VanHalen - its about time

[GravY]

I never got to see VanHalen with David Lee Roth before they broke up and will be at this concert for sure..

I was lucky to catch the Sammy Dave tour a few years back before those two about killed each other and canceled the show. David was excellent btw..

anywho on to the news..




More than 20 years after David Lee Roth last fronted a Van Halen concert tour, Roth and the band have reportedly agreed to tour this summer.

The 40-date amphitheatre tour will include a band fronted by Roth and including guitarist Eddie Van Halen, Eddie's 15-year-old son Wolfgang (replacing original bassist Michael Anthony) and drummer Alex Van Halen.

Roth fronted the band from 1978 through 1984, when Roth left to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by Sammy Hagar, who fronted the band until 1996. Soon after Hagar's exit, Roth briefly reunited with the band and recorded several tracks. The band also made a high-profile appearance at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. Roth soon split with the band, and was briefly replaced by former Extreme frontman Gary Cherone in 1997. The ensuing album and concert tour was a flop, and Cherone left the band.

The period since has been tumultous for the hard-driving rock band. Hagar returned for a 2004-2006 stint and the band made several unsuccessful attempts to work with Roth. The band has been dormant since, despite a number of rumors the band would do everything from officially split up to participate in an edition of the TV reality series "Rockstar."

In the fall of 2006, Eddie Van Halen released two solo songs for the soundtrack of a porn movie called "Sacred Sin." At the same time, Roth was busy promoting his contribution to a bluegrass music tribute to Van Halen entitled "Strummin' With The Devil."

Van Halen will be inducted on March 12 into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and participants are expected to be Roth, Hagar, Eddie and Alex Van Halen and original bassist Michael Anthony, who recently said in an interview that he hasn't spoken to anyone in the band since the 2004 tour.

[Scott]

Not so sure about that copy job there GravY.



Anyway, lots info here http://www.vhnd.com/

[GravY]

Originally Posted by Scott

Not so sure about that copy job there GravY.



Anyway, lots info here http://www.vhnd.com/

fixt

[jimmyboy]

I would love to have seen the band back in the late 80' or early 90's when they were at their height with Sammy. They have been an amazing band, but the stupid bickering and the alcoholism have really put a damper on them. Very sad.

[Crazy Legs]

Hmm... it looks like Michael Anthony is staying loyal to Sammy. I know they hang out together down in Cabo San Lucas.

I'll have to check them out this summer to complete my singer trifecta.

[Skynet]

[Scott]

Originally Posted by Crazy Legs

Hmm... it looks like Michael Anthony is staying loyal to Sammy. I know they hang out together down in Cabo San Lucas.

I'll have to check them out this summer to complete my singer trifecta.

I think it's a case of Michael isn't kissing Eddie's ring. I used to be Ed's biggest fan but lotsa years, tours and interviews later I'm thinking it's something just better left behind. Ed had a term "LSD" for 'lead singer's disease'... anymore I wonder if it's really been LGD all along.

[gtrz]

Unlimited, relentless use of cocaine and alcohol, it should be called "Osbournes disease" or something. I love the band but still..

[jimmt]

Dude, Eddie and Alex has screwed up this band to the point of no return. Sad as VH is one of my all time favorite bands. I even love Van Hagar (I am actually a big Sammy fan). A better show that includes old pre-hagar VH songs is Sammy and Micheal. Mike can sing and sounds just like Roth.

Jim

[GravY]

Originally Posted by jimmt

Dude, Eddie and Alex has screwed up this band to the point of no return. Sad as VH is one of my all time favorite bands. I even love Van Hagar (I am actually a big Sammy fan). A better show that includes old pre-hagar VH songs is Sammy and Micheal. Mike can sing and sounds just like Roth.

Jim

Mike doesnt sound like Roth he compliments Roth and Sammy very well..

[compunoob]

I saw Van Halen on there 1984 tour. It was Alex Van Halens birthday on the day I was there. It was one of the single best concerts I have ever seen =) They brought out a huge Birthday cake we all sang happy birthday and they proceded to try and throw him in the cake. Then they had a fire extinguisher fight as they threw cake at each other LOL =P

[Scott]

Originally Posted by compunoob

I saw Van Halen on there 1984 tour. It was Alex Van Halens birthday on the day I was there. It was one of the single best concerts I have ever seen =) They brought out a huge Birthday cake we all sang happy birthday and they proceded to try and throw him in the cake. Then they had a fire extinguisher fight as they threw cake at each other LOL =P

Where have all the good times gone?

[Crazy Legs]

Originally Posted by Scott

Where have all the good times gone?

I don't know, but everybody wants some!! And I ain't talkin' 'bout love, either. Everyone is wondering, "could this be magic, or will Dave screw it up again?"

[andino]

Looks like times have been hard on him...

Not sure if I want to see this version of Van Halen...

[DivineUnknown]

I hate sammy, he is my nemesis, down with the red rocker!!

