The real deal (about the reunion)

[rustoffa]

Originally posted by 5150Clown
If Ed wants center stage....GO SOLO! Sammy explicitly told him on the last interview. If he wants all the adoration and attention, he should go SOLO. But the idiot doesn't understand that as long as he uses the name "VAN HALEN" people are going to want the original line up. or at best, the SPAM line up.

*DON'T FORGET*

THE LYING SONOFABITCH STILL OWES US A TUBA ALBUM!!!!
(Major props to Lesfunk)
:D

[Terry]

Originally posted by Ellyllions
He can't go solo. He can't admit that he's too chicken shit to do it.

Maybe chicken shit is too harsh....Eddie knows he's a flawed personality and hates it. He won't admit that his stardom comes much easier when he's riding someone else's wave. So he hurts himself by not wanting a front man who can command so much attention but knows he can't front himself.

I don't believe a reunion will happen. I honestly believe that Eddie is too bitter to step back and admit he's been wrong...although I don't believe Dave would admit his wrong-doing either...not sincerely anyway.

The next true endeavor we'll see is Wolfgang, Alex, and Eddie. Just like we've heard.

Coaching is the cowards way. You don't have to be good at what you coach, but it's a great position to get all the credit....

Dunno about EVH being wrong as such, least not prior till 1996, but it just seems to continue on fronting 'Van Halen' with any singer other than Roth at this point seems foolish, and I have to believe Ed knows it.

Generally, all most people want out of the entity named Van Halen now is a reunion tour with the original lead singer. I don't even think a lot of people even expect any new, original music to accompany that endeavour. Or even really care.

To go forward under the name Van Halen with a fourth singer is just the kiss of death. Warner Brothers knows it. So does every other major label. Fair or not as it may be to EVH and Co., that's just the way it is. And the tepid response to the BOBW 2004 tracks makes it plain that even bringing Hagar back for a new record ain't gonna generate much interest beyond some half-filled venues.

Commercially, Van Halen without Roth is just dead in the water. Few if any of those 2004 promoters are gonna line up to do another Van Hagar tour.

The only card left for Ed to play that's gonna make him some money and get him any attention is one that he's unable or unwilling to pick up. Dave admitting he owns some of the blame for what went wrong is beside the point. Without Roth, Ed's done. Without Ed, Dave's gonna be stuck where he is doing what he's doing these days, too.

They all know the inning and the score. Only question left is if they still wanna play the game.

[Ellyllions]

I completely agree that there isn't any interest in new original music. They have to admit that they're truly a "back-in-tha-day" band at this point. Especially with so much tabloid press about their innerworkings.

But in my mind Ed and Dave both share responsiblity over why they parted ways. Dave got drunk on the attention and Eddie wouldn't stop getting drunk. Dave believed he was stardom, and Ed sulked because he was too shy to grab the attention that he felt he deserved.

They still, to this day feed off each other and are unwilling to admit the brotherhood bond they share. They both know that they did something special together. It's more like a bitter family fued than a band break-up. That's why they can't get it back together. People only truly hold grudges on folks that they have a deep seated, "You'll always be there" mentality. They're so close on the inside that they can't see a reunion as a business decision. Edward can't anyway. And he knows that if he goes to Dave with his heart on his sleeve that Dave will make poignant jokes after the apology to protect his own pride. Dave would apologize too but in front of press or after the fire has died he'll say something he thinks is clever and re-open the wounds. I believe it's part of what's been keeping the reunion from happening.

But this is all the opinon of someone who's only read and re-read what's been printed about the ins and outs of the whole thing.

I've found that there is a fine line between genius and insanity...and when someone has an innate talent (like Eddie) that sets standards for others to follow, those people tend to be very emotional and sensitive. They don't take jokes well. So for Dave to say things like, "Edward has been playing the same licks over and over for years" put a thorn in the mix that can't be removed with a simple, "Let's try again". I feel like after all those years he knew what kind of person Eddie was and how he'd digest remarks like that.

Dave knows he's played a part in this reunioin not happening.

[Terry]

Originally posted by Ellyllions
I completely agree that there isn't any interest in new original music. They have to admit that they're truly a "back-in-tha-day" band at this point. Especially with so much tabloid press about their innerworkings.

But in my mind Ed and Dave both share responsiblity over why they parted ways. Dave got drunk on the attention and Eddie wouldn't stop getting drunk. Dave believed he was stardom, and Ed sulked because he was too shy to grab the attention that he felt he deserved.

