only 15 dates and none in Florida, Any chance they'll add more?
8th September 2007 09:37 PM
Some Guy
THEY'RE BAAAACCK
The Return of Van Halen
By Jeb Wright
Calling all rock dogs and rocker chicks! The classic hard rock news of the year is upon us. Van Halen have reunited with David Lee Roth. The dates are set and the tickets are mostly sold out. Edward is sober and it appears likely this is actually going to happen this time. Seeing Ed and Dave hug and smile at the VH press release makes things seem right in the world once again.
To fully understand the significance of the hug one must look backward in time. The date April 1, 1985 was one of the darkest days in hard rock history. It was an end of an era. It was the day that David Lee Roth left Van Halen. To be honest the world of hard rock has never been the same. Sure Sammy Hagar had great success with the band and Dave had his musical moments but like the BB King song, something was different, something was missing; the thrill was gone. Instead of Van Halen being the renegade rebels who were out to conquer the world, we had a kinder and gentler band who put out keyboard laden pop songs and made glossy videos. Roth changed as well. His first attempt at a solo career was a cover of the Beach Boy's classic "California Girls" and while the video was entertaining this was not what we had come to expect from DLR. Roth quickly got his shit together and put together an all star band featuring Billy Sheehan on bass and Steve Vai on guitar and released the classic Eat 'em & Smile album. Dave flew the middle finger at The Brothers. Van Halen answered back by snagging Sammy as the new front man and went straight to # 1 with 5150 proving they could replace Roth and grow to new heights of commercial success without him.
Van Halen created a new audience, separate from the long haired, leather wearing head-bangers who bought only the band's first five albums. Van Hagar and Sam Halen became the terms used to differentiate the two classic line ups of the band. Trouble once again reared it's ugly head. After years of owning the charts, Hagar and The Brothers had a rift and went separate ways. Rumors were flung around that the door was open and that Dave was coming back. Two new Roth sung tunes were added to the Best of Van Halen Vol. 1 release but in the end it was not meant to be. With Sammy and Dave both gone, Brothers VH had to find a third person lead the band. They brought in Gary Cherone from Extreme and released Van Halen III. The album flopped and became the first musical wart on Van Halen's resume. It was also the last album released under the moniker Van Halen.
David Lee Roth's career was struggling as well. Vai and Sheehan quickly tired of Dave's shtick and left to pursue more serious music. Once it was clear his solo career was in shambles Roth courageously stepped outside the box and went to Vegas. This was a pretty cool move actually and for a while it was successful. Many were not surprised to see Roth end up a Vegas showman as this fit his personality perfectly. As Van Halen were putting out classics like "Right Now" and "When It's Love" Roth found getting on the charts tougher than it had been in the old days.
Despite not being in the same band for decades rumors constantly persisted that Dave was indeed coming back. Every time they were announced the fans stood salivating and ready to pounce. Without fail, hopes were dashed and we were left with nothing but tabloid sensationalism. Over the last few decades Van Halen fans have had to put up not only with these pesky reunion rumors. They have had to put up with all three sides of the Van Halen Story -- The Brothers, DLR and Sammy -- fighting with each other. We have witnessed a crazy MTV declaration of the band being back together by Dave only to have Eddie declare that he was going to "kick Dave in the balls." There have been rehabs, marijuana busts, failed talk radio shows, cancer, divorce, porn soundtracks and the Sam & Dave tour. But now --- dare I say it --- the unthinkable has happened. Van Halen, with David Lee Roth in the band, will once again tour --- and if you believe the outspoken Roth --- they will record and stay together as a band.
As a diehard Van Halen fan since the first album was released in 1978, I still have to pinch myself everytime I get a press release or see a story on television about the band being back with Roth . Finally, David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen are back in the same band -- not to mention Alex and Michael Anthony --- oh, wait a minute. There is a catch. The Brothers didn't invite Mike to the party. Mike was always the good guy. He was the one who got along with all three camps. He had his ass handed to him and was told to not let the door hit him there on the way out. Apparently the Van Halen camp didn't like him being on the road with Sammy calling themselves The Other Half, even though that is precisely what they were. Not only were they the Other Half but they were the Only Half that was even playing live gigs anymore. For now Mikey has been replaced by another Van Halen: Wolfgang. The kid is not old enough to vote yet and he is going to have to grow some big brass ones to be on the biggest classic rock stage ever.