[GravY]

Originally Posted by andino

Looks like times have been hard on him...

Not sure if I want to see this version of Van Halen...

wow he sure is in bad shape, hopfully he gets his **** cleaned up..

[Scott]

Best Van Halen Show I remember at was for the Balance tour. I was at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto when they filmed for a PPV. Our Lady Peace opened up for them when they were touring for Naveed. Got it downloaded and gonna watch it again to see if it was as good as I remember.

[shasha]

I haven't been to a concert in over 14 years, BUT this is one that I would come out of retirement for. And I don't care which singer is up there as long as it isn't Cherone.

I have been a huge EVH fan for years and it has always been spun as the lead singers being the problem. But after 3 singers and 1 bass player later that doesn't reflect well upon good old Ed.

Of course when DLR left it was because he had always wanted to be the main attraction and you could see it; he would never be 'the man' with Ed in the picture. The guy was always an attention hog and that is what made him a great frontman. There are pages and pages of accounts of what happened; who did this and who did that; but the bottom line to me is that they had never clicked and had used each other to get where they were. DLR had a PA system and EVH was the hottest gun in town. It was never about a real connection musically. They obviously were having a good time playing, being famous and living out their dream, but to be honest it shows either just how bad that relationship really was or just how much integrity Roth had, because nobody walks away from one of the most popular bands of all time at its peak just 'because'.

With the Sammy split I think that it was more about the directions that they were taking personally and professionally. Ed had pretty much cleaned up and to me and a lot of others his music wasn't as interesting after that (of course after 3 decades of off the wall stuff he is afforded a pass). He also had the cancer thing and divorce in there. And to be quite honest Van Halen wasn't really a band that fit in the music scene in the late 90's and even to now. They were never heavy metal and they weren't really a hair band, but grunge and nu metal and whatever else you can imagine were hot. The fact that they managed to be popular as long as they did was a testament to just how talented these guys were, but you could see it breaking down. The last album had 3 instrumental pieces on it, that means that they weren't clicking anymore or had just gotten burnt out.

If you listen to those pieces though you could really see the direction that Eddie was going musically and it carried over to VHIII which we all know was an abortion. Eddie had always been the guy behind the music and the others did the lyrics, but how the hell do you right to the stuff that he was composing at that point? I really think that Sammy heard some of the stuff, didn't like it, Eddie got defensive or hurt and they split up. Cherone never stood a chance, plus he didn't fit the bill. Hearing a VH song about politics is like Tarrentino directing Sleepless in Seattle or Paris Hilton addressing the UN. They were a party band; the ultimate party band and that is what made them great. With Cherone writing that isn't what they were and Warner Brothers dropped them from their label because of it.

I've seen some EVH clips here and there from the last year and he looks older (that picture up there has been photo-chopped more than lip boy around the Harmony Central forums), but he looked pretty good at the NAMM earlier this month. He has a new guitar and amp with Fender and if things can be worked out to where they just play from the catalog I think that it could be special. If they try to get together and write some new material it wouldn't hold up to the legend they have built and it probably would kill any chances of them touring.

Personally I would prefer to see Hagar up there just because he has a better vocal range and I just don't see Roth dipping into the Van Hagar material. But hell Roth would probably be more fun. As long as it is one or the other I am going to be there.

[GravY]

at the Sammy and Dave tour Dave out preformed Sammy in everyway.. his songs sounded excellent and he was all over the stage doing "dave stuff" it was excellent.

[Crazy Legs]

Originally Posted by Scott

Best Van Halen Show I remember at was for the Balance tour. I was at the Molson Amphitheatre in Toronto when they filmed for a PPV. Our Lady Peace opened up for them when they were touring for Naveed. Got it downloaded and gonna watch it again to see if it was as good as I remember.

My best friend and I ordered that PPV. We loved it. We were about a year too young to go to a show by ourselves during the Balance tour. We were pissed that by the time we had licenses and wheels Sammy had left the band.

I also love Our Lady Peace. I went to a show with OLP and Everclear in '97 or '98. Most people went for Everclear, but I went for OLP. I wish I had seen that tour in Canada where Everclear was the opening act and OLP was the main show.

[Scott]

I caught the Sammy reunited tour in 2004 and it was underwhelming. A few months later I came across and interview that Sammy did which helped explain why I might think that...

http://www.vhnd.com/articles/221104-02.shtml

The KSHE Interview

November 22nd, 2004


Sammy spoke to KSHE's Favaaz a few weeks ago. The DJ interpreted Sam's comments to signal the end of the band. Sammy and his management contacted the radio station and asked that they not post the audio on their website until the end of the Van Halen tour.

It is a relatively frank interview and Sammy does criticize other unnamed members of the band for failing to give the fans the treatment he thinks they are due and for overcharging the fans. He also cites the Cabo Wabo Cantina as a point of jealous contention that was a part of the original split and that it remains a sore point in the band. Sam takes credit for instigating the VH reunion but contends that he prefers the Waboritas. He made no promises about the future of Van Halen either positive or negative so it does not sound so dire to us as was originally reported, but don't take our word for it.

