EVH can no longer play

[Panamark]

All the reports Im hearing, including some good input here from Gslinger and others, is that EVH is *NOT* playing well at all.. Apparently Sammy's own cousin for christ sakes is even posting at the SH Links saying he cant play.

Think about this for a second, Van Hagar's biggest followers and sympathizers are saying he cant play. (Based on their rehearsal performance). After hearing "Its about Time" in particular the solo, I bet every axeman here thought, shit, Eddie has lost it...

I would be intersted to hear from more people who were there, in particular, how did he play his old Solos. Im actually starting to think that EVH cant cut it anymore. There are too many reports from this rehearsal, from those that wanted more than anything to say he was good.

Was it just first night drunk jitters, or has EVH genuinely lost his magic ? Its a worry for us old schoolers that want to hear real Van Halen again one day..

[ALMOSTsaved]

I'm not really worried about his playing. He should actually be on "auto pilot." Hell, even on the old bootlegs he's kinda sloppy. I just tack it up to "drunken jitters" or just trying to make it more interesting for himself. If, in fact, it IS the nerves, it's only cuz now Ed knows his band is on the line...

Also, even though his playing might be sloppy, I bet he's probably nervous as Hell playing in front of his own son now that Wolfie's old enough to know what Dad does for a living.

If and when the time comes for a Dave fronted VH, I'm sure his playing will be just fine.

[Panamark]

I like your positive answer AlmostSaved, but Im really depressed. I think he has lost it. Ten albums worth of material, the first song we hear absoulutely sucks, even many of the hagar fans are saying the same thing, the solo is a piece of crap. You cant realy put that recording down to first night rehearsal jitters ??

Theres nothing on that new song that any of us guitarists here couldnt play. Sure he can still play guitar like the 10 million other guitarists that live on earth, but Im not hearing the old EVH magic at all...

[Bill Lumbergh]

Just imagine Ed in his current state playing 2 hours of only Roth classics............this is the FINAL nail in a possible Dave reunion IMO. Ed's done.

[lms]

I still say somthing is fishy here. I realize that they guys have been getting worse and that it is to be expected, but this is ridiculous. Its almost as if they want this tour to fail. Ed can not, I repeat NOT, be as bad as he is appearing to be. It is just not possible.

[Bill Lumbergh]

Maybe he's on something a little stronger than booze.........not saying he is, but it's possible. Damn he's a mess...........

[Panamark]

Originally posted by Bill Lumbergh
Just imagine Ed in his current state playing 2 hours of only Roth classics............this is the FINAL nail in a possible Dave reunion IMO. Ed's done.

This is exactly what is worrying me, Bill...

[lms]

I am sure he has been on something a little stronger than booze a few times before and was still able to play.

You don't play a guitar as long as Ed has played that thing, and as well as he used to play, and then all of the sudden need reminders of where your chords are...I don't think even Alzheimers could do that to him. No, something is up. The sheep in me refuses to believe Ed could sink that low. CCC wants to come in and throw their weight around maybe? Just a guess.

[Panamark]

So your conspiraacy theory LMS is that EVH is deliberatley fucking up ??
Interesting ! Ive got an open mind to anything. But the fact is, EVH is not playing the way we know he should be....

[gslinger]

Originally posted by lms
I still say somthing is fishy here. I realize that they guys have been getting worse and that it is to be expected, but this is ridiculous. Its almost as if they want this tour to fail. Ed can not, I repeat NOT, be as bad as he is appearing to be. It is just not possible.

I can tell you have not been around hardcore addicts like Eddie before. I’ve seen Eddie’s kind of DGF self destructive behavior 100’s of times in musicians that have totally lost their sole to the demons. Yeah the facts are tough here! I for one would like to see Eddie play again, but the only big crowd this guy is going to draw is at his fast approaching funeral.

It’s interesting the growth hormone and steroids Eddie has been using. Everybody blames steroids for destroying livers in athletes, but the truth is, in this day and age, anabolic/androgenic steroids are fairly benign on the liver and kidneys. It’s when you “stack” alcohol on top of GH & steroids they become toxic as hell on these vital organ, which will be Eddie’s big problem here.


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I made a thread with a bunch of VH Rehearsal pics in the DLR/VH Picture Archive Bonanza!

http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5913

[ALMOSTsaved]

I'm always going to try and remain positive when it comes to EVH...

But it doesn't mean I'm not scared shitless for him.

