New amateur video: Front row from Van Halen’s 2007 tour

September 24, 2010 98 Comments

Longtime VHND reader, Craig N., wants to share this with all fellow fans:

“After reading the most recent news of the fan meeting DLR on VHND and being told we will be hearing from Van Halen in the next 7-8 months, I could not help but think back to the 5 awesome shows I saw in 2007. I want to share this great video I took in October of 2007 in Toronto from the first row floors. This video truly captures the chemistry and magic that Eddievan Halen and David Lee Roth have!”

Filed Under: Van Halen Tagged With: 2007 tour, Beautiful Girls, David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, footage, reunion, Somebody Get Me a Doctor, Spoonful, Van Halen, Video

Dave

Pretty damn cool stuff man. I love that look Ed gives him around second 25. Awesome!
Dan

Nice footage Craig. Thanks.

I understand how Ed gets a kick out of having his son around, but Wolf just isn’t a bass player. That’s some smile from Dave at 4:23.
ikethebird

Great footage!!!
Dooley

Pretty damn good. Worth leaving home for.

And I do agree with Dan’s comments about Wolf.

And it’s also good to hear Michael Anthony’s vocals again, even if he wasn’t “there”.
http://heavymellowmusic.com johnny beane

Great to see Eddie playing that guitar more – other than just on “Jump”.

Fender also made a replica of Andy Summers Telecaster and Andy used it here and there on the Police 2007/2008 Tour.
THE ATOMIC PUNK

THE MIGHTY VAN HALEN!!!!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh………………

Makes that Friday roll just a bit faster!!!!! OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!
Steve

You have anymore? That was great!!! Was there for opening night in Charlotte. That show was great, but, I sure didn’t have seats like that!
Erick

I think I saw a Scottish Sheepdog at 1:55
sike5150

That is the best quality Video I’ve seen so far. But that was 2007. I’m ready for the new Van Halen. I just hope it’s going to be a masterpiece! I think that is what the Van Halen’s drive for. Perfection! Dave is the same way. Take your time fellas!! lol
Todd

Thanks for posting the awesome video, Craig!
Remember the Prom Queen

Excellent video even though it makes me miss Mikey!
Van Foot

Great vid…I love the whiff on the lyrics in the final verse, EVH let his guitar ring out and it confused Dave.

I’d still like to see Mikey doing his stuff with the band; his stage presence is fantastic and entertaining. Wolf doesn’t have the mileage or experience to play at this level…not really fair to him, the band, or fans.

Maybe it’s me, but I saw the band in Denver with Sammy on the Balance tour before his departure, then I caught the reunion with Sam and Mike in 2004. From the Balance tour, to a reunion tour, to another reunion tour with Dave (video), the band just doesn’t seem tight.

All of the changes within the band have taken there toll on their live performance. While I dig the footage and love the band, Eddie was on his game during the Balance tour and played his ass off for Cherone (from what I understand).

I hope the band is working together and refining their chops because some of what I’m seeing is pretty sloppy.
SteveC

Nice footage. I didnt get to see any of that tour so maybe someone can answer this for me: Is it just me or does Dave seem unusually stationary.Maybe in other parts of the show he’s more active, but all the clips Ive seen show him in kind of slow motion. Maybe the years are catching up… Still enjoy watching him though.
Jeff

Yeah, very cool video. I too shelled out some good dough for seats that weren’t *that* good, but it lacked somehow. I just can’t put my finger on it. Could be missing Mike, the 5150III tone, Wolf’s presence (lack thereof–as in stage presence), Roth’s voice or the sense that they were just phoning it in; I just don’t know. Dave & Ed appeared to get along great. It was a good show, but something was missing.
Pete

Awesome video clip! Thanks for sharing that! Can’t wait for a new album! (Miss you Mikey!)
Rick

Can you post more videos?
SCAR

And folks that’s why they are THE MIGHTY VH!!!!!!!!!!!!
Shy Boy

Great footage!!! I would love to have those seats but can’t afford em…Thanks for sharing for us po folks!
Van Foot

Jeff,

I agree man. It seems a little forced and like the guys are somewhat unsure of each other. I’ve had jobs in the past that were nothing more than a paycheck, and other jobs that I loved performing and the pay was a bonus.

Eddie in the past seemed free flowing and effortless (probably fucked up 2). It almost appears as if he’s trying 2 hard in clips from recent live performances. When I saw the Police in Denver I felt the same way…like it was acting or forced. I mean Ed and Dave have said some very damaging shit over the years…I wonder if they’ve really worked through their hate for each other?
LilGuitars

Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to see em again!
Roth-A-Holic

I get misty-eyed when I see Dave and Eddie smiling at each other and having a blast. Those guys are like brothers……they didnt always get along, but at the end of the day they share so many memories together and that’s something you cant easily walk away from.

