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Post by kds on Dec 31, 2018 10:14:19 GMT -5
I started a thread about Van Halen, IMO the greatest hard rock band the USA ever produced, on the PSF, so I figured I'd revive it here.
VH has been a pretty inactive band in the 2000s.
2004 saw a short lived reunion with Sammy Hagar.
Then, nothing until 2007, when David Lee Roth rejoined the group, although this time bassist Michael Anthony was not on board, replaced by Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang.
The band went back into hiding after a 2007-8 tour until releasing their 2012 album A Different Kind of Truth.
Other than a 2015 summer tour, not much has been heard, but just after Christmas a rumor spread that a reunion of the full original lineup could happen in 2019. Michael Anthony shot down these rumors, but in the crazy world of rock and roll, you never know.
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Van Halen
Dec 31, 2018 11:10:09 GMT -5
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Post by Paul JB on Dec 31, 2018 11:10:09 GMT -5
Recommend you read Van Halen Rising if you have not done so. My brother likes The Beach Boys, loves Van Halen....I like Van Halen and love The Beach Boys. I read the book over thanksgiving then revisited some old YouTube vids from their heyday. If they hit the road again and they play my area I plan to go. Better late than never.
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Post by kds on Dec 31, 2018 11:32:13 GMT -5
Recommend you read Van Halen Rising if you have not done so. My brother likes The Beach Boys, loves Van Halen....I like Van Halen and love The Beach Boys. I read the book over thanksgiving then revisited some old YouTube vids from their heyday. If they hit the road again and they play my area I plan to go. Better late than never. I've heard good things about that book. One thing to keep in mind when seeing VH live. David Lee Roth has never been a good singer. I've read a ton of terrible reviews of the VH Live album from 2014 that all said "Dave can't sing." Listen to live stuff from any era. He never really could. He's a master showman and great entertainer, and was a perfect fit for that band though.
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Van Halen
Jan 2, 2019 2:25:21 GMT -5
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Post by jasonaustin on Jan 2, 2019 2:25:21 GMT -5
I can't think of another band of Van Halen's stature that is doing so much to tank their own legacy. I think it's insane that they have yet to release a box set, an archive collection of their old pre-VH I studio tapes or any vintage DLR-era live shows. I live these guys, but the endless squabbling in the media is getting old.
At least we have Wolfie's solo album to look forward to, I suppose.
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Post by kds on Jan 2, 2019 8:14:49 GMT -5
I can't think of another band of Van Halen's stature that is doing so much to tank their own legacy. I think it's insane that they have yet to release a box set, an archive collection of their old pre-VH I studio tapes or any vintage DLR-era live shows. I live these guys, but the endless squabbling in the media is getting old. At least we have Wolfie's solo album to look forward to, I suppose. I actually think their elusiveness may wind up adding to their mystique. It took Led Zeppelin decades to finally unearth some of their archival material. The same may happen here. And there's a theory that the band doesn't want to release any of the old shows from the original lineup because it'll reveal that Dave is really not a great live singer. But, it's mind boggling that over 40 years into their career, there is not a single officially released live document of DLR fronting the band.
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Post by kds on Jan 9, 2019 8:32:17 GMT -5
35 years ago today, the sixth and final album to feature VH's original lineup - 1984 - was released.
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Post by jasonaustin on Jan 9, 2019 18:16:16 GMT -5
35 years ago today, the sixth and final album to feature VH's original lineup - 1984 - was released. Still a classic I return to often. Mechanical drums aside, this album is just about perfect. I don't think Ed's ever laid down a better solo than on the outro of "Drop Dead Legs". "Girl Gone Bad" is a monster track, too. It's like he was playing out of his mind on that one.
I know the circumstances surrounding the recording led to the DLR/Templeman vs. Van Halens/Landee split, but they were really firing on all cylinders at this point, and the public obviously agreed. I'm not sure any "heavy metal" (as it was considered then) album outsold it prior to its release, not to mention a #1 single in "Jump".
