some inconvenient truths

**thefan** · 01.29.07, 10:11 PM

hey ya'll - it's a one time post from your homey "The Fan" - i dropped the notes many minutes ago about the smokescreens and the like when the first DLR disaster happened in '96, and i thought it might be good to add $.02 about the mikey/wolfie thing, seeing as both of them are completely innocent in this whole thing, actually the only two -

perhaps this pattern has been discussed here previously in some capacity, but i've not yet seen it done, and it has to do with a family affair, and what happens with families, especially big famous ones -

there are no guarantess in this world that fame and fortune will bring you happiness, despite the adulation that fans give you, and the (self-adulation) feelings that years of drugs and alchohol can provide -

what does bring you hapiness is real love, and if, at the end of the day, you can come home to real love, then you have more going for you than most in this world -

for all of the swagger and party, nobody has ever really spoken as to who the real "ladies man" in VH has been all this time -

that would be Mike - a loving and lovely wife (20+yrs), and two lovely daughters - surrounded by three women who love him, most (if not all) of the time, y'know?

the same cannot be said, sadly, of sundry other parties despite outward appearances of excellence in other arenas - cause at the end of the day, you go home - alone. maybe you're high or drunk, and maybe the party seemed great, but you are still alone.

after a while, that sucks - alot.

so, this "move", as it were, is about a father and an uncle, from another country, capturing the family vibe that they grew up with, the family vibe that they always wanted to have - cause at the end of the day...

and, it's not about skill or money - Party A has plenty of both - still, it should be noted.

"still" is key here - because sundry other parties have naught of those - they have been damn near next to broke for quite some time, and the atrophy of abuse takes it's toll on brilliance.

some parties can make it to the stage and still play and sing like they did at the downbeat - others, not quite so much.

there is another little note here as well - some parties can handle their proclivities, and others can't. that is genetic. those that can still enjoy hearty recreational fun, say with family and freinds on Cinco DeMayo and the like.

others have to have it in order to simply function, and it has cost them their families, and in many ways, their careers.

so, certain parties - who would much rather have what other certain parties have - i.e. a family, a home, children, a retirement plan, enough for the kids to go to college, boats, bangin rides, successful side businesses, etc - those certain parties are simply doing the best they can, all circumstances considered.

at the end of the day, it all comes clear - doesn't it?

Wolfie, good luck bro - play your ass off, and know your folks love you.

Mike - bro - you won!

out

**JMJ** · 01.29.07, 10:18 PM

wow

food for thought

cheers to you fan

**sinners__swing** · 01.29.07, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by thefan

there are no guarantess in this world that fame and fortune will bring you happiness, despite the adulation that fans give you, and the (self-adulation) feelings that years of drugs and alchohol can provide -

Eddie we know.

for all of the swagger and party, nobody has ever really spoken as to who the real "ladies man" in VH has been all this time -

Did Dave really swagger that much?

that would be Mike - a loving and lovely wife (20+yrs), and two lovely daughters - surrounded by three women who love him, most (if not all) of the time, y'know?

the same cannot be said, sadly, of sundry other parties despite outward appearances of excellence in other arenas - cause at the end of the day, you go home - alone. maybe you're high or drunk, and maybe the party seemed great, but you are still alone.

after a while, that sucks - alot.

Eddie is drunk and high at the end of the day? Or the beginning and middle of the day also?

so, this "move", as it were, is about a father and an uncle, from another country, capturing the family vibe that they grew up with, the family vibe that they always wanted to have - cause at the end of the day...

and, it's not about skill or money - Party A has plenty of both - still, it should be noted.

You really think Eddie plays as well as he used to? You think his skill level is where it used to be? Alex maybe but Eddie, really? They have money we know that for sure. Well Eddie is doing really well.

"still" is key here - because sundry other parties have naught of those - they have been damn near next to broke for quite some time, and the atrophy of abuse takes it's toll on brilliance.

some parties can make it to the stage and still play and sing like they did at the downbeat - others, not quite so much.

Is Dave really broke? I heard he was but wasn't sure.

there is another little note here as well - some parties can handle their proclivities, and others can't. that is genetic. those that can still enjoy hearty recreational fun, say with family and freinds on Cinco DeMayo and the like.

Like Mike and Sammy?

others have to have it in order to simply function, and it has cost them their families, and in many ways, their careers.

Eddie..we know. Maybe even Alex. But he's not as blatantly obvious with his vices.

so, certain parties - who would much rather have what other certain parties have - i.e. a family, a home, children, a retirement plan, enough for the kids to go to college, boats, bangin rides, successful side businesses, etc - those certain parties are simply doing the best they can, all circumstances considered.

Well Eddie has Wolfie and a ex-wife, Alex has kids and a few ex-wives, Dave, well.....

I see your point

at the end of the day, it all comes clear - doesn't it?

Yeah tour to make some money and put your son in your band to because you feel bad about fucking your marriage up. Make it feel more like a "family" again.

