Point-
With all the speculation around the supposed reunion, Wolfie's in, Mike's out...blah...blah...blah...., I just want to toss out a few thoughts on both arguments....cuz I'm caught up with both.
I agree with all those who say "Classic VH is Dave, Ed, Al and Mike. PERIOD!" If Dave does this thing without Mike, then he'll lose my respect as well after standing up for all these years and holding the 4 of them, THE BAND,and its value so high. After not wanting to even do a few tunes with just Mike in 02 so as to not bastardize the band, and then, IF he has, agreed to do this with Wolf instead of Mike makes all those comments mute. They meant nothing.
Also...IF they do it that way and call it VAN HALEN, that should get the same reaction from us as a Hagar led or even the Cherone led VH....its not VAN HALEN.
.....Dave should stick to his long standing words that....
Van Halen is, was and always will be....the ORIGINAL 4.
Counterpoint-
For 22 years, Classic VH fans have gone out to see David Lee Roth live because HE was the only magic left of the original sound and show. He's had numerous variations of "his band", none ever sounding as good as VH, but close enough as long as Dave was doing the singing. From Vai to Becker to Young, it never mattered to me who was there because I was going to see ROTH. I still go to see Roth, I did not care who the "Back-up" band was. It's all about Roth. I could give a sweet fuck who "the rest" of the band is...
So, if Roth does a thing with Eddie, Alex and Wolf Van Halen, who gives a fuck? It hasn't mattered for 22 years who was behind him, should we not go because Mike's not there?
Fuck that, its all about Roth, I'm going...as many times as I can, just like I do every summer.
I agree that Dave wouldn't be involved, if he is, if Wolf couldn't play, so I trust that he can....
On Eddie, and the overall show (If there is to be one)....
I have to think that it'll be off the charts live.
You know that Dave is on his A game already, so the A+ game would be on if Eddie was standing to his right. Thats a given.
I think Eddie would play like a man possessed for 2 reasons.
1) Roth is on stage with him. Nuff said...
2) His SON is on stage with him too. For all the reasons that I'd worry about Ed fucking this thing up,either with his shitty attitude, or his drinking, I think those things get washed if his 15 year old kid is there playing live with him. What father wouldn't be the happiest guy on earth sharing that experience with thier son? I know I would be.To look across the stage and see your kid bangin away on the music that you wrote over the course of your life would have to the greatest joy going. It'll make him want to play like he never has, why?....because he'll be that happy doing it.
I almost think that the tour would have the chance of lasting through all the dates (and then some) if Wolf is in the mix. I think the live show may be that much better too....Roth will be there.....and Eddie will be happy playing with his kid.
Bring it on.....2007