The mods can feel free to delete this if it seems too inane or anything.

I was wondering whether or not Mike would be entitled to performance royalties if it turned out that his classic background vocals were in fact being piped in on this tour. I know there is a bit of contention about the subject and I have no idea whether or not VH's background vocals are performed live each night or not. It's just a hypothetical question.

Any thoughts?

I must break my silence here. I've seen Van Halen several times this tour and not once did I think the b/u vocals were "piped" in.

Some people are never happy. Why don't you just enjoy the band and stop being such a fucking nitpicker. That goes out to all of you that continue to say shit like that too.

"Fucking Nitpicker" was the worst porno movie I've ever seen.

Yes, Mike could claim some money for the taped b/g vox, if they exist. However, I would imagine that he sold the rights to them in the buyout deal.

I must break my silence here. I've seen Van Halen several times this tour and not once did I think the b/u vocals were "piped" in.

Some people are never happy. Why don't you just enjoy the band and stop being such a fucking nitpicker. That goes out to all of you that continue to say shit like that too.


*Cough* Hypothetical *cough*

Some people are never happy. Why don't you just enjoy the band and stop being such a fucking nitpicker. That goes out to all of you that continue to say shit like that too.

Why don't you cease being so sensitive regarding the subject? Read the guy's post again (or perhaps for a first time). Shumway merely asked a question regarding performance royalties. He made no insinuations regarding the tour, merely a "what if" inquiry.

In fairness, it is you that is being a "fucking nitpicker". :p

I was wondering whether or not Mike would be entitled to performance royalties if it turned out that his classic background vocals were in fact being piped in on this tour. I know there is a bit of contention about the subject and I have no idea whether or not VH's background vocals are performed live each night or not. It's just a hypothetical question.

Any thoughts?

Hypothetically, wouldn't MA have to sue to recover royalties? If so, then a) would he go that far, and b) who would spill the beans as to whether or not the vocals were "enhanced" or not?

Just my thoughts...

Attack if you want but I saw them 4 times 07-08 and I think they were piped in. I loved the comments where people said they were close enough to see Wolfie and Eddie singing. Yes they were singing, but there were some b/g vocals in there that were very in tune for it to be Eddie and Wolfie.

Someone said just enjoy it and he's right. I did.

I would assume that MA released all things VH. Hell, I am suprised VH hasn't come after him for using the rings on his hot sauce bottle.

Van Halen has always piped in vocals of Mike and Eddie during their shows.- watch some of the bootlegs, and official dvds and you'll agree. So this is nothing new, nothing! It was likely Wolf and Eddie pre-recorded vocals with the guy from Toto as well.so what? Most bands do that. I agree that Mike's vocals are pretty distinguishable- I did not hear it, and I saw them 5 times this tour. Plus, you can tell Eddie and Wolf were singing live during most songs- Eddie sounded pretty average and even messed up sometimes- you can see this on any bootleg. - why would they pipe in average vocals?

I must break my silence here. I've seen Van Halen several times this tour and not once did I think the b/u vocals were "piped" in.

Some people are never happy. Why don't you just enjoy the band and stop being such a fucking nitpicker. That goes out to all of you that continue to say shit like that too.

Pretty harmless question, you're overreacting.

Plus this is the Mike forum, this is EXACTLY where this post should have been.

Ed and Wolf sang b-vox live, and on some songs there were additional pre-recorded b-vox (recorded before the tour) accompanying them. Van Halen has had some pre-recorded b-vox on every tour since at least OU812. (Listen specifically to the keyboard-based songs on Right Here Right Now; there are most definitely additional b-vox on those songs). I don't think any classic recordings of Mike were used.

Simple answer to the question... Mike receives performance royalties from RIAA for all songs he has writing credit for. It's just pennies from the performance fees, venues, bars, clubs, radio, etc... pay to RIAA.

For the 2007/8 tour VH would have to pay Mike additional fees to use his voice in backing tracks. They simply can have someone else do it or do it themselves and no extra fees to Mike.

They wouldn't use his vocals and they would have to have his permission/pay him to do so.