Van Halen Practice @ Forum, 9/16/07
All Kinds of Awesomeness
The term “awesome” has become rather banal these days. It’s used for things such as seeing Charo in line in front of you at Whole Foods or your new jeans or that Thai restaurant on La Brea. But last night, I saw something that was truly awesome.
No doubt you have heard that Van Halen is back and David Lee Roth is ready to unleash his crazy (yeah, originally I didn’t care either). Last night at the Forum (where the Lakers and Van Halen played in the 70’s and 80’s, incidentally), Van Halen held a final tour rehearsal for 300 of their closest family and friends, and I found myself invited. We were ushered in and seated in the pit, 2nd row center.
What I was treated to was some serious old-school-kick-ass-rock-n-roll-the-likes-of- which-I-have-never-seen. David Lee Roth is 53 and Eddie and Alex Van Halen are 52 and 54, respectively. There was nothing 50ish about these guys. They looked and sounded just like they did in 1984, albeit missing their rocker hair . Laser show, wardrobe changes, giant remote controlled blimps with Van Halen logos cruising overhead, drum and guitar solos, NO recorded voice tracks — this was shit I haven’t seen in a long time. I didn’t realize how much I missed it. It was one of the best shows I have ever seen, and I’m not even a Van Halen fan.
One note is that this truly isn’t a reunion tour since the former bassist, Michael Anthony, was replaced with Eddie and Valerie Bertinell’s 16-year-old son, Wolfgang. Wolfie was nervous as hell, but he held his own on bass. His voice really stood out (not in a good way) – they would be wise in turning down his vocals. But you know, the kid is 16 years old with acne! His voice probably hasn’t even finished changing.
Fantastic show.
[UPDATE: More VH photos now online! Check 'em out here.]
[UPDATE: As mentioned, more VH photos now online here.]
DLR brings it.
Not bringing back Lil’ Mikey is a travesty, though. How the hell are you supposed to do “You Really Got Me,” “Beautiful Girls,” or “Jamie’s Cryin’” without his backing vox?
Awesomeness. I’m going to start saying that.
Not so sure I’d pay to go see Van Halen on tour, but it kind of feels like one of those things you should do b/c they’re like legendary.
Also it’s a good excuse to wear spandex pants. So maybe.
Damn, I wanna go. Will Losanjealous be giving away tix?
Pamela, did Diamond Dave jump off the drum riser and do any splits??
And is that four kick drums I’m seeing? I’ve never seen Van Hagar/Halen live so I’m not sure how routine a setup that is.
This was a great way to start my morning, thank you.
jeff, i’m sorry but i’m a girl so i know not about kick drums and such. but i would think that whatever most people have, they had 3 more. because they’re van halen.
and no jumping and splits but for a 53 year old, the high kicks and unleashing of the sexy were enough. didn’t want anyone to get hurt.
Bring back Michael Anthony! Not the best bassist ever, but they need his backing vocals.
I saw the Roth/Hagar tour, when was that, about 6 or 7 years ago now? First time I saw either of these gents. M. Anthony played with Hagar. Decent show, but just not satisfying. Roth was clowning it, coming on stage with midgets, Hagar was trying to prove something, and endlessly plugging his designer tequila. This will be much more impressive. Must try to catch this along with Roky Erickson at the El Rey.
How in the hell is it that 16-year-old Wolfgang is the more out-of-shape than his 50+-year-old bandmates? Welcome to America, laides and gentleman!
nice pics…looks like a good show…
My brother knows Wolfgang. He’s a good kid and plays bass good. It’ll be tough filling in on BG vox for Michael Anthony, but I think he’ll be ok. Good luck Wolfie!! Jer.
[...] just as perplexed by The Sopranos‘ baffling Emmy snubs as we are. · Losanjealous experiences all kinds of Van Halen awesomeness at last night’s full tour rehearsal. · Whoring for QVC: the dirtiest job of them all. [...]
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coZwcJBqdOs
Bye to everyone!Â
Siggi & Harry
[...] just as perplexed by The Sopranos‘ baffling Emmy snubs as we are. · Losanjealous experiences all kinds of Van Halen awesomeness at last night’s full tour rehearsal. · Whoring for QVC: the dirtiest job of them all. [...]
[...] just as perplexed by The Sopranos‘ baffling Emmy snubs as we are. · Losanjealous experiences all kinds of Van Halen awesomeness at last night’s full tour rehearsal. · Whoring for QVC: the dirtiest job of them all. [...]
[...] just as perplexed by The Sopranos‘ baffling Emmy snubs as we are. · Losanjealous experiences all kinds of Van Halen awesomeness at last night’s full tour rehearsal. · Whoring for QVC: the dirtiest job of them all. [...]
[...] just as perplexed by The Sopranos‘ baffling Emmy snubs as we are. · Losanjealous experiences all kinds of Van Halen awesomeness at last night’s full tour rehearsal. · Whoring for QVC: the dirtiest job of them all. [...]
[...] just as perplexed by The Sopranos‘ baffling Emmy snubs as we are. · Losanjealous experiences all kinds of Van Halen awesomeness at last night’s full tour rehearsal. · Whoring for QVC: the dirtiest job of them all. [...]
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Can you please let VH to not forget to include Australia in their tour. We are desperate for the real rock than this Australian Idol franchise shit!! Welcome back the REAL VAN HALEN!
Who is writing the set list? Everyone wants some?
Hug???
