Van Halen Destruction Again?

[STLKINGV]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

I'm sorry Drsracing, with all do respect, apparently you never saw VH with Dave. That f*cker can totally take the crowd to a level that Sammy never could. Dave IS the "Grand Marshall" of arena rock. You couldn't help but to stand up and put your fist in the air when Van Halen did a show in the early 80's. [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

Adrian

[Drsracing]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

I've seen Dave live 3 times, all great shows, but he has no business being on stage with VH at this point in his career. I don't really care who sings, as long as Eddie, Mikey and Alex are there it's All Van Halen to me

[mm2002]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

[ QUOTE ]
I'm sorry Drsracing, with all do respect, apparently you never saw VH with Dave. That f*cker can totally take the crowd to a level that Sammy never could. Dave IS the "Grand Marshall" of arena rock. You couldn't help but to stand up and put your fist in the air when Van Halen did a show in the early 80's. [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/headbang.gif[/img]

Adrian

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll have to agree with Adrian on that one. VH lost the magic when Dave left. Hey, Ed was (is) an OK guitar player and he did invent a lot of cool style, but that was then, this is now.

[horns666]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

I'd say Ed has as much impact on guitar as Jimi ..the next generation so to speak.

then along came Ynqwie.. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Birdzeyeee]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

People who know what an original gem (excuse the pun) Diamond Dave is, are mostly 35 years old and older. They were lucky enough to be in their teenage years when VH was at their peak creatively and the soundtrack to your life. The majority of people under 35 years old tend to like Sam because it was instilled in them that Van Halen the guitarist is the best thing to exist since sliced bread - and as long as Ed was in the band, it would be great no matter who else was participating. Wrong. By that time, Ed had the reputation of being a guitar genius, so he could do whatever he wanted and not lose too much audience cause most people are led like sheep and tend to go with the program so to speak. Most people who were hooked on VH up until 1986 were smart enough to snub Van Hager. Then you have a smaller audience that would eat a sheet sandwich if Ed made it. Van Hager was more the power pop Def Leppard mullet crowd. Not the DLR crowd for sure - more like the Firehouse / Autograph crowd and any other generic poser band you can think of.

Sure Ed may have had some decent riffs and solos after Dave left - but will never compare to the glory days of Roth. If you have seen both versions of the band firsthand, then you will tend to agree with what I'm stating. Sammy Hager is a nicer guy to get along with than Ed, but Sam is better suited with Neal Schon musically. I agree that Dave's solo stuff is tons better than Van Hager. Ed's personality has changed (not in a good way) from when he was under 30 years old. His addictions have grown worse over the years and Valerie left after it reached epic proportions beyond fixing. No one thought Valerie and Ed would end the 20+ year marriage. But then again, you wouldn't expect to see Ed 50 years old - drinking like an out of control fish, chain smoking heavily after having a serious bout with cancer, and letting his ego go wild and try turning Wolfie into a mini me version of himself. The stage shows have gone from Roth showmanship and cutting edge EVH tone and tude' to pop Romper Room. Ed has to REALLY hit bottom personally before he gets it - if he ever overcomes his demons and becomes more enlightened. Its all disappointing and sad that Ed hasn't matured that much as a person. Countless guitarists have smoked him since the ball was dropped some 20 years ago. [img]/images/graemlins/eyes.gif[/img] If Ed doesn't stop soon, it may be too late to turn things around on a personal level. And if he continues to do what he's doing - well its not a pretty pitcure. This isn't at all what I expected from one of my early heros.

[Endrik]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

Damn it is a shame. Stop being an asswipe Eddie.
I don't like when all the Roth fans are talking sh1t about Sammy. Roth is the best frotman EVER period but I also like Van Hagar a lot. 5150 and OU812 are great albums IMO. But DLR solo band with Vai, Sheehan and Bisonette is the greatest lineup ever IMO. And I think we all have a same opinion on VH III. I'm a huge Extreme fan and I like Gary's singing a lot but he should sing with Nuno like DLR should sing with Eddie.

