Questions about Big Bad Bill (is Sweet William Now)

[Heisenberg]

Maybe it was Steve Lukather & the Toto ghost session musicians.

Hahaha

[Number 47]

[Naked Wake]

Let's move this to the Controversial thread.

"Ed/Alex/MA did not perform on BBB. The music was lifted from a 1930's era record and DLR sang over it."

[I Coulda Hada VH]

Let's move this to the Controversial thread.

"Ed/Alex/MA did not perform on BBB. The music was lifted from a 1930's era record and DLR sang over it."

Yean, 3/4 of the OG lineup is going to fake a song with only Dave performing for real. NFW.

[Edword]

Yes, I've considered that. They did "play on the boat" in the early 60s. But how long did they play with him for?

This is pretty well-documented. They played with their father HERE, not on the boat. Ed and Al both spoke about this in interviews. I recently listened to Alex's audio interview with Rosen in the 80s, and he covers this. There are pictures of Ed and Al as teenagers playing a wedding or something with Jan. They both said their age didn't factor in their father's mind as musicians. The only question was, "can you play?" They proved they could, and that was all they needed to play with Jan and his bandmates. If someone couldn't make a gig, called out sick, or whatever...Ed and/or Al covered it.

[Little Dreamer]

This is pretty well-documented. They played with their father HERE, not on the boat. Ed and Al both spoke about this in interviews. I recently listened to Alex's audio interview with Rosen in the 80s, and he covers this. There are pictures of Ed and Al as teenagers playing a wedding or something with Jan. They both said their age didn't factor in their father's mind as musicians. The only question was, "can you play?" They proved they could, and that was all they needed to play with Jan and his bandmates. If someone couldn't make a gig, called out sick, or whatever...Ed and/or Al covered it.

I remember this. I wonder how long that went on for, and what music they played.

But this doesn't change the fact that Mike didn't play in Jan VH's band, and still, he's walking that double bass like a pro.

There are still unresolved mysteries about Big bad Bill. In interviews, they only mentioned Dave choosing it, and Jan playing on it. Never talked about the process of them recording it.

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[Jamie M]

When i listen to BBB i have to remind myself i am listening to VH, such a great song.

[Jamie M]

Jazz and blues go hand in hand. But yes, VH could be jazzy too.

I am, apparently, the only VH online fan on the planet who digs Apolitical Blues. And I do dig it.

Now wait a minute
Ayy, yo, my telephone is ringing
They told me, they told me it was Chairman Mao
Ayy, my telephone is ringing
And they told me it was Chairman Mao-ah-oh
Ah, mama, just tell 'em anything
I don't care, I just, I just don't want to talk
I just don't want to talk
I just...I just don't want to talk to him now
No calls, no calls

You are not alone brother, i also love APB.

[BlofeldsCat]

I rarely see this discussed, but it has bothered me for a long time, maybe 30 years.

When discussing Big Bad Bill, most people only talk about "hey, so sweet, Jan VH is playing clarinet solo with his sons, etc." Which I do agree is cool to hear ole pops VH, and see his solo is not un-Ed. You get that he influences Ed.

But I've always had totally different thoughts about Big Bad Bill. How come it sounds so GOOD?!?!?!

It's because it's a shuffle. Van Halen have always been at their peak when playing with swing.

They're such naturals at it that I'm surprised they weren't more like ZZ Top.

[Brett]

What BC said. The Van Halen shuffle.

[Larsen]

There is a pic, though I'll be damned if I can find it, where Ed is playing acoustic guitar in the studio with a music stand and sheet music. I always assumed it was taken during the recording of BBB. Anyone else remember this?

Here is BBB with vocals removed:

[ziggysmalls]

IMO songs like BBB is what made CVH so great. Nothing sounded contrived even if it was. Just like their live shows. We all know everything was staged but it felt like it was off the cuff.

I for one never bought the whole Eddie never read music thing (cause you gotta do sight reading at piano competitions) however I assume he could read guitar chord charts. In fact I do believe he said he had one in front. I assume the chords with M7, m7, etc

That said I love a good conspiracy. Maybe Jan called up some of his old jamming buddies to sing with Dave and him?

[Elwood P.]

Heck, I'd have killed for Ed, Al, Dave, and Mike to do a full blown blues record.

Amen Brother!

[Simon Ribeiro]

It's no mystery.

A lot of folks don't hear it, 'cause of their metal roots, but VH is a pretty bluesy band, if you listen to the foundations of their Dave era tone.

Heck, I'd have killed for Ed, Al, Dave, and Mike to do a full blown blues record. I'm sure Dave would've loved that, but the Rat Salad-Crossroads Dutch boys, less so.

Hey! Come on!

I'm one of the biggest Metal Heads here and I love DD, ALL the tunes on it.

It's far from being a metallian not to enjoy the tune. It's just something else.

Don't blame us Overkill or Testament fans.

[CaboChris]

Hey! Come on!

I'm one of the biggest Metal Heads here and I love DD, ALL the tunes on it.

It's far from being a metallian not to enjoy the tune. It's just something else.

Don't blame us Overkill or Testament fans.

Squalen has a real disdain for metal. I think he was born in the wrong era. I don't think he's actually an 80's kid.

He's very high browed about his musical tastes.