Van Halen
Del Mar Fair
San Diego, CA
July 03, 1998

Set List - Click here!

Review by Joe Sage - MUZIC97@HOTMAIL.COM

I am a long time VAN HALEN fan from the first record in 1978. The first show I ever saw was in 1980. The next one I saw was in 1984, from that time on I have NOT MISSED A SHOW.

The show started off great with UNCHAINED and just got better with each song they played. The way that Gary sang all that old tunes was a breath of fresh air. I have seen VAN HALEN play RIGHT NOW live from 1988 to date and after the first time I saw them play it I thought it was ok live after the first time, OH what a difference a singer makes. This time out the song was harder than they ever played it before, it was GREAT.

Alex's drum solo was a great one as always, but the suprise of the night is when MICHEAL sang SOMEBODY GET ME A DOCTOR.

The next suprise was when EDDIE AND GARY sang HOW MANY SAY I. I was not a fan of this song on the album, but LIVE they did a great job with it I was really happy that they played it.

As a long time VAN HALEN concert goer this is the best show I have seen since 1984. GREAT JOB GUYS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, I will definitely see VAN HALEN when they come back this way in the winter when they play LA.

First let me say that for all that might doubt the ability of Gary Cherone, you are sorely mistaken. The man is genius. It looks like he bleached his hair, and he is just smooth out there.

Edward was real clear, it was cd quality, he didnt miss a note.

Al looked banged up with his neck brace on, but it surely didn't affect his play, his solo was the best I'd ever seen of him or anyone on the planet.

The show didn't sell well earlier in the month but the place was packed, and the energy was incredible. It's hard to describe, but this is a must see, get your tickets now the tour has just begun.

Let me begin by thanking this kick ass web site that I discovered last night that was the secondary inspiration for this review.

I just came home from the show in San Diego at the Del Mar Fairgrounds (Del Mar Race Track). The weather was terrific and it was a great atmosphere for a Van Halen show. It was a strange venue for Van Halen and the sound engineers had the daunting responsibility of making the band sound good in an acoustic environment that had all of their sound essentially bouncing straight back at them on stage.

The sound was a bit muddy for the first few tunes, but was sounding great throughout the rest of the show.

Edward is still a master and he patrolled the stage with the same grace that Jimmy Page once did, except with a little more liveliness. He has this band well tuned and with a rawer edge than in recent years. It was exciting to say the least for a long-time Van Halen fan.

Van Halen mixed up the set quite a bit from the show at Desert Sky Pavillion two nights earlier and seemed to be really loose. There was a nice section early on when they did sort of a medely of tunes from their first three albums (Romeo Delight, Dance The Night Away, and Feel Your Love Tonight). During Alex's drum solo, he used his midi triggers to play a small section from "Outta Love Again". It was very sweet. I thought that the sequenced sections of "Humans Being" sounded a bit muddy, but the chorus was clean.

The real heart of the show was when they got to "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" and "Year to the Day". "Year to the Day" was incredible. Eddie's bluesy guitar during the intro was a perfect lead-in to the solo that was best characterized as nothing but Wicked. He mixed in his guitar solo here (which featured an extensive jam on "Cathedral") and concluded it by going back into the finish of "Year to the Day".

I was a little surprised that they did "How Many Say I", which I admit wouldn't be my first choice for an encore. They brought a Yamaha grand on stage for Edward and it was apparent that this is clearly his song. His piano playing is much improved from the days of "Jump" and he displays his ability on keys prominently.

I was impressed by Gary Cherone. I saw a little bit of Freddy Mercury in him. He works well for the band and it seemed like Edward was refreshed that he once again shared the spotlight of the band that he continues to make great music with.

I was so pumped to see this band again and that they are still kicking ass. They are still one of the greatest bands ever.

Van Halen rocked the Del Mar Fairgrounds tonight and proved to everyone in attendance that VAN HALEN IS THE GREATEST BAND IN THE WORLD! I enjoyed the show from my sweet 5th row seat directly in front of the man that inspired me to try to learn how to play the electric guitar: Eddie Van Halen!

Mr. Van Halen has been the best guitarist in the biz since '78 (and even before that, really)! Here's the scoop on the new guy: Mr. Cherone has easily proven himself worthy of the Van Halen frontman position. My only wish is that everyone could see this concert and put an end to the Dave vs. Sammy war. All that matters now is that Gary is EXTREME. Killer vocals and crazy stage antics!

Please accept that what is good for Van Halen is good for us all, because I've never seen a more excited and honestly happy! And with Cherone in the group we get to hear the old songs, the new songs, and even older songs than the old songs! LONG LIVE VAN HALEN MACH 3!

