Van Halen fans are the greatest in the world.

[thinlineokc]

Free speech. Ain't it Grand? Anyway, heres my 2 cents at this juncture of the game.

Why the silent treatment from the VH camp?
This being the information age and the www giving anyone with a computer almost instant access to any information has certainly spoiled a lot of people.
Before the www you had to wait for your issue of Hit Parader or Circus to get any info and updates from bands, now we are spoiled and want info immediately. The # of "fans" that join these message boards and that have a presence on the web is probably 1/1000 of the actual total # of fans( fuzzy math what a concept.) So the non computer vh followers have to wait for info just like the good ol' days. The only difference now is that the online fans get to express free speech, good or bad, to everyone else online.
The silent treatment should not be that big of a surprise. I don't think the band really view the www and their web site as the be all end all communication forum for their goings on.

2. Why would Michael Anthony say that they are working with Dave and then recant?
- Michael has been saying Dave's in since shortly after Gary resigned. There was a news post at the VHND in 99 where Michael said Roth was in just a few days after Gary left and then when I went back the next day it dissapeared and nothing was ever mentioned again about it. It seems there were a couple of other times he has said the same thing. Michael Anthony is just the Bass player in the band, he is arguably the luckiest musician on the planet and it seems to me he is just a passive partner in the Van Halen hiarchy. Dave may have very well been involved when he has made his comments and I think he wants to do the right thing and give us some insight into what is going on, but he is not an official spokesperson for the band and he should make absolutely sure whats going on before commenting again.
Or he is wanting to be fired and is stirring up controversy.

Ed's Cancer-
Ed had or has a very nasty form of cancer. Any cancer that is actually in your head cannot be good. I'll believe he's kicked it when I hear it from him. He stated in Max Golf that he would not go in to details about his fight until he has completely licked it. Well, he's given no details so I don't think he is completely out of the woods yet( regardless of what Valerie says). Think about it you go to a doctor and he tells you you have cancer. Your whole mindset has to change. You realize your mortality. Even if you are the greatest guitar player in the world and are a living legend, it doesn't matter. You are going to die and you have to accept it. Then you have to go thru chemo and radiation and surgery etc. This cannot be a pleasant experience.
I respect Eddie more as a (hopefully) cancer survivor than a musician. When you put it that perspective who cares if he puts out another album, at least he is alive.

Is Dave in or out?
Obviously they worked with him a year and a half ago and must have seen it as an opportunity to complete some unfinished business, but that was a while ago and they haven't even contacted each other since. Bottom line is if they wanted to work with Dave they would be working with Dave, they are not. They haven't even spoken in over a year and a half. People are still talking about an album and summer tour, its ludicrous to think thats going to happen. I see people ragging on bands like Aerosmith and Kiss for selling out and in the same breath insisting that VH get back with Dave. Guess what? That would be the ultimate sell out. I can't see VH at this point selling out to make buck. VH and Dave don't get along. They parted ways in 85 for a reason they parted ways in 96 for a reason and this third time they tried again and its not happening again. An ex-wife or girlfriend is an ex for a reason. Sometimes they get back together for the kids, but it's doubtful Van Halen is going to do that for their kids (the fans) I believe if Ed's healthy they will move forward without Dave. I'm not saying thats what I prefer but the reality is Eddies not the Eddie of 1984 and its his band and he can do what he wants with it and he is going to want to work with someone for the longrun and not for what the fans or WB's wants. He has to be happy. If he's not happy then it's not worth it. I don't think he cares one way or another about getting signed to another major label. He has nothing to prove. Sure I'm putting Ed on pedestal because he is Van Halen if he died today Alex isn't going to hire Walsh or Vai or Chicken Teriyaki to take Ed's place. Theres a reason his name is synonymous with Hendrix and Clapton and Page. Because he is (one of) the greatest guitarists of all time.

Sure VHIII may have been sub par but one out of eleven isn't too damn bad. If you can't experiment then your not an artist. Metallica more or less bombed with "Load" so its not uncommon for bands to have a stinker every once in a while. After the attacks I listened to III again and for some reason it didn't suck as bad.
"That's Why I Love Ya" would have helped that album enourmously. However, there was no chemistry with that particular lineup and Gary did the right thing.
I never realized the contempt people had for that album till I got on these message boards. Not only III but Sammy and Gary as well. Its almost a passion for some people, oh well everyone has the right to their opinion.

Starks caught a lot of flack for his cryptic countdown thing. It wasn't even on the official site. So who cares.

No more 4th singer threads please. Or just leave ONE open.

Congratulations to Ed for 22 years of marriage and being a father and husband. And especially for finding time to squeeze in some damn good music for us poor deprived fans over the last 25 years.

I wish the best for Mike and Al.
Good luck to all of the ex-singers as well.

I hope I have my facts straight. If not, I'm sure I'll find out about it in a professional and constructive manner.
As for my opinions, thats exactly what they are. opinions.
peace

[Scotty]

Don't we have a thread for "novels?"

[theodore templeman]

Getting back with Dave would not necessarily be a sell-out if it was done in the spirit of creating something new and interesting with strong ties to a bygone time. Remember what Dave said: All the members of an orchestra don't have to like each other to make good music.

[hellohawk]

"Van Halen fans are the greatest in the world."

Thanks. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

[joedog]

thinlineokc,

The only problem with the first part of your post about the online fans is:

Of those 1/1000 fans of the whole fanbase, a number of them are going to be from the media outlets that print that information for the other 999/1000 to read.

[CroatianPride]

Van Halen is the greatest band ever. But as far as the fans being the greatest in the world? Please! Most of the fans who are on the boards are the whiniest most cantankerous bunch of wanna-bes!

[Fontcow]

Originally posted by CroatianPride:
Van Halen is the greatest band ever. But as far as the fans being the greatest in the world? Please! Most of the fans who are on the boards are the whiniest most cantankerous bunch of wanna-bes!

Thanks for proving your point by whining about the whiners.

[ED-A-HOLIC]

I totally agree.
GREAT POST. [img]graemlins/thumb.gif[/img]

[BEZEK KNOWS BEST]

good post