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First off, let me say that I saw VH in Jacksonville, and loved every moment of it. The review you'll find on the front page I wrote was my newspaper column for the week (every Wednesday in the Thomson newspaper group, circulation around 3 mil or so), and I meant every word of it. It meant a lot to me to see the boys showing how it's supposed to be done.
Anyway, let me chime in on what I believe may be wrong with Eddie. I don't believe it's cancer or back on the bottle personally. The last cancer checks he had were good, and I just don't see him imploding on the sauce in full sight of his own son.
However, we all know he has been fighting either some carpal tunnel, tendonitis, or plain arthritis in his wrist and left hand since this tour began. That is common knowledge.
I don't know how many of you have arthritis, but if you are a guitar player that has been playing for 30 or so years (as I have) and you've played for untold countless hours (as I have), arthritis in your fingering hand can be a flat bitch to deal with (as I have tried). And, there ain't a whole lot out there that just gets rid of it - you control it to a degree and just do the best you can.
If you've ever had tendonitis, lots of ibuprofen or something of the sort to reduce the swelling and rest are all you can do to stay functional. It hurts like a mutha.
Rest or surgery are the only remedies for carpal tunnel. Again, very painful, and can be debilitating if you aren't careful.
Where I am heading with all of this is that any one of these could very very easily explain what has happened. No scandal though - just old age reminding Ed that it is firmly entrenched.
NOW, with all that said...there is a chance that pain killers might have something to do with something. Depending on what it is, a combination of anti-inflammatories and painkillers would be quite normal (been there, done that)...and with someone who has had some dependency issues along the way...I'm just saying...
I really think when the wash is hung out to dry we'll find out all of this drama surrounding these postponed dates isn't nearly as "shocking" as some have speculated (of course, with the history at play here, I can understand the pessimism).
I just know that from all indications short of some incredibly crappy sound production/guitar issues, this tour has been nothing short of amazing overall, and Eddie has really given the outward appearance that he has really enjoyed being onstage with DLR and Wolfie moreso than we've seen in 20 or so years from him.
But he ain't no spring chicken (none of them are...ok, so maybe Wolfie...), and the combination of time and mileage do take a toll - especially on the fingering hand of a speed demon.
FWIW....
Anyway, let me chime in on what I believe may be wrong with Eddie. I don't believe it's cancer or back on the bottle personally. The last cancer checks he had were good, and I just don't see him imploding on the sauce in full sight of his own son.
However, we all know he has been fighting either some carpal tunnel, tendonitis, or plain arthritis in his wrist and left hand since this tour began. That is common knowledge.
I don't know how many of you have arthritis, but if you are a guitar player that has been playing for 30 or so years (as I have) and you've played for untold countless hours (as I have), arthritis in your fingering hand can be a flat bitch to deal with (as I have tried). And, there ain't a whole lot out there that just gets rid of it - you control it to a degree and just do the best you can.
If you've ever had tendonitis, lots of ibuprofen or something of the sort to reduce the swelling and rest are all you can do to stay functional. It hurts like a mutha.
Rest or surgery are the only remedies for carpal tunnel. Again, very painful, and can be debilitating if you aren't careful.
Where I am heading with all of this is that any one of these could very very easily explain what has happened. No scandal though - just old age reminding Ed that it is firmly entrenched.
NOW, with all that said...there is a chance that pain killers might have something to do with something. Depending on what it is, a combination of anti-inflammatories and painkillers would be quite normal (been there, done that)...and with someone who has had some dependency issues along the way...I'm just saying...
I really think when the wash is hung out to dry we'll find out all of this drama surrounding these postponed dates isn't nearly as "shocking" as some have speculated (of course, with the history at play here, I can understand the pessimism).
I just know that from all indications short of some incredibly crappy sound production/guitar issues, this tour has been nothing short of amazing overall, and Eddie has really given the outward appearance that he has really enjoyed being onstage with DLR and Wolfie moreso than we've seen in 20 or so years from him.
But he ain't no spring chicken (none of them are...ok, so maybe Wolfie...), and the combination of time and mileage do take a toll - especially on the fingering hand of a speed demon.
FWIW....
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