powerfuryglory

There was something in the air. The boys was ON FIRE! This was my 4th show (CT, NJ, Nassau) and this easily blew them away!

There's just something so special about the Garden- the center of the universe. I remember, back in 1984, I was too young and/or wasn't allowed to go to the show, so I'd been waiting for this moment for 23 years. I've got the bootleg of that show etched in my memory: Dave rapping to the crowd with the familiar Wendy's old lady refrain, "Where's the beef? Where's the beef? Where's the beef?" and the jab he took when he swigs the JD and motions to a fan, "What's that? What's that you said? You bet yo ass this is real. This aint no Quiet Riot, baby!" And imagining them playing "Jump!" when it was actually #1 on the charts in March of 1984. Say what you will about that song, but that must've been a special moment for the band and the fans. Those are the chillingly vivid memories that I brought to the show last night.

One more thing about that show in 1984: there was a rumor that the band wanted to shower the crowd with $1 bills as the big payoff for their support in the greatest city in the world. Of course, they backed off on this idea, possibly for the legal mess that would've ensued- with people getting trampled in the mad rush to take advantage of this instant rebate of the almight dollar.

Anyways, fast forward to last night's show- I thought there was a slight possibility that they would've finally made good on this 23 year old rumor when the confetti was set to rain down during "Jump." No dice on the money, but no matter. Everyone still got their money's worth.

Make no doubts about it. This was a fabulous show. They absolutely rocked!

elvhfan

in thE past i'd been pretty critical about ed and the shenanigans that go on with this band.

i took in the MSG show last night with some guys that i know...this was my 2nd show of the tour (mohegan sun)...they were blown away as was i...whole band was on...ed's solo was really good...my buddy was like "holy shit"

I'M ONCE AGAIN PROUD OF THIS BAND

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wolfmarsh

The show I saw last night was my 17th VH show overall, 2nd with Dave. I saw the 1984 tour at Madison Square Garden, and have been a fan and have seen every tour since. Overall It was an enjoyable show. I have been very critical of Edward this tour because quite frankly I think his playing for the most part has been very disappointing. However, last night he took a step in teh right direction

Lets get something straight, last night Eddie was not "on fire" "in top form" "bringing his A game", etc, etc, its so laughable how some people can be such blatant blind and deaf fans, but whatever, glad you think so.....But,he was not awful, and at times sounded like he was re-gaining a little bit of the authority he used to have in his playing which was encouraging to hear. He still massacred the intro to Mean street and butchered Hot For teacher with a bad timing Mis-cue, and they should really drop those two songs from the set because Ed clearly cant handle them anymore. But he had some cool improv solos in "So this is love", "atomic Punk" and some great Call/response play with Dave throught out the night. He was also completely sober and on his best behavior, no running around, bouncing, etc. Just hung back and played which was what he should have been doing all along. His tone was horrible, he should ditch his scracthy, gainy sounding 5150III heads and go back to old 5150s or better yet, a Marshall hand wired SLP or even a Splawn or something.

Alex was perfect, killer, hasn't lost a step, amazing drummer and very under-rated

Wolfie- awesome, a gifted kid, natural musician, decent back up singer and suprisingly i liked a lot of his fingerprints he put on the bass lines. I really hope he starts his own version of Van Halen within the next 10 years so my kids can end up being fans when they reach their teens

Dave - he is such a jackass but you have to love him. he is such a good showman that you dont notice when he doesnt hit a note or forgets a word. I thought he carried the whole show, and deserves credit for that big time

Their live sound was pretty bad. I have seen at least a dozen shows over teh years at MSG and its a great sounding room. Last night I swicthed on and off between wearing earplugs and going bare ears, it was so loud that you really had a hard time picking out what was going on, not cool, and there is no reason for it.

The crowd sucked, old, sitting, not into it as much as I thought they would have been. Im glad I went, and Im glad what was probably the last time I see the band wasnt a total dissapointment like I was afraid it may have been. I give it a solid 7/10.

themightyvh

Were you at the Madison Square Garden in NY???? Nobody was sitting anywhere near me. You had a completely different experience than everybody else....me included.

Ed isn't 25 years old anymore, but he played within himself and put on a great show.

Hide Your Sheep

really? i was in some shitty seats in the 300's and from where i could see the place was standing the whole time. everyone in my section was. i saw The Police at MSG about a week and half ago and your descripton of the crowd sounds more like that show to me than the VH show last night (well except for the old part).

My personal account: they were good, it was good seeing them, I did think mike anthony's presence is missing a bit.

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Big Dainjerus

Yeah dude where were you sitting, in the top section 400s in the corner behind the stage or something? I looked around the arena a few times and never saw anyone sitting down?!?! You must have been in a bad mood or bad seat or something, it sounded pretty awesome where I was sitting.

