Van Halen & Son coming to town

Van Halen has finally announced a Tampa date in their reunion tour. They're set to play the St. Pete Times Forum on Feb. 18, according to Pollstar.com. A Monday night. Oh man. Why did it have to be a Monday night?

It also means that in the first half of 2008, fans of 80s music here in Tampa Bay will have to decide between a slew of high profile acts: Besides VH, Bruce Springsteen visits on April 21, Bon Jovi on April 27 and The Cure on June 11. And that's just the Forum. Dennis DeYoung and Night Ranger are hitting Clearwater's Ruth Eckerd Hall on Jan. 19. And Queensryche plans the Tampa Theatre on Feb. 12.

So where does Van Halen fall into that mix? To be honest, I want to read more reviews first. If David Lee Roth is just going to prance around the stage, singing along Vegas style while being backed up by the Van Halen family, I'm not sure I'm interested.

I would have KILLED to have seen Van Halen back in the glorious drunken days of yore. With DLR humping the microphone stand, Michael Anthony playing that Jack Daniels bass guitar and Eddie squinting out at the crowd with bloodshot eyes. Long before Wolfgang Van Halen was a glimmer in the eye of Valerie Bertinelli. Today though?

So you tell me, dear 80s nation: Of those acts, which are must-see's and which are catch-me-next-timers?

Comments

[Brad]

Okay, I'll ask a question right back at you:

Which acts are touring in support of new music?

I know that not many of the 80s stalwarts are putting out new albums any more but it's hard to get too excited about nostalgia tours, unless you are a hardcore fan.

[Chris]

Yes, from what I've seen and heard Diamond Dave (with his new Bo-Tox treatments) pretty much does his patented vegas-prances for 2+ hours complete with his same stupid jokes.
This is not the same Van Halen people.
For an example of the current DLR check this out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za2oatuzwKQ

[Matt]

The Cure! Woohoo!

[Ian from Down Under]

In light of the recent untimely death of Kevin DuBrow, I have one thing to say Mr Spears, see them all while you can. Because as my wise mother always tells me "When they are gone, they are gone". But if you had to choose only one, The Cure rule.

[Spears]

Ian makes a compelling point in favor of Van Halen. Still, the battle for my concert dollars continues.

By the way, gang, there's no announced date yet for ticket sales. Not even the official Van Halen website has this date yet. It's a Pollstar.com (and Stuck in the 80s) exclusive.

[Dennis]

among the ones mentioned in general The Cure BUT (and that's a but in major letters) not The Cure with the recent lineup + the total lack of synths + Robert murdering many of the old songs - save the money... The Cure were great up until their trilogy shows in 2002 after that, almost 100% down the drain (never thought I'd say that having seen them approx. 30 times live...) - party's over, the only one who hasn't realised it yet is Robert himself...

[Jeff in Cuba]

No one's ever going to come to Guantanamo Bay, so this is a purely philosophical discussion for me.

Anyone touring solely on a back catalog (like the three middle-aged guys and the over-weight teenager) runs the risk of self-parody. It's almost like they become their own cover band. And while I respect artists who choose to "expand their horizons" or "go in new directions" (I'm talking to you, Bruce Springsteen), that's not where I'm going to put my hard-earned cash. I guess I would rather see an artist who is pushing new material in the same basic vein as their 80's work (think REO Speedwagon or Rick Springfield). You run a better chance of getting the perfect mix of new energy and classic songs. By that logic, I guess Night Ranger, Queensryche and maybe Bon Jovi are the shows to see.

It's not that I wouldn't love to chat with VH, and I'm dying to hear Robert Smith's thoughts on many things, but when it comes to concerts, I'm all about what happens on the stage.

[Scott]

Tampa Bay's music seen is consistently down in the dumps. What happened to the large stadium shows... and good music. Go to any other major city and you will find excellent venues for all types of different sized acts. Tampa just does not understand music

[Scott]

Tampa Bay's music seen is consistently down in the dumps. What happened to the large stadium shows... and good music. Go to any other major city and you will find excellent venues for all types of different sized acts. Tampa just does not understand music

[Hoodman]

I know they're not coming anytime soon as they were just here, but if you've seen The Cult (not Cure) once, you're hooked!

They were just at Jannus Landing a few weeks ago and blew away a SRO crowd of Cult fan(antics).

