Will Mike's absence overshadow Dave's return??

[Faster Eddie]

As most fans are aware, VH has been basically inactive for the better part of ten years. No new music, no new old music and sporatic touring (mostly in the US) has dwindled their fan-base big-time.

For years people pleaded for VH to do a Reunion Tour and now they're getting Dave but not all of VH.

I count myself as one of the many diehard VH fans and it seems the majority of remaining fans like myself on this board and elsewhere find MA's dismissal to be pretty dubious and are thinking twice about participating in what will probably be DLR's last tour with the band.

This should be cause for celebration but alot of fans like myself see a big peice missing.

This summers concert season will be PACKED and there's going to be alot of bands competing for our entertainment dollar. It will be interesting to see how much business VH will do on this tour...

[Brett]

Apparently according to some supporting this fiasco, NOBODY outside of the internet cares about Mike, and never did.

[It's Mike]

Apparently according to some supporting this fiasco, NOBODY outside of the internet cares about Mike, and never did.

i've heard very few people say anything like that. Most of the people "supporting this fiasco" would prefer Mike to be there but are going either way

[Menlow]

Judging by the stories that have broke in the mainstream press--no.

It's all been about Dave getting back with VH. The fact that Mike isn't involved is buried in the middle of the story.

[hain23x]

I've known many people who have called him "that bass player guy"

I've known many people who have just said "It's Eddie and Dave"

When I first got into Van Halen I knew who Eddie was and I knew who Dave was. I was kinda surprised there was another person named Van Halen in the band. Mike Anthony could have been Mark Allison for all I knew--but I was 11 years old at the time!

In the big picture, I'm sure "the masses" have no idea who Mike is--or they may know but not realize that it's HIS background vox that are blastin' on the chorus.

When it gets right down to it, Van Halen is about "Eddie and Dave"--they wrote the songs and Dave handled the PR those two were "the show"


But being familiar with the band, you quickly realize that Mike is more than "just the bass player"

for the masses, however, it's just "Eddie and Dave"

[ziggysmalls]

He is the 5th most recognizable member of Van Halen. Dave is probably number one or two. Who do you think the media will be focusing on?

[hain23x]

I'm sure noone ever called Mike "Van"

[VHwasCoolestWithDLR]

To the die hards like us here it makes a big difference, but to the casual fan i really dont think they care. Most of them probably dont even know Mike's name like they do Eddie or Dave. Hell, most probably dont know Alex is Eddie's brother or his name either. Sad but true.

[atomicpunk5150]

As most fans are aware, VH has been basically inactive for the better part of ten years. No new music, no new old music and sporatic touring (mostly in the US) has dwindled their fan-base big-time.

For years people pleaded for VH to do a Reunion Tour and now they're getting Dave but not all of VH.

I count myself as one of the many diehard VH fans and it seems the majority of remaining fans like myself on this board and elsewhere find MA's dismissal to be pretty dubious and are thinking twice about participating in what will probably be DLR's last tour with the band.

This should be cause for celebration but alot of fans like myself see a big peice missing.

This summers concert season will be PACKED and there's going to be alot of bands competing for our entertainment dollar. It will be interesting to see how much business VH will do on this tour...

I wish MA was going to be part of this tour and I am going to the show when it hits NY (I never had the chance to see them with Dave and I did pay to see Sammy and then Gary) but to answer your question...No. Michael Anthony's absence will not overshadow DLR's inclusion on this tour.

[Red]

The performances will illuminate Mike's absence.

Dave's presence will overshadow Dave's return.

[Lightning Fingers]

I plan on seeing VH w/o Mike because it'll be the first time I'd see the band w/DLR. As a sign of protest at the concerts, the fans should shout "Mikey" before each song, because Mike is a part of what VH is - the music.

[Bugs Meanie]

The people that are going to see shows on this tour are the diehards and people that frequent The Links. The fact that even the diehards are smelling a con job here (no album, no mike, puberty stricken bass player, guitar hero with self eroded skills) and may not go speaks volumes.

Like Fast Eddie, I'm interested to see how business goes on this tour. I want to see how well the shows sell and compare the attendance to the 2004 tour. It depends on everone's expectations.

[Nostalgia Act]

I plan on seeing VH w/o Mike because it'll be the first time I'd see the band w/DLR. As a sign of protest at the concerts, the fans should shout "Mikey" before each song, because Mike is a part of what VH is - the music.

I just don't get that kind of thinking. If people want to protest outside the venue before, during or even after the show, i can certainly understand the sentiments. But to purchase a ticket, go into the show and already have the mindset that you aren't going to have a good time. Why go????

I hope the show i go to doesn't have to many people like that , because it could effect the band's performance. Geez Louise people, let the band's performance be the reason the show is good or not. Why as fans that paid to see the band, ruin it for other fans that paid to see the band?

[BottomsUp72]

I think the funniest thing about this is that the only reason we get 40 dates is because his kid is still in school. What a joke. The kids got no credentials and they're already revolving the band around this kid.

Dave, you disappoint me my friend. You wanted classic VH to tie up lose ends and go out with a bang. You never had closure you once said. Will this give you closure? My guess is you were probably thinking, "Can I get back to glory in 3/4 Van Halen, or in my solo career?" You fucking sellout! As much as I could care less about Van Hagar, at least Sammy had the balls to say he wouldn't tour in '04 unless Mike was on board. And now what, we get ANOTHER BEST OF??? Are you kidding me??? No wonder Mike started doing his own thing while on hiatius.

I once saw a full reunion as the concert to end all concerts. Now I just see what's coming to Cleveland and I see Van Halen and go "So what?"

As far as Ed & AL..........FUCK YOU!

DON'T EVER CHANGE, MIKE!

[DoHalen5150]

there is not going to be any protesting at any shows about mike. Its over with. He's not part of the reunion, and we need to just get over it, as we all did when Dave first quit the band, when sammy first got fired, when dave first reunited, then didn't, when sammy almost came back but didnt, when Gary was first hired, then left, and when sammy left the band again. Atleast we will all get to see Dave sing one more time with Ed, and then this whole van halen thing can stop. You all damn know that there is no chance in hell that these 2 guys will be able to be near each other by the 40th date