Roth better with VH or Vai?

[guwapo_rocker]

Ahhh sheeeeese beautiful alright!

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

Good question. I think the vai/sheehan band was likely one of the most technically proficient rock bands ever. Eat Em and Smile is likely the Album I would choose of any on which DLR has participated. However, though it was a great work, there's something about that old Van Halen sound that was right. If the question is, "where was he most at home?" I have to say Van Halen. Van Halen created the sound that DLR later adapted to Vai. Via and Ed are such vastly different types of guitarist, I could not say who was the best of the two, but I do know this: They both did their best work under the guidance of David Lee Roth.

[guwapo_rocker]

Originally posted by TwoFoolsAMinute
They both did their best work under the guidance of David Lee Roth.

That is a great post!! A vote for you!

[VHFan]

a no brainer

This is a no brainer, even though he was pretty good with Vai, I still have to say DLR /w VH from the AMOUNT of killer material they both put out together...The album 1984 and after their final tour ended around August/Sept. '84 the VH legacy continued, but not nearly to the same level it was before...:-(

[SoCalChelle]

I think he was better with Ed, but he was great with Vai too. I'd go see a reunion with either one.

[Wayne L.]

Eddie took Dave farther than he has ever gone or ever WILL go when he was a member of Van Halen & those six VH classic rock albums while Steve Vai is a great rock guitarist in his own right it's DLR who is in control of his backup band!!!

[TongueNGroove]

Originally posted by TwoFoolsAMinute
I could not say who was the best of the two, but I do know this: They both did their best work under the guidance of David Lee Roth.

Ever heard of "Passion and Warfare"? Ever heard of "5150"? THey both did great work David, but they did just as good work(Eddie) and even better(Vai) away form Dave.

Lest ye forget, the Guitar player writes the songs. They come up with the music and ideas. The lead singer (atleast in Daves case) meerely writes the lyrics and helps with vocal melodies. This is no where near the contribution the guitar players make/made.

If I had to order importance of instrument in the two bands I would do it like so:

Van Halen: Guitar, Drums, Vocals, Bass

DLR with Vai: Guitar, Vocals, Bass, Drums

Hence, DLR made a bigger contribution with Vai than with VanHalen, and IMO it really showed. Not only in the music, but in the whole band vibe and look.

[TwoFoolsAMinute]

Hand me them shears!

[scottydabodi]

Anyone who thinks Dave JUST write lyrics and melodies is SEVERELY retarded. Dave is the ONLY guy whoe would tell Ed to "Keep this riff-it's great! Throw this other riff out cuz it SUX!" Ed thinks he's the greatest guitarist ever, and naturally he doesn't think ANY of his riffs suck... PROBLEM IS that most of 'em do. That's why we've had 19 years of the same pussyass fruitcake tunes... Hagar ain't sayin' shit to Ed about his riffs suckin' cuz either 1.Hagar doesn't KNOW any better, 2.Scared that Ed will fire him, or 3.Doesn't give a fuck. All three seem reasonable to me, and all three are HIGHLY UNACCEPTABLE!!!! F-HAGAR and F-ED!!! No more mediocrity!!!!

[secrets]

Originally posted by Bill Lumbergh
Well this is a no-brainer..........Of course it's Dave with Ed, that's a legendary combo that will never be matched. But I LOVE EEAS and Skyscraper.....

Exactly. Dave was best in Van Halen. Van Halen was best with Dave. End of story.