Nikki M. Mascali Weekender Staff Writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Nicknamed "The Queen City," Charlotte unveiled rock royalty last Thursday night that many -- including the band itself -- said would never reunite.

The mighty Van Halen rose again from the ashes of original lead singer David Lee Roth's ego, and from the darkness of guitarist Eddie Van Halen's alcoholism and tongue and mouth cancer to play together for the first time since 1984.

Selling out Charlotte Bobcats Arena to an estimated 20,000 fans soon after going on sale, Van Halen took the stage at 8:25 p.m. before a crowd that had long been frenetic even during the cool sounds of Kymani Marley. Thumping basslines came from Eddie Van Halen's portly teenaged son, Wolfgang, on the show's first song, "You Really Got Me." (To much fan anger/doubt, the younger Van Halen took original bassist Michael Anthony's place on this tour).

Rounded out by white-headband-wearing Alex Van Halen's pounding drums and the legendary Eddie -- shirtless in faded army fatigue shorts, looking skeletal yet ripped -- "Diamond Dave" entered the stage decked out in black leather pants, a polka-dotted shirt opened down-to-there and a white sport coat with black embroidery (the first of several coats that night), his voice dead-on for the Kinks' cover. He gave the first of just a handful of his infamous high kicks during the song.

Roth addressed the crowd, saying with a grin, "It's only taken us 20 years to get this f---ing far," to which the crowd went berserk.

That crowd was treated to a bevy of Van Halen's early classics like "Somebody Get Me A Doctor," "Beautiful Girls" and "And the Cradle Will Rock," as well as many from the band's debut self-titled 1978 album, as leaked on the internet before the show, including "Jamie's Cryin,'" "Runnin' With the Devil," and "Little Dreamer," the slowest song played.

For "Pretty Woman," Roth sang next to Wolfgang. The crowed seemed to welcome Wolfgang with open arms, but he stayed fairly stationary most of the night.

Father and son stood next to each other for a few chords during "Unchained." It is no wonder why Eddie's inspired so many to pick up a guitar -- no one can make it wail like Eddie. The latter, while able to hold his own with three rock gods, does still have mighty large strings to fill.

The sauntering-across-the-stage Roth, who has remained the cocksure front man fans and critics alike have come to know and love (and love to hate), had a look of sheer delight across his face for most of the evening as the sea of fans sang song for song, fists pumping in unison. There was no doubt that this was the David Lee Roth/Eddie Van Halen show as Roth sidled up to his guitarist for many songs. Both looked absolutely ecstatic to be on stage.

The black and white stage was fairly basic in design with a giant video screen that showed many close-ups of the band and a curved loop that extended up behind Alex's drum kit while another curved out into the crowd.

Though sounding like he was losing some vocal strength on "Little Guitars," Roth's voice was perfect for most of the night, his signature rasp still exuding sex.

A flawless drum solo by Alex came near the show's middle, his lightning- fast hands showcased on the screen behind him as he thumped and pounded his skins, virtually shaking the floor of the entire arena, all the while with a large smile on his face. Eddie's extended solo came towards the end, the veins in his arms protruding as he made love to his guitar, writhing around on the ground in front of the speakers, his trusty cigarette dangling from his mouth. For both solos, the majority of the crowd stayed put.

A touching moment came before "Ice Cream Man," in which Roth humbly waxed philosophical about So-Cal circa 1972 and the inspiration behind the song as he wandered out before the crowd with his guitar. "I'm getting memories," he remarked -- as were the thousands in attendance that night.

For the encore, the disco ball that had hung over the crowd lowered and trippily sparkled over the arena as Roth ran around the stage waving a giant red flag. The final song was the band's biggest hit, "Jump." In a throwback to the '80s, Roth twirled a baton, then humped a giant inflatable mic.

To a standing ovation in a blizzard of confetti, Van Halen's comeback show came to an end, a full two hours after it began with Alex, Eddie, Wolfgang and Roth bowing hand in hand. Van Halen 2007 was tight, riveting and loud. The band truly owned the night and every fan foaming at the bit.

Whether you are Team Roth or Team Hagar/Anthony, last week Van Halen captured something that has been missing for far too long from the music scene: Van Halen. And music fans alike should revel in it -- for however long it lasts.

[Return to Current Headlines]