Listen for yourself.

Crazy Legs, if you can get the version of the video where they show OLP opening it'll be that much better, they played GREAT!

[jimmyboy]

Originally Posted by GravY

wow he sure is in bad shape, hopfully he gets his **** cleaned up..

Woah, he looks like an 80 year old man!

[jimmyboy]

Originally Posted by shasha

Of course when DLR left it was because he had always wanted to be the main attraction and you could see it; he would never be 'the man' with Ed in the picture. The guy was always an attention hog and that is what made him a great frontman. There are pages and pages of accounts of what happened; who did this and who did that; but the bottom line to me is that they had never clicked and had used each other to get where they were. DLR had a PA system and EVH was the hottest gun in town. It was never about a real connection musically. They obviously were having a good time playing, being famous and living out their dream, but to be honest it shows either just how bad that relationship really was or just how much integrity Roth had, because nobody walks away from one of the most popular bands of all time at its peak just 'because'.

I never did like DLR's style as a vocalist. For some reason, I always think of him as a lounge singer, one of those cheesy/sleazy stereotypes. Sammy is just a much better singer, and IMO Van Halen really grew musically after Sammy joined the band. Listen to the music from Sammy-era songs like "Mine all mine" and "Pleasure Dome", and compare it to most anything from the DLR era. Ed just takes off musically, instead of just cranking out quick 3-minute tunes. Even Michael Anthony and Alex sound more released in songs like that.

And Sammy's vocals...wow, he truly is one of the all-time great rock vocalists. Compare that to DLR's lounge-lizard style, and to me the two don't even compare.

With the Sammy split I think that it was more about the directions that they were taking personally and professionally. Ed had pretty much cleaned up and to me and a lot of others his music wasn't as interesting after that (of course after 3 decades of off the wall stuff he is afforded a pass). He also had the cancer thing and divorce in there. And to be quite honest Van Halen wasn't really a band that fit in the music scene in the late 90's and even to now. They were never heavy metal and they weren't really a hair band, but grunge and nu metal and whatever else you can imagine were hot. The fact that they managed to be popular as long as they did was a testament to just how talented these guys were, but you could see it breaking down. The last album had 3 instrumental pieces on it, that means that they weren't clicking anymore or had just gotten burnt out.

I can't help but wonder what kind of damage all those drugs and alcohol does to one's body and brain. I think Ed has gone off the deep end. Someone throw him a life-line!!

Right, heavy-metal like Metallica or Iron Maiden, and hair-bands like pretty much any pop-rock band of the 80's...none of those fit Van Halen. Ever. They were just kind of their own thing, not political (until Sammy came on board), and not too serious; just fun. I guess their style could be better described as "blues-rock on speed". With a lounge-lizard for a lead vocalist.

Hearing a VH song about politics is like Tarrentino directing Sleepless in Seattle or Paris Hilton addressing the UN. They were a party band; the ultimate party band and that is what made them great. With Cherone writing that isn't what they were and Warner Brothers dropped them from their label because of it.

Good descriptions.

Personally I would prefer to see Hagar up there just because he has a better vocal range and I just don't see Roth dipping into the Van Hagar material. But hell Roth would probably be more fun. As long as it is one or the other I am going to be there.

If the whole band toured again with Sammy, then I'd seriously consider checking out this tour.

[Xiro]

Yeah, DLR had nothing to do with Michael Anthony not being on this tour, Michael Anthony had a falling out with Eddie.

The Guy/Band is just drama.

Oh, and while I love Sammy Hagar, David Lee Roth is Van Halen. There songs were much more rocking, party, have a good time, feel good music with David. When Sammy came onboard the songs got more serious / all lovey which was fine because it was still good music, but it wasnt as good as the DLR era.

[Scott]

Originally Posted by andino

Looks like times have been hard on him...

Not sure if I want to see this version of Van Halen...

That's what he looks like... a Nazgul!



I know, I know... I'm just kidding! It was a bad shot.

[gtrz]

Actually looks like he got dentures now, so he looks a tad better. Here's a video of him at NAMM a week ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIr-WBZT1MI

[GravY]

he still ****ing rocks..

but does seem to be a bit off his rocker..

[gtrz]

Here's a contemporary of Eddie's that also taps... basically spam but this video is a kick in the ass!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcoVQbDoYRc

[Scott]

Ah wups.


I fergot how much Eddie kicks ass...




... or at least how much he kicked ass 12 years ago.

[Stilgar1973]

Originally Posted by DivineUnknown

I hate sammy, he is my nemesis, down with the red rocker!!

I got to see Sammy in concert.
He put on one hell of a show. It was the David/Sammy tour. David did almost nothing but Van Halen tunes. Sammy had enough class to do nothing but his own stuff.