Looking forward to a kick-ass album and tour in 2011 —- ROCK ON, HALEN HEADS!
evhmess11

Awesome video. And any VH is far better than no VH.

With that said, I was watching a boot of the 04 Sam reunion tour from NJ. I was 4 star front row center at the show. Mike was an absolute force. Full of energy and huge presence. The new tunes absolutely dragged the life out of the show. Especially compared to the classic VH/Van Hagar catalog.

The new Dave tunes have to be absolute killer or this is the end of the road. Too little to late.
Tom

Part of why Ed was so sloppy on this tour in spots was he had arthritis and underwent surgery in 2008 to fix his hand…another reason the band took time off.I saw them in NY at Nassua Colesium and he was shaking his left hand alot,like it was cramping up on him.The dude was in alot of pain but pulled it off somehow so i give him props for not cancelling the tour.Just like in 1995 on the Balance tour when his hip was giving out,he did what he had to and went on with the show.Say what shit you will about Ed,but he is a fighter and never gives up and gives us 100%….which is why we wont hear new music until he knows its right.And we all know 99% of the time he is
PTINDY

Will always love VH. But I can’t help but cringe when I see Wolfie up there on stage.Doesn’t seem right. I know it is what it is, but Micheal Anthony was a larger part of VH than Eddie gives him credit for.
VH Fanatic

Incredible footage. Makes me wanna spend the grand or so next time to get front row. Totally have to agree that Wolfie plays the bass like a 6 string guitar. You can tell by the way both hands are positioned. I would love to see VH revisit their songs from the demo days. There’s some great stuff there. This way its new stuff but the classic VH at the same time. Why not???
CV

AGREED WITH MANY COMMENTS HERE ESPECIALLY ABOUT MISSIN MICHAEL AND IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PULL OF THE CLEVER BACKGROUND VOCALS. WELL EXTREME DID IT WITHOUT SINGING VERY HIGH, AND A FEW OTHERS PULLED IT OFF, BUT EXCELLENT FOOTAGE THANK YOU FOR SHARING LOVE THE CREAM BREAK IN THIS…WONDER IF THEY WILL EVER DO FEEL YOUR LOVE TONIGHT?? IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY COULD WORK OUT SOMETHING TO HAVE WOFIE AND MICHAEL IN THE BAND….MICHAEL COULD REALLY BRING WOLFIE UP A NOTCH. I ENJOY TRYING TO HIT THOSE HIGH NOTES IN WHILE IM DRIVING IN THE CAR AND SINGING LISTENING…I THINK DAVE IS MOVING LESS SO HES NOT SO OUT OF BREATH THAT THE WORDS ARE INCLUDED IN THE SONGS.
mac vh

back-up vocals decent. Just not the same as when Mike was with the band. Saw 3 shows, and they were all the same.. Just missing a little something. I think we all know what it was. Still great to see them again. Age does take its toll. Very obvious in this video. It will never be Halen of the early 80 era, but it still beats the hell out of whatever is is in second place.
Diamond Dean

GREAT GREAT FOOTAGE !!!

This is what rock is all about brilliant!!!

Everyones right , Wolfee just doesnt cut it at all , not his fault , i think maybe his Dad needs him there to keep himself on the straight n narrow???

Eddies playing is getting slopier n slopier , VAN HALEN 3 with cherone when it may have been at its best
http://VHND HIKER MAN

THE SHOW IN GLENDALE WAS GREAT, I WISH EDDIE WOULD GIVE US A NEW DVD FROM THIS TOUR
AMPSTRINGSGUITAR

Great footage.As far as playing sloppy.These guys aren,t 20 years old anymore.Who cares.They are back and there will be new tunes soon!
Rocko

This is much better than they were back in the day. They play better than ever before plus Dave looks much better with his hair cut.
http://www.vhnd.com Garrett

Great video….more please : P

I caught them at the “make up” show in Saint Louis (the original one was cancelled on account of the break they took halfway through the tour)….they were FANTASTIC that night. I’ve been to hundreds of rock shows in my day (including a pair of lousy back to back VH shows on the ’04 Hagar reunion tour) and I’ve never had as much fun as I did that night. The band was on fire. My face actually hurt from smiling all night after the show….so much fun!

Long live Classic VH. \m/
swingin’ sinner

I dunno but this seemed like they where going through the motions, not a great performance at all, I’ve seen cover bands with more enthusiasm! when I saw them they were more hyper! Not for nothin but they just seemed like they were walkin through it waiting for the next song and just glad that they got through it! Very stale if you ask me Glad I wasnt at that show.Hope they light that fire for the next tour, ’cause walkin around like that is only gonna get you on the hasbeen circuit!
http://www.danwilhite.com Dan

Awesome! Thanks Craig! Hey what kind of video camera did you record this with? I want one!
Atomic Pete

Great to see Ed rockin the replica!
The intro had the kind of magic I hope
to hear on the new album.( he said hopefully)
godised

Thanks for posting this footage! Man what great seats you had…Can you still hear anything or are you now deaf!LOL I just hope they do release something in 2011 and they make it to Australia again.(This time with the right lead singer unlike in 1996 with that OTHER guy)simply said god is ed..
twown

No one is more excited for the next album than me because the last two tracks with Dave and Ed together were totally amazing. I realize this is almost unthinkable to say, but I honestly think Me Wise Magic might be the greatest VH song of all time. How’s that for a crazy comment? I listened to that song about ten times in a row recently. It’s about as complex and beautiful as an entire Van Halen album from the early days. Absolute freaking masterpiece.
Hoots mon!