Ouch, the namesake looks straight(?) out of Sigfried and Roy…
I saw them at the Texas jam in the early 80’s and they still sound kick ass great job guys good to hear your back
I’m in Tears….LONG LIVE VAN HALEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t believe that it’s taken until comment #25 for someone to make fun of Eddie’s manpris. Those are some terrible pants.
i think eddie looks the best and break a leg wolfie
[...] popular demand we’re releasing some more photos from Pamela’s night at the forum with Van Fucking Halen. Inside: The Blimp, the All Access Pass, the Roth, the Wolf. And so much more. Enjoy. Ps, SoCal tix [...]
I like to spam.
Thank You for your time.
Jeremy Cornell
Staffing/Managment Group
I remember you guys in a good way, piss the KID off and it will stay that way or the whole world will be the laughing stock of the world, don’t spoil what you left us with, get rid of this American Idol Bullshit!
Great photos!
I have MY tickets! I wasn’t going to miss this for the world — as VH were my favorite band from 1978-1984.
Cleveland, here I come!
And if they add a Buffalo date, I’ll go to that one as well!
Kentroversy
Buffalo, NY USA
Don’t even think you can talk about VH cuz you’re a bunch of freakin’ pozers. Up yours you losers. None of you are worthy to go to the show. F off now!!!
I love these threads, like this or “The Five Stages of Adam Morrison,” where we get all the commenters who would never read, say, “The Lincoln Boulevard Cock Car.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDUO4AIaL-M
wow
What a Christmas present from my wife! Cannot wait! Hailing from Maui, I’m gonna’ be bringing some serious aloha spirit to Oakland. Holy crap, is it December yet? I have’nt felt this way for a concert since the first time I was going to see them in ‘80! Break out the “Frankenstein” Ed, my neck is wait’n for you to buzz saw right throught it with the slightest of ease!
I’ve see VH with David Lee and with Sammy, ALWAYS a great show. I first I wasn’t too excited, I saw David Lee on tour with Sammy 5 years ago or so and wasn’t impressed with him (Sammy always rocks..)thought Eddie had blown it without Sammy & Mike, but now that I see this, David Lee looks great and the play list rocks of old school VH…As long as reviews of the show are good I WILL NOT MISS THIS ONE.
Great review You mentioned the 5 Star VIP Pass…I have one for Toronto on Oct 7th what can I exspect? Can I bring a camera along?
Amerikanische Firma „ACG Logistics“ sucht nach Mitarbeiter in Europa fuer die Arbeit im Logistikbereich. Interessanter Job mit guter Verdienstmoeglichkeit Chilidogs.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDUO4AIaL-M
check this out…….leave comment!!
Why is everyone making such a big deal about Michael Anthony’s background vocals? His bass playing is very basic, not a Geddy Lee or Jaco. I think people got to fixated on those vocals. What other band stands out for “background vocals”? There’s a reason there background.If you like high vocals listen to Michael Jackson, if you want to hear good rock n roll check out Van Halen, nuff said…
Rock On!! Van Halen Lives!!! Come to Fla damn it!! Sounding great wolfie great job buddy I mean that Great job, dont worry about what others say you will get er done and kick ass!!! U got the Van Halen Gene pool DnA
keep on rockin’ Eddie,Mike Anthony is a shit,without David Lee Roth and Van Halen brother he won’t have been known…
My son and I went to the opening show in Charlotte and we have one word for the show…DISAPPOINTING! DLR’s voice is through. My son and I held a conversation during the show because the band could not crank it up because DLR’s voice could not handle it. We went to the opening show in 2004 in Greensboro and we could not hold a conversation after the concert without yelling to each other. Whoever came up with the playlist needs there ASS beat! “Pretty Woman”, “Ice Cream Man”, are you kidding me! I think the band sounded fantastic, but DLR needs to ride off into the sunset.
toronto….vip 4 star…anyone know about these….
God’s thunder in the form of VAN “roth” HALEN. The greatest rock and roll band of all time!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7TJC6m7qDw
13 years old………going to Toronto!!!!
13 !!! a young EVH
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDUO4AIaL-M
I SEE SOME HATERS IN THESE COMMENTS. YOU NEED TO GET A LIFE VAN HALEN ARE THE SHIT THEN AND NOW.THE HATERS ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO WAIT FOR A BACKSTREET BOYS CONSERT THIS MEENS YOU JOHN OF CHARLOTTE.
Saw them last night at Greensboro and all I can say at 40 is, I FELT LIKE I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL AGAIN AND EVERYTHING KICKED ASS!!!! Time warp – I knew all the words and freaked out my teenagers…guess they never knew MOM was a hard core party girl in another lifetime!! I LOVED EVERY SECOND!!!
I drove from Orlando to Charlotte to see the show. If I had known better I would have sold all my belongings and bought tickets to every show, damn, when Dave told em to turn it up, the amps were rippin and the joints was jumpin, thanks for the memories. And hey why the hell did they leave out Florida? The only thing that was missing was, not a f*&^in thing, like D said if you aint with it, go F*&&^ youreself and see the doctor.LOL Thanks again for coming together and rocking AMERICA…And Wolfie, you are living the drem, ROCK ON…
Mr. Simon I believe that is why they call them opinions. I am not a hatter on any level of VH, really the opposite, just disappointed and calling them like I see them. Obviously your a fan of the BSB or you would not have brought them up in the same sentence with VH. To each their own. DLR disappointed me in ‘94 and things haven’t changed in ‘07. Remember there was a REASON they haven’t toured in 23 years.
James Simon, please turn the caps lock off, the spellcheck on and keep commenting.
John, I appreciate the lack of mindless fist-pumping fanboyism, but as goofy as DLR and his scratch vocals are, he’s still a million times better than Cabo Knob-o Hagar.