The Official Charlotte 9/27 Meetup/Review Thread

[kohoutek]

Review http://www.charlotte.com/145/story/296311.html
and pics http://www.charlotte.com/multimedia/...ry/296298.html

from the Charlotte Observer. There are photos from old shows interspersed with the pics from tonight's show.

[rocknrolldork]

Seems like old times: Van Halen rocks arena
COURTNEY DEVORES
cdevores@charlotteobserver.com
TODD SUMLIN/Observer StaffDavid Lee Roth (left) and Eddie Van Halen perform at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, Thursday, September 27, 2007. Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen and David Lee Roth came together for the national tour's first stop.
Slideshow: Van Halen | Then and Now 2007
Opening night of Van Halen's long-awaited reunion with David Lee Roth literally kicked off with several of Roth's highflying kicks at Charlotte Bobcats Arena on Thursday, although Eddie Van Halen was the first to appear on stage with one of his own signature hurky-style jumps.

The last time Van Halen performed in Charlotte with Roth as its frontman, he had just turned 30, gas was $1.21 a gallon and tickets to the show at the old Charlotte Coliseum were $12.50.

Twenty-three years later, the band's original members are all over 50 and guitarist Eddie Van Halen's 16-year-old son Wolfgang has replaced original bassist Michael Anthony.

The show sold out in a matter of minutes in August, and the arena was packed when the band hit the stage around 8:30 p.m., following a short but sweet set of pop and reggae-tinged R&B by Kymani Marley.

Fans assumed after well-publicized fighting, ill will and a couple of false starts over the past 11 years that the group would never reunite. But earlier this year the Van Halen brothers announced that Roth would rejoin the fold. If the group can keep egos and tempers in check (sources say the three original members arrived on separate buses for rehearsals), the reunion could be the biggest tour of the decade.

Any animosity wasn't apparent on stage as Roth and Eddie Van Halen saddled up next to each other, smiling, during "Everybody Wants Some" and "Dance the Night Away." Roth and Wolfgang Van Halen even sang "Oh Pretty Woman" side by side.

The younger Van Halen proved to be a showy player and spot-on backing vocalist, although he didn't yet prowl the stage like a seasoned vet.

His post rehab father looked skinny, but cut, as did his brother. In fact, the original members all looked fit, though none ran around the stage like they did 25 years ago.

"You Really Got Me" started things off with the band sticking to the set list that was leaked on the internet last week. Highlights included "Beautiful Girls," "Unchained," and "Hot For Teacher." The group saved its biggest single and only #1 pop song, "Jump," for the encore.

Roth left the band in 1985, scoring several pop hits on his own. His former band outlasted his solo success, topping the mainstream rock charts 11 times without him.

But to many fans it just wasn't the same without the flamboyant, larger-than-life Roth jumping and posing out front like an uber-charismatic game show host. One fan compared him to Liberace strutting in his embroidered jackets and skintight leather striped pants.

What might be overlooked in favor of his over-the-top persona is his voice, which was in peak form Thursday. He easily met and held notes that younger singers like Jon Bon Jovi just can't reach anymore.

[BrownSound1]

There's a good review...and they brag on Dave's voice. Holy shit the world is going to end. :D

[franksters]

they will login, probably later, as they are probably partying right now!!!

[bru87tr]

wow, great review. like the comment on daves voice.

from the looks of those pics, dave looks so excited to be infront of a sellout show!!!! wow!!!!

back in VH and showing the nay sayers he can sing.

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Originally posted by rocknrolldork
What might be overlooked in favor of his over-the-top persona is his voice, which was in peak form Thursday. He easily met and held notes that younger singers [...]

[blonddgirl777]

Originally posted by franksters
they will login, probably later, as they are probably partying right now!!!

Who in hell goes to a VH concert and DOES NOT party after???


I just spoke to Sparkie (nice to hear her voice)... her and Tiki are on cloud 9 !!!


We'll talk some more tomorow...
Can't wait!

[franksters]

very kool!

[jharp84]

No offense to anyone ever involved in a car accident! However, in a 1984 interview w/Dave he stated "you could walk out of a Van Halen concert and be hit by a car! Not feel it and keep walking(something similar) EXACTLY HOW I FELT AFTER 1ST VH CONCERT - AGE 15 1980 INVASION! EXACTLY! (doobage was involved! however)!!

[blonddgirl777]

Besides talking to Sparkie., I (personally) won't look for any other reviews...

I practically was there, during the whole show...
Hell, gotta keep some punch!

[blonddgirl777]

Originally posted by BrownSound1
There's a good review...and they brag on Dave's voice. Holy shit the world is going to end. :D

From what I heard, the songs where more structured and the show well organized...
No "screaming" every 5 seconds...

Also (of course), no high kicks and splits...
I know you guys don't necesarely hang up on that but for the girls that saw Diamond Dave at his physical peak... well... never mind! (it's a girl thing)...

[JMJ]

says it all right there!

[blonddgirl777]

Cool pants!

[PlexiBrown]

[blonddgirl777]

I predict Wollfie will lose that baby fat as the tour goes on...
Soon enough, he will be "cut" just like Daddy (and I ain't talkin' the bad way)...