Now is the time to take stock of the situation and ask the question: "What could possibly go wrong?"
What Could Possibly Go Wrong List
A. Wolfe Could Choke
Mike is a huge part of the fan base. His Jack Daniels bass will be as missed as much as his wide smile and his awesome high end backing vocals. The young Van Halen has one tough job and his age and inexperience will be tested.
B. Dave & Ed Could Start Fighting
Dave has never been able to get along with ANYONE named Van Halen and now he will be surrounded by three of them. Until the two became huggy with each other Ed was telling Dave he was going to kick him in the nads and Dave referred to Ed as Eddie Van Heineken. Hugs aside, this is not the basis for a great friendship. Ed and Dave are famous for hating each other. Is the allure of big money, increased fame and carrying on the legacy of Van Halen enough to keep their egos in check?
C. Egos Could Fly Out of Control
One may think I covered this in the last question but we are talking about Edward Van Halen and David Lee Roth here. I am sure when they are at home enjoying a quite family evening they are both nice guys. However, when put together in the spotlight they tend to battle over who is Van Halen. Is it the guitar player whose last name is the name of the band or is it the singer who wears funny cloths, makes that odd, high pitched squeal and is the focal point of the audience? The obvious answer is that BOTH made up what was Van Halen and both are going to be what takes the band into the future. History has proved that they are often blind to this reality. From accusing Roth of having LSD (Lead Singers Disease) to the aforementioned ball kicking threat Edward has been fed up with Roth many times in the past. Roth has deserved some of the flack as he has shot his mouth off on more than a thousand occasions. Perhaps he is the prefect front man but that job has caused him to cross lines with the media with the full intent of pissing off the person he was talking about. Too often that person was Edward Van Halen.
D. Dave Could Say More Than He Should
Did Dave already cross the line when he said that this was not a reunion concert? Did he promise too much when he told us all that the band was going to make new music and stay together? If this falls apart are we going to have to suffer through another open letter from Dave to a guitar magazine telling us that Edward yelled at him and said he was going to whack his pee-pee again? I certainly hope not but Dave needs to watch what he says and what he does for several reasons A) The Brothers have shown sensitivity to Dave's words in the past and B) This is most likely way that Roth could inadvertently fuck things up.
E. Michael Anthony Could Be More important Than They Think
What if they get out there and find out Anthony was a bigger cog in the Van Halen machine than these four think? The result could be disastrous.
F. Dave's Vocal Limitations Rear Their Ugly Head
Does Dave still have it? If so will he be able to keep it? Van Halen live has always been the best thing about the band and Dave will need to remain at the top of his game to make this a valid undertaking.
G. Ed Could Fall of the Wagon
God forbid this happen. It is nothing to joke about and is nothing we would wish on Ed or anyone in his situation. But the fact is early sobriety is fragile. If Ed can't keep it together then this would spell bad news.
If the band can prove themselves and the list above is overcome then we must ask ourselves, "What could possibly go right?"
H. What Could Possibly Go Right List
The possibilities for this list could go on forever. Just imagine that we are on the brink of what could prove to be the reawakening of hard rock. A successful Van Halen tour will prove that people still love music that is fun. It will also prove that people want to hear music made by true virtuosos.
More than anything the best part of the reunion is that the music will be back. Van Hagar concerts featured mostly music that featured Sammy. The DLR era has been, for the most part, left untouched. Now the music gets to come back to life. Not just the hits that the Hagar era still played like "Jump," "Panama" and "You Really Got Me" but the songs that have not been played by Ed and Dave since the good old days. "Running with the Devil," "Unchained," "Dance the Night Away," "Jamie's Cryin'" and many more could be given a new lease on life.
