2012 TOUR VIP Feedback Q&A

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Do NOT call them fools. They are dedicated, hardcore Van Halen fans who made the decision to purchase the VIP packages.

Would I do it? No, as I've articulated several times in this thread. But that doesn't mean I'm going to denigrate those that do.

[adena dodds]

My intension was not to degrate anyone at all and I appologise if I did. But you see, I thought that the ecomony was bad and that 1 in 5 children go to bed hungry in America, which is uncalled for (how would you ike it). I would sooner donate the 500.00 bones to a charity or homeless shelter or a soup kitchen, but that's just me. I guess I have finally grown up after 30 yrs. of being a die hard Van Halen fan. Well, I'm actually more of a David Lee Roth fan more than anything. Sorry if I have offended anyone that may not have had the chance to have had as much fun as I did as a kid. And to get it out of your system at a young age like I did. Like I said, I'm glad I don't have alot of money to burn, but if I did, I'd spend it in a different way. I had to get alot of my priorities straight at a youg age and it's through juggling nickles that I have arrived o this point in my life and money reallly doesn't grown on trees like my father used to tell us. Why does it have to be so expensive anyway? What does it have cost for a picture and an autograph? To each his own...Good luck to all!

Do NOT call them fools. They are dedicated, hardcore Van Halen fans who made the decision to purchase the VIP packages.

Would I do it? No, as I've articulated several times in this thread. But that doesn't mean I'm going to denigrate those that do.

[Panamark]

VA, were the details of what was included with "VIP" purchase ever disclosed up front ?

Dont know about you, but I wouldnt buy anything for that amount without having
half an idea. Just glad that the fans that did pay will have the best seats possible.
Some could argue, that this tour may be the last, and as a fan what price are
you willing to pay to get guaranteed "awesome" seats if the band is indeed going out with a bang...

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Sure they were....

http://vipnation.com/programs/van-halen/

VAN HALEN
Great seats, backstage tours, pre-show parties, exclusive gifts and more!

ULTIMATE VIP PACKAGE
One reserved ticket in the front row
Backstage tour
Pre-show party
Parking (where available)
Early entrance into the venue
Van Halen Ultimate VIP commemorative laminate
Exclusive Van Halen gift bag
Commemorative VIP ticket
Crowd-free merchandise shopping
On-site VIP Host

VIP PACKAGE
One reserved ticket in rows 2-15
Backstage tour
Pre-show party
Early entrance into the venue
Van Halen VIP commemorative laminate
Exclusive Van Halen gift bag
Commemorative VIP ticket
Crowd-free merchandise shopping
On-site VIP Host

TOUR PACKAGE
One reserved ticket in the first 20 rows
Exclusive Van Halen gift
Commemorative VIP ticket
On-site VIP Host

[ZahZoo]

If someone wants to blow that kind of money for a good seat and trinkets... that's their dime.

I'm sure the band appreciates your overwhelming generosity...

[hambon4lif]

If someone wants to blow that kind of money for a good seat and trinkets... that's their dime.

I'm sure the band appreciates your overwhelming generosity...

I'm sure they do!

That's an awful lot of cash to throw down for a fuckin' guitar pick and a baloney sandwich....

[VAiN]

This talk about prices is getting annoying. Yes, they're expensive. Things cost more. Accept it or don't.
I don't regret either time I did the VIP thing for VH. It's all about the seat. Anything else is just gravy.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Hence the phrase, "it's your dime".....

[adena dodds]

I'd pay the price if the only seat was on David Lee Roth's face....Sorry, but that's just how I feel...God help me.

This talk about prices is getting annoying. Yes, they're expensive. Things cost more. Accept it or don't.
I don't regret either time I did the VIP thing for VH. It's all about the seat. Anything else is just gravy.

[fwacf]

I've done the VIP thing three times..... Joe Walsh(James Gang) -He was very non aproachable-Group phot's onlly and presignes stuff....wouldn't even sign my vinyl! Then there was David Coverdale via Whitesnake at a small venue in MI...BEST TIME EVER...Coverdale and the ENTIRE band-Gave David Coverdale a DVD of California Jam when he was in Purple..Very awesome experience. Then there was the Scorpions in Detroit....LAME!
I guess it all depends on the bands.....For me to slam down a few hundred in early 2000,no problem. Now with the entire economy in the toilet...I make eagles squeal! (squeal meaning I hold onto quaters so tight the eagle squeals)

[Angel]

Wow, one of the rare times I'm thankful I'm old. I was front row every show I saw when I was a kid. General Admission, tickets less than $10.

I love first row, it's a totally different experience. Interacting with the band, you become a part of the show. I have so many stories about those interactions.

