Wouldn't It Be Cool If...

[VHND]

Just posted this at the VHND. Feel free to discuss! [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]
http://www.vhnd.net/articles/010927-01.shtml

September 27, 2001 - This morning I made my daily stop at the excellent Allstar music news site and was greeted by the headline Paul McCartney Seeking Led Zep Reunion? The headline referred to the benefit he's organizing at Madison Square Garden on October 20.

The possibility of a Led Zeppelin reunion at The Concert For New York has already been squashed in this article by Sue Falco and Bruce Simon at Launch.com. Reuters have confirmed that The Who, Bon Jovi, James Taylor, John Mellencamp, Goo Goo Dolls, Melissa Etheridge, Ringo Starr, Jim Carrey, Jerry Seinfeld, Gwyneth Paltrow and John Cusack will be performing, along with McCartney himself.

The Concert For New York, already being dubbed "Live Aid II", will be telecast live and commercial free by VH1. It will also be simulcast across the world on radio and on the Internet by AOL.

[this is where the Van Halen part comes in...]

When the first Live Aid concerts were held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Statium in Philadelphia, Van Halen were "between singers". David Lee Roth left the band on April 1, 1985. The concerts took place on July 13, 1985 so even though they were one of the biggest musical acts in the world at the time, an appearance by Van Halen at Live Aid was impossible.

Wouldn't it just be the coolest thing ever if Van Halen and David Lee Roth got their shit together, rehearsed a few songs, pulled out the old striped Frankenstein guitar, Jack Daniel's bass, roto-toms and assless chaps, and put on the greatest show the world had ever seen at The Concert For New York?

There was a time when us fans could speculate about this happening, but in reality we know that it won't. That's the real shame about the current situation we're in.

This may be taking things a little too far, but I think the analogy I'm about to make best describes the feeling of us, the fans, at the moment.

Right now, we don't know if Van Halen as a band, is alive or dead. It's like when someone goes missing, you have no way of knowing if they're OK. As the days turn into weeks you start to have serious concerns, but hope that good news is around the corner. If the weeks turn into months, then the months turn into years, common sense tells you to fear the worst.

I'm not here to tell Van Halen how they should handle their business. That is entirely up to them, and they've chosen not to say anything. Guys, I know you're out there and I know you look at this site. Whenever I write something you don't like, my phone rings and the caller ID init flashes "OUT OF AREA".

Let me put this very bluntly: your continued silence is killing your fanbase.

While I've got your attention, if you don't mind, I have a few questions. These are the questions that are being asked by your die-hard fans. These people take time out of their busy lives to discuss you, their favourite band, every day on the Internet.

Unless you hadn't realized, a lot of these fans that are still left have just about given up any hope of hearing from you again.

Here are the questions. Your fans would really appreciate it if you addressed them with an update on your official site.

What's happening with David Lee Roth? Will he return?

In your statement on your web site dated April 20, 2001, why did you say "For any updates, come here to our website first. We'll stay in touch"? We're now five months down the track and there hasn't been a band update since.

Also in reference to your April 20 statement (click here to read), what did you mean by "we're aware of all the rumors, and rumors are just that"?
Was it pure coincidence that your statement above came one day after David Lee Roth confirmed that he had worked with you again? Whether intentional or not, it gave fans the impression you were denying that you had worked with him again. Click to read Dave's April 19 statement.

Why do we get more information from Maximum Golf magazine than your official web site?

When will Van Halen Radio be back? We've heard nothing since June when your web site said Next Level had to negotiate licensing issues with the Warner Music Group.

Has an offer been put on the table for David Lee Roth to return to the band?

Is there a possibility that you will hire a fourth singer?

Guys, please show that you care about your fans. Would it hurt to take an hour out of your day and write us a message? It would help to put our minds at ease. With recent events around the world, it would be nice to have some good news for a change. Or bad news. Anything. Thanks.

[ September 27, 2001 at 09:18 PM: Message edited by: VHND ]

[ScottRoberts]

Wow. Very well put, Grant. All I can add is "Fuckin' A!!!" [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img] [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img] [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[Glenn]

That's a fantastic post Grant. Personally, I barely even give a shit anymore. I see that Geddy Lee of Rush posted a message on his official site recently giving the state of Rush, and where they're at with their latest project. Even though I'll bet it only took a half an hour to compose, thumbs up to Geddy for taking the time to do that. It doesn't seem that that should be so hard for VH to do, but I guess they haven't had a spare 30 minutes in the last year to post an update [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] (and not some veiled comments, just a straightforward message).

Even Gene (Greedy) Simmons posted a couple of messages on the official KISS site, and he's the most underhanded guy in the business.