Mike - bro - you won!

out

Or has the last laugh along with a family and security? I guess both?

Can't say any of if it is the truth, just making some guesses from reading posts posts such as yours.

**smithjc** · 01.29.07, 11:23 PM

Well the fans sure as hell didn't win.

**NOaverageJOE** · 01.29.07, 11:30 PM

So...an insider?

**JMJ** · 01.29.07, 11:50 PM

post is somewhat similar to the post by "a fan" years back

makes ya wonder

**ETRIGAN** · 01.30.07, 12:52 AM

At first I was going to post "I ain't reading that long ass shit" but then I did. Good points. Fuck, I feel kind of sorry for Wolfie. I hope this does come out good for him regardless. Let's face it. It must be pretty rough having EVH as your father these days.

Mikey is probably better off not being in the middle of this shit storm anyway.

I wouldn't tell anyone not to go. That's their decision. I won't be there but thats easy for me. I have seen classic VH 4Xs. This new show will never be better than any of those four shows.

This is another cash grab. Just padding for the retirement I guess. I really doubt if we will hear anymore Van Halen news after this tour. It just seems so final.

One thing people havn't discussed too much is Alex. The man is probably aneasy top 5 for greatest all time rock drummers. He still gets better every year. Again, it can't always be easy having Ed as your brother.

It sounds like Ed has surrounded himself with yes men and people that depend on him for a paycheck. I'm sure any real friends feel pretty uncomfortable around him.

It's all just kind of sad...

AT · 01.30.07, 01:04 AM

Damn. And I thought I was the philosophical liberal around here (one of, that is).

**Speedway** · 01.30.07, 01:13 AM

So, if my logic is correct, Wolfie is consigned to a life of misery and substance abuse because if he elects to go down the family man route, he'll be out of the band and his bandmates will have a problem with his 'together-ness'

Yes?

AT · 01.30.07, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by Speedway

So, if my logic is correct, Wolfie is consigned to a life of misery and substance abuse because if he elects to go down the family man route, he'll be out of the band and his bandmates will have a problem with his 'together-ness'

Yes?

I can only say one thing: What you talkin' about, Willis?!

**Little Dreamer** · 01.30.07, 01:42 AM

It seems there's only one ground rule in the new VH world: the fans lose every time.

AT · 01.30.07, 01:57 AM

Originally Posted by Little Dreamer

It seems there's only one ground rule in the new VH world: the fans lose every time.

I wouldn't go that far. From the diehard fan perspective, yeah, VH has in general not really expressed a ton of appreciation for their fans by way of interaction, etc. However, we were given countless gems on numerous albums that, if collected from fans from casual to hardcore, would build a metaphoric tower of millions and millions of positive stories and experiences relative to an assciation with VH's music. It's why we're here--why we care. I love that, 25 years after I first discovered their music, I am still inspired, entertained, and impressed with VH, and I can still get something new out of the music. We had it good for a fairly long while.

I, like most VH fans, wish it would either go back to being productive and regular or just simply be declared done so we can all move on. The gray area of the last eight years is most frustrating.

**Little Dreamer** · 01.30.07, 02:14 AM

That's why I said in the "new VH world." I'm not refering to the golden years, of course.

I'm a bit surprised at some of the rumors of VH members being broke. We never hear any facts. As far as I know, Dave still has the pasadena mansion and Alex the house in Beverly Park. Both these properties are worth millions and I haven't heard of them being sold.

AT · 01.30.07, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by Little Dreamer

That's why I said in the "new VH world." I'm not refering to the golden years, of course.

I'm a bit surprised at some of the rumors of VH members being broke. We never hear any facts. As far as I know, Dave still has the pasadena mansion and Alex the house in Beverly Park. Both these properties are worth millions and I haven't heard of them being sold.

Gotcha... "new."

I thought I heard a couple of years back that Alex was selling his house (?).

As far as money stuff goes, we live within our means. If our regular gig has us making a couple of mil a year, then all of a sudden the workhorse goes on an unplanned hiatus, the bills coming in that were designed around that original income might not well be met. Savings and investments have to be cashed in to maintain your status quo lifestyle, and before long you're broke. Just a guess...

**sickman** · 01.30.07, 04:29 AM

Good post, I wasn't going to bother with it givin it's length and being a first post in all but you did make some good points. It does seem logical that Mike would be happy all the time being around loving family and friends and Ed on the other hand being pretty depressed losing his mom, wife and ability to play the guitar while fucked up all in a short span of time. I guess it would be natural now that ED has a new girl, surrounds himself with people at all these parties that he would want to take his son under his wing and have him join the band, but couldn't he have made him a rhythm guitar player and not the bass player. I can't help but think that Mike and Ed would get along great if Ed was in a better place all these years. I wonder if during the 04 tour if Mike had any idea that he would soon be replaced by Wolfie.