Passing Dave a joint, Eddie kissing my hand, Dave looking into my eyes while singing "all my flavours are guaranteed..." while grinding his hips (we called it the dirty dog), Eddie grabbing my custom-made VH shirt out of my hands and throwing it across his shoulders, then turning his back so everyone could see it, Dave pointing at me and saying "there's this chick here...". Sigh, such wonderful memories, except...

Fair Warning tour. I'm in my spot, front row centre...and I have my first ever "panic attack" (really, needed a pacemaker but that comes 10 years later). I look at my boyfriend and say catch me, I'm going to pass...BOOM, down I go. I come to as Security is pulling me over the barricade in front of the stage, PANIC....I have no idea where I am, what's going on, I'm freaked...so I bolt, run to the side, leaving the security guys with baffled looks on their faces.

We go sit in seats on stage right...the panic settles...and I realize that had I not bolted, I would be sitting INSIDE the barricade.

When I got my pacemaker, tests showed I had a "possible interior infarct, age undetermined". I told my cardiologist what happened that night. His diagnosis: My heart stopped, which caused a minor heart attack. My panic attacks were self-explanatory...when you're freaking heart stops, you panic, period.

[adena dodds]

Gee that sucks. I've only had 2 panic attacks in my life and it wasn't at a rock concert. I also fainted twice. But now I'm a little more sensitive. I totally agree with you as far as 10 dollar tickets go and front row and pasing doobies around. Dave pulled me up on stage in 1988 a real dream come true. I had a dream about it the week before it actually happened....One of the coolest things that ever happened to me! Yea, we had the security guards all on our side most of the time. They had a crush on some of us and they would bring us backstage even without a pass....totally cool. I wore lepard to school before it was cool...Ricky Lee Jones. It sure was a different time and place.

Wow, one of the rare times I'm thankful I'm old. I was front row every show I saw when I was a kid. General Admission, tickets less than $10.

I love first row, it's a totally different experience. Interacting with the band, you become a part of the show. I have so many stories about those interactions.

Passing Dave a joint, Eddie kissing my hand, Dave looking into my eyes while singing "all my flavours are guaranteed..." while grinding his hips (we called it the dirty dog), Eddie grabbing my custom-made VH shirt out of my hands and throwing it across his shoulders, then turning his back so everyone could see it, Dave pointing at me and saying "there's this chick here...". Sigh, such wonderful memories, except...

Fair Warning tour. I'm in my spot, front row centre...and I have my first ever "panic attack" (really, needed a pacemaker but that comes 10 years later). I look at my boyfriend and say catch me, I'm going to pass...BOOM, down I go. I come to as Security is pulling me over the barricade in front of the stage, PANIC....I have no idea where I am, what's going on, I'm freaked...so I bolt, run to the side, leaving the security guys with baffled looks on their faces.

We go sit in seats on stage right...the panic settles...and I realize that had I not bolted, I would be sitting INSIDE the barricade.

When I got my pacemaker, tests showed I had a "possible interior infarct, age undetermined". I told my cardiologist what happened that night. His diagnosis: My heart stopped, which caused a minor heart attack. My panic attacks were self-explanatory...when you're freaking heart stops, you panic, period.

[JenniferM]

Back in '99, me and some other members of the now defunct DLRML (David Lee Roth Mailing List) were lucky enough to be allowed to go backstage and meet Dave. If I remember correctly, he has had a major issue with a stalker in the past and we were told we couldn't like abruptly approach him or anything like that and no pics were to be taken. But, he was extremely engaging and answered all our questions.
I have no idea whether or not this is still an issue and may be part of the decisions that were made. At least, I am hoping that is part of the reason because the alternative is that they aren't that interested in interacting with the fans anymore. That would really SUCK for everyone.
By the way, we paid almost $200 each for our tickets (including taxes and Ticketbastard fees)and they aren't really anywhere near the stage. It will be worth it, though, considering my son is 18 and worships Eddie Van Halen. He is hoping and praying to catch a guitar pick. He asked me about the VIP package because he thinks we would get to meet the guys, but I told him there is no way I would spend that kind of money without a guarantee that we would. We are by no stretch of the imagination a wealthy family........

JenniferM

I'm not sure whether this is totally up to the bands or if it's the outcome of discussions with management. I'm not sure if it's based on need in terms of sales or keeping the fans happy. I also think it's a personal choice. I'm pretty sure I got ripped off on all of my tix, VIP and regular. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Had the time of my life in the 4th row at MSG. Will remember that night forever. Already forgot what I paid for it. Wish I could've given Dave a hug and gotten his autograph, but I'm ok with the good seats alone.

[ThatArtGuy]

Back in '99, me and some other members of the now defunct DLRML (David Lee Roth Mailing List) were lucky enough to be allowed to go backstage and meet Dave.

I remember that.

[JenniferM]

I'm the one that had her 10 year old daughter with her......

I remember that.