I am sure there are plenty who wish for the band to fail. Cynics everywhere think the band will no longer have it. Others think that they are doing it just for the money. Only the four musicians can say for sure why they are doing what they are doing. But as a classic rock fan, a lifelong Van Halen fan, and as a music journalist, I hope Roth is right. I hope the band is back and that the tour goes off without a hitch. Sit back and imagine 2008 with a new release by Van Halen. Imagine further that they pick up musically where 1984 left off. Imagine that Van Halen still have enough simple magic to breath life back into what once was the greatest rock act of their time. They are older and hopefully wiser. Beware not to think they will be the same as time has changed them. But just as time changes us all, it teaches us valuable lessons as well. Time can fade old wounds and time can create enough space to deal with past resentments maturely. We don't need the spandex and we don't need the big show. But we do need the music. And, as it stands today, the music is about to come back louder than ever before. The Mighty Van Halen have returned. If this is the real thing and it looks like it is, then we are in for something special. So sinners get ready to swing as Van Halen prepare to stroll down Mean Street once again. In 1978 they helped kill disco and pave the way for hard rock. Will history repeat itself? We can only hope.
[Edited by Some Guy]
[Edited by Some Guy]
8th September 2007 09:42 PM
mojoman
Now I'm a-seaside sittin'
Just a-smokin' and a-drinkin', I'm ringside
On top of the world (Top of the world)
I got a drink in my hand, I got my toes in the sand
All I need, is a beautiful girl (Beautiful girl)
Oh yeah
9th September 2007 01:53 PM
Bloozehound
Did Diamond Dave ever bang any hot chicks ?
All that fronting he used to do, but I can't recall him ever being involved with actual girls
9th September 2007 05:58 PM
Joey
" Did Diamond Dave ever bang any hot chicks ? "
< ----- Funny !!!!
" .... I can't recall him ever being involved with actual girls "
hmmmmmmmmmmmm !!!
Developing ...............................
H R Puffin Joe
9th September 2007 11:20 PM
Starbuck
10th September 2007 02:09 AM
IanBillen
quote:Bloozehound wrote:
Did Diamond Dave ever bang any hot chicks ?
All that fronting he used to do, but I can't recall him ever being involved with actual girls
This has been posted on many VH related lists this afternoon. Judging form the photos, the rehearsal took place either at the Long Beach arena or the LA Sports arena. Anyway, I'll let the lucky person speak:
On Saturday night a friend of mine got me in to see a Van Halen rehearsal in Los Angeles. (I've been sworn to secrecy on certain aspects of this story, including location. Someone else may fill in the details, but it won't be me.)
Photos at: tinyurl.com/2yt2sg
We arrived to an empty arena (except for the VH staff) containing VH's full stage setup. No one from the band had arrived yet.
The stage has a runway which snakes out into the audience in a giant "S" shape, which mirrors the lighting rig above it. The "S" continues behind and above the stage so a band member can walk to the very top and be standing above Ed's rig. There's a giant video screen the width of the entire stage, but neither the screen nor the stage lights were tested tonight; only the house lights were used. (It didn't matter in the slightest.)
We arrived about an hour before the band while the crew fine-tuned the equipment. Drums were tested, guitars tuned, and pink noise blasted through the P.A. The general mood of everyone seemed very high with lots of smiles and friendly faces. Many people nodded to us and said, "hello."
Eddie was the first to arrive, and very shortly after that, Wolfgang and Alex. Valerie was with Wolf as were about five of his friends from school, I'm guessing. (They all looked the same age.) Alex and Ed spent about 15 minutes on stage noodling while Wolfie was showing his friends the venue. The three of them then met on stage and Eddie said into the P.A., "We're not opening with it, but let's play "I'm The One" just to warm up. And that they did. A funny moment occurred when Ed screwed up the bit right before they usually go acapella. He spoke into the mic, "Did I mess that up?" Wolf confirmed, "Yeah, you were late." Both were smiling.
After "I'm The One", there was a bit more noodling and then some down time as people waited for Dave. I'm not sure if he was running late or if that's just how the schedule was.
When Dave did show up, right from the start, he was all smiles. He was dressed in tight, flared out leather pants and a black/striped dress shirt.
The rest of the account is going to contain, for lack of a better word, "spoilers" of the show, including the set list, all though not in order. If you don't want to know, fair warning.
Dave addressed the crowd and treated us as if we were guests in his arena sized house. He thanked us for coming and talked about how excited he was to be here and what a "privilege and honor" it was to play with his "brutha's from another mutha." (And yes, that's a quote.) He then went on to great lengths to explain what we would be seeing tonight: that it was a rehearsal where they would be stopping and starting, testing things out, etc. (And he did this all very eloquently with many one-liners, as only Dave does.) Right before the band began, he explained, "Okay as soon as you hear the first note, that's when the curtain comes up." He did that throughout the show; stopping to tell us what we would be seeing if this were the actual concert. The constant commentary and casual asides reminded me of that story I've heard where at a concert he wanted to turn the P.A. around so that "everyone could be backstage." That's how this show felt. As if we were being let it on the secret.
