The writing is on the wall

[dj88]

I think the state of Van Halen is pretty simple. Eddie has only two realistic choices if he wants VH to succeed. Get Dave or Sammy back.

The problem with Van Halen is twofold right now. 1st and foremost, they're old. This is the most serious problem. If VH were only 5 years old, they'd have a chance to pull off another singer change. But they've been around for 26 years! The music industry is nothing like it was back in the 70's. Kiddie pop is what sells, not classic rock and roll. There's just no way that a kid is going to ask for a Van Halen album with singer #4 instead of say Britney Spears. So that's the main problem, but the next problem is almost as hard to overcome:

Because Van Halen has two eras, it's polarized the fans there are left. There are some that only like the Dave era and won't buy anything without him as the singer. Then there are the Sammy fans who want him back, but are open minded about Dave coming back. Almost no one wants a 4th singer brought in. Die-hard Eddie fans will "settle" for a 4th singer if that's the only way to get some new music from him, but Van Halen's fan base is deteriorating every day and even some die-hards are leaving.

Now throw in the fact that the band treats it's dwindling fan base with utter disrespect almost to the point of contempt and that alienates even the staunchest VH supporters.

If Eddie wants VH to live, he has two choices. Getting Dave back would be the best way to "go out with a bang”. This is obviously his best choice if he wants success. Or, get Sammy back and VH may have 1-3 years left in them with marginal success. This wouldn't be as well received because the Dave fans won't be there, leaving out half of the remaining fan base.

If everyone and their mother know this, then why doesn't Eddie see it? The writing is on the wall Edward. Read it.

Thoughts?

[Scotty]

Originally posted by: dj88
Eddie has only two realistic choices if he wants VH to succeed. Get Dave or Sammy back.

Absolutely. I'd be happy to hear VH with any frontman at this point, but these two options are the only chance the band has to recapture its past glory.

Great post dj. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

[Eddymon]

When I saw the title of this thread, I thought someone had the same thought as I did yesterday while driving and was listening to Pink Floyd's THE WALL.
Why not give Roger Waters a try if no Dave or Sammy.

I don't think if they brought Sammy back that they would loose half of their fanbase.
Dave Only fans probably consist of a quarter of the VH fans.
I think eddie would be very pleased with a quarter of the sales that 1984 did.

[dj88]

I think we all know there's almost no chance of coming near the 10 Mil that 1984 sold regardless of the singer. 2-4 mil wouldn't be out of the question with Dave singing while I think Sammy assures them of at least going platinum.

As far as Dave fans being half the fan base... I'm probably wrong there. 1/4 like you said may be a little low, so lets say it's 1/3?

[FORD]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Eddymon:
When I saw the title of this thread, I thought someone had the same thought as I did yesterday while driving and was listening to Pink Floyd's THE WALL.
Why not give Roger Waters a try if no Dave or Sammy.

Roger Waters needs to reunite his own band.

I don't think if they brought Sammy back that they would loose half of their fanbase.Dave Only fans probably consist of a quarter of the VH fans.

1984 sold over 10 million copies.
Balance sold 2 million.

I would say that's considerably more than a quarter..

I think eddie would be very pleased with a quarter of the sales that 1984 did.

VDIII only did 5% of what 1984 did. Van Disaster IV would be lucky to do half of what VDIII did. That's 2.5% of 1984. Hardly a quarter.....

[iluveddie]

This is my perspective on the whole mess....
I believe that there WAS a comeback planned...with Dave, but when Ed learned he had cancer I think all of that got shoved aside. I can't speak from experience, but I'm sure cancer can totally fuck up someone's world. Now with that in mind...Ed probably had to do some heavy re-evaluating of his life. What's more important? Your health and family, or trying to please the music community by putting a new album out while your life is in shambles? Now that Ed is supposedly cancer-free (hopefully), maybe the VH ball will get rolling again. I think that some people just don't get that maybe Ed's life is nobody's damn business. If Ed is healthy and ready to do an album and tour on it...he WILL do it. I don't imagine him hanging up his guitar for one minute!! We all need to sit back and relax, because VH WILL be back...I just wish I knew when!!! Take care all...

[Eddymon]

pssst [img]graemlins/sssh.gif[/img]

Will someone please tell FORD its not 1984 anymore!!!!

[dj88]

I don't know if the cancer had anything to do with the reunion or not. According to Dave he hadn't been in contact with the band for several months before there was any talk of cancer. Also, Dave claimed not to know about the cancer. He probably would have known about it if that infact was the reason for the stoppage. Also, if cancer were the reason, then logically they would have resumed once Eddie was cancer free right?

