Van Halen Were the Greatest Live Rock Band of All Time! -Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard

[James in New York]

https://www.loudersound.com/news/van...-stone-gossard

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Van Halen were the greatest live rock band of all time, says Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard

By Paul Brannigan (Classic Rock) 3 hours ago

Pearl Jam guitarist Stone Gossard pays tribute to Van Halen in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine.

Speaking in the new issue of Classic Rock magazine, Gossard reveals that the death of guitar legend Eddie Van Halen on October 6 hit him hard, and paid tribute to the Californian band’s “totally joyous” live presence.

“I knew Eddie Van Halen had been battling cancer for a long time, so I was shocked, but I wasn’t totally shocked that he had passed away,” Gossard admits.

“I don’t think there was a better live music experience than Van Halen, just in terms of hitting all the marks of bringing people together, totally joyous, groovy, light-hearted, whimsical. Van Halen were the greatest live rock band of all time.”

Previously, as the news of the guitar hero’s passing broke, Gossard told KISW in Seattle, “Van Halen changed the world and that’s true originality right there.

Nobody knows how to really play like him.”

[JUNGLE DRUMMER]

I knew PJ's lead guitarist, Mike McCready, was a big fan. I didn't know Stone was also such a big fan, but it makes sense, lol.

[Raldo]

“I don’t think there was a better live music experience than Van Halen, just in terms of hitting all the marks of bringing people together, totally joyous, groovy, light-hearted, whimsical. Van Halen were the greatest live rock band of all time.”

Hit the nail on the head.

[DFVH5150]

They sure were. Didn't even need pyrotechnics.

[atomicpunk5151]

They sure were. Didn't even need pyrotechnics.

They blew off PYRO at outdoor shows.

1991 FUCK Tour. Summer Outdoor run.

Go to 4:12 in.

[NWA72]

Gossard & especially McCready are huge Ed fans.

[DFVH5150]

They blew off PYRO at outdoor shows.

1991 FUCK Tour. Summer Outdoor run.

Go to 4:12 in.

I'm talking about the Dave era. The Sammy Era was the best, too, but especially the Dave era when they were younger.

Yeah if I remember right pyro was used from '86-'92.

[Dr5115]

So many great bands that had peaks and valleys in regards to their live performances. Even the Mighty VH had some bad shows (2004).

VH is one of my favorite live bands without a doubt and when they were on their game they were hard to touch. Off the top of my head, Iron Maiden has to be up there as well, those guys have consistently put on great shows.

[VanRoth07]

He would be correct

[HippieLettuce]

The Who is right there.

[wombattt]

The Who is right there.

Van Halen was one of the best without a doubt...but along with The Who, The Rolling Stones, Zeppelin and a a rare few others hit those same heights...diff’rent strokes...all are correct and none are wrong.

[Ian Sane]

Van Halen was a great live band, no doubt.
There are plenty of others though. AC/DC, Iron Maiden etc..

[James in New York]

He didn't say VAN HALEN was the ONLY great live band!

[E-roc]

Not to be cynical, but I'm constantly surprised by the folks that say they were VH fans - this case in particular. What I mean is, many of the 90s bands seemed to learn nothing from VH. Maybe that was a reaction to the 80s bands who all aped the most superficial aspects of the VH style, but I just don't see it. I guess you can be a fan and not really be influenced, but PJ is a rock band, and I was always bothered that they were always so tame, as such, and contained none of the VH ethos.

[BlindtotheWorld]

He didn't say VAN HALEN was the ONLY great live band!

Exactly. You can't objectively call any band the greatest but obviously for these guys and their formative years, VH was that band.