Michael Anthony's actual contribution to classic Van Halen

[sadaist]

Yeah there was some cheesy stuff by 87 but for fuck sake in comparison to anything since it was a joyous amazing time.

Oh, for sure. Compared to anything in the last 15 years, 1986-1989 blows it all away without a doubt. I had wonderful times at all the arena shows back then. San Diego Sports Arena was THE place. And although I liked the music from 75-85, 1986-1989 was the period of the most arena shows....at least in my neck of the woods. All the bands that made the great music before, were finally big enough to headline their own tours in the latter half of the 80's. What a great time to be a rock music fan. (and have a terrific Mom that allowed me to go see shows)

[sonrisa salvaje]

The biggie for me in 86 was obviously EAS but, hell, i'll admit it........i loved Turbo, i loved Somewhere In Time, and i loved Ultimate Sin (wasn't that in 86 too?). Also, Ratt Dancin Undercover was that year if i'm not mistaken. Oh, i can't foget about Accept's Russion Roulette.

[Etienne]

You obviously have no idea what Michael Anthony's voice sounds like...

Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers?

[Nickdfresh]

That is funny because i didn't know Ed or Al could sing...

I actually think Ed has/had a decent voice for backing vocals. Maybe he destroyed it with alcohol and cigarettes, I dunno. But there is some decent singing where his low-voice contrasts well with Anthony's--as did Dave's--on the live boots...

[indeedido]

I liked his voice on the one line he sang with VH III at that Australia show during Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love. The track on VH III is a different story.

[Terry]

For me, most of the big name hard rock/metal acts peaked around 1984-1985, and in some cases even earlier.

Stuff like Turbo, Somewhere In Time, Whitesnake 1987, Permanent Vacation, Hysteria, Who Made Who, the Ultimate Sin, Dancing Undercover...all representative of bands whose best work (or at least the stuff from them I liked the best) was already at least a year or two behind them.

Couple of exceptions here and there such as EEAS, Master of Puppets, Appetite (I will always give GnR credit for putting out a great rock album that stood out like a beacon when stacked up against the utter shite band MTV had in heavy rotation such as Poison, Bon Jerkoff, Winger and that ilk)...most of the stuff on Sesh's 1986 and 1987 lists I have no desire to hear these days.

[sonrisa salvaje]

Agree with you Terry.

I think when you talk about the winds of change as the 80's moved on you don't have to look any further than the difference between EAS in 1986 to Skyscraper in 1988. The difference was staggering.

If you look at just 1980 to 1985 it is difficult to even come up with a top 20 list for any year as to the best albums. We have had those threads before and you just can't narrow down the greatness that was coming out. If you limit it to just hard rock and metal you probably can but if you include new wave, pop and rock which all had valid candidates and damn fine moments, you would be hard pressed to limit youself to 20 records per year. What an unbelievable time period for music it was.

[ZahZoo]

You're just saying that because you were middle aged at the time.

We members of the generation after yours think it was great.

Middle aged eh? WTF? When did late 20's become old?

Ha!! Your generation was still playing with their teenage mutant ninja turtles dolls and fucking Barbies back in 87!!

[Terry]

Agree with you Terry.

I think when you talk about the winds of change as the 80's moved on you don't have to look any further than the difference between EAS in 1986 to Skyscraper in 1988. The difference was staggering.

If you look at just 1980 to 1985 it is difficult to even come up with a top 20 list for any year as to the best albums. We have had those threads before and you just can't narrow down the greatness that was coming out. If you limit it to just hard rock and metal you probably can but if you include new wave, pop and rock which all had valid candidates and damn fine moments, you would be hard pressed to limit youself to 20 records per year. What an unbelievable time period for music it was.

It'd be a mistake, or at least a very narrow viewpoint, to say that any particular timespan didn't produce music (or film, or literature, or television) that was created with integrity and a purpose that went beyond just making money (I realize artists need to pay the rent, too) and performed by musicians that were talented and capable. I'm sure the mid to late 1980s has such examples to be found.

It just seems that as the years wind on, one has to look harder to find these examples (and often search far below the popular radar) because either the general public doesn't really care enough about what major studios, labels and publishing houses are churning out and has just accepted a substandard quality of popular culture (or prefers mindless entertainment over anything 'deep'), OR because the majors are overemphasising the business angle and have realized they can get away with subpar quality if they make a big enough splash in terms of packaging and hype.

In terms of popular rock music, by the late 1980s it was just sad that there were so many tunes being churned out that were about as deep as a kiddie wading pool with nothing to recommend them save for perhaps a million mile an hour flurry of masturbatory guitar histrionics in the middle of these meatheaded songs. It got to the point where everything else besides a band looking good while posing in a promo video took a back seat.