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Okay, Okay. This rant may piss some people off, but if you’re going to introduce yourself to the site then do it with a bang. And Sarge, great site by the way. I love it.
Here’s my 2 cents.
First and foremost, VAN HALEN is and always will be Ed, Al, Michael & DAVE! In my humble estimation, the greatest rock band in history. However, after reading several posts here, I’m surprised at some of the unjust and excessive criticism regarding the reunion with Sammy. Is it VAN HALEN? Hell no, we all know that. But some of the threads I’ve read directed toward Ed seem callous and discordant.
Is he a drunk? I don’t know, maybe. Is his smoking repulsive considering he’s battled cancer? Without a doubt! Is his ego out of control? Who knows? But, and here’s the big question, is he the most influential and musically significant guitar player of the last 30 years? Absolutely!!!
Come on, you remember what it was like to listen to Romeo Delight for the first time - Or Mean Street, or Little Dreamer, or Eruption. You remember. Hell, he influenced an entire generation to play guitar, grow their hair and appreciate strange red/black/white striped patterns. Ah, memory lane. Sad, but it isn’t 1984 anymore. All of us on this board is different, Ed’s different, even the grandmaster DLR is different. Time moves on. And nothing we do can change that.
Is it a crime that there is no more VAN HALEN? Damn right. Just think of all the great music we could have been listening to over the last 19 years. Instead, we were given two great new songs in 1996, and from the looks of it, that’ll be all we get. Egos..everybody’s got one.
However, I’m encouraged. I love Dave’s new band. Brian Young is a monster player and Ray is a killer drummer. And Dave, well he’ll always be Dave – in the same class as Jagger, Tyler, even Plant. When I saw Dave on tour with Sammy in 2002, it rocked! Dave and the band kicked ass! It’s easy for me to say that I really enjoyed his set more so than Sam’s. But Sammy didn’t suck; he’s just not Dave. Sam has his own thing going and like most all of you on this forum, I’m not crazy about Sammy’s “interpretation” of Dave’s VAN HALEN material either.
But I’ll listen to the new material because I want to hear Eddie play guitar. I just view it as a totally different band. I don’t think of it in terms of VAN HALEN. Sure, it has the VAN HALEN label, but it’ll never be VAN HALEN without Dave. Again, we all know that. But you can’t tell me that Judgment Day doesn’t have one the best solos of all time. Or that Black and Blue isn’t a great riff. Ed is THE man! Drunk, sober, married, divorced, sick, healthy, crazy, sane or ego-driven…He’s an awesome, innovative and creative musician.
I was in Greensboro for the tour opening. It was a solid rock show. There were miscues, but they were a hell of a lot more on-cues. A six-year stage hiatus was apparent and this group hasn’t been together in what, 9 years? But make no bones about it; Eddie is one badass player! He’s still very relevant! No, Sammy didn’t do Jump or Unchained or Panama justice. He’s not Dave, how could he? But the show didn’t suck either. And contrary to reports on this board, the place wasn’t half empty. I read 18,000 were in attendance, but a more realistic number would probably be closer to 15,000.
Bottom line, when DLR left the band Ed, Al and Michael should’ve changed the name. Without Dave it just is not VAN HALEN. With Sammy it’s a totally altered band, a completely different dynamic. It’s poles apart. It’s night and day. But I’ll buy tickets to see them play this summer. Just like I’ll catch the DLR band every time they’re near by.
I love the Atomic Punks. You know why? Because they bring back the passion and spirit to every classic VAN HALEN song they cover. They’re talented players, good showmen and all-around great entertainers. Ralph is brilliant and Russ is fantastic. It’s fun. And folks, for now, the Punks will have to serve as the torchbearers.
Maybe one day both camps can reconcile, but I won’t hold by breath. I’ve been waiting long enough. Who’s to blame? Hard to say and I’ve lost track of time trying to figure it out. Ah, memory lane. If only it were as simple as it were in 1984.
Better yet, induct them to their rightful place at the R&R Hall of Fame and force them to speak. Force them to perform at the induction ceremony. Who knows? Stranger things have happened. Oh shit, it sounds like I’m holding my breath again.
