Top ten stadium rock bands, part 4 – Van Halen

October 6, 2009 148 Comments

Here’s an old but cool Van Halen clip, hosted by Alice Cooper:

Filed Under: Van Halen

swingin’ sinner

Don’t believe Eddie ever said vai was an EVH poser!
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Swingin’ sinner: (cool name by the way )

Thats because ed never made that comment.

You’re gonna find that a lot around here. Many spittin’ out what they THINK is the truth but dont have anything to back it up. It’s sad. Some just love to start drama just to feel good about themselves. Like they finally accomplished something in their puny little life.
Whatever right? I’ll stick to conversing with the people around here who have “been to the shows” and know that rock and roll aint about who’s a better singer. Those people I just have no time for. It’s just a waste to try and communicate with someone who would like to forget how this band started and focus on #1 albums. Explain that one to me…
RickieVanWhalen

I am ready to off myself again.
http://www.droppingalmonds.com Brown Chicken

Damn that’s fun to watch!

Eddie used to be a smokin’ guitarist and really played the part well. Those times and memories are great. However, and with that said, why is the Van Halen of the past 10 years ALWAYS about looking in the rear view mirror? As others have mentioned, there’s a thousand ways to skin a cat and we’ve skinned all the kittens too!

The Van Halen of old, with Dave, Sammy, or Gary, was so exciting and to put a new album in your hands meant everything to a fan. I played VH3 all the time because of the signature sounding guitar and new riffs. Even though the album received very low marks, I was just happy to have some new shit in the CD player…same with Chickenfoot. For those that think Satriani took a step backwards, really listen to the entire album and digest some great work and gems of guitar arpeggio on the tracks. I used to be a Van Halen fan, but now I’m a fan of Van Halen, Extreme, Chickenfoot, The Waboritas, Chili Peppers, Sammy Hagar, Steve Vai, Satch, DLR, and other spin off stuff from the history of VH. I was never a big fan of Satch prior to Chickenfoot, but now I find myself looking at him differently with G3, Surfing, and a whole host of other stuff.

Some worlds have very much come together, and I have benefited. With regard to the same old VH story, it’s grown tired and boring. If you’re a guitar player and have followed Guitar One and Guitar World, there was probably a point when you got tired of reading the same old shit, the same old story, the same old tone chasing bullshit of countless articles. What came first, Eddie’s skill as a player, or his tone. I believe one begat the other…

Fuck it…I’m not getting any younger but I can’t quite get excited about Kings of Leon or Avenged. I’ll stick with the Foot.
phillster

I thought the”ROTH LOOK-A-LIKE” comment was funny as hell
It did make a few good points though,
I`ve seen that “bald dude” before,I guess he`s the”go to guy” for all things”metal”lol
He`s been in every Vh1 “rocdocs”&HEAVY METAL countdown episode I`ve ever seen!!
Do me a favor, if any “fellow Limeys” know this guy`s name,
spill the beans
phillster

Bosox..
REDSOXRULE!!!However-(And i think RON BURGUDY would agree)
DIAMONDDAVIDLEEROTH`s SOLO work is Far More Diverse&Exploreatory than chickentoe`s 1st effort.
I`ve become familier with “the Toe”&I must agree-
It`s probably the Bestest&most closest we`ll ever
get to that “VHGR sound”
BUT just as sure as 9out of10 doctors agree-”lucky strikes”
are the safest cigarettes around,
I choose ROTH over the “TOE” any day of the week&twice on sunday
stay classy
snow

everytime i get on here its bash bash bash Eddie. I just bought the new foot Cd. not to bad. music is cool. lyrics are kinda lame. Sammy grow up its not 10 times better than VH no way! I think he daid that. But it is a cool Cd since the best band ever isnt doing anything. I do agree Sammy created a pop band with VH. Dave era ROCKS……just my liking. Satch great guitar work Eddie still the best!!!!
Rich

Bri:

According to Wikipedia, the drummer after Greg Bissonette was a guy called Tony Beard who played on “Your Filthy Little Mouth” in ’94. Don’t know if he toured with the band though.

To be honest, I think that the albums “Van Halen” and “5150″ are the best. There is so much raw, new energy there that wasn’t replicated on later albums. It is all opinion really, there is no science behind who was a better singer (although some would say that the money brought in over the time that the singer was in the band is the key, but i disagree).

