Controversial Van Halen opionions

[VH1986]

I totally would've traded Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Jump, and Panama, or I'll Wait for Outta Love Again.

They played Outta Love Again at the show in Louisville, KY in 2012. It was the first time they had played it live since October 7, 1979. I took my son and we had a blast. That's the show and tour I knew that Ed's superpowers had returned. And yes, the song was awesome live. It was all about Al and Ed on that song.

[Naked Wake]

All that being true.

He is indeed one hell of a talented multi-instrumental musician. And there aren’t that many of them out there. He’s not Prince, but nobody was/is or ever will be.

It’s not like he was handed a career because he said “Hwak Tuah” on a video.

while I agree with you that he's talented, he doesn't really stand out. If his name wasn't Van Halen, would half of us even know who he is? He just kind of blends in with most of the other bands of his generation.

[VH1986]

while I agree with you that he's talented, he doesn't really stand out. If his name wasn't Van Halen, would half of us even know who he is? He just kind of blends in with most of the other bands of his generation.

Wolfgang's music is as exciting as watching flies fuck. The kid does not possess the "it" factor that his father, uncle, predecessor, and "the singers" possessed.

[MF5150]

while I agree with you that he's talented, he doesn't really stand out. If his name wasn't Van Halen, would half of us even know who he is? He just kind of blends in with most of the other bands of his generation.

That’s true as well re: his last name.

But there are few people who can play guitar and drums as proficiently as he can, ignoring the fact he can sing.

He’s not Celine Dion. But he has a voice.

[Van Squalen]

All that being true.

He is indeed one hell of a talented multi-instrumental musician. And there aren’t that many of them out there. He’s not Prince, but nobody was/is or ever will be.

It’s not like he was handed a career because he said “Hwak Tuah” on a video.

Well. He was glad handed a career. There’s no padding that.

[MF5150]

Well. He was glad handed a career. There’s no padding that.

He absolutely was.

But the fact he’s actually very talented makes it a bit less about the nepotism than it would be if he was a tambourine player.

[Little Intruder]

That’s true as well re: his last name.

But there are few people who can play guitar and drums as proficiently as he can, ignoring the fact he can sing.

He’s not Celine Dion. But he has a voice.

Well one person comes to mind: Dave Grohl.

[Jeffc12]

If memory serves, they were alternating 'The Full Bug' & 'Outta Love Again' during shows on the 2012 tour. I also got to see TFB.

They were alternating the full bug with Romeo delight and they were alternating outta love again with girl gone bad. I got see outta love and the full bug in Tacoma. GGB would have been cool too but outta love again kicked ass!

[Little Intruder]

Jeff, that's what I also wanted to see: Girl Gone Bad. I've always loved that song but seems it does have it's detractors. I'm just glad they give it their all during the last few years of Edward's life.

[Naked Wake]

That’s true as well re: his last name.

But there are few people who can play guitar and drums as proficiently as he can, ignoring the fact he can sing.

He’s not Celine Dion. But he has a voice.

I'm not denying that, but is there anything he's written thus far where you're like "yep, that one's gonna be a classic."? No, he hasn't. Don't get me wrong, I like a few of his songs, but he's yet to write a "Jump" or "Welcome to the Jungle" or a "Hell's Bells" or something to that effect. Hell, even the first time I heard "The Final Countdown" I knew it was going to be big. Here we are nearly 40 years later and they're playing in stadiums. I just don't think Wolf has anything in his catalog like that.... yet.

[Brett]

There are some people here who like his music. Just a matter of taste.

For a lot of us it’s just very vanilla. And I’m not a huge fan of his voice. There’s just something about it I don’t find that enjoyable. It’s OK.

[Little Intruder]

Wolfgang is clearly talented and can still blossom into a big star of his own but the genre he's been doing is like second rate Foo Fighters stuff. I guess it's because Dave Grohl is his personal hero and wants to follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately for him, Grohl already owns that market and isn't gonna go away any time soon.

[This Shit Killed Elvis]

Me Wise Magic is one of the greatest songs the guys created. Everyone to my ears is on top form. Dave at the top of his game.

[Ashe]

Wolfgang just doesn't take risks and that's why his music is boring and uninteresting to me. There is no edge to his music. Being safe is fatal to creativity. His dad took a lot of risks and most of the time it paid off. A few times, it didn't (VH3). Wolfgang won't even begin to approach relevancy until he takes risks.

[CatchAsCatch]

Me Wise Magic is one of the greatest songs the guys created. Everyone to my ears is on top form. Dave at the top of his game.

I mean.... don't get me wrong. I love it too. But I don't think I could crown it one of their greatest.

One thing that song (and ADKOT) made me realize is how much Ted Templeman deserves credit for steering the ship. Dave's high register strained voice thing wasn't something that just happened post-1984. If you listen to early bootlegs he kind of does it in those too. I think Ted was constantly reminding him to stay in his comfort zone. Once Ted was gone there was no one to reign him in anymore.