some prose, a story, and an undying dream..

[JMJ]

for now i feel like being open, sharing some thoughts and feelings here and there. sorry if some of this may seem boring or sappy, but i feel like sharing today.

my recent encounter with michael anthony was a bit strange, somewhat peculiar. as my girlfriend called me to tell me he was there, i found myself running to my car keys and throwing on a pair of cargo khakis to see the "people's bass player" as i have seen him be referred to.

clad in black and beard full grown, mike sat next at the back of the table near the windows with fork in hand and drink in the other. i sat nonchalantly and tried to watch the red wings hockey game without staring. in about the course of five minutes after the bartender poured my beer, mike wasn't mike anymore; instead, he was a human being, like the rest of us. imagine being someone of his staure and not being able to go out at all because people hound you all the time. i think the fans owe mike a lot, it is quite possible that he is one of the contributing factors of van halen's survival. and i know soe of you want to think it is ed's guitar playing or sam's vocals that has saved them over the years but get over it. there are some things in life that need a personal touch to them, and mike's night out was no different.

it was (for lack of a better word) neat to see mike in a public setting being "normal" like the rest of us. to see that little guy so far removed from his character on stage was gratifying, if not somewhat wonderful. to be able to see someone be able to live their life aside from fame and fortune, was a reassuring thing.

it is true, all of us at one time or another (including myself) see van halen as van halen, and not as people. i think anyone here (maybe brett can relate) who has seen a bandmember in a public setting like i did can relate. they need room to breathe and they need time to heal.i do think there are things about ed's health we will never know about and maybe he is sicker than we are told, but we will never know, and truthfully, it's not our business. our business is to support him and wish them (the band) well, and to buy the records and go to the shows.

funny that i did not get to the cliffhouse (that is where i saw mike)earlier because i woould have had my vh blaring. living here in the desert, my driver side wondow is always rolled down and there's always some sort of vh playing. how cool would that have been to have him turn around and give me athumbs up ala ed and brett off the highway in los angeles?

as someone who plays guitar and a huge fan of the band, nothing gives me a greater charge thatn turning up the stereo and listening to some type of live rendition of the band. all i can remember, are the two shows i saw on the III tour and ed busting into unchained. if there was ever a moment in my life that felt like it went by too fast, but stood still at the same time, that was it. paradoxical as it may seem, it made (and does make) perfect sense to me. that moment of euphoria is one to never be forgotten.

i have visions of the band opening (with dave at the helm) and the crowd going nuts and myself just standing there, totally oblivious to the other 15,000 people around me, enjoying myself as i watch and listen to the band. there's so much to take in at a show, i don't ever think i would get tired of seeing these guys play live.

the one thing that is great, is that these guys(vh) live two lives. they are musicians,a dn they are regular pople like you and i. what i find amazing and great, is that through all the years, no matter the mudslinging, drugs, alcohol, broken marriages, lead singer feuds or management problems, they have managed to find an equilibrium between the two. not my can say they have done that. van halen has yet to fall by the wayside, and we should not be counting them out now. anyone's music that has transcended through 4 decades, can "stand the test of time" without a doubt.

what we see or hear as rumors, or what we choose to believe as fans about the band and them in their private lives, is probably 99% of the time different than what really happens. you have got to remember, conscious experience differes from objective reality.

i am sure in due time (whatever that may be) that van halen will be back in it's original incarnation and everyone will be happy. maybe i will get the chance to see mike again and tell him at vhlinks says hello or maybe, i'll do just as i did last weekend and let them live their lives that they are entitled to just as we are.

when all is said and done, i'll have the new album and have gone to a couple of shows, but i will have the distinct pleasure of knowing that these guys (aside from being one of the best, if not the greatest rock bands of all time) tried their best through thick and think; and that the music, is only a story of their lives.

you see, we love the music because we love the story....why don't we just love this story a bit longer, and with a bit more patience?

because you see, in the end, we will all have memories to last a lifetime. and i'm not talking about the music,the posters, the ticket stubs, or the bootlegs, we'll remember a group of guys who shared their lives with us in a positive light.

we've been graced with them sharing with us for so long, the very least we can do is wait and listen to see what they have to share with us one last time

JMJ

[kat]

Thanks for sharing...both the encounter and your thoughts. Kind of puts things in perspective...