I remember reading that “Eat ‘Em and Smile” was “what 5150 should’ve been”. I think that it sounds a lot like Van Halen. Okay yeah theres no “brown sound”, but Dave pulled together one of the best rock bands he could with those guys. I think its commendable. I love 5150, but there’s no mistaking that “Eat ‘em…” was VH sounding for a reason.
T.O. Mike

EVH is VH, who cares who sings!!
SCAR

DLR is and will always be, the greatest Ringmaster of Rock and Roll!!!
Bri

RICH!! Thanks! That was his name!! Trip out.

My favs are VH and Fair Warning. Mean Streets, to me, is the epitome of VH. Mean, dark, bruding, brash, and loud. I’ve always thought the fade out was way to early in that song. Ed’s tearing it up and they fading out and I’m like “Yo man, keep playing!!”.

Thanks for the info On Beard. He was a cool guy, had a way cool motorcycle. Was just neat meeting someone who was that inside to what was going on.
phil

classic halen, van hagar, roth solo, hagar solo, montrose, chickenfoot……i raise a toast to them all!
Patrick

Dooley…..Black Ice came out in 2008.

As far as EVH playing live….you cannot beat his technique & accuracy during the 1998 tour. Just watch his Mean Street solo from any of the shows. It sounds better than the album.

He was getting back to his old self during the last 2 months of the 2008 tour, but it’s a shame they couldn’t have extended the tour until the end of 2008.

I have high hopes for Ed’s playing this next album and/or tour. With a freshly repaired hand, he could very well bring us back to the days of Fair Warning.
Fair Warning

Bri, what do you think are “the skeletons in the closet?” Don’t leave us hanging!
Erick

SCAR just posted his all time best comment!
ringostore

Vai was not a musician and didn’t treat his guitar as a piece of wood with strings……thats why Roth couldn’t go further with that group at the time.
swingin’ sinner

Ringostore your comment makes me believe that you are on some seriously good medication!!
pete

really,the dave vs sam thing again?
Rich

Bri, no problem! I was sure that I’d read DLR’s history a couple of times. Good old Wikipedia.

Its hard to pick my favourite albums. VH1 and 5150 are definitely top notch, and its weird to think that Fair Warning, arguably the best Roth album (definitely tied with VH1) was sandwiched in-between Women and Children First, which was somewhat experimental compared to VH1 & 2, and the sleeper which was Diver Down, probably the least exciting VH album for me. The covers are good but it doesn’t really do too much for me. Love the drums on “Intruder” though. I just can’t ever get enough of Fair Warning. “One Foot Out The Door” is just one long, awesome guitar solo.

However, I think I was a bit warped getting the VH albums because the first ones I ever bought were from Austria, and it was VH1 and Best Of Both Worlds. I’m sure if I’d have heard “Unchained” on Fair Warning first it would’ve been better, but since I already knew the song it didn’t have the magic it should have on that album.

I’ve seen the Oakland stuff and it is brilliant. If Van Halen were a multi platinum band then why did it take another 4 years after that for them to officially get a concert recorded and released? Hmm, makes you wonder really.
Russ

How about a new topic? You you think that the new VH album sound should go back as close to classic VH 1 & 2 as possible(BYW, did they try that on OU812?)? Or should EVH come up with something new and “modern”? Would the “brown sound” sound dated today? Could the brown sound even be reproduced? Gentlemen, your thoughts…….
little big toe

sammmy hagar is a complete joke- absolutely the worst front-man ever.
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

The oakland shows should have a dvd release….period.
It’s so much better than “live without a net” thats for sure.
I’m hoping that ed will eventually release a dvd set or just a damn dvd featuring those shows. I mean KISS did it and I have volumes 1 and 2 and they rock. Those old shows can never be replaced. Therefor they should be on dvd.

I look at it this way: if they can release a sammy era dvd’s (Live without a net & Live right here right now) they should do something regarding the orginal lineup.
Wouldnt be suprised if there is something in the works for the holidays, but i think its just wishful thinking and im not holding my breath….
Skutch

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZzz Why do we rehash this arguing for every single thread….. but I’ll join in anyway.

Dave years were stellar. Sammy years were different and stellar to many, which is fine. Both singers had huge influences on the VH sound. No question about that. Both Dave and Sam have had ups and downs in their careers.

I’m not downing Sammy, but I think Dave has taken much bigger risks in his career, because that’s just the kind of guy he is. Some went over well, some didn’t (i.e. Vegas thing, paramedic, bluegrass album). Sammy sort of always does the band thing, which is great too. I think for anyone to dog Dave’s brave endeavors really does him an injustice.