I saw Kiss the first three times they came to Pittsburgh in '74-'76 and in their heyday, i'd put them up against any rock/stage/theatric band in the land...in their heyday. And yes, i was a proud member of the Kiss Army.

Bruce is overrated. How many of these MTV has-beens keep coming here, there must be a demand...to that i'd say, get a grip! Between REO and .38Special, i think they're in a contest to see who comes here the most in a 365 day span.

My how times have changed...now i'm into 30SecondsToMars, MyChem, Staind, Rise Against and other hot alt rock bands.

[Gina V.]

Johnette Napalitano of Concrete Blonde was just here in DC and I hear she's still great live. I remember Concrete Blonde at Jannus Landing in St. Pete back in the late 1980s and they tore the place apart. And everyone I know is flipping over Ms. Siouxsie Sioux's new album and upcoming solo tour.

[Pete Bogs]

I think it's a shame Michael Anthony's not involved in this VH reunion... kind of taints it for me... not that I was planning on going...

[Greg Jones]

For those of us who haven't lived in a major city in more than 20 years, I have no sympathy for you folks that complain about your embarassment of riches.
And hey, I'll take the Dinosaurs of Rock anytime. The last "current" show I went to see was The Fray (with my daughter). The only thing that made it tolerable was that Mutemath opened. They're unclassifiable, but they were way better than The Fray. I also skipped my chance on tickets to see Maroon 5 and John Mayer with her. Give me some ROCK! I'll drive the 2 hours for that. Any "inside word" on Asia in Florida yet?

[JR]

Meh. I'm holding out to see if the White Stripes are going to reschedule their tour.

Of the ones listed though, I think Bon Jovi would probably put on a good show. Dennis DeYoung and Night Ranger? Don't think so. Queensryche? I liked "Empire" when I was in college, but not enough to go to a show. And I like the Cure, but no more than 3 songs at a time.

[Spears]

Asia's list of tour dates just came out for 2008 and there's no Florida stops this time around.

go to originalasia.com for the list.

[John]

Van Halen? This is NOT Van Halen, folks. Van Halen died the day Sammy signed on and turned the group from a rock band to a pop band. Some good memories brougt up by other posters though....I was at the Concrete Blonde show back then @ Jannus. What ever happened to Rob Douglas is he still promoting shows there? The Smiths, Violent Femmes, Ramones, Chili Peppers, Swimming Pool Q's, Fixx...heck even the local bands rocked like the Pink Lincolns, Wankers, Red Tape, Delores Telescope, etc.....damn I miss the old days in sleepy downtown St Pete @ Jannus & Club Detroit!!

[Bassnote]

I saw Springsteen on his current tour, and he and the E Street Band blew the roof off the joint. I am not a big Springsteen fan (that distinction goes to my wife), but he and his band put on a heck of a show, and there was plenty 70's and 80's material. I was not disappointed that I had spent the money on those tickets. Of all the other acts, I would probably go for The Cure, but I don't know how much older material they are doing these days.

[Eric S.]

I will probably try to see Van Halen. I always favored the Roth era Van Halen. I did see them a couple of years ago with Hagar. Sammy was good, but Eddie was horrible that night. He did one of the worst solos I have ever heard or seen for that matter. He muttered words throughout the night. Wouldn't be surprised if he was drunk.

No interest in Bruce or Bon Jovi. If it was Bon Jovi of 20 years ago, maybe. But not now.

I do want to see Dennis Deyoung again. He put on a great show last year. And Night Ranger should be good. Disappointed that America bowed out of that show.

I'll see Ryche again. Seen them a million over the last few years. They put on a good show and Tate has regained his voice in the last few years. And Don Dokken will be supporting. His voice has really slipped since Erase the Slate, but hopefully he will find the fountain of youth before hand. Or give up smoking. Either one would be good for his voice.

[Ron S.]

If you like the songs that DeYoung wrote and sang while a part of Styx, then you don't want to miss his performance. His voice is as strong as ever

[Al]

Supposedly Eddie has fallen off the wagon this tour already.....they better be good when they get to Vancouver! Unfortunately with no MA on bass.....that means the background vocals will be Garage Band-ed in. He's a great background singer.

I'd love to see Bruce live, and I have to agree with Hoodman's comment. I saw the Cult live 2 years ago in a small outdoor venue, and they were amazing. Quite worth the money.