[Birdzeyeee]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

I'm definitely a certified Roth guy, but can still manage to be objective about Sam. Dave has naturally flowing charisma - Sam tries too hard to force charisma. Dave has humorous inflections and 'tude in the lyrical presentations - Sam sounds like he's always groaning and grunting. Sam's shining moments are limited beyond selected VH songs, and solo stuff. Dave has a way higher ratio of appealing songs. Dave is a legendary Rock Star. Sam is a tequlia pitchman than only reached mediocre status. Don't get me wrong - Sam seems to be a nice guy and has tried to capitalize on his status of being the guy who Ed wrongfully replaced Dave with in the band by marketing himself. Can't fault Sam for wanting to line his pockets. . Dave seems very introspective and a nice guy also. Dave hasn't tried to whore himself when he could have cause he actually has more basis to than Sam. All the bravado stuff is persona. Thats show biz.

Ed sez - "You can leave yo wife but ya can't leave yo brotha!"

[Newc]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

Van Hagar was always evil incarnate. It's like trying to replace John Lennon for a Beatles reunion.

Hell, even Crazy From The Heat was better than any Van Hagar release, and Eat Em And Smile was Dave's best album ever. Too bad Eddie couldn't have been there to share [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

As for VH losing their darker edge after time - well, yeah, because the darker songs were written when they were poor and still had a pretty good memory of being poor. Once they started raking in the dough in later albums, they didn't have as much trouble on a daily basis to write about: "It seems like 40 days and 40 nights since someone used my first name.." - that's when he went from "Dave" to "Mr Roth".
Same thing happens with a lot of bands - look at Guns N Roses - "Welcome to the Jungle, we're all poor and hungry" leads to "The biggest problem I have right now is cold November Rain" [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Newc

[Drsracing]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

Dave with Vh was one of the greatest things ever BUT Like I've been saying has anyone seen Dave recently??????? I've seen him 3 times in the past 5 years or so, He has no business being on stage with Eddie, Mikey, and Alex. He can't sing, His moves are old, He does everything he did back in 1984, It's kinda old 20 years later.

[Accept2]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

Why is it that Sammy is almost 60 and he still looks and acts half the age of Dave and EVH?............Theyre done like diner, stick a fork in those two guys.........

[lerxstcat]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

[ QUOTE ]
Dave with Vh was one of the greatest things ever BUT Like I've been saying has anyone seen Dave recently??????? I've seen him 3 times in the past 5 years or so, He has no business being on stage with Eddie, Mikey, and Alex. He can't sing, His moves are old, He does everything he did back in 1984, It's kinda old 20 years later.

[/ QUOTE ]You could say the same about Ed. Everyone I know who's seen them has said Ed is a pathetic shadow of his former self. I'm sure you thought he was God at the show you went to, but you spent a fortune EXPECTING to see God, and probably had to decide it was great so you wouldn't get depressed.I have one friend in particular who is a maniacal EVH fan, and when I asked him about the show he just looked at the ground and shook his head. Even Sam is sounding tired of it all in interviews. I'm sure he'd be thrilled if Ed was sober, into it and playing worth a fukk.Meanwhile pretty much every guitarist Dave has hired could clean Ed's clock, and the DLR band sounds more like Van Halen than Van Halen, because it's Dave singing andalways a guitarist who cares about playing the songs right. Van Hagar doesn't have those things. They wrote some good songs, and a lot of schlock Top 40 crap, but they never, EVER, had the chemistry that the DLR Van Halen had.

[Birdzeyeee]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

I agree 100% with lerxstcat - Ed is looking pretty damn bad these days. Sad to hear that his drinking is past being out of control. The mule's still a kickin' stubborn to his early grave while Diamond Dave could save the day, at least chemistry wise if Ed stopped his crap. Probably not going to happen though.

Far as the band being "poor", Dave's father was a renowned eye surgeon in Pasadena and his family is quite wealthy. Just cause you have long hair and tude to spare doesn't always mean that you're "average Joe". I believe Dave keeps the family house now in Pasadena (know where it is and have seen it many times). Being familiar with the Los Angeles real estate market, the Roth house is easily worth 10 million plus.

Ed has a beach house in Malibu thats worth about same (know where it is and seen it many times). Ed was smart by investing cause 20 years ago it was probably only worth 3 million. Ed earned that dough though his efforts, as did Dave. But Dave's family had money before VH formed. Remember how Roth got in the band? Know your VH history. Dave had the PA equipment that Eddie and the boys so desperately needed to play gigs. Ed recruited Dave in the band so they could use the equipment without paying Dave a rental fee. This shows you Ed's mentality even back then - ethically a user and a turd. Dave and Ed had great chemistry. But we know who the A-hole is and has been all along.