Rich, EEAS sounds nothing like VH to me. So far from it. Same with CF. That’s the intention.

BTW, the best album of 2009 was Crack the Skye. Duh….
Skutch

Pete, I can always count on you to put words into the mouths of the Dave fans. LOL
Mark

How come when thses topics are discussed nobody ever mentions that VH never had a #1 Album until Sammy was the singer?

Go ahead and bash me but All VH is great except about twelve minutes with some Cherone Dude.

Mark
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Mark…

Thats because #1 records werent a “priority” to rock fans back in the day. As a matter of fact if a bands album went #1 they were ususally embarrased. It wasnt until the 80′s when bands started focusing on that nonsense! During the “good ol days of rock music” all a band wanted to do was be on the cover of rolling stone. (Kinda scary since rolling stone is the biggest piece of shit rock mag out there!)

A “album” like “Everybody wants some” is not gonna be the critics choice…A “song” like “Atomic Punk” is not gonna be the critics choice. Those first 6 albums were for the fans cause thats all that mattered. Wanting a #1 album was like wanting to have your fathers wardrobe.
Now you take songs like: “Love walks in”/ “When it’s Love” / “Right now” / “Top of the world” / “Dont tell me what love can do” / “Not Enough” ect ect the critics are gonna love you. They’re gonna praise you for maturing musically and that, my friend, is when I “stop” listening.
phillster

the “momentum” was already there Mark, the album after “1984″ was destined to be #1 regardless of who was gonna sing on it.At that point in time,=VH= was as big&WORLD-WIDE asZEP,WH0,STONES,QUEEN,SABBOTH,AC/DC,KISSetc.Roth had a HUGE part in creating/shaping the “image” of the band from the pasadena backyard parties to “Superstardom”
Think of it as if Robert Plant left ZEP& was replaced by
David Coverdale,lol
Sammy Done Good,but it wasn`t the same after Dave left.
That`s a testament to how important that “specific chemestry”
is.
Shit, I sound like the “bald dude” from this clip!!lol
my beer`s empty folks,
later…
Dooley

No, phillster. 5150 was the album after 1984, and VH gained more fans than they lost with Sam on board. His vocals were a big step-up, and there was a public that was impressed. Albums that go #1 don’t happen because of earlier momentum.

Sammy Done Good,but it wasn`t the same after Dave left.

Actually, it got better, because the attitide, showmanship and everything else that was Dave had begun to fade when tensions arose between the key players over issues like Beat It, Jump keyboards, etc. Kinda like how Aerosmith is fading right now with tensions between Joe Perry and Steve Tyler. It will be interesting to see how their two lawsuit-driven make-up concerts in Hawaii go later this month.
RA 8 1 2

I love Dave and Sammy, however I think VH would not have been as successful is Dave had stayed in the group. The music of Vh did not only change, but the Rock Scene changed and “Glam” more Radio Friendly” music was hitting Main Stream. This was more Sammys style of writing, etc. Sammy was already doing this type of music.
VHIII_1998_

loitering in the back? thats cold….
Skutch

Dooley, the only reason 1984 didn’t go #1 is because of Thriller which was number 1 for over a year. 1984 sold 10 million records. 5150 sold between 5-6 million. At least get the facts straight. Obviously they didn’t win more fans if they sold half as many records.
http://vhnd.com 50yr old fan

dave or sam. sam or dave. both were and are great. remember one thing here boys, it’s like sports. half the country likes the yankee’s and the cowboys and the fightin’ irish and the other half hates them. selling albums doesn’t really mean shit anymore. i don’t like country music and they sell the shit out of that crap and i live in country music land.
Dooley

Good point Skutch, you’re right about that. But didn’t OU812 also hit #1? Just lucky, huh?
RA 8 1 2

It was all about marketing at that time. All Sammy albums went to number 1. Of course 1984 would have due to the single “Jump” but as mentioned above due to MJ Thriller it didnt. Sammy albums went more mainstream targeting the Glam Metal phase and people who were not really metal or rock fans became fans due to songs like “why cant this be love” When its love” from OU812, etc. We dont know what woudl have happened to VH if dave had stayed in the group. We dont know what daves version of the 5150 album would have been. I believe that VH peaked with dave in 1984 and would have started to go down. Vh was like a fresh new band in 1986 with the same old name. Yes, 1984 sold 10 million copies and 5150 only 6 million, however, recording formats were different. 1984 did not sell 10 million in 1984. it just hit that mark a couple years ago. People upgrade their collections from vinyl to casette to CD now to online downloads. when 5150 hit, less people bought vinyl and probably purchased the album only on casette and CD maybe downloads. Meaning someone could have purchased 1984 4 times in different format compared to 5150 only 3 formats. As the 90′s came no more casettes and albums like balance were only really purchased on cd. Hell, VH 1 in 1978 could have been also issued on 8 track. i am not sure but if so, that would give it 5 formats to purchase over the years!
sammyvanroth

people, can we please get over this dave vs sammy thing! it is old news!!!!!
Dawn