Okay, now for the highlights: Most anxious moment
Eddie making elephant noises from offstage just before "Unchained" kicked in. Best sing-along moment
Chorus of "Feel Your Love Tonight."
Funniest moment
Ed needs a light but just shrugs and sticks his cigarette to the tape on the mic stand!
Cutest moment
Wolfgang comes onstage during "Mean Street."
Most intense moment
That split second between the line 'Ain't no stopping now...' and 'Panama!' then it comes crashing down on you again!
Most embarrassing moment
Ed drops his pick right after the intro to "Mean Street" and spends about twenty seconds looking for it on the ground (It's okay, Ed)!
Most embarrassing moment (for me)
Screaming wildly in excitement when I recognize "How Many Say I?"
Most dangerous moment
Gary climbs onto the sound system cabinets on the right side of the stage.
Best unexpected vocal performance
Mike on "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" (especially that really high note)!
Best guitar solo
Edward (duh)!
Best guitar solo (in a song)
He ripped them all up but it was really cool to see the "Humans Being" solo performed live!
Best drum/percussion solo
Alex (but Gary has a close 2nd place with those maracas)!
Best back-up vocal
Mike doing that low part behind the verses of "Humans Being."
Favorite song to hear
Unchained!
Favorite songs to hear
Dance The Night Away/Feel Your Love Tonight ('cause it's two in one)!
Favorite song would have liked to hear
I'm The One.
'I'm so glad I came' moments
1. When all the songs from VH3 sounded better live than on the album
2. I got to hear obscure classics (i.e. Romeo Delight)
3. Everytime Ed gives a thumbs-up and grins!
Saddest moment
When it was over and I had to go back home :(

It's cool, though, 'cause I'm going to see them in Devore on July 4th, but just for the fireworks ;)

This band has proved me wrong. I had concluded that they could get no better but the boys are at an all time best. I saw them in Dallas and decide to fly out to California for a few shows. Much to my amazement, this was the better show.

There was not one weak spot in the whole show from the opening with "Unchained" to the closing with "Jump". The croud favorite seemed to actually be "Ain't talkin' 'bout love", which I must say absolutely rocked.

I have never seen this band so alive. It is my belief that they have finally found the right man for the job. Gary is the best showman and singer (by far) that Van Halen has ever had. At one point in the show, or two, i don't recall, Wolfgang (Eddie's kid) ran out on stage real quick.

Over all, the band sounded bigger than I have ever heard them sound. Eddie's guitar sounded mammoth. And Alex is a human drum machine. Mike sang lead vocals on "Somebody get me a doctor". He was very impressive.

Never have I seen a band with such energy. They really seemed to be enjoying themselves. I know I was. See you tomorrow at the Pavilion!

This show kicked all ass. Anybody going to see them is definitley in for a great time. The special effects on the jumbo screen were especially cool. I had a great time! Thanks VH!

With the addition of Gary, Van Halen finally has a vocalist who is worthy of the band. I would say everyone in attendance at the San Diego show was blown away with not only the song selection but the energy that was eminating from the band on each song no matter what era it was from. It was surprising to hear old VH classics such as "Unchained" and "Romeo Delight" sung and played with power not seen since the original line up. Gary also busted out into some impro beatles songs and often added harmonies and lyrics to the end of songs while ed wailed away.

Ed was on fire on songs like "I can't wait to feel your love tonight" and made up for an un-ed like short solo with ripping versions of "Fire in the Hole" and even tore through "Jump" and "Why Can't this Be Love."

One of the best songs of the night was "Year to the Day" off of VH3. The interplay between Ed and Gary was great and it sounded intense as they tore through the end off the songs trading lyrics for licks.

Even though Alex looked pretty beat up in an arm cast and a neck brace, he still pounded out a standing ovation drum solo and kept a smile on throughout the show.

Michael Anthony blew everyone away by taking the lead vocals in "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" which sort of made up for a show with no bass solo. Ed also sang a chorus or two of Human Beings while scenes from the movie were flashed up behind the stage.

Ed showed he's always up to something new when he and Gary came out for a stunning rendition of "How Many Say I" from VH3. The harmonies and overall sound quality on this song were awesome and show just how much versatility the new band has.

Overall the guys seemed to be having a real good time up there and that made the show even more fun to watch. Don't listen to bitter Dave and Sammy fans or critics (well who listens to them anyway) and go out and see for youself the new lineup with Gary. VH is revitalized and definately kicks some ass.

Also, as a side note, on the side of the stage was Ed's son Wolfie with Valerie (I think).