I just can't do it!

[HissingCobra]

I don't know man, this shit that's going on with the band is totally fucked up. I am a DIE HARD Van Halen fan of both eras but I cannot in good conscience, buy an overpriced ticket to see the upcoming tour. Why? Here's my reasoning.

For some odd reason, the Van Halen brothers have once again fleeced their longtime fans into buying into their bullshit. As they bill this as a reunion of the classic lineup, we quickly note that it's NOT a reunion at all. It is an event put together for greed and money.

From 1987 until 1995, I'd been to 7 concerts which featured Van Halen's music. I've seen David Lee Roth 3 times on his own and he was excellent the first two times (with Steve Vai on both tours and Billy Sheehan on the first one). The 3rd time, he recycled everything that he did on the first two tours. I've seen Van Halen 4 times with Sammy Hagar and all 4 shows were excellent. Because of this, I feel that I can comment on what's going on.

Classic Van Halen includes Ed, Al, Mike and Dave (it says so on all of their early albums). This lineup is NOT classic Van Halen without Mikey and I will boycott the tour because he's been screwed.

It's nice that Ed wants to bring Wolfgang into the fold and the kid is probably a badass musician but he doesn't belong there! I do not mean any disrespect to him whatsoever.

A true tour should have gone something like this and I think that this would have satisfied EVERY true Van Halen fan in the world if it went down as I describe.

My view of the new tour:

FOUR HOUR CONCERT WITH NO OPENING ACT!

Open up with Dave and rip through the classics for 1.5 hours. Leave the bigger ones for the encores.

Ed and Wolfgang solo for 30 minutes or so. Dueling guitars and a bass/guitar jam would simply ROCK the house!

Open up the 2nd part of the show with Sammy and rip through their songs for 1.5 hours, also leaving the biggest for the encores.

Thirty minutes of encores, with Dave and Sammy flip flopping songs from their eras.

Let's face it. The ticket prices are going to be HIGH. I don't think people would mind paying high prices if they got what they all want.

This was hard for me to write. I've worshipped this band for over 25 years and promised both my 11 and 8 year old daughters that we'd go and see them when they came back. It's now over. That band has gotten their last dime from me.

For christsakes Ed and Al, give the fuckin' people what they want! How hard can it be?

[Wolfgang_'99]

Well good for you, I'll be there.

[Special Plans]

4-hour concert, eh?

Sure! No big whoop...

[HissingCobra]

4-hour concert, eh?

Sure! No big whoop...

It's not a big whoop. Springsteen gave his fans a 3 hour concert a few years back. For the amount of money these buffoons will charge, a four hour concert should be expected.

[Special Plans]

It's not a big whoop. Springsteen gave his fans a 3 hour concert a few years back. For the amount of money these buffoons will charge, a four hour concert should be expected.

1. Springsteen songs/performances are not Van Halen songs/performances.

2. 3 hours is not 4 hours.

[HissingCobra]

1. Springsteen songs/performances are not Van Halen songs/performances.

2. 3 hours is not 4 hours.

Really? I don't know about you but Springsteen brings it EVERY fuckin' night. He doesn't come onstage wasted like Ed does. As for 3 hours not being 4, it's close enough. Four hours is HALF the amount of regular people's workdays. There's nothing wrong with coming onstage at 7:00 pm and leaving at 11:00 pm. They'll surely NOT be overworked. As stated before, they'll be well compensated, due to the cost of the tickets that they'll be gouging their fans for.

[twonabomber]

Sam closes? surely, you jest.

[Special Plans]

Four hours is HALF the amount of regular people's workdays.

Just take a look around and tell me how many artists, let alone artists in their 50s, are doing 4-hour shows.

Should we expect a lot for the prices they're asking? Of course. Should we expect a 4-hour show from anyone for any price? I really don't think so.

[Lodewijk]

If only the tour was general admission....we could all take one step forward !

[HissingCobra]

Sam closes? surely, you jest.

I never said that Sam would close. I stated that they can flip flop songs from their eras. Dave could be the closer.

[HissingCobra]

Just take a look around and tell me how many artists, let alone artists in their 50s, are doing 4-hour shows.

Should we expect a lot for the prices they're asking? Of course. Should we expect a 4-hour show from anyone for any price? I really don't think so.

Besides Ed and Wolfgang, the rest of the band will play 3.5 hours (they'll have the half hour break during the solo. It's called giving the fans what they want. They've given us nothing but shit for the past 10 years and now they're not only shitting on us by not having Mike in the fold, they're shittin' on him too.

[buster65]

RUSH 3+ hour shows

eagles 3+ hour shows

journey 3+hours shows when headlining 2 tours ago

smashing pumpkins 3+ hour show last time i saw them


these are the types of bands that give people their monies worth

[Lodewijk]

these are the types of bands that give people their monies worth

I've seen VH 14 times and I've NEVER walked away feeling ripped off....even in 04'.

[buster65]

I've seen VH 14 times and I've NEVER walked away feeling ripped off....even in 04'.

amen. i have seen them at least that many times also and was at opening night in greensboro last time.i have not felt ripped off, however i was just pointing out that other bands do 3 hour + shows and don't have a problem.



as far as this tour goes. i hope and pray to baby jesus they embarrass themselves even more that they already have,and that ticket sales fall into the gutter. i will be at the shows that are near me and will be the first to admit they were awesome if indeed they are.but i can still hope.

i guess i am different from most people on here,but when i go to concert i would at least like the songs being sung sound a little coherent.

just my opinion,not here to start trouble

[wham bam will rock]

just my opinion,not here to start trouble

Around these here parts, you could say "I love everything and everybody" and someone would call you out and say "No, you DON'T, and here's why."

LOL!