May 29. 1983 ...

[Van Squalen]

We were up in the bleachers, so we weren't subject to a lot of that flying debris, like you lucky guys on the field were.

I haven't been to a festival since that Monsters of Rock show, and I have no desire to ever attend another one.

We finally retreated up to the bleachers about 1/4 way through VH's set. Well, those of us still standing. Which was just me and one other cat. The other four guys had been ejected, arrested, or exiled back to the hotel.

I haven't been to a fest since MoR either, and probably won't ever again. Kaboo is only a possibility depending on certain factors and VIP sectioned areas where one doesn't -hopefully- have to endure any fucking GA clusterfuckery.

[I Coulda Hada VH]

I think the highlight of VH's US Festival performance was the Somebody Get Me A Doctor/Girl Gone Bad/I'm So Glad medley.

[Van Squalen]

I wish I could remember highlights. I don't. I've seen the boot. The pre-'84 GGB jam looked pretty cool, but I honestly don't remember it live. I was probably dealing with crowd fuckery.

[I Coulda Hada VH]

I vividly remember Eddie flipping off some fan and yelling "fuck you" at him because he was spraying water on EVH during his solo.

[Van Squalen]

Haha. I have to admit, I've seen Edward get fairly fired up over the years while onstage, whether it be at fans or roadies or band members.

That Dutch boy, he's temperamental.

[Raldo]

I remember getting the bootleg of this show and playing it countless times. Would have loved to have been there live!!

[Darrin Stephens]

The show is technically a hot mess and I think one of the worse shows I've heard Al play since he is usually close to perfect.

It is a mess but yet it does (to an extreme) capture the essence of the band. Pure energy, pure fun, and talent that shines through even massive haze of drunkenness. I'd submit Anaheim in 81 as the best performance, but the US show captured all that was good and bad in the dna of the greatest american rock band at the time and put it all out there at once with no polish. Loved the show and embrace its sloppiness as Van Halen was a band that in many ways just powered and stumbled down the stairs and despite themselves at times still killed it no matter what, even if by accident at times.

[bklynboy68]

The show is technically a hot mess and I think one of the worse shows I've heard Al play since he is usually close to perfect.

It is a mess but yet it does (to an extreme) capture the essence of the band. Pure energy, pure fun, and talent that shines through even massive haze of drunkenness. I'd submit Anaheim in 81 as the best performance, but the US show captured all that was good and bad in the dna of the greatest american rock band at the time and put it all out there at once with no polish. Loved the show and embrace its sloppiness as Van Halen was a band that in many ways just powered and stumbled down the stairs and despite themselves at times still killed it no matter what, even if by accident at times.

Right on.
Much like The Who used to do.

[ValHallan]

Haha. I have to admit, I've seen Edward get fairly fired up over the years while onstage, whether it be at fans or roadies or band members.

That Dutch boy, he's temperamental.

Ed gets that from his Indonesian side. Remember what he said about his mom?

[RRvh1]

Nothing has never dampened my love of this performance. Yeah, they were hammered, but it still sounds pretty good too me. Not on the South American level but not too shabby. I'll take an official DVD/CD whenever they want to release it.

Probably not going to be slated for an official release, but I've had the two cd soundboard recording "California Calling" for many years now. It sounds amazing!

[Darrin Stephens]

Unrelated to US Festival but someone 2 months ago emailed me about the Davesicle guitar from the 1980 tour. Whoever it was please PM again as I deleted the original message. The Davesicle is alive and well in storage in Winter Park FL owned by Hard Rock. It was last displayed in the US at the Seattle property, then went to Columbia and has been in storage for a few years. If more is needed please PM me.

[RRvh1]

I remember having two former band members over for some beers and laughs.
About an hour later, there was a knock on my door... The vhs tape of the US Festival that I had sent away for, arrived!

What a great bonus, as I certainly wasn't expecting it to show up on that day. None of us had ever seen any of the footage before.
The opening shot of Eddie, tapping that intro to Romeo Delight, all smiles and looking cool, blew our mind.

The whole concert did, at the time. Great memory!!!

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

Right on.
Much like The Who used to do.

The US Fest always reminded me of a Who concert, specifically Alex's performance. Since the Who have always been in my top 3 or 4 bands of all time, naturally I've always loved this EPIC concert.

Edward's solo spot is one of my favorites of his on film, and as was said earlier, SGMAD with the drum/guitar duel between the Brothers was awesome showmanship.

[I Coulda Hada VH]

The US Fest always reminded me of a Who concert, specifically Alex's performance. Since the Who have always been in my top 3 or 4 bands of all time, naturally I've always loved this EPIC concert.

Edward's solo spot is one of my favorites of his on film, and as was said earlier, SGMAD with the drum/guitar duel between the Brothers was awesome showmanship.

Here it is ...

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

Here it is ...

Pretty much all of the SGMAD duels between Alex and Ed were amazing on the '82-'83 tour. I'd say my favorites that I've seen or heard are from Montevideo, Uruguay and Caracas, Venezuela.