Just A Little Reality Check

**belikemike** · 10.31.06, 12:56 AM

It's obvious we all come here because we have some love/attachment to Van Halen. Whatever version that is, it's enough to keep us interested and discussing what is, essentially, a dead band.
I know the current rumors about a reunion with Roth are enticing, but in reality who really thinks this thing will be pulled off?
I'm not talking about the outrageously optimistic who are calling for a tour and then a studio LP. That, it seems, is beyond possibility.
But any part of this, is any of it really gonna happen? I'd say probably not even a 50-50 shot, from what we've seen in the past.
These guys have given it so many tries, and so clearly dislike each other I can't see why I should really be optimistic a version of Van Halen will be coming to my town in 2007.
Even the RRHOF is not set in stone. They've been nominated. Not inducted.
Maybe an induction will be used as an effort to springboard to a tour, but who in the hell honestly can look at these four (or three, depending) guys and believe they can work out enough to go around the country for several months together? The Hagar version barely pulled that off, and it seems clear to me that version would be less volatile than the original version.
I've said many times, I'd be happy to go see the original version one more time. But I'm sure as hell not convinced that a rumored reunion is any kind of assurance it'll come together.
On a side note, the talk of the RRHOF being a promotional tool for the band and the hall makes sense. Bands are definitely interested in promotion, and it seems like a good tool.
I've always thought maybe the best tool VH could employ (before some sort of appearance in the RRHOF where all the members would be there) would be a VH1 Behind the Music. I mean, shit, what band has had more drama and history for one of those shows? Drugs, drinking, sex, great music and feuding. And the great thing about it is, no shortage of feuding. Epic feuding, repeated over, and over again over a period of decades. It could be a three-hour show easy, possibly a mini-series.
Air that, then have Dave, Al, Mike, Ed and Sam show up together on one stage at the RRHOF and you'd have built up an interested audience.
So put aside your bias and honestly make an evaluation -- will any of this really happen in 2007?

**Van Squalen** · 10.31.06, 01:08 AM

The only thing that's clear is this: If there were ever going to be an ideal year to do a Dave reunion, it's 2007. 30th anniversary of VH 1, possible RRHOF induction, and nobody's getting any younger.

Whether it manifests or not, and in a proper fashion (RRHOF induction kicking off a tour supporting a new album, the right person playing bass in studio or live, preventing substandard performance via substance self control, etc, etc).....that is all subject to drive, motive, fate, good will, and a lotta luck.

If the rumor's not complete BS....I give a full blown CVH return (music plus tour plus all members, tour completed full circuit) 70/30. As in 70% chance something happens to screw it up. I'll give a half-assed attempt 50/50 odds (tour without Mike, no new tunes, bad vibes onstage, etc, etc).

**dropdeadlegs** · 10.31.06, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by Van Squalen

The only thing that's clear is this: If there were ever going to be an ideal year to do a Dave reunion, it's 2007. 30th anniversary of VH 1, possible RRHOF induction, and nobody's getting any younger.

Yep! I think 2007 is the absolutely last chance for the original Van Halen to reunite. The time just keeps whipping by. It's been 10 years since the last public attempted reunion.

**James in New York** · 10.31.06, 06:22 AM

YEP.

ITS TIME.

2007 is the year of VAN HALEN.

Enjoy it you crazy fucks!

**coyote** · 10.31.06, 06:34 AM

My question is how big is this really going to be? Obviously it is not going to be as big as it would have been ten years ago, but is it going to be any bigger than their 2004 tour? Their publicity has been horrid over the past few years, the potential of a fiasco with Mike and Wolfgang is out there, is the general public going to care? Just a question.

**James in New York** · 10.31.06, 06:50 AM

With David Lee Roth involved, it will be BIG and PROMOTED.

I hope it isnt too big, I want FRONT ROW!

I hope we get first shot at all access again!!!!

**perticelli** · 10.31.06, 06:57 AM

The reality will be what it will be, we have no positive control over that as far as i can see. Feeding into the negativity train can only contribute to any existing carburators looking for fuel to derail the whole thing...

So with that, i'm going with my default optimism..i really believe this is going to all come to fruition. The motivation of Ed comes down to his son and there isnt much more powerful forces in nature..Dave knows this is it..he isnt stupid..he knows..and alex seems to have a level head about it all.
I dont think it's gonna be a full-blown wolfie-in-mike's-place tour as I think mikey will be playing on stage..i cant see ANY promoter giving the bucks out unless its a complete band..but it should be interesting to see wolf jamming with the boys on a song or two or three..maybe some of the easier,earlier bass-line tunes..RWTD,YRGM, maybe even in some form of free-expression jam on EWS...or even the opening and ending of Eruption..the three VH boys all together..

But march will start it off with RRHOF, then April with some musical release and then the tour..unbelievably, even after all the yrs and crap and misfires, the stars are once again lining up for the VH camp and they have to know this is not only their last shot at it, but its got everything they could wish for built in...I am on board

**James in New York** · 10.31.06, 06:58 AM

**Van Hampshire** · 10.31.06, 07:34 AM

Has anyone seen what Wolfie looks like on stage? He needs to get some stage presence. Granted it is awing going in front of that many people, he looked like a deer caught in the headlights at the Worcester 2004 shows. I'm not sure if I would go without Mikey. I will be so depressed if he is'nt there. I think there is an unspoken energy that he brings to the shows. I know it always makes me get hyped up a lot more when he is running around and doing those awsome backrounds. I might have to go and make up a shirt that says "Where's Mikey???"

**Van De Groep** · 10.31.06, 07:48 AM

Like most of you, I would love to see a re-union/tour. However, being realistic, I think this whole "re-union tour thing" turns out just as it did back in '96.

Sorry.

**James in New York** · 10.31.06, 07:57 AM

"I think that all the great adventures can be written on the back of a beer soaked napkin"

~David Lee Roth

**hatchetforce** · 10.31.06, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by James in New York

"I think that all the great adventures can be written on the back of a beer soaked napkin"

~David Lee Roth

James, I'm lovin' your enthusiasm in these threads! I feel the same way. Hold that torch high!

**James in New York** · 10.31.06, 08:03 AM

You got it, Hatchet!

"I approach Van Halen concerts as if I were having a first date with a woman. I ask myself, `Would I still be here if I were blind? "

~David Lee Roth

**nothingisreal** · 10.31.06, 08:10 AM

I hope this reunion happens, although I would be much more inclined to go to a show if they have a new album. As others have said, though, that is a pipe dream. Which, come to think of it, may be an excellent way to go to the show should it actually happen...

**James in New York** · 10.31.06, 08:33 AM

"If you're a three-dimensional human being, if you are sassy, if you have the ability to be sexy and laugh at the same time, if you love a slam-dunk approach to music as well as a toast and a tear, if the bittersweet appeals to you, if you'd rather look over your shoulder and see two hot f?%k-me mambo babes doing that to your retinas with alarming frequency, if you want entertainment, celestial bodies ... this is adult music for adults. What Van Halen was designed to be. We have not mellowed. What you are seeing here is a lot less wasted movement."

~David Lee Roth