More "newbie" questions...

**eden** · 02.07.07, 11:23 AM

Got some more, if you don't mind:

1) For those of you who have seen VH multiple times, who do you think has been the best opening acts?

2) Why is he referred to as the "Red Rocker"? (yes, I'm sure everyone knows that one.)

3) This may be a toughie: why did the band (or maybe just Ed) choose "You Really Got Me" as a cover song on their debut album? Cuz it's a perfect choice - the Kinks version is great, but with the VH edge, it's killer!

**Wickett** · 02.07.07, 11:44 AM

Outside of Monsters of Rock (Kingdom Come, Dokken, Metallica, Scorps, VH headlined) and Private Life (the band Ed produced once), I can't remember many of the opening acts (been to 9 shows)... oh yeah, there was BTO on the 5150 tour.

**fullbug5150** · 02.07.07, 12:25 PM

Templeman and Roth picked YRGM.

**Brett** · 02.07.07, 12:37 PM

Best opening act even though they got booed was Alice in Chains.

Not sure on the Red Rocker thing, I think it's because he used to always wear red clothes in his early years.

Ted Templeman told them they had to have a cover on their first album, since they're easily recognizable songs and he suggested YRGM.

**RcoasterA** · 02.07.07, 01:01 PM

Isnt it becuase one of hits was "RED" from the RED alblum?

**Brett** · 02.07.07, 01:04 PM

Not really sure it came from that though, maybe that was all part of it. I don't know enough about his pre-VH days to say, I'm sure someone will though.

**blackandblue88** · 02.07.07, 01:20 PM

Collective Soul on the Balance tour was good as was Kenny Wayne Shepard on 3 tour. I think Alice in Chains opened for them too.

**bsbll4** · 02.07.07, 02:04 PM

Sam was known as the Red Rocker before the Red album. Basically, and since I'm from St. Louis this is like dinner table conversation, he just kind of got stuck with it.

He's not exactly sure how it happened. Yes he wore red, had a red guitar, but it wasn't his shtick. Then someone started calling him that and it stuck. Some have thought it was because of his hair, but his hair is blonde, so I'm not sure how they got to that. Once he started getting called it, then he just ran with it.

That's the best answer I can come up with. Like Brett said, I'm sure there are others on the board that can answer that one too.

**darthadv** · 02.07.07, 03:06 PM

i also always thought it was a nickname that came from the single and album...

**Van Squalen** · 02.07.07, 03:32 PM

It originated from the song. It's his favorite color, 'cause his father's and his personal boxing gloves were red. Fans just started labeling him as such, so he rolled with it.

**wham bam will rock** · 02.07.07, 03:35 PM

IMO, Alice In Chains was the best opening act, picking from all the VH shows I've been to.

AT · 02.08.07, 12:39 AM

1. I saw Baby Animals open for VH in '92, and for the life of me I can't remember who the opening band was for the Balance tour here in July of 1995. Kenny Wayne Shepard opened both shows of the III tour I saw, Shinedown played the St. Paul '04 show, and again I can't remember who opened the show in Fargo on Halloween '04.

2. No idea how Sammy got the Red Rocker title. I'd say he adopted it though, eh?

3. Templeman was always big on covers (take a look at some of the other non-VH albums he produced). He always described them as "already a hit." Templeman and Roth got crazy with the covers on Diver Down, that pissed Eddie off, so Ed build his own studio and hasn't recorded a cover since (not including the impromtu jam-turned-bonus-track "A Apolitical Blues" on OU812).

**eden** · 02.08.07, 05:14 AM

Originally Posted by AndrewThomas.net

3. Templeman was always big on covers (take a look at some of the other non-VH albums he produced). He always described them as "already a hit." Templeman and Roth got crazy with the covers on Diver Down, that pissed Eddie off, so Ed build his own studio and hasn't recorded a cover since (not including the impromtu jam-turned-bonus-track "A Apolitical Blues" on OU812).

DD has 3 covers? I never was crazy about Pretty Woman - the original version either. And Dancing in the Streets doesn't do anything for me. I don't mind covers, as long as the original is a good song, and covering it makes it better. Where have all the Good Times Gone - I think that's the title - I love that song! Never heard the original. The tone on the opening of that song is beautiful.

**eden** · 02.08.07, 05:17 AM

thanks, guys, for responding to my questions. It's amazing how people around here know every little detail about this band, and they're very generous in sharing what they know. It's so much fun to be around other VH fanatics!

**LoveWalkinIn** · 02.08.07, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by eden

DD has 3 covers? I never was crazy about Pretty Woman - the original version either. And Dancing in the Streets doesn't do anything for me. I don't mind covers, as long as the original is a good song, and covering it makes it better. Where have all the Good Times Gone - I think that's the title - I love that song! Never heard the original. The tone on the opening of that song is beautiful.

There are 5 covers on DD:

WHATGTG
Pretty Woman
DITS
Big Bad Bill
Happy Trails...