The only thing we know for sure was that "lawyers" were involved and that appears to be the big sticking point. Personally I think that Dave is asking for more than Eddie wants to give him. Maybe it's not just money either? Maybe he wants creative input like the old days as well? I don't know, but I have a feeling this is why we have no reunion.

Andrew at Melodicrock.com mentioned something about an ultimatum from Dave. He wouldn't elaborate any further. I think this may have led to a stalemate with Eddie, but who knows... [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

The thing is does Eddie really have any choice but to accept Dave's terms? Dave has absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. If Eddie doesn't accept Dave's terms, gets a 4th singer and it fails even worse, doesn't that give Dave even more leverage?

[ February 11, 2002 at 09:29 AM: Message edited by: dj88 ]</p>

[FORD]

Originally posted by Eddymon:
pssst
Will someone please tell FORD its not 1984 anymore!!!!

Will someone please tell Eddy money that his rumor mill is officially out of business because Van Halen no longer exists.

[crs1984]

The problem is, we're dealing with guys who have already been to the top of the mountain. They have nothing left to prove. Financially, everyone is set for life. Along comes cancer and someone realizes they should be spending more time with their kid. Right now, Eddie is doing exactly what he should be doing; dropping Wolfgang off at school and doing stuff with him. He doesn't owe an explanation to anyone. However, he should realize that he has tons of fans who are completely messed up over the situation of the band and worried about its future. A simple message like "hey guys VH is on hiatus while I get healthy and spend time with my family, don't exactly know what is going to happen in the future but we're not done yet" would clear up a lot of anxiety from the fans and put an end to many of the silly rumours we've heard the past few years.

The motivation at 47 is not the same as it is at 17. Eddie's priorities have surely changed. I'm sure we'll hear something from him eventually, even if it isn't with VH like we've known it. As for Dave, well he's always had his own agenda and probably wants a reunion on his own terms. After 96, who can blame him? I don't think we'll ever see the original lineup together again, too many problems and issues from the past...

[dj88]

Originally posted by crs1984:
Along comes cancer and someone realizes they should be spending more time with their kid.

I don't think this really has anything to do with things myself. Eddie still smokes so how bad did this cancer thing really shake him up?

A simple message like "hey guys VH is on hiatus while I get healthy and spend time with my family, don't exactly know what is going to happen in the future but we're not done yet" would clear up a lot of anxiety from the fans and put an end to many of the silly rumours we've heard the past few years.

Amen

As for Dave, well he's always had his own agenda and probably wants a reunion on his own terms. After 96, who can blame him?

I don't

I don't think we'll ever see the original lineup together again, too many problems and issues from the past...

Then VH is dead because singer #4 just won't work at this stage in the game. This is why people say Dave or the Grave although I think Sammy could save them to a certain extent as well.

[jrk5150]

While I tend to agree that a band with the name "Van Halen" will have trouble selling 1 mill+ without DLR or SH, I do have a bit of a question. If Creed can do it, why can't Van Halen?

If Gary's voice was in tune, and the album was produced better, it had a shot. There were some decent tunes buried in the muck on that album. Put a strong enough singer in the equation, I think it could've gone platinum. And, although I liked Extreme, I always thought Gary had a bit of a flat voice when he was rocking. Same as Jack Blades, it gets a bit toneless as they shout.

Like I said, if Creed can do it, why can't Van Halen mach 4? You guys spend a lot of time talking about how kids today don't know Van Halen, so why can't they start over? As far as pandering to teens, the original Van Halen pandered 100% to teen age boys, that's what it was about. Sammy era brought some girls into the equation with sappier lyrics and synths. And the industry changes had an effect as well. But...

If Creed can do it, why can't VH? Are you saying a balls to the wall kick ass full sounded floored hard rock album with a strong singer hell bent on kickin ass can't sell JUST because he's with Eddie? That is stupid.

Is it likely? No. Could it happen?

If Creed can do it...

[dj88]

Creed appears to be the exception, not the rule. And they're just a cheap Pearl Jam impersonation.

Creed also has the backing of a major label, something VH doesn't have any more. Creed also is much more fan friendly than VH. They also are much much fresher than VH.

I just don't see it happening, but maybe Eddie does and that's the reason he's holding out?

[Glenn]

Going to send this to the Opinions/Speculation forum guys. [img]smile.gif[/img]