VAN HALEN NEWS DESK

RARE “Cradle Will Rock” TV lip-sync performance

November 16, 2009 57 Comments

Here is a rare treat. A little-known clip of Van Halen lip-syncing for TV in Europe in 1980.

Keep in mind that seeing Van Halen on TV was something that almost never happened back in 1980. And when you did actually get to see a great rock band on TV, it was often a lip-sync performance, which was standard practice, since the TV studios usually didn’t have the facilities to have a band perform live. Getting to see a wild and cutting edge rock band like this on your 13″ color TV was really something!

Filed Under: Van Halen

Dawn

I own a bootleg of old footage from Europe and Japan and it is awesome but of course the quality isn’t very good. I would love it if they released one.
I also wouldn’t be too bothered if they never released another album. However I would be very upset if they never toured again. I would pay to see the same concert every year. They are just that great!
Stutts

Funny how every update re: Van Halen is about the past…Sammy and Mike are living in the present. It’s time VH and its fans joined them.
Russ

With age comes wisdom…even in DLR’s case. He has learned to shut up and play the game (no intentional Queen reference). Totally agree – the negative of silence is a positive. There will be new music.
Russ

Sung to Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)

Well, I went down yonder in guitar land
Lived 2 cats named Dave and Sam
I wants ta tell ya
Ah, the gig was rough and tough as Dave and Sam would strut their stuff

EVH had ‘em scared to death
When he walked by, they all held their breath
He’s an angry man, sure enough
And then Ed got G. Cherone, and Dave and Sam found other stuff

Ex Van Halen Singers outta luck now
Front man life done ‘em in somehow
They’re the guys EVH used to hold dear
Now the future of VH is not so clear
Once Strong and Mighty I declare
‘Til Ed told ‘em all “Get outta here!”

Ex Van Halen Singers moved on out the door (No, no, no)
Sam’s in Chickenfoot, Dave’s hopin’ for more (Yes he is)
Well he used to go out drinkin’, talkin’ and walking tall
Now he sits in silence waiting for that call
Ex Van Halen Singers you guys did it all

Aw, what about Gary?

(Clarinet Solo)

And Mikey?

Whoo!
I likes that, yeah (“Yeah,” say I)

Ah, y-well, Ex Van Halen Singers don’t worry anymore (No, they don’t)
What the hell – it’s a soap opera tour (Yes it is)
Well they used to hit the stage and do it right
Sam got a new band, Dave flies a kite

Ex Van Halen Singers get it done somehow (Doin’ the Chickenfoot)
Ex Van Halen Singers get it done somehow (Waitin’ for that call!)
Ex Van Halen Singers get it done somehow

Cherone!
Yeah!
chris.omeara

Wow! That outdid my “We’ll Wait” submission! Good Work! LMAO
drummerboy319

I love how Dave can’t even fake a lip sync after being notorious at forgetting words live. LOL. Hell i even like better how Al is playing a kit he wouldn’t even play in reality. At least he’s playing Ludpuke i guess.
bennythejet

Great tune!!