Van Halen
Blaisdell Arena
Honolulu, HI
October 16, 1998

Set List - Click here!

Review by Mark Ramelb - mramelb@gte.net

HOLY F#!@CKEN SHIT!!!! I just got back from the show tonight at Blaisdell Arena. One word to describe what I just witnessed: AWESOME!!!!!

This version of the band blows all other incarnations away live. Gary is an amazing performer and singer. Where in the world does he get all that energy? The man is all over the stage. He certainly has recharged the rest of the guys in the band.

Mike and Alex were their usual rock solid performers, Alex's solo was legendary and Mike's vocal turn on Somebody Get Me A Doctor was great. Eddie is just plain GREAT, HE DA MAN!!! This is the best I've seen him play and this is the 6th time they've played here.

My favorite moments were the old classics like Unchained, Mean Street and especially Jamie's Cryin'. Eddie's solo in the middle of Year To The Day was just pure genius. That was the best VH show I have seen yet. Mahalo (thanks in Hawaiian) guys for the great show and please stop by again real soon!!!!

The Blaisdell was rocking once again with the sounds of Van Halen. This was the boy's 5th trip into Honolulu. The talk of everyone entering the show was how good of a job Gary Cherone could do.

Sunburn opened the show. They were a last minute add to the gig. Apparently they met up with Gary and had a few shots, and presto, they were opening. They did a good job. Thankfully, the road crew made a quick transition and Eddie and the boys were on stage by 8:50.

Once Gary took the stage, there was no doubt as to his place in the band. He wasn't Sammy or Dave, he was Gary, and he was rocking. From the opening chords of Unchained to the waining sounds of Jump, the boys rocked and the crowed ate it up.

The highlight of the show was Mike's lead vocals on "Somebody Get Me A Doctor". It was a great touch and made up for his not doing a solo. Alex & Eddie's solo's were fabulous. The entire show was great and the people of Hawaii thank VH for doing a full gig and giving us one of the best rocking shows to hit the islands in a long time.

In my next life, I'm going to be Eddie. Every time I see Eddie and the boys perform, they just seem to have so much fun. This time was no excepton. It was a little sad to see the crowd getting older. But its good to see the hard core faithful coming out to see some kick butt VH.

This was my 5th time to see the legends in person but the first time to see Gary. The guy is pretty darn awesome. Not to take away anything from Sammy, but Gary can wail out those cords. Not to mention his never ending energy and David Bowie-esque appearance.

The new stuff was good but I get chills when I heard Unchained, Somebody Get Me A Doctor, and another dream fufilled by hearing Jamie's Crying LIVE!

Enjoyed Michael doing more vocals. Alex was his usual masterful self. And Eddie is just Eddie. Need I say more?

Sadly the show came to a close Jump as the second encore. They did mention though that after Asia, they would be writing for another album then will be back in Honolulu to tour.

Can't wait.

An absolutely killer concert. I'm sure by now Gary Cherone has dispelled any doubts about his live performance, and the rest of the band kicked ass as usual.

I was hoping for 'Dance The Night Away,' or 'Feel Your Love Tonight,' but I guess that might have to wait till next time. I saw VH with Hagar, and I have to say that this concert was much better. Cherone just knows how to work the crowd. Hopefully I won't have to wait another six years before they come to Hawaii again.

Aloha and howzit!!

Just got back from the show that ended only a couple of hours ago. KICK ASS!!!!!! I've been a fan of Van Halen since 1980 when I first heard "Women And Children First" and have been hooked ever since. Living out here in Hawaii (which is part of the USA!), we don't get many of the major "US concert" tours that happen on the mainland. So I am very thankful that my favorite band of all time still enjoys coming to Hawaii for their fans.

I consider myself very lucky to have seen all 3 versions of the band, with the first being at the Great Western Forum in L.A. back in 1984 with David Lee Roth. And it was a awesome to hear the classic songs again especially, "Unchained", "Mean Street", "Jamie's Cryin" and Mike singing "Somebody Get Me A Doctor".

I am not familiar with Gary's singing with Extreme, but that guy is a great showman. From his dance moves to his singing, he can do it all. The songs he sang from the Sammy era were just as good if not better (that's not to say that Sammy isn't great, he was and still is!). Even my girlfriend who really isn't a Van Halen fan enjoyed the show. She even noticed how the guys were really having fun up on stage laughing and joking with each other.

The band put on a power packed 2 hour show that went by way too fast. As usual the band was tight with Mike pounding away on bass and Alex with a great solo, especially when he did his solo with the recorded music, brass band and all! And Ed, well, he still is THE BEST guitarist/musician in the world. To see him up close (2nd row center!!!) made the show all worth while.

Now they're off to finish their tour in Japan and Gary said that they'll be back in the studio to start another album. Can't wait till its done so that they can come back and rock Honolulu again!!

So again we say to the band from all your fans here in Hawaii, ALOHA and MAHALO!!!!