Van Halen
Van Andel Arena
Grand Rapids, MI
September 2, 1998

Set List - Click here!

Review by Dan Hutchinson - dhutch01@baker.edu

"That Gary Cherone, he's one bad ass muther fucker". Eddie Van Halen said about the new and improved lead singer of the MIGHTY VAN HALEN.

Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena has now been officially christened, having tried to contained the best rock n roll band ever. Having already seen the 3 tour once, I knew what was happening in front of me. But I was amazed to see an even better show and a even tighter band before my eyes. Gary has OBVIOUSLY gotten used to being the lead singer of this band and feels much more comfortable in the role. He was electrifying, he brings SO much excitement to this band. His arrival breathed new life into our beloved EDDIE, who was all over the place trying to run the youngster down. Eddie is having FUN again, and for the REAL VH fans out there, that means we get to see a hell of a show!

The band tore through a great set list, new old and older. The fans REALLY fed off the oldies, stuff like UNCHAINED and MEAN STREET were among the big hits. Sammy tunes like RIGHT NOW and DREAMS were on fire too. And all the 3 songs were just plain unbelivable. JOSEPHENA would have to be my personal highlight, done accoustically with Ed and Gary, this song was unbelievable.

In closing, this tour is a MUST SEE. NOBODY, I repeat NOBODY can keep an audiance captivated like King Eddie. Alex and Mikey rock as always, with a few suprises from our joking bassist, and Gary is a God send, the man can sing and WHOA, the intensity in his eyes. 3 is a winner and this VAN HALEN will go on forever as the best yet! Long live VH!!!!!!!!!!

Good show. Band sometimes falls apart during the songs where they play with pre-recorded music, ie. Dreams, Jump. The "up close and personal" radio show before the concert was really cool. I'll try to send in some pictures that I took. Kenny Wayne Shepherd opened up for them. He sounded real good too.

I wish that I could've got someone's autograph from Van Halen. Oh well, there's always next time!

HOLY COW... Van halen kicks ass yet one more time. The boys came in to town (Grand Rapids, Mich) and rocked it to the ground. I have been a fan of this band for ever and a day, and could not be any more blown away by what the group is doing to this day. I love Dave and Sammy, but any one that thinks Gary cant wear them shoes is wrong as hell.

This guy kicks ass! Now what we all need to do is get a non-believer and take him to a show he or she will be changed for ever. Ed was in top of the world form, and seemed to be having the time of his life. Big Al was holding time like a swiss watch, he was out of this world. Mike, what can I say about Mike he just plain makes me smile. His time in the center stage spotlight was a gas. He did a great job at lead vocals.

VAN HALEN still rules the world, thanks for a great show guys we love ya, and come back soon.

SOMEBODY GET ME A SHOT!!! Van Halen, the rock and roll legacy, rolled through and rocked Grand Rapids, MI. I was one the fortunate people who met the band backstage before the show, just shaking all of their hands made my evening complete, but the best was yet to come.

Many people around here don't like change very much, but with the newest member of the group, I'm sure he made everyone think twice. Gary's vocal range is above and beyond that of David or Sammy, simply a madman on stage with killer moves and flexability. At the start, he had a difficult time getting the crowd motivated, but by the third song, that all changed.

As for the music.....what more do I need to say, it's Van Halen! The lights went out, smoke filled the stage and "Unchained" immediately began to crank with the crowd on their feet, followed by back to back songs from "3". I about lost it when I heard the bass line to "Mean Street", and the low repeating thump intro to "Why Can't This Be Love".

Michael Anthony seemed to be the crowd favorite (next to the brothers of course) and when Gary introduced him for "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" the crowd exploded with more joy, and that energy level stayed the same until the last note was played at the end of the night. Alex Van Halen, the rhythmic, lead, awe inspiring percussionist brought the house down with the solo. The song "Year To The Day", OH WOW, OH WOW, OH WOW, I couldn't handle the rock and roll!!! If the song wasn't intense enough, Eddie broke into an infamous guitar solo and merged it into "Eruption", about 10 minutes later the rest of the band returned to the stage and picked up the song EXACTLY on the beat they left it at - truly the mark of professional musicians who feel very passionate about their music no matter how many times they have played it.

The encore kind of fooled everyone, Alex held a drum beat with Eddie as he strummed single notes, we thought for sure is was "Everybody Wants Some", however it turned out to be "Panama", and equal treat.

When Van Halen rolls through your town, go to see the lighting and stage effects, go to hear Gary, go for the energy, but most of all, go and attend the show for the Van Halen rock and roll legacy that will live in infamy.

Last night's show was the greatest concert I have ever seen. I thought the show in Detroit back in May was spectacular, but last night just blew me away. Never have I seen a band play the tunes to perfection and get the crowd into it like Van Halen can. I now truly believe that Van Halen is the greatest Rock and Roll band of all time.

Kenny Wayne Shepherd was absolutely amazing. He is going to be a star. Opening for Van Halen was the perfect opportunity for him. His instrumentals were outstanding. The crowd really got into it with "Blue on Black" and "Slow Ride." But the highlight of the show was closing with Jimi Hendrix's "Voodoo Chile."

But now I'll get to the reason I came to the show, VAN HALEN!!! From beginning to end, nobody missed a note. I have never seen Eddie play so close to perfection. The highlight of the show for me was something I'll never forget. During the opening tune, "Unchained," Eddie pointed right at me in the fifth row (Jeremy, Jessica, Amber, Mike, and Tonya can confirm that). I also got Gary's attention a few times in the show. They were all over the place and really got the crowd into the show.

To all you Dave and Sammy followers out there, I have two words for you, GARY CHERONE!!! There is nothing this man can't do. He can hit the highs like Dave and belt out the ballads just like Sammy. You're getting the BEST OF BOTH WORLDS with Gary. And thanks to him, now VH is going back to the old school Van Halen. There was not one part of the stage Gary did not cover. I don't know how he does it, he is just unbelieveable.

Then we have Michael Anthony. This guy redefines "cool." From him hitting the highs on "Somebody Get Me A Doctor" to busting out the Jack Daniels bass, Michael always has something for the crowd. One thing I have to know is where does he get his shirts, I have to know.

Alex Van Halen must be the most underrated drummer on the planet. His drum solo blew me away. Where does he get the energy to do that. I'm just 21 and I'd pass out trying to keep on going like that.

And what isn't there to say about Eddie. He was on tonight. "Without You" and "One I Want" sounded better than ever. He played the old tunes like it was 1979, he hasn't skipped a beat. With "Eruption," he just kept in going and going near the end, his eyes were shut and he was in his own world. He was all over the stage, I had never expected to see him so crazy like in the old days. I just have to say it one more time "EDDIE EDDIE EDDIE EDDIE EDDIE EDDIE!"

All the tunes were played to perfection. I wasn't expecting "Jamie's Cryin." That song just kicked ass. They also brought back "Dreams," which is my favorite VH tune, so I'm glad I got to see it. They got the crowd into "Panama" like you wouldn't believe. Overall, every minute was something I will never forget. If you haven't seen VH yet on tour, GO!, it will be money well spent. And if you don't wanna see VH because of Gary, FUCK YOU!, he is the greatest frontman Van Halen will ever have! Thank you VH for coming to Grand Rapids, we had a hell of a time!