Van Halen
Jones Beach Amphitheater
Wantagh, NY
August 15, 1998

Set List - Click here!

Review by Paul Esposito - simplerhym@aol.com

From the opening chords of 'Unchained' to 'Josephina' performed with Eddie wearing N.Y. Yankee David Wells' jersey, VH rocked Jones Beach this evening on a not-so-hot-summer night. I had seen them at Madison Sq. Garden in May. This show rivaled that with regard to sound, but that set list was a bit better.

Comparing the two, 'Josephina',' Dirty Water Dog' and the big surprise of JAMIE'S CRYING were added; gone were 'Fire In The Hole', 'Feel Your Love Tonight', 'Romeo Delight' and 'Dance the Night Away', but I feel privileged to have heard the others.

'Year To The Day' was back in the set and smoked better than the Garden show. Despite the outdoor show, Gary was still in the suit...my one big regret... and sang formidably, especially considering he lost his voice 2 nights ago. Mikey kicked ass AGAIN on 'Somebody Get Me A Doctor' and 'I'm the One' sounded even better than it did in May to close that MSG show.

Before 'Panama' in the encore, the tease of 'Everybody Wants Some' was even more prevalent than usual, as Gary threw in a few squeals and jungle sounds to make me think they'd actually do it.

I'll be at the show in NJ tomorrow to compare, but I can hear 'Unchained', 'Mean Street' and 'Doctor' till the end of time and I won't get sick of them!

Thank you EDDIE, ALEX, GARY and MIKE for playing the songs we've been dying for!!! My personal favorites may never see the light of day, but just in case they read this: IN A SIMPLE RHYME, GIRL GONE BAD.

Are you ready for the mighty Van Halen?? This is a question you must ask yourself before going to see the band on their current "3" tour. Tonight at Jones Beach Ampitheater in New York, Van Halen was nothing short of a miracle and not to be exposed to the faint hearted.

Opening with their 1981 classic "Unchained", Van Halen took off at Mach 3 and didn't look back. It wasn't until mid-set that the band introduced some new songs to the set list, beginning with the "Fair Warning" sounding "Dirty Water Dog." Another welcome addition was "Jamie's Cryin'", a song which the band put aside after the "1984" tour.

Eddie, Alex, Mike and Gary were in top form as they covered twenty years of brutal rock music. "Closing" with the staple "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", Gary was climbing the rafters in pure frontman energy.

Of course, that wasn't really the end. They returned after a thunderous standing ovation to perform the acoustic "Josephina" and then skyrocketed back into "Panama" and "Jump." As usual, these were high energy and total fun.

The highlight of the evening was Eddie's solo guitar spot, in which he performed the best version of "Cathedral" I've ever heard.

To sum up the new version of Van Halen isn't easy, but I suppose it could be said that Van Halen 3 will make Sammy shamed and David Lee Roth have a respectful attitude once again.

I never saw Van Halen live until tonight. Honestly I didn't think I would enjoy it but I ended up loving every minute of it. Eddie's guitar playing blew me away. Gary's vocals were great. Alex and Mike were steady. The long island crowd was really into it the energy was incredible. I did not want it to end.

I am now a big fan of Van Halen due to going to the concert. Thank You for coming to Long Island NY. If you were not here I wouldn't be a big fan. I had a great time and I am looking foward to your next tour.

If you have not yet seen them on tour this year, RUN don't WALK to your nearest TicketMaster or Venue Box Office. Don't make the same mistake I almost did. YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!

I was "EXTREME"LY (sorry, could not resist that) impressed with Gary's on stage presence. He was outstanding. I did not know what to expect from him but after this performance I gotta give Gary TWO HUGE THUMBS SKYWARD.

As for Eddie, Alex and Michael, well, all I can say is after 20 something years together just one word describes what I thought. AWESOME!!! nothing else, no more, that's it!!!!!

I thought the May 22 concert could not be topped, but tonight's show blew mw away. This time I was way up front, I saw everything. I was so worried the show would be cancelled because of Gary's voice, but it wasn't, and it was awesome.

My heart was in my throat for the entire show. This was definitely a night I'll never forget. I handed Gary a bouquet of carnations in the middle of Panama, and in turn, he kissed me! I never expected it, I was so in shock. I ran back to my best friend and everyone was hi-fiving me and screaming and it was so...words cannot describe it. I'm still in denial.

The set list was the same awesome one, for the most part. Jamie's Cryin' was a surprise, and the crowd appreciated that. The guys had so much energy, they had so much fun up there. Personal faves - Unchained, I'm The One, Mean Street, Why Can't This Be Love, and of course, When It's Love. Dirty Water Dog was kinda cool too.

The weather was perfect, VH rocked, it was the best night. EDDIE (hey, why'd you give out my flowers?!), ALEX, MIKE, AND GARY, thanks again for an unforgettable night! I will love you always.

I have to admit as a loyal Van Halen fan since 7th grade way back in 1980, I was a little skeptical about Gary Cherone and how he would fit into the scheme of things. To my surprise, AWESOME surprise, VAN HALEN was once again AWESOME!!

This was my fourth time seeing them. They opened up with Mean Street, Without You, One I Want, then started playing some goldie oldies I never saw with DAVE: Jamie's Crying, Somebody Get Me a Doctor (Michael had lead), When It's Love, Jump, Panama, Why Can't This Be Love, Unchained, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, Eruption, Right Now, Humans Being, Dirty Water Dog, Josephina (Nice with Eddie and Gary), Year to the Day.

The concert was just AWESOME!! I'd see them again if they came back to NY!! Definitely a PLEASANT, EAR DEAFENING, AWESOME, SURPRISE.