The "No Hits Tour"

**Binner** · 09.27.06, 08:25 AM

Wouldn't it be great to see Van Halen do a "No Hits Tour"? If Van Halen never records again but decide to tour, I don't want to see them do the same songs that we hear on every tour. I think of the 5150 tour when they didn't have all the hits and played almost the entire album mixed in the a couple Dave era songs, Sammy solo and a couple of covers. After this tour you start to get the same songs every tour. I'm a big fan and even when they play the same songs over and over, I still get excited, but if they played all the obscure songs that you never hear...you couldn't top that.

**chefcraig** · 09.27.06, 08:56 AM

I'd like to see it, merely for the joy of defacing the various tour posters and marquee's to read "The No Shit Tour".

Next question: "Who's singing?"

**Raldo** · 09.27.06, 09:26 AM

I wouldn't mind seeing a tour where they play....

Atomic Punk
Light Up the Sky
In A Simple Rhyme
Sinner's Swing
Hang'em High
Drop Dead Legs
Inside
Sucker In A 3 Piece
Dream Is Over
Take Me Back
Dirty Water Dog

Maybe throw in some unreleased stuff from the early days.

**wham bam will rock** · 09.27.06, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by chefcraig

Next question: "Who's singing?"

RUH ROH!!!

**Duck** · 09.27.06, 10:41 AM

If its Dave, then NO, I'd want to see all the hits. But I think a lot of non-hits should be included...how about a three hour setlist?

Heck, I'd listen through the entire six-pack sequnetially if they'd play it!

I echo Raldo in wanting to see "In A Simple Rhyme" at the very least. That song is musically one of the absolute best CVH ever did.

I doubt it could be done without Mike though, as the background vocals and harmonies as so criticial to the quiet parts of that that wonderful song.

**Van Squalen** · 09.27.06, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Duck

I echo Raldo in wanting to see "In A Simple Rhyme" at the very least. That song is musically one of the absolute best CVH ever did.

I doubt it could be done without Mike though, as the background vocals and harmonies as so criticial to the quiet parts of that that wonderful song.

What he said. On both points.

**belikemike** · 09.27.06, 10:55 AM

A no hits tour would be great. Dave singing, Sam singing. Whoever. Just to hear a bunch of songs they haven't played in forever would be great.
If Dave is singing, its cool if they do hits because it's been so long since they've played those songs together.
With Sam if they toured again I'd really like to see them completely shake up that old, tired setlist.

**stratogibson** · 09.27.06, 10:55 AM

I do not believe they physically have the talent to play that list of songs at this point in time. It's too late, it's too far gone, it's gone away.

**jetguy5150** · 09.27.06, 10:59 AM

These "no hit" tours seem to be a bit of a trend lately. Let's be honest..if it was touted as a VH NH tour then everyone from this site + 145 other people would be there. We can't underestimate the number of people that attended in 2004 and past years to hear Jump/Panama/Dreams/Top of the World etc. etc.

Recently Todd Rundgren played Toronto (I know he's not a huge name but it supports my point

) and he played only 2 songs that everyone in the crowd knew. Everything else was eclectic or from his latest album. He was quoted in the newspaper as saying things to the crowd such as "I'm not playing that one..(as the crowd yelled out a song title.) You guys are getting your money's worth." So unless you were a diehard fan who had every b-side, never released song, etc. you probably didn't enjoy yourself a whole lot.

Like I said though...I'd go see VH do a no hits tour. As long as they play 5150. Man do we need to hear that one live again soon.

**TOM_5150** · 09.27.06, 11:02 AM

The obscure tunes have always been my favorites!

**rich5150** · 09.27.06, 11:30 AM

i recall seeing David Bowie on the ninedavidinchbowienails outside tour and he was not playing hits, mostly new stuff and harder stuff. I remember the crowd was way into Nine Inch Nails who played mostly well known songs.

The only "hits" Bowie played were "man who sold the world" and "under pressure" and the mostly younger crowd reacted pretty strongly to those tunes. I remember thinking these people are only cheering because they think these are Nirvana and Vanilla Ice songs respectively.

I saw Clapton on the all Blues tour, An Evening of Blues with Eric Clapton i think it was. So he played really nothing recognizable to mainstream. It was a tremendous show, but I remember the crowd sat the whole show and really wasnt into it as smoking as it was at points.

That being said, I'd see VH playing whatever. Older and obscure stuff would be great, but I'd take what i could get. I thought opening with Jump was so weird in 2004 but i mostly enjoyed that tour just to get to see em again.

Seeing Sam play "5150" this summer was fantastic even if Vic stopped before the solo.

**Binner** · 09.27.06, 11:51 AM

I saw Cheap Trick about 8 or 9 years ago when they played at 1st Ave. in Minneapolis (holds about 500 or so). They played there 3 nights in a row, the first night they played their entire 1st record in order, then went on to play their hits. The second night they played their entire 2nd record, the third night, their 3rd record. I didn't know a single song off their first record and I loved it. Yes, this was a tour for the big time fans, but anyone can enjoy it. If VH did something like this, it's for the fans and you'd see it in smaller venues.

**smithjc** · 09.27.06, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by chefcraig

I'd like to see it, merely for the joy of defacing the various tour posters and marquee's to read "The No Shit Tour".

Next question: "Who's singing?"

Thatta good one!

I'd love to hear the VH tuneage that we never hear live from the aptly named tour as "suggested" by the chef. Great title!!!

**It's Mike** · 09.27.06, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Binner

Wouldn't it be great to see Van Halen do a "No Hits Tour"? If Van Halen never records again but decide to tour, I don't want to see them do the same songs that we hear on every tour. I think of the 5150 tour when they didn't have all the hits and played almost the entire album mixed in the a couple Dave era songs, Sammy solo and a couple of covers. After this tour you start to get the same songs every tour. I'm a big fan and even when they play the same songs over and over, I still get excited, but if they played all the obscure songs that you never hear...you couldn't top that.

how's this for a tour name:

"Friends and Family Only". As much as I'd love to see it, I don't think it'll be too hard to get ticktets. It would make for a great bar tour - i can't imagine the boys would waste their time on something like that.

I guess they can get Extreme to open but they wouldn't be allowed to play anything off Pornografitti.

**belikemike** · 09.27.06, 07:32 PM

Originally Posted by it's me

I guess they can get Extreme to open but they wouldn't be allowed to play anything off Pornografitti.

Well, if they could get Extreme to open the show, VH could borrow Gary and just play the entire VHIII album.
"The No Hits Tour" would be the perfect name for it.