DLR is best in VH. I do enjoy seeing Sammy in concert with Chickenfoot or Wabos (I have seen him with VH too.). As far as music I have been known to turn the radio station sometimes on a song such as “Love Walks In” however I have NEVER turned off a DLR Van Halen song.
Skutch

VH1 definitely was on 8-track. My friend had it.
Pete

Skutch says:

October 8th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Pete, I can always count on you to put words into the mouths of the Dave fans. LOL

SKUTCH – was it the comment I made about Dave taking chances? (Which he did, which is what an artist does. “Business people” just churn out the same “product” so that the cash flow stays intact…are you listening Gene Simmons?)

By the way, the new KISS CD package BLOWS big-time. “Delilah” is a good tune, but the rest is a complete throwaway, and the production values are akin to my 4-track cassette recordings from when I was 14.
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

sammyvanroth

I agree with you man believe me. I know that I’m part of this debate, and at times can be a little harsh when it comes to hagar. But I think the problem is there are many fans that overlook dave as a flash in the pan and thats B.S
I have nothing against sammy fans. I have a problem with sammy fans that constantly have to make jabs about dave just because sam is still making music. So what? I will always give credit when its due. Ok…sam has made more music.
But we’re not talking platinum albums people. And no, I dont hear ANY chickenfoot songs on the radio in my area. Nothing. WBAB is one of the biggest rock stations on the island and I listen at work all day long. Never even heard soap on a rope. I think it comes down to what your preference is. And I respect that. Just dont bash one of the best frontmen of all times cause he cant hold a note like sam can. These people miss the boat completely. It’s about the show. It’s about the entertainment. I mean jeez, celine dion has a great set of pipes but you wouldnt find me at any of her shows. All im saying is if you dont like dave thats fine.
Just dont say that the man didnt make an impact or wasnt a big part of van halen. If it wasnt for the many things that dave brought to the table who knows how far the band would have gone. Maybe eddie would have pulled a joe perry, released a solo album, and that would be where things stand today. Who knows! Eiether way im grateful for the orginal lineup and all the years of stellar music and good times it brought to my life. Like dave once said: remember when music made you smile? Well the orginal lineup did and like any dedicated fan I’m going to defend it. It’s nothing personal.
Russ

Phillster:Think of it as if Robert Plant left ZEP& was replaced by
David Coverdale,lol

How TRUE!
Plant: “I come from the land of ice and snow…”
Coverdale: “I do too.”

Dawn: I have been known to turn the radio station sometimes on a song such as “Love Walks In”
I have done the same thing!!! But not on a Roth song either.

…Their a&r man said I don’t hear a single
The future was wide open…

Too much emphasis on a top ten hits with Sammy…just my opinion.
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Russ:

Yes man….lets please change the topic is right! LOL
Good question about what ed’s sound will be like if there is a new album. I’m thinking it’s gonna go two ways. I think the signature brown sound WILL be present without a doubt.
But I also think that working with dave will possibly bring out some stuff in eddie we’ve never heard before. Now we’ve heard the same old story from ed for years that “he’s got tons of music” so who knows what he’ll pull out of his hat.
All I care about is they make a record thats memorable. I dont give a shit if it beats out chickenfoot or if it becomes a #1 album. That stuff doesnt concern me. I just want a record that makes an impact. A record that brings back that unique rock sound that has been missing for almost a decade. If the chemestry is still there between roth and ed we might have one hell of an album in our hands folks. But again….its all in good time. So to sum it up? The brown sound mixed in with some new techniques that maybe make this generation put down guitar hero…pick up a real guitar and start ripping off his new licks!
Dooley

this will still be a topic 10 years from now…
Erick

RA812: There’s only 2-3 years between 1984 and 5150! You make it seem like there’s a whole generation between them.
So no proof there.
SCAR

DLR and Sammy both rock!!! Get over it already, enjoy the music, catch a buzz, get laid and move on already!!! Note to blake – that’s get laid by a chick, o.k. cream puff?
iwannaberr

Ok, Dinky Dick or whatever, heres an entry I found in the first Google search I did for Eddie Van Halen Steve Vai:

“Since Roth was in a highly public battle with the Van Halen members and Vai was favorably compared by many commentators to Eddie Van Halen …”

So let’s see Genius, VH Frontman + Copycat of VH Guitarist = VH Ripoff.

