VAN HALEN ONCE AGAIN!
Yesterday in L.A.:
Guitarist Eddie Van Halen and singer David Lee Roth
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On August 4th Eddie Van Halen became one of the final choices of my small feature "Fun Guitarist Profiles" (which concludes on August 25th). Recently, a dear friend gave me a gift of 6 Bon Jovi CD's and I've been loving every single minute of rediscovering this incredibly tight band. Part of discovering this magic last year and including this summer ("later than sooner" ) is fairly explainable. Like many of you (I'm guessing) the 1990's contained a period of years where I worked at my career--literally--7 days a week. Of course, under those conditions you miss a lot. Especially catching quality time to stay current with all of the bands who had their first break somewhere back in the 1980's or 90's, as they blew onto the music scene. When you hear music and love it as much as I do, you're almost a pseudo-student listening for patterns and what exactly is the "IT Factor"--for lack of a better explanation--that makes one band identifiable from another. As I've also mentioned in this Blog, serendipity has been so powerful this summer for me, where I'll find myself creating a Blog Post on a given subject only to see a news item written about in the news or trade papers just days later. And so here again, I was glad to open a trade paper and say "What!"
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Yesterday in Los Angeles, Van Halen held a press conference and announced David Lee Roth will once again front the band with Eddie and Alex Van Halen and Eddie's son, Wolfgang on bass. Their 25-date tour encompasses the U.S., Asia and Australia beginning September 27th in Charlotte, North Carolina. Unlike many other bands where a sense of stability was present, Van Halen has navigated a stormy existence with quite a human toll. For a band that basically broke up in 1985 only to re-assemble anew, this is really much more pleasant news to report. I certainly wish them well. It's exciting to think of the possibilities if the band can find stable ground and just make music. Here are some quotes from yesterday's press conference in Los Angeles. It sounded pretty hopeful!
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David Lee Roth: "This is not a reunion, this is a whole new band."
Eddie Van Halen: "It is totally blowing our minds and I think it will yours, too. It's better than it's ever been."
David Lee Roth: "Then we make an album, lots of dreams, lots of ambitions."
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posted by Michael Manning @ 12:01 AM
18 comments
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18 Comments:
I saw a comment you left on a fellow cancer survivor's blog, your comment said something to me so here I am :) Very nice place you have here, I need upbeat places like this to keep me focused on other than Cancer.
Hugs
I give those guys 4 shows before Dave and Eddie are at each others throats again. While I love the idea of Dave once again fronting Van Halen, I wonder if their love of a big paycheck will really put aside their extreme personality clashes. About a year ago Eddie phoned in an interview with Howard Stern and he sounded absolutely nuts.
That said, if I have the chance I will see that show. Between the Police and Van Halen tours, I'm feeling like I'm back in Jr. High. I'm going to have to get a jean jacket with an Iron Maiden back patch, a pack of Marlboro reds, a mullet and a cheesy little mustache to complete the time warp.
Hey, I'm back. What a time! Yeah, I'm looking forward to hearing what these guys cook up next!
DLR hasnt changed much has he?
I still like their music. I once saw them in concert in the 80's, it was great!
wow, that was '85 that they broke up in? that makes me feel old...lol!
It's amazing the tumultuous path this band's career has lead. And Eddie Van Halen looks so different now!
Hi Sandee: Welcome! :D!!!
Jason: Jean jackets!!!!
Bud: Welcome back! I hope these guys can hang together. When clashes happen, they just harm themselves and no one gets to hear what they've come up with. So, I'm cautiously optimistic. Looking forward to visiting your site!
Barngoddess: EVH did a stint in rehab, which is positive. Hoping for a nice tour to rejuvenate these guys. It's been a long time. Time to rock!!!!
Dawn: So many personal differences destroy bands. I know some that had all the promise in the world and shake my head that no matter what anyone tried they just couldn't work together. But in this case, let's hope the glue sticks!
Janet: DLR said "it's amazing
we're all still vertical". They were a hard-living group. Let's see what happens. I'd like to see them!
The other day I was going thru the stations in the car when I found a song I love so I cranked up the station and rocked out on I-35. Then I realized I was listening to a "Classic" rock station. I still thought it was current. My version of cool has become classic. I feel oh so crusty.
Jessica: If the music holds up, why feel weird when it was created? Most of us were not born when Elvis hit the scene. But that doesn't mean I can't love his version of "Way Down" from way back in 1977 just before he passed away. It's just a different style or direction from where a Ritchie Sambora solo CD may be taking you. But whether it's Jewel or a Doobies Brothers concert. Either way, I'm there! :) Good music is always in style. So you have cool tastes! :)
Hello Again ,
Hope your well , I have been catching up with you , lots of good reading here, thanks!
I seen David Lee Roth on a late night talk show about a year ago ,He seemed very different , he is always flambouant(spell??) but he seemed very shall I say "Out of touch with reality " I hope this tour does wonders for him as it was sad to see him so fragile minded . Yes I know the scene he was living "Rock Star " and all that can cause issues but this was different , just sad, may have been just that interview ??
anyway , I have rambled long enough , enjoy your week . take care
greeneyes
I looked at tickets for their Charlotte show... steep but how cool would it be! Wow i've loved Van Halen for years and with Eddie's son Wolfie playing with them... awesome!
This is such great news! I have always enjoyed VH. Never seen them with Roth at the helm though. Sadly, they aren't coming to where I live just yet. Hoping this all pans out and they do as I've love to see them!
Ally
Greeneyes: Hey, hope you are enoying summer! :)
Patti: And to think "Wolfie" is 16!
generally hospitalized: I'll bet if the tour holds together and does well, they will add dates and you may have a chance!
Wolfie is 16 years old! Unbelievable that anyone would take their 16 year old on tour - or allow them to be around David Lee Roth. Ew.
Jeez, they've had some work done eh?
One of my favorite bands from the past.
I wonder how Wolfie sounds...must be good since he is Eddie's son.
:)
Have a wonderful Wednesday!
~xo
Claudia: I've just posted above (late in the day)a point about age. Considering these guys are still alive, they are very lucky! I can't see a new bass player either and I don't know what to say about going on tour at 16. It has to be strange even for "Wolfie".
Lee Ann: Nice to swee you here. Yeah, I hear he is note to note tight on their material. We'll see. I'd like to see them. xo!
Did David Lee Roth get hair implants? Michele sends me today but I've lurked here before. Have a good weekend.
used*to*be*me: So, YOU were the lurher, huh? :) Michele is so cool, isn't she? I can't answer your question on the status of David Lee Roth's hair. But I always like to give people the benefit of the doubt and say, "it's probably his hair"! I hope they rock at near a city near you!
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