R.I.P. Van Halen 1978 - 1998

[Zadian]

Van Halen passed away into rock n' Roll history, reputation tarnished aand forever damaged by constant indecision by once great guitarist Eddie Van Halen who has battled alcohol and drug abuse his entire career. His earlier work with origonal vocalist David Lee Roth has taken the ugly path of 'classic' rock lumped in with other dinasoar's of a different age. His work with Sammy Hagar, the most commercially successful and most widely accepted has been all but erased by DLR Reunionists fighting a winless battle that will leave them sobbing on the frontlines for a reunion that will never happen. Gary Cherone, singer for one album and tour, shamed by the resentment of fans to his appointment as lead singer, ridiculed to the point he resigned his post, but later was revealed his difficulties were with Eddie himself who wanted total control over everything. Unsatisfied with continuing the 'puppet' role Gary walked and took the higher road.

Van Halen may you rest in peace. Reunion or no reunion, your day is done, the ribbon is tied on that ole oak tree, is time to go home, your work is done.

[AL HAGAR]

Ouch.

Al Hagar

[Cabo Kid]

Unfortunately, that is the way VH is being perceived.

[diggyd]

Unfortunately, perception is the key. You are too generous by saying R.I.P. 1978-1998. I feel it's more like R.I.P. 1978-1996. Our boys didn't quite make it 20 years with kick ass rock and roll.

[Rokgtar]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Zadian:
His earlier work with origonal vocalist David Lee Roth has taken the ugly path of 'classic' rock lumped in with other dinasoar's of a different age. His work with Sammy Hagar, the most commercially successful and most widely accepted has been all but erased by DLR Reunionists fighting a winless battle that will leave them sobbing on the frontlines for a reunion that will never happen.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

"The ugly path"? He he he... [img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] Your opinion, dude, and one that I couldn't disagree with more. The only thing Classic VH has in common with classic crock is the time period in which it was written, recorded and performed. It's timeless music - only extreme Hagarian "revisionists" get tired of hearing those songs. Say what you want about the classic lineup - the body of work speaks for itself. Being a fan of Classic Van Halen means you never have to justify your taste in music [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

Listen for the collective "YAWN!" from the majority of fans and critics when and if "Cubic Zirconia Hagar" ever comes back to the band. There'll be no media buzz - no critical acclaim - just the same 3 or 4 classic songs at every show, along with the same old stale setlist from 1995.

In the meantime, I will unashamedly hope upon hope that somehow, someway, there can be a true Van Halen reunion with the 4 original members, even if for just 1 album and tour. If they would give the fans just that, even if they went their separate ways afterwards, that would be enough for me.

[hain23x]

they could have been as big as The Stones

[Glenn]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by hain23x:
they could have been as big as The Stones<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I don't believe that. The Stones will always be looked upon as one of the bands that invented rock and roll as we know it. I don't think Van Halen would have attained that level of recognition even if Dave hadn't jumped ship.

[hain23x]

yeah, but they could have been close! [img]smilies/cool.gif[/img]

[BrokenCombs]

Nah not even close. I LOVE Van Halen, but let's face it, they are not in the same category in the history of rock and roll, as The Rolling Stones, or The Beatles, or Elvis.

[Bob_R]

[img]smilies/scared.gif[/img] [img]smilies/scared.gif[/img] [img]smilies/scared.gif[/img] [img]smilies/scared.gif[/img]

[Eddymon]

It ain't over yet boys & girls. [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

Trust me [img]smilies/devil.gif[/img]

[img]smilies/devil.gif[/img]

[billy007]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Glenn:
I don't believe that. The Stones will always be looked upon as one of the bands that invented rock and roll as we know it. I don't think Van Halen would have attained that level of recognition even if Dave hadn't jumped ship.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I have to disagree with you here. If somehow during a bout of drunked debauchery Edward's keyboards would've gotten launched from a high position, say a window (can you say "defenestration") or something and the music direction hadn't changed in a way that was unappealing to Dave and he'd stayed on, I think they'd be a regarded more highly than they are currently. There probably would've been more groundbreaking videos for the follow up to 1984 which would've solidified them as pioneers of the video age, at least as far as rock bands go. Heck, even if Sam had stayed around, they'd be in a much higher place than they are now, though we could argue until 2002 whether they'd be higher if Dave had stayed all the time or if Sam was still around from 1985, but that's a different thread. I really think it's the actions of the past for years that have knocked them down a few notches on the ol' rock 'n roll totem pole. But with the amount of classic Van Halen I hear on the radio nowadays - more than I hear classic Stones I gotta add, I still think somebody out there likes 'em. I think Ed will get his recognition because of the things he's been able to do with his guitar, and since he's done 99% of his guitar work in Van Halen, he carries them with him. Remember, too, the Stones have some 15 years on Van Halen!

[NOaverageJOE]

They may not be perceived by the general public as well as the Stones, but the Stones SUCK! Eww...What awful, terrible music. Never could listen to one part of any of their songs. BORING!

[BrokenCombs]

The Stones BORING???? Joe, are you nuts????
But hey, I respect your opinion, but I disagree 100%

Listen to the following Stones songs and then say they're "boring"

-Rocks Off (from Exile On Main Street)
-Live with me (from Let It Bleed)
-Gimme Shelter (from Let it Bleed)
-Starfucker (From Goats Head Soup) GREAT TUNE!
Sparks Will Fly (From Voodoo Lounge)
Before They Make Me Run (From Some Girls)
Little T & A (From Tattoo You)
Street Fighting Man (From Beggers Banquet)
Monkey Man (From Let It Bleed)
Too Tight (From Bridges To Babylon)
Brown Sugar (From Sticky Fingers)

..........I could go on and on... There are so many great Stones songs man!

[Goo]

well this is an opinions subject if ever I saw one!

Moving to opinions [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]