Has Van Halen Lost It?

[jaywa]

I'm seeing a lot of comments on other boards (not TB) from people who have seen Van Halen recently and have been very disappointed. They are saying that David Lee Roth especially has been "not good". Also that the band in general seems to be "flat" (which I personally attribute to the lack of Michael Anthony, who I believe the band misses far more than they will ever admit).

Anyone on here want to verify (or refute) that from their own recent experiences?

 

[fraublugher]

According to my guitarist they were just fine on the last/current tour.


Still though , Rosie O'Donnell can't hold a candle to Micheal Anthony.

 

[hdracer]

Yes
Van Halen has turned into the Brett Favre of rock & roll

 

[portlandguy]

I will not see them without Mike.

I would live to see Mike play with Sammy down in Cabo - I just need the plane tickets

 

[phillybass101]

I mean, how old is the guy? I'm 56 so I hang out at the open mic at the blues club, do an occassional gig here and there. After a certain point, let's face it, it ain't quite over but it's pretty well done. I'll never stop playing but touring at his age has to be a grind.

 

[5StringBlues]

A good while back actually.

 

[jaywa]

I mean, how old is the guy? I'm 56 so I hang out at the open mic at the blues club, do an occassional gig here and there. After a certain point, let's face it, it ain't quite over but it's pretty well done. I'll never stop playing but touring at his age has to be a grind.

Not to mention, in VH's case, they've piled even more booze, stage volume and loose women into the equation than a lot of bands of that era did.

A couple people said DLR was even biffing / forgetting lyrics to the songs this last time around. That can't be good.

Rumor has it they may be doing the Super Bowl halftime show so I'm wondering if it will be worth staying by the TV for.

 

[PluckyThump]

For me they lost it way back when they kicked Sammy out of the band the first time. The album with Gary Sharone was terrible and I have not given a damn about VH since then. Would never pay money to see the current washed-up version.

 

[Not yet]

I mean, how old is the guy? I'm 56 so I hang out at the open mic at the blues club, do an occassional gig here and there. After a certain point, let's face it, it ain't quite over but it's pretty well done. I'll never stop playing but touring at his age has to be a grind.

Little different here. After years of being a corporate drone not playing and a general lousy person my wife dragged me out to play again knowing I was missing a huge part of my life.

15 years later, now 55, I play out average 6 times a month, better w age than ever (though nowhere near as flashy) and way happier.

Of course it ain't a tour (but let them try and do the corporate dance all day and then run out to play 4 hours in a biker bar) and I don't sing. But it really is in your head-yes, all IMO.

I have heard Eddie's playin great these days though

 

[66Atlas]

DLR has been hit-or-miss live for well over a decade I think. There were lots of negative reviews from his tour with Sammy and even before. Anyone remember his attempt at a Vegas show? Yikes that was bad.

 

[DBCrocky]

Can't lose what you never had

 

[jaywa]

Little different here. After years of being a corporate drone not playing and a general lousy person my wife dragged me out to play again knowing I was missing a huge part of my life.

You've got a good wife. Mine basically did the same thing for me only I was a little younger than you were at the time.

 

[Biggbass]

VH lost it when DLR left and Sammy joined. The original band during it's first big run was awesome. After that it's been downhill ever since. Now it's just a joke.

 

[CrashClint]

Awhile back I heard that Sammy and Mike were working on a project. Anyone know if this is fact or fiction?

 

[stringtapper]

Awhile back I heard that Sammy and Mike were working on a project. Anyone know if this is fact or fiction?

That would be Chickenfoot with Satriani and Chad Smith from RHCP.

 

[skee616]

CrashClint - go check out chickenfoot.

 

[spade2you]

I saw them on their last tour with Sammy. They started out great, but EVH got plastered as the show went on. I was just glad they started the show with some great tunes or it would have been an expensive waste of an evening. EVH got so drunk that anyone in the audience could have played his solos better.

 

[Mike M.]

Little different here. After years of being a corporate drone not playing and a general lousy person my wife dragged me out to play again knowing I was missing a huge part of my life.

15 years later, now 55, I play out average 6 times a month, better w age than ever (though nowhere near as flashy) and way happier.

Of course it ain't a tour (but let them try and do the corporate dance all day and then run out to play 4 hours in a biker bar) and I don't sing. But it really is in your head-yes, all IMO.

I have heard Eddie's playin great these days though

Man....you are so lucky to have that kind of a woman in your life. I know of so many guys who's wives or girlfriends who one one hand, admire the talent thier man has, who know it's a part of them but then when the guy wants to do what you're doing...well, we can't have that now can we?

Glad to hear you're out playing and digging life.

 

[BassPlayer900]

Can't lose what you never had

+1

 

[2behead]

All I have to say is Tattoo