Hmm, I’m not sure what to think, to be honest. I’m glad DLR & EVH seem to have worked it out, it does look like a paint-by-numbers job. Those two might get on but I can’t help thinking that Al probably has less affection for Dave than Ed ever had. I just remember reading a load of stuff in the past, and in Dave’s book, and Alex seemed to have more of the resentment. Hope I’m wrong and that all’s well with the three of them. Now, if only they could be adult enough to work through whatever issues they have with Mike and bring him back. (I’m still not sure what he’s supposed to have done to offend them so much – it can’t have been the two-bands-at-once rubbish, surely.) I have to agree with Diamond Dean, though, maybe having Wolf there is what it takes to keep Eddie on the straight’n narrow. If so, is it really worth it? Wolf doesn’t look right up there; its like a fan has won a chance to jam with VH. Classic VH (all 4) or nothing, if you’re asking me.
Vanchickenhenfoot

I don’t think this demonstrates chemistry between Eddie and Dave at all. Especially the beginning. Dave is obviously just humoring the fans by complimenting Eddie. However, I do believe bands can work together well without the need to get along. They could still release an awesome album without chemistry coming into play. I think we should face the facts, though. Eddie and Dave probably can’t fix their relationship. They both seem too hard-headed to do that.
Karl

^ Is that the replica? Is that for certain?

Great vid, best quality fan vid I think I’ve seen. Off many of the others it’s hard to tell if Ed’s really playing all that well but you can hear on this one that he’s still got it despite all the crap that they’ve been through.
Jeff

@evhmess11 – good point about any VH beating no VH. I even like VHIII

@VH Fanatic – I might foot the bill if a miracle happens and MA is back. If not, I probably won’t go at all.

@HIKER MAN – I don’t think the shows have really been tight enough to make a DVD. By the time they finished editing it, it would be a studio performance.
Greg

No great mystery what’s missing from these live shows–or from the band in general. Mike is gone. They haven’t written new music in years. They are old, and not in great shape. Wolfie was a teenager in a role WAY above his pay grade. And, at the end of the day, Dave is a very very different person than Ed and Al–for those two, it’s about making good music. For Dave, it’s about the show. Their priorities have always been different, that’s why they never got along, and that’s why three years on we still don’t have any new music. Everybody wants the old Van Halen back, but it’s been gone for a long long time, and it’s not coming back.
bbl70

Damn good video. I wonder if the ND needs permission from VH to put this up here.
Roth-A-Holic

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again……bring back Mikey and let Wolfie stay in the band as a “rhythm bassist”. That way, VH fans are happy as pigs in shit because we got the original Van Halen back, and Eddie can be happy he’s playing music with his son (plus giving the kid a nice paying job). It’s a fucking WIN-WIN for everyone involved!
Phil

Nice footage. 1st row? I believe it. Wonder if he won the seats off a radio station? That’s about the only way to get front row anymore. Stations grab them all up after making deals with the promoters and the real fans cant get them. I’m going to RUSH tomorrow and my friends and I were lamenting over this. Glittering prizes, endless compromises. But, I digress, that is super great footage and I don’t mean to disparage our stalwart videographer for lucking out with front row.
dirtyfacedkidinagarbagecan

0:57 – 1:00 That lick. A modern Ed styling, I love it, want to hear more of it.
bbl70

Great video! It really does make me miss Mike a lot though. Such a shame. Nothing against Wolfie but Mike is the man. He can still sing and play his ass off.

You can clearly see such great chemestry between Eddie and Dave even though they have had major issues. That chemestry is there with Mike and VH too. Yeah Eddie has chemestry with his son but its just not the same. You can’t fake that kind of chemestry and maybe that is the missing element.

I am curious to see how much of Wolfies own style will come out on this new album. I am hoping he doesn’t continue to imitate Mike. He really needs to add his own edge to the new tunes.
http://VHND HIKER MAN

2011 will be a GREAT year for Van Halen
http://vhnd chucky lee

That my friends was the MONEY SHOT…… Stop hating u jealous sheep. Dave and Eddie look real psyched to be there and to be there together.And if they werent they would not have been there, and wouldnt be in the studio now and ready to hit the road AGAIN…..
ringostore

I didn’t think eastern Canada were cool enough to be VH fans?
Just kidding!