Never seen VH with Dave

**InTheBeginning** · 11.11.06, 07:11 AM

OK, I know you're out there. Fans that never got a chance to see Van Halen with the original lineup.

I never did myself. So what are your expectations for the upcoming tour? You've probably seen DLR solo a time or two as have I, but what do you think this will be like? Everything from the setlist to the 'acrobatics' on stage to the atmosphere at the venue, etc...I mean, here's our chance (probably last) to see the boys as we have listened to them for years and years.

Let's discuss...humanely please...

**VanBlu** · 11.11.06, 07:21 AM

I'll be going just to go. I'm sure I'll have a good time but I have no expectations whatever. I know it'll be nothing like it was from 78-84 so I'll be smart enough to not compare it to that time frame so I can still have a good time. I'm sure it'll be a good two hours, but nothing "shocking" or "earth shattering" for sure.

**Number 47** · 11.11.06, 07:26 AM

If it happens, I for one would be happy to watch Dave take control of the band for the machine that it used to be.
I know that Sammy was all about the fans and I can appreciate that, but I really got tired of all the t-shirt, banner, signing crap. It got to a point where I felt like the band behind him was just there to provide background music for the fanlove antics.
So, if it happens, it would be a nice change to see a band working together again as a whole (I would hope)

**Mister Bullethead** · 11.11.06, 07:28 AM

I never seen VH with Dave but certainly hopes this does materialize. I would prefer the old bassist to be there but may go if its the young'un playing.

**sickman** · 11.11.06, 07:36 AM

One thing I remember from seeing them with Dave in 1984 was how loud and insane the crowd was. I think that it will be much the same. Your going to see alot of 30-40 year old guys in the crowd with their 8-16 year old sons shitting themselves because they never thought the day would come where they were seeing their most favorite band of all time perform live standing next to their own kids.

**ZeoBandit** · 11.11.06, 08:54 AM

I've never seen VH with Dave either. If/when they tour, I will definitely be going, no matter who is on bass.

**ZachenFoot** · 11.11.06, 09:01 AM

Been to one VH show in my life (July 19, 2004. Chicago, IL) and I consider myself lucky to even have seen ONE, considering my age. If they do it with Dave, like Zeo said, I don't care who's on bass, I'll still go.

I was born six years after Dave was fired, so I've never truly experienced Classic Van Halen before...

**Apocalypso** · 11.11.06, 09:02 AM

My two cents...........

I was lucky enough to see Van Halen from 1977 through every tour with Roth. As someone else mentioned, one of the biggest lasting impressions I still have from the LA area arena shows was how incredibly loud the crowd was. Back in the 80's when the way to get bootlegs recordings was to snoop around at local record swap meets, people would tell me Van Halen was one of the toughest bands to record to get a decent bootleg from because the crowds were just insanely loud from start to finish of a show. The thing that made most of the Roth era shows special, was that usually they'd play something either in a jam (such as instrumental "Girl Gone Bad in '83, Bright Lights, Big City in '80) or something in Eddie's solo (Cathedral) that wasn't yet released that would usually show up on the next album. If I had to say which was my favorite tour, I'd say either 1980 or '81.

That said, *if* it was a genuine reunion with Roth and Mike onboard, I wouldn't expect the same magic. Dave may be singing the songs more completely these days but he's not the athlete he was in the 80's. Alex won't play the songs faster then the album versions which gave many 80's shows a sense of urgency because well, he ain't the cokehead he used to be. Mike would still be Mike, if Wolfgang doesn't wind up replacing him. And Eddie as the last 5 years have shown, simply isn't the player he used to be.

Still, the production and stage setup will undoubtably be massive, the setlist will be filled with classics along with probably one or two of the '96 BOV1 tunes and it will easily beat most of what passes for arena rock n' roll these days even if Eddie is falling down drunk and Dave wears the gayest outfits imaginable. And yes, I'd guess even the audience will still be incredibly loud. Even the competently put together Motley Crue reunion during it's first leg couldn't come close to such a tour. There's just no competition anymore for even a halfassed, geriatric VH reunion.

Go. You'll be witnessing the end of an era.

T.B.

**Executionor** · 11.11.06, 09:12 AM

Never got to see them with Dave. I do not believe that I have ever went to a show where I had overanalyze what I was going to see...I am going to go to see a show and enjoy what I see. I will have my 11 year old son and my 8 year old son with me as well.

