HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY “VH II”

**JustDave** · 03.23.19, 02:11 PM

HAPPY 40th ANNIVERSARY “VH II”

Usually sequels suck, but “Van Halen II” is the exception. This 1979 masterpiece finds the mighty VH in fine form. From the bar room swagger of “Bottom’s Up!” to the pop rock punch of “Dance the Night Away” to the tongue-in-cheek playfulness of “Beautiful Girls,” this album is a perfect follow-up companion to the band’s classic debut. Forty years later and it still sounds crisp and alive. Why? Because quality never fades and legends never die. #VH4ever

~Dave & Dave Unchained, A Van Halen Podcast

**Number 47** · 03.23.19, 02:16 PM

my favorite

**ScottyBHarris** · 03.23.19, 02:42 PM

My favorite of the Six Pack! Would be cool to see a live show with VHII played in its entirety.

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 03.23.19, 02:52 PM

IMO, the most underrated album in the entire VH catalog.

My personal favorite from VH II …

**Number 47** · 03.23.19, 03:06 PM

1979!

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 03.23.19, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by Number 47

1979!

Freshman year of high school. Damn, I'm old!

**RRvh1** · 03.23.19, 03:14 PM

Great pic of Eddie!!!
I love YNG, SGMAD, DTNA, BG, and really dig LUTS; for band tunes. Spanish Fly is pretty insane for a '79 instrumental! Edward was shredding!

**Raldo** · 03.23.19, 06:13 PM

Great album!!

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 03.23.19, 07:00 PM

My 3rd favorite album after WACF and FW. A rare sequel better than the original.

The live tones of Ed's guitar and Al's drums on the World Vacation Tour were arguably the greatest live sounds of their career. And Mike was still playing busy and not relegated to root 8th notes on this tour. The full band extended jams they routinely did during FYLT and YRGM on this tour were amazing.

YNG is my favorite studio recorded cover in the catalog.

**I Coulda Hada VH** · 03.23.19, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by JUNGLE DRUMMER

My 3rd favorite album after WACF and FW. A rare sequel better than the original.

The live tones of Ed's guitar and Al's drums on the World Vacation Tour were arguably the greatest live sounds of their career. And Mike was still playing busy and not relegated to root 8th notes on this tour. The full band extended jams they routinely did during FYLT and YRGM on this tour were amazing.

YNG is my favorite studio recorded cover in the catalog.

It's also my 3rd favorite, behind the debut and FW. It's a killer album, but it is not better than the debut.

**PrideofPasadena** · 03.25.19, 01:35 AM

3rd on my list as well. Behind FW and WACF. Just an amazing record!

Some don't like the production but I think it fits well with the party vibe of some of the songs. VH raw and unfiltered Lighting Up the Studio!

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 03.25.19, 04:45 AM

Originally Posted by PrideofPasadena

3rd on my list as well. Behind FW and WACF. Just an amazing record!

Some don't like the production but I think it fits well with the party vibe of some of the songs. VH raw and unfiltered Lighting Up the Studio!

The great thing about all the Ted produced albums is all the instruments were allowed room to breathe.

Theres been a lot of talk recently about DD being VH's summer album. For me; II is the quintessential VH summer album.

**Simon Ribeiro** · 03.25.19, 09:15 AM

Great, great record. My 2nd favourite after Fair Warning. That's Alex Van Halen record, hands down. The band is on fire and Alex is insane on that one, exception made for Spanish Fly. SF is one of their best instrumental piece, much more with the 'NOT again' and the cigar smoke. And the John McLaughlin stuff. Here by Zakk Wylde's words: 'I believe it was in Guitar for the Practicing Musician, or something like that. In fact, I actually told Eddie about it years later. They were doin’ “In the Listening Room” with John McLaughlin. You know, where they bring in a great musician, play him some songs, and then they basically share their thoughts. Well, they play “Spanish Fly” and McLaughlin was like, “Oh, this sounds very flamenco influenced. This guy is a phenomenal player! Who is he?” Obviously, John had no idea it was Ed. I remember telling Eddie and he goes, “Really? He f**kin’ said that about me?” Ed had no idea. John McLaughlin was sittin’ there going, “This guy is phenomenal! He has amazing technique!” I mean, John plays with Paco De Lucia, so I think he knows a thing or two about an amazing sick-a** flamenco guitar player, you know?'.