van Halen, capitalizing on the massive success of the 5150 album.

Japanese Promo Specifics

This specific copy is a Promo Sample of the 1986 reissue. Unlike the standard retail versions, this copy was designated for industry distribution to keep the momentum going during the Van Halen era. It features a “Sample” sticker affixed to the back cover to verify its non-retail status.

Warner-Pioneer Production

Manufactured by Warner-Pioneer Corporation, this pressing offers the high-fidelity audio characteristic of mid-80s Japanese vinyl. The album is complete with the reissue-specific Obi strip and a lyric insert. It serves as a perfect time capsule of the moment Sammy Hagar conquered both the solo charts and the arena rock world simultaneously.