Concert Review: Van Halen in Clevelend, OH USA (October 10, 2007)
On the seventh show of the tour -- the newly re-constituted, rejuvenated -- the "three-parts original and one part inevitable" VAN HALEN rolled into Cleveland, Ohio USA to reconnect with fans who have waited twenty years to see David Lee Roth share a stage once more with Guitar God Eddie Van Halen. It also happened to be David Lee Roth's 53rd birthday.
CONCERT REVIEW: VAN HALEN IN CLEVELAND, OH USA (October 10, 2007)
Even all these years later, I remember the time AND the place. It was the end of January 1978 -- a couple days after the January 25, 1978 KISS ALIVE! II concert here in Buffalo, NY USA. I had just gotten home from high school, and just like ritual, I turned on my stereo to the local classic rock station -- 97 ROCK. The jock, whose name I do not remember off-hand had said that a new album had just arrived -- which would be released in two weeks -- and we just had to hear this new guitar player -- who was destined to set the world on fire, the guy said.
Then he proceeded to play the guitar solo ERUPTION and its' follow-up track -- a ballsy cover of The Kinks' YOU REALLY GOT ME. My jaw fell open in a "HOW does he do that?!," kind of way. Any way you want to look at it, on that day, at that moment, I heard the future of rock and roll! All though the rest of high school and college, I had a favorite rock band that I followed around nearly as much as some followed the Grateful Dead.
Every spring from 1978 to 1984 -- when VAN HALEN would release their new album and tour, I would disappear for a week or ten days, and see all the shows in my area -- Buffalo, NY; Cleveland, OH; Rochester, NY; Syracuse, NY; and Niagara Falls, NY USA. And, then there were the Canadian shows -- Hamilton, Ontario; Toronto, Niagara Falls; and Montreal. This was yearly ritual -- and I made sure that I got the time off of school, work, or whatever else was in my life that could be moved temporarily.
When Roth and the band parted ways -- I hoped that last night would always happen. It was better than I thought it might be. And, it wasn't just the thrill of anticipation -- they rocked Cleveland's Quicken Loans Arena for two and a half hours -- and the SOLD-OUT show had everyone in attendance on their feet the entire time.
I won't talk about the set list or the Michael Anthony controversy -- simply because those issues have been adequately covered by others who have come before me on earlier shows on the tour. Check out the VAN HALEN NEWS DESK if this is the information you are after. But, there are a few things about which I would like comment ...
First of all, anyone worried that WOLFGANG VAN HALEN is not comparable to the always solid MICHAEL ANTHONY on Bass Guitar -- as a 29 year fan of the band -- I can tell you to assuage your concerns -- the young man delivered a new dimension to the band AND its' sound -- it is much more HEAVY than ever before. The bottom bass-guitar line is much heavier and deeper sounding than Michael Anthony ever was.
The songs that really displayed this HEAVINESS were; I'm The One, Romeo Delight, Somebody Get Me A Doctor, Atomic Punk, Everybody Wants Some!!, Mean Street, And The Cradle Will Rock ..., Hot For Teacher, Panama, and Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love. Anthony had a more thumb popping sound with his bass guitar. At least with the songs they are performing on this tour -- Wolfie's sound fits much better to my sensibilities.
Here, we have the three Van Halen's [right to left] -- Eddie [lead guitar], Alex [drums], and Wolfie [bass guitar].
The kid is a damn excellent bass player -- and I have to give him credit -- especially knowing what kind of whirlwind he has just been thrust in the middle of.
The second issue on the Internet has been speculation about young Master Van Halen's ability to sing background vocals on a par with Michael Anthony. Well, we can put THIS ONE TO BED AS WELL. There were five songs in particular that brought chills to my spine to hear the backing vocals -- they were that perfect. I'm The One, Beautiful Girls, Mean Street, Little Dreamer, and Jamie's Cryin' were these songs, and the stand-out track here was definitely Little Dreamer.
The one thing that surprised me was when my housekeeper -- a nice young black lady named Brandi -- asked me in all earnestness if I had an extra ticket. Also, at the show, the black security and ushers who were standing next to me in the isle and were dancing and shaking their asses to the music. EVERYONE it seems, knows about this reunion with David Lee Roth!
In attendance, we had everyone from five year-old children and their parents, to original fans from 1978 -- and everyone in between. We had people dressed like business executives, to those who look like a great night out is a few beers and a round of table billiards at their local tavern. I just wish my own son was a little older, because he absolutely loves listening to VH in the house here.
The next issue being discussed online has been related to the "how long is this going to last?" argument, especially given the former bad blood between these band members and David Lee Roth. I will do no finger-pointing here -- but we have all heard the stories, and maybe even seen some backstage embarrassments with our own eyes. But, both sides had likely come to the realization that each in their own way -- had hit bottom and had nowhere else to go.
I mean, Roth had recently released a bluegrass CD entitled STRUMMIN' WITH THE DEVIL -- and no one at all had heard anything but five new tracks from VH in the past TEN YEARS -- besides getting dropped from their label. So, there were likely two things to do here -- pack it in for good and call it a career -- or do the quasi-reunion thing -- which is currently filling arenas again at $125.00 per ticket.
So, for once -- us fans got what WE wanted -- one rocking night of old memories. The faces in the crowd haven't changed -- they just got a little older, that's all.
© 2007 Kentroversy Papers
All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Sources:
The following sources were used in the creation of this Kentroversy Paper . . .