**PlexiBrown** · 11.11.06, 09:22 AM

I have seen VH 77 times in my life and most of these were in the Roth days. They toured WAAAAAY more back then. If the original lineup gets back together and Eddie can ease offf of the bottle then I think you will have a blast. Also, DLR seems to be able to remember the words to the songs better now than he did back in the day. They are older now but I think there is still some magic left.

**Hack** · 11.11.06, 09:39 AM

I was 9 in '84. My older brother and his buddies wouldn't take me with them. I've seen Dave in '88, 00?, 02, 06. I desperately want to see them with Dave before it's all said and done. Completely want Mike there, but I'll be there even if he sadly isn't.

Apacolypso mentioned that Dave isn't the athlete he used to be, and he's right. One of the things I've always loved about VH that people don't mention much is the athletic jumping around and shit. I can dig bands like Pearl Jam, one of my favorite bands, that basically just stand there. I can apprciate that it's all about the music. But with VH, the music is stellar, and they are fucking active.

Sickman: I dig the Eddie avatar. I'm looking at my Somewhere in Time Mirror that I bought in 8th grade in my office/Van Halen room as we speak.

**mike zack** · 11.11.06, 09:53 AM

If EVH is playing guitar I'll be there!

**Nostalgia Act** · 11.11.06, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by Apocalypso

My two cents...........

I was lucky enough to see Van Halen from 1977 through every tour with Roth. As someone else mentioned, one of the biggest lasting impressions I still have from the LA area arena shows was how incredibly loud the crowd was. Back in the 80's when the way to get bootlegs recordings was to snoop around at local record swap meets, people would tell me Van Halen was one of the toughest bands to record to get a decent bootleg from because the crowds were just insanely loud from start to finish of a show. The thing that made most of the Roth era shows special, was that usually they'd play something either in a jam (such as instrumental "Girl Gone Bad in '83, Bright Lights, Big City in '80) or something in Eddie's solo (Cathedral) that wasn't yet released that would usually show up on the next album. If I had to say which was my favorite tour, I'd say either 1980 or '81.

That said, *if* it was a genuine reunion with Roth and Mike onboard, I wouldn't expect the same magic. Dave may be singing the songs more completely these days but he's not the athlete he was in the 80's. Alex won't play the songs faster then the album versions which gave many 80's shows a sense of urgency because well, he ain't the cokehead he used to be. Mike would still be Mike, if Wolfgang doesn't wind up replacing him. And Eddie as the last 5 years have shown, simply isn't the player he used to be.

Still, the production and stage setup will undoubtably be massive, the setlist will be filled with classics along with probably one or two of the '96 BOV1 tunes and it will easily beat most of what passes for arena rock n' roll these days even if Eddie is falling down drunk and Dave wears the gayest outfits imaginable. And yes, I'd guess even the audience will still be incredibly loud. Even the competently put together Motley Crue reunion during it's first leg couldn't come close to such a tour. There's just no competition anymore for even a halfassed, geriatric VH reunion.

Go. You'll be witnessing the end of an era.

T.B.

excellant post.
judging from the times you seen them, i would say we are probably
around the same age. i will be 43 shortly.Had the chance to see cvh
three times in 78/79 when they were an opening act, then in 1982 and lastly 1984.took my son with me to the 2004 tour, and will be taken him with me to this tour if it happens.this is the band of my youth.
I have been on the journey for to long.There IS NO FUCKING WAY i'm missing
this if it happens. I was a wide eyed 14/15 year old struggling to play the
acoustic guitar for morning mass at a catholic school, when my older bro brought home VH 1 and told me to play Eruption. HOLY SHEEP SHIT BATMAN.
I could not wrap my mind around some one being able to play the guitar like that. I had seen some of the players at that time on "The Midnight Special"
and Don Kirshners Rock Concert but hearing that on that album is what started my passion for rock music.

**venom thrust** · 11.11.06, 09:59 AM

Saw them with Dave only once in '84 at the L.A. forum I remember it was filled to capacity. It was Mother's Day I remember Dave saying Happy Mother's Day to all you Mother's out there! Damn Alex was so good on drums that tour!

**atomic_punk** · 11.11.06, 10:12 AM

Never saw them with Dave, never saw them with Sammy, never saw them with Gary.. But if this reunion stuff is for real, then I'm gonna get tickets no matter what...