The show started with "You Really Got Me." Dave was standing on the high part of the "S" stage above Alex waving a giant Red flag as the show began. Then he threw the flag down, and for the first time in over 22 years, David Lee Roth sang on stage with Eddie Van Halen.
I'd say there were only about 40-50 guests there that night who were lucky enough to get in. Most of us sat in the "5-star" section inside the loop of the "S" runway, but there wasn't even enough of us to fill it up. And there was a silly L.A.attitude amongst the crowd of" Oh-I'm-so-hip-I-don't-need-to-sit-in-the-front-row" thing going on, as if this event was an every day occurrence. (After the first song, I couldn't stay away, and moved from the 5th row to right up front, just off center towards Ed's side.) The stage setup has at least 8 speakers just for the people in the first few rows, so you don't have to worry about hearing only the echoey remnants of the main P.A. You'll get the full mix nice and loud.
But Holy God, bring earplugs.
Wolfgang did a fine job, even providing decent sounding backup vocals. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about him, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that Michael Anthony was missed. While Wolf competently filled the position, he doesn't have the same sound, either in his playing or in his voice, as Michael. It's such a shame that silly personal conflicts can't be resolved so that people can finally see the classic lineup again. I do have to say though, it's obvious how much Ed loves playing with Wolfgang. He would be all smiles when he walked over to Wolfie and after one song, stepped up to the P.A. and said, "Great job, Wolf. Great."
Over the next hour and a half or so the band played classic after classic that VH haven't done in years. The Sammy Hagar era is dead now, as far as I can tell. (All though when warming up, Eddie ran the VH-stripped drill across his guitar as if he was was starting "Poundcake", but no more than that.) I was surprised by some of the gems they brought out. I'll post the songs I remember at the end of the article, but the order will be completely wrong except for the first song and the encore.
The great thrill of the show was seeing Dave and Ed interact. If there's any animosity between them, it didn't show at all. Both were constantly smiling, and Dave often did the schtick where he holds his mic to Ed's guitar during a solo while he looks at the crowd, open mouthed in astonishment.
That's not to say that Dave didn't get pissed, however. He was standing out by the far tail of the "S" runway when, in the middle of a song, he yelled at the soundboard crew with intense anger, "TURN THE FUCKING VOCALS UP! Don't make me ask you again!" I turned to Ed to see his reaction, thinking he would be pissed at Dave's behavior, but incredibly, Ed just smiled even wider. As Dave walked past him returning to the stage, they did a mini-hi-five, low and behind each other's back. I don't know what it meant. I'm guessing it's one of those things that only makes sense to two people who have known each other for decades.
I never got to see Dave sing with Van Halen live. I got into the band in 1984 when I was 12 and didn't see them until the OU812 tour. I've seen Dave solo multiple times, but am always wonderfully caught off guard by his stage antics. He really is the clown prince of rock 'n' roll, and I say that with as much affection as I can. There's not a moment that goes by where he's not trying to entertain you, whether it be with silly facial expressions, dance moves, jokes, props or stories. He is the former 5 year old kid who ran up to every new adult and wanted to show them everything he owned and all the things he could do and wouldn't stop talking until his parents told him it was bed time. And that attitude has never quite gone away.
Thinking about the whole experience, I can't help but smile. I was going to write a few more details about the show, (like the brilliant way Dave introduces "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" or the intensity from Dave that makes "Mean Street" one of the great live VH songs) but I think it's probably better to let you all discover that for yourself.
Song list (again, not in order):"
YOU REALLY GOT ME
ROMEO DELIGHT
SOMEBODY GET ME A DOCTOR
I'M THE ONE
MEAN STREET
UNCHAINED
PRETTY WOMAN (No "Intruder.")
DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
ICE CREAM MAN
BEAUTIFUL GIRLS
GUITAR SOLO - NOT the solo of the 2004 tour. Includes everything you want
to hear: Eruption, Cathedreal, etc.
SO THIS IS LOVE?