It sounds as if you were really moved by seeing MA. I'm sure I would have been also. I can't imagine seeing any one of them under "normal" circumstances.

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"My belligerent enthusiasm is as optimistic as ever" - DLR

[JMJ]

don't know that i was "moved" by seeing him, just thought it was a thought that they are just like we are, only they make music for a living.

JMJ

[JWS_5150]

Great post and a great way of approaching your perspective on the members of VH.

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Dirty Faced Kid & damn proud of it.

All your base are belong to us!
Somebody set up us the bomb!
Take off all 'zig'!!

Strange is beautiful.

[Top Timmy]

This is one helluva post JMJ!! One of the best ones we've had here in some time. Let's bump this baby up so that everybody gets a chance to see this.

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VHLinks.com Graphics Dude
VHLinks.com - Your Van Halen Internet Resource Guide
VHForums.com "This is home, the only one I know" BFFF

[KenyonVincent]

(sentimental tears) You should tell Mikey the address to this place. Maybe he could stop in and say hello.

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Kenyon Vincent-the linker formerly known as Red-Balled Mammoth.
"God bless ya southern California, you people are bad-asssss"-DLR at the '83 Us Festival.
"No, that's not a microphone in my pants. I'm just happy to see ya, Californiaaaaaa!"-DLR at the '83 Us Festival

[Glenn]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JMJ:
all i can remember, are the two shows i saw on the III tour and ed busting into unchained. if there was ever a moment in my life that felt like it went by too fast, but stood still at the same time, that was it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>That may be the coolest thing I've ever read here on Links.

Awesome post JMJ.



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More perks than Elvis' night stand!!!
www.vhlinks.com

[BREW CREW]

It is a great post and story!!!
I have also met a great and popular musician recently and gained more respect for him. I totally understand now that "they" live 2 lives and respect their privacy.
Let us make the Van Halen legacy continue no matter what happens....and let's applaud when we see DLR with Van Halen step on stage again!!! Rock On Everyone!!!!

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Whoooaaa TRIGGER!!!
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I am just a punk kid who plays guitar.
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What is understood ..should not be discussed:"In Dave We Trust"
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A.K.A.:guitarsolos

[JMJ]

thanks for the kind words everyone!!

check out my post on an eddie sighting...we may be on to something here...

JMJ!!

rock on!!

[JMJ]

*bump*

hee hee! only cuz TT said we should!!

rock on brother top!!

JMJ!

[Cabo Kid]

What a post, JMJ. Very insightful and "real". Glad to see some of the Linkers have a real grip on life in general and what really matters most...

by the way...

bump.



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"Whenever we come to Milwaukee, we try and have a special surprise for you here and tonite we got a whole sh*tload of 'em for you and right now, we want to whip the first one at you here! Y'know, usually Ed doesn't sing this part of the song and when he does tonight for the first time, you'll find out why!"

-David Lee Roth, Milwaukee 1980

[JMJ]

bump, rhymes with hump...like what kobe tai did to seenbad!!!!!

JMJ

[Lead Synth]

Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it with us.

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"1989" - Maya's Van Halen Page

"Have romantic music on in the background. Whatever you do - do NOT play 'Spanked' by Van Halen." - JWS_5150

[seenbad]

quote:

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Originally posted by JMJ:
bump, rhymes with hump...like what kobe tai did to seenbad!!!!!

JMJ

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lol you fucker.

Great post man.



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sheepa latta peepah dabba looka foh a moopy


Look at that Mama, she got it sstick'n in the camera maan- (I wish I had some)

[JMJ]

seenbad..

hey man, when u are on a roll, u are on a roll!!!

JMJ