Review by Chris Hinger - MagicVH@msn.com

Having missed this past weekends show in Austin, my wife and I trekked up to Killeen to see the self-proclaimed "Niagra of Viagra" strut his stuff. After an hour drive, two hours of milling around, and an hour of delays caused by a faulty power generator, DLR and company finally stormed the small stage at Sandy's at 10.45.

The band tore through the first three songs with Dave hitting on every lady in the joint; however, the faulty generator gave out towards the end of DTNA. While Dave's vocals and the guitar and bass amps were instantly quieted, Ray kept pounding out the beat on his drums while the crowd completed the song! It was killer.

A few minutes later, the generator was back up and the band was back on stage. The girl next to me got about a fifth of Jack "tossed" on her, while my wife and another lady got the looks from DLR all through the night. I was lucky enough to get an autograph from each member of the band, as well as a few photos. I was able to hang out with Ray after the gig, drinking beer at a honky tonk bar, talking about one of rock's greatest legends! How surreal.

By the end of the night, all the classic VH tunes had been sung in their original intonation. While it was a concert of a lifetime, being able to see DLR perform only four feet away from you, it would have been that much better to have seen the original gang playing. Oh well. Dave was at his best, using every cliche and pick up line in the book, which is why he still has a place in rock and roll.

I must say what I experienced the other night will stay with me forever. In the early eighties the mighty Van Halen to me were like Elvis, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin were to other generations. I could not believe that I would get to see Dave up close in a small venue like Sandy's.

If you ever were a David Lee Roth fan and you miss this show you are making a huge mistake. The energy this man still puts out and the fun that he apparently still has and the ability to make everyone in the venue feel like they are right there with him cannot be duplicated.

I saw Van Halen four times in the Early 80's in Houston. He makes people feel like they are on the stage with him, even if they are in the upper balcony. From the moment he walked on the stage it was pure enjoyment. He and the band roared through a set that left me begging for more. I could not believe that it was over!! I sang every lyric at the top of my lungs right to his face hoping he would be amazed. As usual though, the gorgeous female next to me won him over and she got the infamous backstage pass stuck to her chest.

After the show my wife saw this same girl come from the bus area looking a mess and I must say like she had the time of her life. (Dave, you still got it.)

I went home that night with a great feeling. The show, the music, the sound, the ringing ears. Thanks Dave for the time of my life!!!

Hot For Teacher
Panama
Little Guitars
Dance The Night Away Mean Street
Runnin' With The Devil
Eruption
You Really Got Me
So This Is Love?
(Oh) Pretty Woman
Little Dreamer
Atomic Punk
Ice Cream Man
Everybody Wants Some
Yankee Rose
Tobacco Road
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Jump

DLR Solo: 02
Van Halen: 16

Total: 18

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