[street_lethal]

I think the last album Ed actually played well, technically speaking, was the FUCK album. Some of his stuff on Balance was good but he didn't rip the same way he did on FUCK. The solo in Pleasure Dome was one of his best. I think on 5150 and OU812 he was still able to rip but avoided it because he wanted to concentrate more on tunes .

Judging by how he played the old VH stuff that I have heard and have seen from the Cherone tour, he pulled off some licks and butchered others. It seems he can't pull off the fast stuff the way he used to, at least not without it sounding sloppy.

I wouldn't doubt that he is was still drugging and drinking booze.

Then again he was doing drugs and drinking back in his prime and he sounded great.

[Fabulous Shadow]

Well, We'll see folks. I must say that It's about time was a weak glimps of what is ahead I still find it hard to beieve that Ed GENIUS is all washed up. Maybe a little rusty but after a few weeks on the road he'll be in top form.

[gslinger]

Originally posted by street_lethal

I wouldn't doubt that he is was still drugging and drinking booze.

Then again he was doing drugs and drinking back in his prime and he sounded great.

Re the drinking & druggin.......Yeah, but he was in his 20's and Eddie's body hadn't taken the long-term abuse. The guy hits 50 in January! Eddie admitted years ago he had fought? D & D addiction problems since his early teens.

Dave hits 50 in October. Look at the massive difference in appearence, life style, and having your head on straight (understanding Diamond is from another planet, LOL), between Dave & Eddie for god sakes!


“Eddie’s Ready to Tour”

http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/show...=&threadid=5630

“Dave with the Rich & Famous at Southampton” – Memorial Day Weekend 2004

http://www.rotharmy.com/forums/show...=&threadid=5744

[Noodles]

i'm sure poor old Ed would be touched by you guys' worryin' about him. that's very caring and sweet. but, even his wife and old pals gave up on him over the last few years. you can only feel pity and sadness for a once-great talent who chooses to do what he does.

it's his life, and WHAT A LIFE: he's got far MORE of everything-everybody-wants than 99% of the human race, fer chrissakes. how can you feel sorry for more than a minute or two when you remember that?

No one expects an old, neglected junker (even if it is a Ferrari) to look or perform like it did when it was new (especially with that wannabe Hagar at the wheel -- the guy is not respected for one thing, no matter how many things he attempts).

whatever. MUSICALLY (all any of us here really get to know of evh) the guy hasn't been innovative or even interesting to listen to since about 1985 (i remember the 5150 tour opener, and he just played all his signature licks/fills, no imagination or fire at all. that's when the magic faded for me).

did y'all get to see him When He Was Great? 1977 - 84? if so, then you have the memories (and all the old LPs, bootlegs, etc.) to take you back again.

[likewise, ever been to Cabo to see any of the overhyped Shammy Bday shows? sadddd-lafff. the folks who attend those are just UNBELIEVABLY unworldly hicks. i was astounded (1991 was cool, 1992 was ok, 1996 a really bad joke). the unsophisticates still flew-in from Nowheresville USA, lined-up to worship their Fat Masturd and saw pretty much NOTHING else of Cabo San Lucas. i had conversations that left me falbbergasted. what small minds, smaller spirits.]


no one cares about today's EVH. it's more curiosity ... "can he still play?" (right, Panamark?)

well, i ain't ruining my MEMORIES (many, many from 1977-93) with whatever the hell is parading itself around calling itself Van Halen.

because it ain't.

but, i'll d/l and listen to yet another unearthed audience-bootleg from 1981. and, i'll get that feeling again. the GOOD ONE. that still makes your fur standup. still makes your balls tingle. still makes your mouth go WHAAAAA. and, still annoys the shit outta most people over 30.

Thank God for all the bootleggers, or we wouldn't have ANYTHING else from those daze. Hendrix --and, many others-- spent far less time in the spotlight and left FAR MORE REAL MUSIC before they checked out ... and, they're still alive EVERYWHERE because of it.

NOTHING Edward Van Halen has done since 1986 or so will be remembered in 10 years .

The EVH that will live on forever is the young, firey, smilin goofball-genius that we still remember fondly today: The one from 1977 - 1984. the one who all the Guys wanted to be and all the Girls wanted to be with.

Eruption On Fire Light Up The Romeo Delight Mean Street Hear About Unchained Sunday Afternoon and Little Guitars Drop Dead Teacher