And eddie was on fire, hes not the player he was, or maybe should I say compared to 04 and much of this tour, he was on fire. He did show flashes of his old form, more often than not. I also don't think he butchered those intros as bad as you say. THe hot for teacher intro was probably worse but who gives a fuck about 15 seconds of guitar playing when he pretty much dominated the rest of the night, solo spot included. I mean damn I've seen some boots where he butchered shit back in the early 80s!

Agreed with the poster above how Eddie played within himself, hes not half way to 50 anymore hes half way to a 100!

I was just glad to see that his fingers moved across his fretboard with more ease than I've seen from him in the last few years. It gave me some hope...

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5150ro

My 5th show of this tour (Philly I, Mohegan, Izod and Worcester). This was the best of the 5. Period. The sound was loud, but not muddy. I didn't need to use the earplugs that I brought. The crowd was awesome. Our seats were in the 300s on Ed's side of the stage. I don't know where you were sitting, Wolfmarsh, but no one for as far as I could see was doing anything but standing. Ed's solo was good. I could hear Cathedral much better than I remember at the other 4 venues. He was way more stationary than the other shows I've seen on this tour. Still looked to be having a great time though. I wish they varied the set list and didn't end the show with Jump, but last night they answered the bell.

wolfmarsh

I was in sec 129, just off the floor, and I was in a fine mood and like I said I enjoyed the show overall , and I thought Eddie was good, not great, good. If you want to think he was great go ahead, cant anyone have their own opinion anymore?! why is that anytime anyoner on here says anything other than The VH show they saw was the greatest fucking experience of their life they have to defend/explain themselves? Its pretty annoying

sickman

I was in section 47 row E and from where I was STANDING it appeared everyone that I could see around me was too.

wolfmarsh

I didnt say NOBODY was standing, I thought the overall the crowd seemed a bit tame compared to other crowds I have experienced at VH shows, and shows in general at MSG. Why cant that be my interpretation of the crowd? Why must I agree with your assesment or risk being called a liar?? Not trying to argue, I just dont get it

dooj17

delete this not a review I know..oops

Mambo Slammer Casalad

No one commented about the blimp taking a nosedive on stage and not being able to lift off before the encore! The crew was struggling to remove it as Dave came back out to wave the flag during "1984". It was pretty funny and probably the only production glitch of the night.

So, who's going to start saying the blimp was drunk or sloppy or not like it used to be?

All kidding aside, the band were amazing.

Ted Williams

After the Red Sox won the World Series in '04, I rashly made the statement that I could "die in peace." The list of things I just HAD to see before I died always included "see VH with Dave" but I just didn't think it was ever going to happen, especially after so many "false starts." I guess I should have had more faith in the boys. Maybe they've all finally grown up after all.

Man, what a show! At least one other poster mentioned that their seats were located in the "300s," to the side of the stage, and that the sound quality was a bit uneven. I have to agree with that assessment. That said, the boys WERE at the top of their game. Alex's drum solo was incredible--my mouth hung open so wide you could have shoved a large coconut into it. Wolfgang's bass playing left nothing to be desired. He may not sing harmony like Anthony can, but he can wail on the bass guitar. For all those who used to talk about Dave's voice being "shot," let me just say you are all full of dog poop. He sounded tremendous--probably even better than in the old days because he seemed sober (although with him it's hard to tell sometimes) and he was definitely trying hard. Ed's playing literally ripped everyone a new bunghole. I mean it. I actually heard people leaving the show asking their friends: "What am I going to do with this extra bunghole?"

The crowd was totally into it. Aside from a couple wet blankets in front of us who were obviously there not because they had originally planned to attend, but because they had been given tickets to the event, everyone in my section was standing throughout. On a personal note, since I'm 6'5" I probably would have remained standing even had I felt the urge to sit down. Thank goodness I don't have season tickets to the Knicks. Those seats are awful! No legroom. I don't like the Knicks anyway but that's another story.

The setlist was exceptional. All the old favorites plus some great, unexpected treasures like "Little Guitars," "I'm the One," and "Little Dreamer." Dave's rendition of "Ice Cream Man" was a bonafide treat.

Well, I've been going on a bit long here, I'd say, but please realize that this was a truly mind-numbing, life-altering, earth-shattering event that may not come our way again! I had never seen Dave live with VH before cuz I was just a young 'un back then, so I don't feel too guilty about rambling on a bit.

All in all, I'd rate the show a dead-solid-perfect 10/10!

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Rocket

Yes Val was there as was a former singer who was EXTREMEly excited to see his old band play... (reviews only)

Hot4VH

I didn't see this mentioned, but on the show MSG, NY last night they played a couple of minutes of You Really Got Me, and I'm The One, and interviewed Eddie Trunk who was at the show.

Also found this fan cam here:

http://www.thegarden.com/index.html