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Post by kds on Jan 10, 2019 8:10:40 GMT -5
35 years ago today, the sixth and final album to feature VH's original lineup - 1984 - was released. Still a classic I return to often. Mechanical drums aside, this album is just about perfect. I don't think Ed's ever laid down a better solo than on the outro of "Drop Dead Legs". "Girl Gone Bad" is a monster track, too. It's like he was playing out of his mind on that one.
I know the circumstances surrounding the recording led to the DLR/Templeman vs. Van Halens/Landee split, but they were really firing on all cylinders at this point, and the public obviously agreed. I'm not sure any "heavy metal" (as it was considered then) album outsold it prior to its release, not to mention a #1 single in "Jump".
I believe Quiet Riot's 1983 album Metal Health may have outsold 1984. I know the Quiet Riot album went to #1, but VH didn't achieve that feat until the 5150 album. I'm sure 1984 has sold WAY more copies in the last 35 years. To be honest, 1984 is one I haven't listened to from start to finish in some time because of burn out on Jump, Panama, and Hot For Teacher. But, yeah, it's a great album. Although my DLR go-to albums are still the first two.
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Post by usawoman on Jan 10, 2019 12:35:52 GMT -5
Hi all,
I like Van Halen. They are a great group. I find their music fabulous.
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Post by jasonaustin on Jan 22, 2019 22:28:14 GMT -5
An interesting MA interview here, where he answers some pretty in-depth questions about what all is in the vaults.
Interestingly he brings up your "mystique" theory, kds!
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Van Halen
Jan 23, 2019 21:39:54 GMT -5
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Post by kds on Jan 23, 2019 21:39:54 GMT -5
An interesting MA interview here, where he answers some pretty in-depth questions about what all is in the vaults.
Interestingly he brings up your "mystique" theory, kds!
Interesting stuff. I'm surprised the 1983 US festival wasn't brought up. I remember the tapes were purchased by, I believe Rhino, about ten years ago. I know Quiet Riot and Judas Priest's performances were released. I was really hoping VH would be. I bought a 2nd generation VHS boot of that show years ago, and it was really good.
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Post by treatzapiza on Jan 24, 2019 23:23:50 GMT -5
Ever since I sold off my record collection several years ago I resolved to rebuild according to a plan of acquiring primarily more easily obtainable rock Lp's (as opposed to more collectible and coveted pressings of my favorites from the 60's). The American stuff is the most easily obtainable. But it's some of the best. Steely Dan . Van Halen was the other. Until such time as I can finance the purchase of used vinyl discographies of Van Halen, will you experts embed and post some videos with commentary and give this seeker an education?
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Post by jasonaustin on Jan 25, 2019 21:19:09 GMT -5
Ever since I sold off my record collection several years ago I resolved to rebuild according to a plan of acquiring primarily more easily obtainable rock Lp's (as opposed to more collectible and coveted pressings of my favorites from the 60's). The American stuff is the most easily obtainable. But it's some of the best. Steely Dan . Van Halen was the other. Until such time as I can finance the purchase of used vinyl discographies of Van Halen, will you experts embed and post some videos with commentary and give this seeker an education? Sure, are you just looking for some of their better, lesser-known stuff? I'm assuming you're familiar with the radio staples. The album Fair Warning is considered by most to be very underrated. Lots of great songs on that one. For this album, EVH started the practice of liberally overdubbing his guitar parts, so it's a fuller sound than their first three. My favorite song from it is probably "Dirty Movies".
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Post by treatzapiza on Jan 26, 2019 1:08:50 GMT -5
Sure, are you just looking for some of their better, lesser-known stuff? I'm assuming you're familiar with the radio staples. That's just exactly the idea. Familiar with their classic rock radio - format, warhorse tracks.
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Van Halen
Jan 26, 2019 1:30:26 GMT -5
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Post by kds on Jan 26, 2019 1:30:26 GMT -5
Sure, are you just looking for some of their better, lesser-known stuff? I'm assuming you're familiar with the radio staples. That's just exactly the idea. Familiar with their classic rock radio - format, warhorse tracks. The album has been seemingly forgotten, but I think much of Van Halen's 2012 comeback album A Different Kind of Truth is quite good. Most notably She's the Woman, China Town, and As Is.
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