Is It Really Dave's Theatrics That Make Dave Great?

**Me Wise Magic** · 08.26.02, 09:40 PM

This isn't the usual "Dave Rocks & Sammy Sucks thread", and I don't wanna turn it into one.

However...There has been alot of news lately that Sam may rejoin Van Halen, which makes sense.

I ain't too happy about it.

In short, I don't know if it's Sammy's voice, or his lyrics, or just Sammy, but I find him very irritating. Better yet, I can't stomach more than three Van Hagar songs in a row.

Let's get off of that for a second:

I ain't much into Dave either, whose stuff is clearly locked in the 80's. And, by now, I am pretty much convinced that Dave is an egotistical asshole.

But what makes Dave work?

Aside from radio friendly tunes, most of Ed's playing, at least the stuff that most of us like, is deep, dark, and raw. That's why Dave's voice works: He's a raspy baritone.

At this point I'm too tired to develop this thread any longer, and I realize that I am starting to ramble [img]smile.gif[/img] ...

What do y'all think?

**ETRIGAN** · 08.26.02, 09:44 PM

Well.... It's not his live vocal ability! [img]graemlins/devil.gif[/img]

**twonabomber** · 08.26.02, 09:55 PM

to steal a word from one of Dave's videos:

charasma...

**Hangman** · 08.26.02, 10:23 PM

He thrived on writing out of hand yet meaningful lyrics (most of the time) for out of hand riffs and heavy rhythmes played by the best rock guitarist ever. HE THRIVED ON IT!!!

His song writing abilities were never quite the same after he left VH (except maybe on EEAS). And Eddies riffs and rhythmes were never quite the same after he left either-whether you consider that a good thing or a bad thing is up to you...

**badkaraoke** · 08.27.02, 06:38 AM

Originally posted by twonabomber:
to steal a word from one of Dave's videos:

charasma...

More like FLAMBOYANCE....

**Marion Barry** · 08.27.02, 07:31 AM

What makes Dave great?

THE SONGS, baybee!

The songs he co-wrote with the Van Halens.

That's why, 25 years after the fact, people are still interested in him, in Eddie, in the band Van Halen.

Dave's got 20 PLUS+ classic, kick ass, rock and roll songs he co-wrote that have stood the test of time:

Runnin With the Devil
Jamie's Cryin
ATBL
YRGM
Feel Your Love Tonight
I'm the One
Ice Cream Man
Dance the Night Away
Beatiful Girls
And the Cradle Will Rock
Everybody Wants Some
Mean Street
Unchained
Little Guitars
Jump
Panama
Drop Dead Legs
I'll Wait
Hot For Teacher
Yankee Rose

That's Zep territory, that's Rolling Stones land.

Sammy's got, what, 3 or 4 or so?
Can't Drive 55
Right Now
Why Can't This Be Love?
Top of the World

[ August 27, 2002, 07:38 AM: Message edited by: Marion Barry ]

**Sean** · 08.27.02, 08:48 AM

I think you're shorting Sam a bit. What about:
(Montrose/Solo)
Rock Candy
I'll Fall in Love Again
Three Lock Box
There's Only One Way to Rock
Heavy Metal
I Can't Drive 55
Two Sides of Love
Red
Rock n' Roll Weekend
Little White Lies
Marching to Mars
Mas Tequila

(VH)
Why Can't This Be Love
Dreams
Summer Nights
Black n' Blue
Cabo
Right Now
Top of the World
Don't Tell Me What Love Can Do

I could go on but it's subjective. Many of the songs you're listing for Dave were not exactly radio "hits" not that that means they're not great songs. There are plenty of songs I could list for Sam that aren't exactly radio songs but are IMO as credible.

**Brett** · 08.27.02, 10:36 AM

Dave had free reign to be a clown because it's hard to argue the talent level of the guys behind him. When you look to your left and have Eddie Van Halen standing over there, Michael Anthony to the right, and Alex Van Halen behind you, that's a combo that's pretty hard to beat. It was a great situation for Dave, and he played if for all he could. Dave's antics were always cool because the music and musicianship that was backing him up had a legitmacy to it that few bands of that era could match.

**Hecubus** · 08.27.02, 10:42 AM

Great post Hangman. You hit it right on the head.....

Dave also worked because he proved that you didn't have to have a stellar voice to get the message and the show across....it was the delivery.

**badkaraoke** · 08.27.02, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by Hecubus:
Great post Hangman. You hit it right on the head.....

Dave also worked because he proved that you didn't have to have a stellar voice to get the message and the show across....it was the delivery.

And as the years wear on Dave keeps proving that point about the stellar voice better and better...

bk

**Hecubus** · 08.27.02, 10:48 AM

Just can't help yourself can you, shadow?

**dirtymovies** · 08.27.02, 10:51 AM

Originally posted by Me Wise Magic:
This isn't the usual "Dave Rocks & Sammy Sucks thread", and I don't wanna turn it into one.

However...There has been alot of news lately that Sam may rejoin Van Halen, which makes sense.

I ain't too happy about it.

In short, I don't know if it's Sammy's voice, or his lyrics, or just Sammy, but I find him very irritating. Better yet, I can't stomach more than three Van Hagar songs in a row.

Let's get off of that for a second:

I ain't much into Dave either, whose stuff is clearly locked in the 80's. And, by now, I am pretty much convinced that Dave is an egotistical asshole.

But what makes Dave work?

Aside from radio friendly tunes, most of Ed's playing, at least the stuff that most of us like, is deep, dark, and raw. That's why Dave's voice works: He's a raspy baritone.

At this point I'm too tired to develop this thread any longer, and I realize that I am starting to ramble [img]smile.gif[/img] ...

What do y'all think?

What do I think? I think you should be lobbying for a Gary comeback. [img]graemlins/scared.gif[/img]

**Glenn** · 08.27.02, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by Me Wise Magic:
This isn't the usual "Dave Rocks & Sammy Sucks thread", and I don't wanna turn it into one.

Okay, but given the title of the thread, which seems to push for an analysis of Dave, this next part...

However...There has been alot of news lately that Sam may rejoin Van Halen, which makes sense.

I ain't too happy about it.

In short, I don't know if it's Sammy's voice, or his lyrics, or just Sammy, but I find him very irritating. Better yet, I can't stomach more than three Van Hagar songs in a row.

...has absolutely nothing to do with the topic, and can only serve to turn this into a "Dave Rocks & Sammy Sucks thread".

Let's get off of that for a second:

I agree! [img]smile.gif[/img]

But what makes Dave work?

A very good question for the Opinions/Speculation forum, where I'm going to send this.

For me, Dave is musical. I like the theatrics for what they are, but the music is what matters, and what will survive.