college paper on VH

**VanBlu** · 10.11.06, 07:34 PM

At age 34 I've decided to go to school. I have a persuasion paper to write for next week and the instructor wants us to persuade him on a subject. He wants us to be passionate about it and he wants it to be unique. So, I've decided that I'm going to persuade him that either Dave or Sam was the better singer for Van Halen.

So, to all the Halenites out there, I would like your opinions. Please list which singer you think was better but more importantly, why. And you can't bash one singer to prove a point, it has to be a logical reason.

Example:

DLR was better in the band because he had a better stage presence.

or

SH was better in the band because he brought a new musical dimension because he also played guitar.

Stuff like that. Try to come up with reasons to convince somebody else why that particular singer is a better fit.

I plan to use both sides of the arguements, so there really is no wrong or right, just no bashing singers or posters please!!!

Thanks in advance to anybody who helps out!!!

**LLFHS** · 10.11.06, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by VanBlu

I plan to use both sides of the arguements, so there really is no wrong or right, just no bashing singers or posters please!!!

A tall order at best for this site.

**fast98dodge** · 10.11.06, 08:15 PM

Ah, persuasive argument paper... I remember my Ethics class in college having to do those but with more "serious" issues. Actually, that was my favorite class in college...

Watch your teacher be a Gary fan and you get an F no matter who ya pick...

**Foamfoot** · 10.11.06, 08:16 PM

This ought to get ugly.

**Rocket** · 10.11.06, 08:22 PM

You are better off just searching the gazillion threads already devoted to this very topic. You will find many that are well written and quite persuasive.

**Hack** · 10.11.06, 08:51 PM

Here's a thought or two you could elaborate on:

Dave was better in VH because he was a better "rock star". He was bigger than life. He was untouchable. Even a few months ago when I saw him live he wouldn't 'high five' or whatever many of us during the show, just like he didn't during all the VH boots I watch. After the show we waited by his bus for about an hour to see him, take pics, whatever. He came out for a about 5 minutes, left about 25 of us out there. About 10 of us stayed another hour or so. He never came back out. We were literally 4 steps from his bus door. It's not his job to come out, so I'm not pissed, but it would have taken him 5 minutes to say hey to us 10 people. That's just Dave; untouchable. Just like Ed used to say, he thinks he's above most people.

Sammy was better in Van Halen because he was the kind of guy you could actually have a beer and/or a conversation with. You could actually relate to him because in his interviews he sounded like a normal human. Sammy during a VH show will high five everyone, pull up every banner, sign shit, whatever it takes to be around the fans. Him and Dave are polar opposites on this front. Sam even got down on the floor of the rings on the 04 tour on one of the boots I have and hugged people and let them sing during Panama.

These obviously have nothing to do with the music, but they might make decent points to ramble on about, kind of like I am now cus I'm bored.

Rock on

**VHwasCoolestWithDLR** · 10.11.06, 09:38 PM

Gary Cherone was better!!! Just kidding.

**the_atomic_punks_rule** · 10.11.06, 10:25 PM

I don't think you have a proper topic, unless your teacher is a Halen fan.

**Otis5150** · 10.12.06, 06:04 AM

Originally Posted by VHwasCoolestWithDLR

Gary Cherone was better!!! Just kidding.

Ahhhh, they ain't SHIT without Mark Stone! Things really started to go downhill when they booted him...

**Eric** · 10.12.06, 08:28 AM

Ya I know everyone's got an opinion, but I think a better paper might be to argue the lasting relevancy of Van Halen as being as important as say, The Who, Zeppelin etc.

That would be an interesting read.

But, back to the topic...Dave was the better frontman for Van Halen cus guys wanted to be him and girls wanted to f*ck him!

E

**servoguy101** · 10.12.06, 09:07 AM

or besides Van halen, which Band has had the most controversy about a lead singer or personel change ( besides AC/DC which was caused by death ) that should drag in the pinky floyd guys..

**Otis5150** · 10.12.06, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Eric

Dave was the better frontman for Van Halen cus guys wanted to be him and girls wanted to f*ck him!

Speak for yourself, but I never wanted to be an annoying, crossdressing, balding, flamer with no singing voice...

**jimmy812** · 10.12.06, 09:59 AM

You said you have to persuade your professor about who was a "better singer for Van Halen."

When it comes to actual singing ability, I would say that Sammy is a better singer. Heck, even Eddie said so (although he might have been bitter from the Dave split). But Dave was the better frontman.
The Sammy era of VH proved to be better for Van Halen since they won awards, they had their first #1 album, they were able to play more to a mainstream audience (love songs and that kind of stuff).

You could make several arguments for each side, but what it comes down to is opinion. Any kind of actual 'evidence' in this case is basically just the opinion of the listener.

**belikemike** · 10.12.06, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by Otis5150

Speak for yourself, but I never wanted to be an annoying, crossdressing, balding, flamer with no singing voice...

oh shit, here we go
please let it be known i wasn't the first to start this one, no matter how much i may agree

**VanBlu** · 10.12.06, 12:59 PM

It's a beginning English class so he doesn't really care what the topic is. He actually stated he would like unique things that he hasn't heard before. He did mention one from a previous class where a lady who worked at the hospital wrote a paper on why it's ok to charge $2 for one band-aid.

It's the way we write it and how we organize the paper that he cares about. He said we could you use personal knowledge and experience as a source; don't really need "official" sources.

Thanks for those who took my post seriously! Keep 'em coming!