Not sure how the setlists will be for this McCartney show, but they could even just get up and jam with Mikey singing. Or have Dave do one song, and Sammy do one song, and that's it. It's a pretty unique situation, and it would be a hell of a gesture for VH to finally bury some internal hatchets in the name of a charity to benefit an enormous trajedy.

[Lead Synth]

Grant, once again you've hit the nail on the head.

[seenbad]

Way to put the fuckin screws to em' Grant!

I admire how long you held out staying neutral. There is no way I could have lasted that long having a popular site, and not said anything like that til now. Good timing too, I say. The fans are just flat now.

[OLO]

Great article Grant! [img]smilies/biggrin.gif[/img]

I think if there is one voice that speaks for all VH camps (Dave,Sam,Gary) it would be Grant at the VHND.

I doubt we will get a responce from VH or if we do it will be so vage and full of holes its not even funny. As a fan of the band I have really had it, I am tierd of the bullshit statement that Brad makes time and time again ((NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!!)) If there is something to tell you will hear it first on the official site, HAHA what a crock of shit! [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Its time to say something, ANYTHING!!!! [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img] VH has been called out!!

I cant wait for the brilliant VanHalen PR machine to respond to this one.

[Goo]

Nailed it Grant!! Great post!

[79th and Sunset]

Thanks Grant !! Maybe the fact that its on your webpage, the boys may respond.

Live Aid II is an opportunity for them.

[Stuff No More]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by VHND:
Wouldn't it just be the coolest thing ever if Van Halen and David Lee Roth got their shit together, rehearsed a few songs, pulled out the old striped Frankenstein guitar, Jack Daniel's bass, roto-toms and assless chaps, and put on the greatest show the world had ever seen at The Concert For New York?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That would be the quickest way to gain general mock and ridicule as a nostalgia act. Not a good plan.

But other than forgetting this is 2001 and not 1985, Grant has a solid idea. Of course no one will like the answer they'd give ("No, motherfuckers! For the last time, Roth is never coming back!).

Let me tell you a story about my trip in to work this morning. I'm a firm believer that, every now and then, something greater than you gives you a sign that everything is going to be all right.

Optimism is the key, but after months, even I can lose a little bit of faith. A week ago I listened to some VH at work, but aside from that half-hearted run the last time was... June maybe. You just get tired of the crap and move on.

It was still dark out this morning and on the way in to work I was going down the main road (15 over the speed limit) when someone pulled out in the lane in front of me. They didn't exactly cut me off - I didn't sweat it. But later I ended up behind this person at the stoplight. As I pulled up and my lights hit the back window of his truck cap I saw something unexpected.

Across the bottom of it in big white letters were the words, "GOD BLESS AMERICA." But more importantly, above that, covering 3/4 of the back window, was a giant, white, homemade VH swirl logo. That's the first time I've ever seen another car with any VH-related memorabilia in it.

He turned at the light and I went straight; I never got a chance to see who it was driving or shout some encouragement out the window to them. But I got to thinking... what an odd thing to have just come up out of nowhere. And somehow, down inside, I just know everything will work out fine.

[Raldo]

I agree Grant, DLR, EVH, AVH and MA need to make a splash like you wouldn't believe. Ironically, didn't Mike say (awhile back) that something would be happening in October? Yes, it was way before the Sept. 11 attacks but who knows. Is Michael Anthony the current Nostradomus (sp?)? [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

[AxeSlinger84]

Even if they were to get back together (which is an impossibility) they'd probably play 3 songs and be done due to the amount other people playing on that bill. I'm not excited about any of it. All of this speculation has gotten ridiculous and serves to show that alot of people around here should start worrying about their own lives more instead of what a stupid LA rock band does. I get aggrevated reading this stuff because if this band deserves anything, they deserve the cold shoulder by each and every one of their fans for not giving a shit about informing us. Fuck em'...

[Brett]

I burned out a long time ago. Grant is right on, they have lost A LOT of the fans, both on and off the net.

[Down In Flames]

It's nice knowing that you're still fighting the good fight, Grant... And that VH is aware of your site. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

WTF. They can call you, but they won't call Dave? Arrrgggggggh...

If the circumstances were such, around this time last year, that a possible reunion might take place at a said benefit concert, people would have been totally enthusiastic. The various message boards would have lit up.

But now? We're all smarter than that... Or just more jaded. I don't know.

It makes me think back to when Ed Leffler died and the band was managing itself. I think Eddie said he got a ton of phone calls over silly stuff, and it wore him down.

At this stage, can what they're doing (or, rather, 'not doing') be called "managing?" [img]smilies/confused.gif[/img]

[Wolfie3]

Good goin', Grant! You took the words right out of my mouth. You are absolutely right with everything you said. Keep up the great work! [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[laner]

great post grant, i agree. [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]