AND THE CRADLE WILL ROCK....
EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!!
SECRETS
I'LL WAIT
RUNNIN' WITH THE DEVIL
LITTLE GUITARS
JAMIE'S CRYIN'
ATOMIC PUNK
FEEL YOUR LOVE TONIGHT
LITTLE DREAMER
ON FIRE
PANAMA
HOT FOR TEACHER
AIN'T TALKIN' 'ABOUT LOVE
ENCORE:
1984
JUMP
10th September 2007 09:43 AM
Joey
" Wolfgang did a fine job, even providing decent sounding backup vocals. I have absolutely nothing bad to say about him, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that Michael Anthony was missed. While Wolf competently filled the position, he doesn't have the same sound, either in his playing or in his voice, as Michael. It's such a shame that silly personal conflicts can't be resolved so that people can finally see the classic lineup again. I do have to say though, it's obvious how much Ed loves playing with Wolfgang. He would be all smiles when he walked over to Wolfie and after one song, stepped up to the P.A. and said, "Great job, Wolf. Great."
10th September 2007 10:58 AM
Jumping Jack
I must say I am very excited about Charlotte, so excited that ...
10th September 2007 02:10 PM
Saint Sway
quote:Some Guy wrote:
EXCLUSIVE: Van Halen to appear at MTV music awards.
Don't tell anyone, but Geno's World has discovered that the newly reformed Van Halen will be making a "surprise" appearance at the MTV music awards on September 9. Initial plans are for the band to perform a medley of classic VH tunes. But the band may just present an award. Everyone remembers the last time the reformed Van Halen with David Lee Roth appeared at the MTV awards in 1996. This appearance may turn out to be better.....
uh oh... guess who was a no-show last night
they didnt even bother to send in the B Team this time
10th September 2007 02:13 PM
Some Guy
Roth Army is at Def-Con 5.
10th September 2007 02:17 PM
gimmekeef
My sources tell me that Britney is all set to join the band onstage in a "send up" of Sammy....Guess who sings a new Sammyish song...."I Cant Weigh Less Than 185"?
10th September 2007 02:19 PM
Saint Sway
quote:Some Guy wrote:
Roth Army is at Def-Con 5.
is that the red alert level where they all don matador jackets?
10th September 2007 02:21 PM
Some Guy
bose de bose de bop.
10th September 2007 02:46 PM
Saint Sway
quote:Some Guy wrote:
The show started with "You Really Got Me." Dave was standing on the high part of the "S" stage above Alex waving a giant Red flag as the show began.
quote:Some Guy wrote:
bose de bose de bop.
toro toro de bop
10th September 2007 04:47 PM
doo doo doo Dude
Nice!
10th September 2007 04:52 PM
Saint Sway
"WOW! Look at all these people here tonight!"
10th September 2007 05:03 PM
Saint Sway
Eddie's still wearing those big parachute pants.
its like the 80's never ended
10th September 2007 05:10 PM
Some Guy
quote:doo doo doo Dude wrote:
Nice!
good postin, there are about 30 of those pictures from last night.
10th September 2007 05:15 PM
Saint Sway
you cant tell me that that picture of Wolfie instills confidence
10th September 2007 05:16 PM
Some Guy
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
you cant tell me that that picture of Wolfie instills confidence
It instills all you can eat pancakes at I Hop.
10th September 2007 05:20 PM
doo doo doo Dude
Could this be magic?
[Edited by doo doo doo Dude]
10th September 2007 05:21 PM
Saint Sway
any reports on how Michael Anthony's piped in backing vocals sounded over the PA?
10th September 2007 05:22 PM
Some Guy
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
any reports on how Michael Anthony's piped in backing vocals sounded over the PA?
Whomiliation.
10th September 2007 05:24 PM
Saint Sway
quote:Some Guy wrote:
Whomiliation.
Harrington'd!!
10th September 2007 05:25 PM
Some Guy
Meet us in the future not the pasture.
10th September 2007 05:33 PM
Saint Sway
quote:Some Guy wrote:
Meet us in the future not the pasture.
how far into the future?
are we talking by the time Wolfie starts shaving? Or until he's old enough to vote?
10th September 2007 05:36 PM
mojoman
quote:Saint Sway wrote:
"WOW! Look at all these people here tonight!"
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