They still, to this day feed off each other and are unwilling to admit the brotherhood bond they share. They both know that they did something special together. It's more like a bitter family fued than a band break-up. That's why they can't get it back together. People only truly hold grudges on folks that they have a deep seated, "You'll always be there" mentality. They're so close on the inside that they can't see a reunion as a business decision. Edward can't anyway. And he knows that if he goes to Dave with his heart on his sleeve that Dave will make poignant jokes after the apology to protect his own pride. Dave would apologize too but in front of press or after the fire has died he'll say something he thinks is clever and re-open the wounds. I believe it's part of what's been keeping the reunion from happening.

But this is all the opinon of someone who's only read and re-read what's been printed about the ins and outs of the whole thing.

I've found that there is a fine line between genius and insanity...and when someone has an innate talent (like Eddie) that sets standards for others to follow, those people tend to be very emotional and sensitive. They don't take jokes well. So for Dave to say things like, "Edward has been playing the same licks over and over for years" put a thorn in the mix that can't be removed with a simple, "Let's try again". I feel like after all those years he knew what kind of person Eddie was and how he'd digest remarks like that.

Dave knows he's played a part in this reunioin not happening.

Sometimes I think I have sussed out all the non-musical reasons the band has broken up, reformed, broken up, had abortive reunion attempts - have thrown everything into the mix: it's a money thing, it's an ego thing, it's over control issues, it's certain members still carrying around and nursing old grudges...

In the end, I suppose only those four know the reasons it hasn't worked...

Nonetheless, I think you're spot-on in what you said, and Dave does bear his share of responsibility for keeping the whole back-and-forth in the press going. I'm sure it would still wound the others to hear about the things he has to say, because his barbs are pretty sharp, and from what I've read from the Van Halens over the years they come off as pretty thin-skinned to me. Roth laces into them with humor, wit and consistency. Whenever the Van Halens talk about any of it, they give off a vibe of whining.

Too bad the soap opera is all that's left.

[BenJammin]

Originally posted by 5150Clown
Thanks for the corrections. It's true, Ed didn't craft up a revenge plot but he did spit on Dave and really, it ended up in a form of revenge. You're right..Dave benefited from the whole thing because the brothers had to swallow the bitter pill that EVERYONE wanted Dave back.

It's true...Dave was naive when he went back to the band (the house of wolves). Sam explains it clearly!!! Yet Dave has taken the high road and does not talk about it. However, in 2000, Dave was ready to fight and he held his grown...that's why we don't have a reunion and he's done the right thing.

I think Ed's biggest fear is to be an "oldies" band. Well...if they wait long enough, they will be. The timing back in 96 would have been great. They would have over shadowed the KISS reaunion. But it didn't work. Now.....I'm not sure that anyone other than the hardcore CVH fans will really care anymore. Hip Hop is king, VH is a big joke that is on and off and Rock is for all intents and purposes...dead.

They missed the boat! Ed's ego eclipsed their window of opportunity.

There are a few glimmers of hope, but they will fade fast... Dave has been touring (I attended one of his concerts this year) and his voice is way better than it has been (in contrast to previous boots I have heard in past years). He looks great and has an enthusiastic stage presence as always.

If Ed would ease up on the bottle and realize their success wasn't just him, and accept their legacy (i.e. not look at it as an 'oldie' tour, but a 'classical' one... again, it's all in the mindset), then they could literally DO SOME DAMAGE in a 2007 summer tour!!! I personnally would travel considerable miles and pay substantial money to see them back together one last time.

[TheArchitect]

Originally posted by sadaist
Ah, but Ed does hold all of the cards. Everyone is willing to do it, but Eddie is the one that always fucks it up.

Don't be surprised if Dave's tombstone has written on it...


EDDIE DID IT!!!!

Holding all the cards is pointless if no one will play with you

[Jack68]

Lets just get to rehearsals first and get through that.

[Jurak]

Eddie couldn't handle it. Let the "legend" thing go to his head and instead of being a team player and acknowledging how Dave helped the band succeed, he started singling Dave out of the band. Knowing he couldn't "compete" with him, he got rid of him.

there is the key statement right there!

[DylanLeeRoth]

Ed is a fucking nazi I'm losing tons of respect for him.

[Nickdfresh]

Excuse me, Dylan, thank you for gaying up your sig with pictures of Sammy Hagar. Very homoerotic with the "perfection" caption underneath the Spam.

Well done cum-dumpster!!