When Ed grins, his face and jaw area looks like he has definite bone loss, his lungs are probably black from chain smoking, and lets not even discuss his liver. Ed was an innovator pre 1985 (but hasn't done anything really great since Roth left). Many imitators have smoked the innovator countless times in the last 20 years since Ed chose Poodle Head over the Diamond One. Karma doesn't sleep thats for sure.

[Guest]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

I like em both, always did. No, I didn't like it when Sammy took over, but nobody did, but... it worked! Dave was always about himself, where Sammy is not, Sammy's a team player and has a ton of fun doing what he does. He's down to earth, personable and a pretty decent singer.

You can't compare bands that are still around today, with a memory of what they were yesterday... Perfect example, look at Metallica, what a joke that turned into... I remember listening to them in the early 80's, what a difference! I saw them once before they were anything back then and haven't had the desire to go see them again.

As for the VH shows, I've seen 3 of them this yr and enjoyed each and every one of them, if I didn't, I certainly wouldn't have bellied up another $700 for 2 more 5 Stars, months after the first show.

I've met Ed a few times now, talked to him for quite some time at NAMM, and while I agree he's got his problems, but I still respect him for what who he is.

Pat

[peedenmark7]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

I have to agree, its way unlikely dave will ever be back, though I'd sit in line for that reunion.......eddies a drunk and when drinking is a major dick, seen it first hand... I was surprised sammy even came back other than for maybe a big pay day.
dave in my mind has always made that band, but he's a kook as well....appreciate the memories folks these guys are both ego maniacs and over the hill.. the target market isnt getting any younger either and is growing tired of waiting for some musical honesty....

[Birdzeyeee]

Re: Van Halen Destruction Again?

Remember how Sammy got in the band? Sam used the same Lamborgini repair shop as Ed. Ed goes in to have mechanical work done on his car. The guy who owned the shop (believe his name was Luigi) mentioned to Ed something about Sam being available and they should get together and jam. Blame it on Luigi!

Seriously, Ed has always employed the belief that as long as he and his symbiotic brother are in the same band, it doesn't matter who the other players are. Kind of a disposable ungrateful attitude by an immature punk who is now a 50 year old man with numerous problems both musically and personally. Its common knowledge that Mike Anthony was simply retained because he didn't choose sides and didn't want to lose his financially lucrative bass player position spot in the band. (Mikey would have been much easier than Dave to replace if anyone had to go, lets face it.) Mike seems to be a nice guy, but he knows where his bread is buttered even if the loaf went stale 20 years ago! He should have grown a mustache to help disguise the brown by the nose / upper lip area from all that ass kissing to save his job. Mike is a very average talent, at best. Billy Sheehan, he's not. Not that he has to be. Mike couldn't make the millions playing with anyone else. But a better bass player would have been a plus, not a major minus like getting rid of Dave.

Far as Sam "working" in VH: maybee comercially, but not musically. No VH albumn that Sam ever did is better than anything Dave did in VH. (even Diver Down which is my most unfavorite classic VH opus). But Sam didn't buck Ed until years later (and got treated poorly as did Dave). By this time, Poodle Head has become a very wealthy man. Not bad for an aging average talent rock star. The only person Ed seems loyal to is his brother Al and maybe his son Wolfie (long as Wolfie goes along with his "mini me" role as initiated by Ed). Ed certainly has never been loyal to his fans in the true sense of the word. Sure, Ed can be "nice" to the public when he knows its important to his bank account. Some people are simply impressed just meeting someone "famous" - they can't see someone for who they really are cause they "imagined" them a certain way over the years. The public are such sheep. You see it all the time with other bands, actors, sports players, consumer brands, etc. Brainwashing to serve your agenda. Which is to put money in the bank as massively as possible while stroking your ego as fast as possible. The bubble has been bursted. Kleenex anyone?

Dave may be a "kook" to some that can accept Sam in VH (cause they were force fed Sam), but he is also colorful, creative, charasmatic, original, charming, and cleverly philosophical. Oh yeah, Dave knows how to entertain and give the fans what they want. Ed has half assed tried to, has but failed for the most part. At least Dave isn't drinking himself into the ground and being a prick to everyone except Al and Wolfie. Lets just say that Roth is less destructive and unstable as opposed to Ed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not crying for any of these multi-millionaires. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]