Here’s my 2 cents.
First and foremost, VAN HALEN is and always will be Ed, Al, Michael & DAVE! In my humble estimation, the greatest rock band in history. However, after reading several posts here, I’m surprised at some of the unjust and excessive criticism regarding the reunion with Sammy. Is it VAN HALEN? Hell no, we all know that. But some of the threads I’ve read directed toward Ed seem callous and discordant.
Is he a drunk? I don’t know, maybe. Is his smoking repulsive considering he’s battled cancer? Without a doubt! Is his ego out of control? Who knows? But, and here’s the big question, is he the most influential and musically significant guitar player of the last 30 years? Absolutely!!!
Come on, you remember what it was like to listen to Romeo Delight for the first time - Or Mean Street, or Little Dreamer, or Eruption. You remember. Hell, he influenced an entire generation to play guitar, grow their hair and appreciate strange red/black/white striped patterns. Ah, memory lane. Sad, but it isn’t 1984 anymore. All of us on this board is different, Ed’s different, even the grandmaster DLR is different. Time moves on. And nothing we do can change that.
Is it a crime that there is no more VAN HALEN? Damn right. Just think of all the great music we could have been listening to over the last 19 years. Instead, we were given two great new songs in 1996, and from the looks of it, that’ll be all we get. Egos..everybody’s got one.
However, I’m encouraged. I love Dave’s new band. Brian Young is a monster player and Ray is a killer drummer. And Dave, well he’ll always be Dave – in the same class as Jagger, Tyler, even Plant. When I saw Dave on tour with Sammy in 2002, it rocked! Dave and the band kicked ass! It’s easy for me to say that I really enjoyed his set more so than Sam’s. But Sammy didn’t suck; he’s just not Dave. Sam has his own thing going and like most all of you on this forum, I’m not crazy about Sammy’s “interpretation” of Dave’s VAN HALEN material either.
But I’ll listen to the new material because I want to hear Eddie play guitar. I just view it as a totally different band. I don’t think of it in terms of VAN HALEN. Sure, it has the VAN HALEN label, but it’ll never be VAN HALEN without Dave. Again, we all know that. But you can’t tell me that Judgment Day doesn’t have one the best solos of all time. Or that Black and Blue isn’t a great riff. Ed is THE man! Drunk, sober, married, divorced, sick, healthy, crazy, sane or ego-driven…He’s an awesome, innovative and creative musician.
I was in Greensboro for the tour opening. It was a solid rock show. There were miscues, but they were a hell of a lot more on-cues. A six-year stage hiatus was apparent and this group hasn’t been together in what, 9 years? But make no bones about it; Eddie is one badass player! He’s still very relevant! No, Sammy didn’t do Jump or Unchained or Panama justice. He’s not Dave, how could he? But the show didn’t suck either. And contrary to reports on this board, the place wasn’t half empty. I read 18,000 were in attendance, but a more realistic number would probably be closer to 15,000.
Bottom line, when DLR left the band Ed, Al and Michael should’ve changed the name. Without Dave it just is not VAN HALEN. With Sammy it’s a totally altered band, a completely different dynamic. It’s poles apart. It’s night and day. But I’ll buy tickets to see them play this summer. Just like I’ll catch the DLR band every time they’re near by.
I love the Atomic Punks. You know why? Because they bring back the passion and spirit to every classic VAN HALEN song they cover. They’re talented players, good showmen and all-around great entertainers. Ralph is brilliant and Russ is fantastic. It’s fun. And folks, for now, the Punks will have to serve as the torchbearers.
Maybe one day both camps can reconcile, but I won’t hold by breath. I’ve been waiting long enough. Who’s to blame? Hard to say and I’ve lost track of time trying to figure it out. Ah, memory lane. If only it were as simple as it were in 1984.
Better yet, induct them to their rightful place at the R&R Hall of Fame and force them to speak. Force them to perform at the induction ceremony. Who knows? Stranger things have happened. Oh shit, it sounds like I’m holding my breath again.
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