Van Halen
Sunrise Theater
Fort Lauderdale, FL
September 17, 1998

Set List - Click here!

Review by Theo Freiberg - thyssa@aol.com

I just came back from the 3 show and let me tell ya...It was damn good. Gary shocked me the most. I was very uncertain of him because I am a big Sammy fan. I had serious doubts about this show and about how Gary would be able to fill Sammy's shoes. I feel that this guy fits right in. His voice blends right into the new lineup. He is a very good showman and really gets the crowd into it. I think his voice is perfect for the new generation of Van Halen. The only thing I was wondering is if he "hits from the other side of the plate." Of course there is nothing wrong with that, I was just wondering.

Eddie as usual, was his old self. For a guy who needs a new hip, he was in good shape. He was jumping around stage making his guitar sound as good as it always sounds. Mike's voice was in the best shape I have ever heard. I think he should sing lead vocals on more songs.

And last but not least, Big Al was on fire not missing one beat. His solos keep getting better and better. This big guy has a busted arm and a pinched nerve in his neck and he is still crazy! The only thing that was missing was "Dreams." It seems that after reading the set list every night on this tour, they play the exact same set every night. I wish they would have mixed it up a little bit.

Anyway my ears are still ringin' and I just want to say, that this show has got my vote. I encourage anybody who is unsure about this new generation, to get your ass out there and see it for your self. You may be suprised. I sure as hell was.

Eddie is God. I saw them in Atlanta and they were even better tonight. Kudos to the sound engineer. Also, Gary seemed more comfortable tonight and talked with the crowd a little more.

The Sunrise musical theatre is an intimate setting. The crowd was intense. When Michael sang "Somebody Get Me A Doctor", it was incredible. Kenny Wayne Shepherd didn't open, but it was still great. They all seemed like they were having a great time, even though the show started an hour late.

Eddie broke his strap towards the end of the show, but pulled it off like the pro that he is. Gary sounded great singing "Josephina." He was obviously more comfortable with the songs and they sounded more like a team tonight. Gary's come a long way since July, and I'm sure their next album will be even better. He has the Freddy Mercury/Queen thing goin' on - and it's cool. God bless Van Halen and the Van Halen fans.

First off my ears are still ringing. Van Halen played at the Sunrise Musical Theather last night. This was a real treat because this place only holds 4000 people and trust me it was sold out. As Gary said last night "not a bad seat in the house." If a treat ever existed to see Van Halen in a place of this size, last night was the night to see them.

As I scrambled to make it out of the bathroom I heard Eddie's guitar making his trademark stage entrance sounds. They then ripped into "Unchained" followed by "Without You" and the rest of the usual set list. These guys played their hearts out and played with such intensity as if they were teenagers. Eddie was running around, doing flying Daffies going nuts. So was Mike, and Gary.

Gary I would believe layed to rest last night that he was indeed the right man for the job. These guys seems to be having a lot of fun and it showed in their playing which was reflected by the crowd reactions. The place was on it's feet all night, I know I was and so was my brother. From the opening chords of "Unchained" to the last note of "Jump" all that really need be said is Van Halen Fucking Rocked.

As Cartman would say "Kick Ass!" The rock gods known as Van Halen came to Sunrise, they saw, and they conquered. I knew from the beginning when I heard Van Halen picked Gary Cherone to be their frontman, they would only get better.

Seeing such classics as "Unchained", "Somebody Get Me A Doctor", and "I'm The One" being played live after 12 years of dormancy is such a great feeling. I saw Van Halen on the "Balance" Tour and I can honestly say that this was 100 times better. Eddie was like a high school kid, Mike was just phenomenal, Alex is well, awesome.

Gary I think surprised a few people with his ability to sing "Diamond" Dave and Sammy tunes like they were his own. My favorite songs of the night were "Human's Being" and "Josephina". All I can do now is wait for a new album and a new tour. Keep on rockin guys!!!

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!!

What more can I say? It was a Van Halen show! I just saw them last night. Gary sounded great! Mike and Al were solid as could be. And Eddie...that man is not human...he is the one and only true KING!!!

I had a choice of seeing Shania Twain at the Coral Sky Amphitheater in West Palm Beach or Van Halen in Sunrise. They were both playing here in FL last last night. Wasn't too hard to decide.

Van Halen is greatest band in the world!!!