It’s sad that you admit you spend 2 or 3 days a week on this site. Get a life and cut your mullet.
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Cut my mullet?

LOL!

Mullets are people too man!

I still say that eat em and smile sounds nothing like VH!

Looks like I hit a nerve and that just made my day

Thanks for responding dork
iwannaberr

P.S. You contradict yourself in your own post “Read the reviews and do your homework before you call me a Sammy hater” and the next paragraph you say “Sammy was a joke”.
“Nobody would know who he was if it wasn’t for Van Halen”.
“That’s the facts, cause I grew up with it”.

You’re an idiot. Ever heard of Montrose? Ever heard of Fast times at Ridgemont High? Ever heard of Footloose? Ever seen the movie Heavy Metal? Ever seen Dave nominated for a Grammy? Ever seen Sammy’s record sales prior to VH? Were you alive in the ’70′s.

Those are facts, moron.
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Ok….lets talk

I’m the first to say that montrose was a good group.
Nothing amazing but a good group. Love “rock candy”.
Song kicks ass. BUT…montrose did not last long and im sorry man but montrose is barley played on the radio.
Never said that sam wasnt good in montrose. He became an inside joke in the early 80′s was my point. His album sales were not that impressive eiether man. Let me ask you this:
What songs are sam always remembered for before joining VH?
” Cant drive 55″ “Heavy metal” and “One way to rock”
That is it man. I’m not being difficult but anyone will tell you those are the only songs that get air play.
The fast times art ridgemont high ( one of my favourite films man) song by sammy is really not something to argue with me about. The song was lame man. No substance.
Footloose? Not a fan of the movie believe it or not so im not going there so it wouldnt be fair. Guys dont usually sit around talking about footloose with each other. Maybe my girl can talk that film with ya. I’ll take kevin bacon in the orginal friday the 13th instead.
Ever see dave nominated for a grammy? No…thank god.
Dont really listen to grammy winning music. I like rawness in my music…not sweetness.
Again sammy’s record sales were not mindblowing before VH. Yes he had a good following but so did cat stevens and now he’s found islam or whatever. Not really a valid point man.
Dave’s solo sales had surpassed sammys. At least the eat em and smile and skyscraper albums. Does this really matter?
Was i alive in the 70′s….
YES!
Only 5 years old from 75-80. I was an 80′s kid dammit!
I kinda wish I grew up in the 70′s though.
70′s through the 80′s would have rocked. But im getting off the topic and thats not fair. I’m actually in a good mood.
I have the next 3 days off.
Now i wanna beer!
Russ

sammmy hagar is a complete joke- absolutely the worst front-man ever.

Totally disagree. I wouldn’t put him up there with Roth for the totality of entertainment, but certainly far from the worst. Saw him open up for ZZ TOP in Portland Maine in the mid 80′s. Played a good show – far more entertaining than the Top. Not great but good…even played an extra 40 minutes due to some back stage issues.
http://none Ducky / Dirty Duck

Russ:

I’m sure it was a good show.
The point ive been trying to get across is: growing up listening to the orginal line up and losing that was hard to get over. Once you hear dave and eddie for the first time it’s hard to accept any sustitute. I’ve said many many times that I dont hate sammy or his fans. I dont “like” sammy’s stage presence or music. His voice irks the shit out of me.
Why is it when someone around here doesnt like sammy or his music that person is a hater? Who started that assinine trend of talking? Sounds like rap shit to me. Ugh…
I dont know if you’re gonna agree with me but lets be honest here. Do you really remember sammy being very poular in the 80′s? Man im sorry but im being hinest…I dont. I hung out with a lot of friends OLDER brothers and no one talked about sammy. I didnt even hear the name sammy hagar until my brothers friend rich played me 5150 back in 86′.
Had sammy become successful over the years? Absolutley. No doubt. But it doesnt mean that “back in the day” that sammy hagar wasnt overshadowed by the mighty VH. All i remember was everything VH. Maybe thats why i never got into sam?
Oh whatever. Like dooley said: this will probley be the topic for the next 10 years. LOL! He’s probley right!
And I’ll still be defending dave and classic van halen. Playing the fool and left behind chained up like dave on that fence in the women and children first album….