Van Halen Official Website
Van Halen News Desk
Van Halen I (1978) compact disc (Remastered)
Van Halen II (1979) compact disc (Remastered)
Van Halen - Women and Children First (1980) (Remastered)
Van Halen - Fair Warning (1981) (Remastered)
Van Halen - Diver Down (1983) (Remastered)
Van Halen - 1984 (1984) (Remastered)
Diamond Dave
Kentroversy
Kentroversy Papers
Kentroversy Tapes
Kentspiracy Kronicles Newsletter
David Lee Roth
Van Halen
Alex Van Halen
Eddie Van Halen
Wolfgang Van Halen
posted by Kentroversy at 7:41 AM
5 Comments:
Nice review, Kent. Have to agree with the sentiment, too, that everyone is getting what they need out of this tour.
I can't believe how Eddie looks as fit as a male stripper. Puts a marathon runner like me who has trouble staying slim enough to shame.
Funny how between Led Zep and VH you're into some pretty heavily occult-related groups. But I've never really found music that dangerous, even after Paul was replaced and all (hehe).
Greetings, Jack:
I agree with your statement -- EVH is incredible shape for a man in his mid-50's. However, I fail to see how their music is "heavily occult-related," as you say. "Unless partying and getting laid is occult in some way."
Led Zeppelin does have some occult-influences -- but with Freedom of Religion in the USA -- people are Constitutionally mandated and protected to believe in whatever they want.
Instead of worrying abut rock bands -- I prefer to concern myself with the occult practiced by our politicians -- that is much more pernicious and worrisome to myself, at least.
Warmest Regards,
Kentroversy
Buffalo,NY USA
Greetings!
Although I'm a little late coming to this blog on this particular subject, I thought I would comment on a few things. I too attended the show in Cleveland last Oct. and just bought tickets as a Christmas gift to my husband for the Columbus show this April (shhh don't tell). I thought the band did an AMAZING job and I was thrilled that the sound was phenomenal as well. DLR's pipes rocked! The only downer for me was the lack of "tricks". It was a very minimal stage without any pyro or major action. I know it was all about the music but still I expected something a little more huge for such an anticipated tour. I saw Genesis a few weeks earlier and was literally blown away by their show. I felt Dave didn't really connect with the audience. There is no comparison between the two bands except that they are legendary in their rock status, but Phil Collins left a bigger impression on me than did Dave as frontmen. Phil was all about the audience and making the connection to Ohio. VH just ran through their set. Your thoughts?
CJ
Greetings, CJ:
I have been a VH fan since January 1978, before their first album was even released! On the strength of ERUPTION alone -- I knew that we were in for a very interesting ride.
When DLR left the band in 1985, his EAT 'EM AND SMILE band included Billy Sheehan on bass, who is from Buffalo, NY USA. When Hagar joined, I stopped being a fan. I saw them on the 1988 MONSTERS OF ROCK tour, where they played Rich Stadium with Dokken, Kingdom Come, Metallica, and Van Hagar. I thought that Van Hagar sucked pretty bad -- and I held out for dreams of a reunion with DLR.
I met the band many times, and partied with them at several of their concerts that I attended from 1979-1984. However, I knew as soon as I met Val that DLR's days were numbered. They did not get along, and led me to refer to her as "Yoko" Bertinelli. She was a very prissy, bitchy type, whom I immediately disliked.
VH never toured with lots of pyro, and they didn't surprise me with the stage production on the current tour. I will be seeing them again as soon as the Buffalo date is announced this spring/summer.
I saw Genesis, and they do have an amazing production. I am also a big Peter Gabriel fan, I love him more than Genesis. He is responsible for their theatrical bent, anyway.
At the concert, I was impressed with Wolfie. He really pulled off the bass playing duties and the backing vocals.
I am unsure as to the amount of genuine love that Eddie harbors for David Lee at this point, but, it is fairly clear to those of us who have been following the drama, that neither VH or DLR had anywhere else to go.
I mean, STRUMMIN' WITH THE DEVIL, what the HELL was THAT supposed to be?!
Next up, LED ZEPPELIN'S tour of 2008 plus a new album. THAT is what I am REALLY waiting for!
Warmest Regards,
Kentroversy
Buffalo, NY USA
Ha ha "Strummin' With The Devil" you had to know by the title alone right? I saw Roth after he left VH on his Skyscraper tour when Vai was playing with him...he really was larger than life back then. I actually got an autographed drumhead from Sheehan after the show, many hours after the show, how stupid I was back then. He tossed it up to me after I waited three hours back behind the convention center they played, eh but I was a young lassie then and that's what chicks did. Van Hagar ushered in a new era. Two completely different bands. Wolfie has done an amazing job. When I lived in Los Angeles, my husband and I went to see the movie Chicken Run and Valerie, Eddie and Wolfie came in and sat in the seats right in front of us. Of course we internally flipped out. If I wanted I could've stroked the back of each of their heads. A freaking rock legend eating Hot Tamales candies with his kid and wife watching a Wallace and Grommit spin off and all I had to do was reach out, IT WAS WAY BITCHIN!!! We don't remember watching the movie.
Well I'll be interested to see the show coming up in April. I'm hoping they change the opening song. I just don't think that Kinks song is as strong as some of the other stuff to open this once in a lifetime tour, but I read that Wolfgang decides the set list. ah well...
Zeppelin, now we really are going to a far away place aren't we? Ha ha. My husband will lose his effing mind!!!!
The new album with Plant and Krauss "Raising Sand" is outstanding!
CJ
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