Van Halen: The folks are overjoyed

Where has Van Halen been all my adult life? Growing up in Florida, I don't remember the original lineup coming through Tampa Bay in the early 80s. They've always been on my "must-see" list -- but obviously the boys are playing hard-to-get.

So like the other 16,000-plus fanatics at the St. Pete Times Forum last night, it was time to finally put an end to a long drought. Read Times pop music critic Sean Daly's full review here.

Here's what I took away from the experience.

THE THREADS: Eddie Van Halen started the show shirtless ... launching an abbreviated guitar solo before the band joined him with "You Really Got Me." David Lee Roth alternated between ringleader jackets, and Wolfgang Van Halen chose to layer himself grunge-style. Drummer Alex might have been wearing a dress for all I could tell.

THE TUNES: The band followed the same set list that we published yesterday -- the same lineup for the whole tour. Whatever works, guys.

THE SMELLS: First whiff of that familiar "concert smoke" ... 8:33 p.m. -- two verses into VH's opening song. This was a crowd that clearly wasn't adhering to the Florida Indoor Clean Air Act -- or any other similar statute.

HERE'S JUNIOR'S GRADE: Wolfie can play bass on this level - no question about it. The stage presence will come with time. It's almost like he's "That Fan" -- the one who suddenly finds himself invited on stage. You want to cheer for him. And why not? (Weird thing -- if you stare at him long enough and squint your eyes, you can see Valerie Bertinelli.)

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: "Unchained" seemed a little sloppy. It didn't have that gut-wrenching grinding guitar opening. And Dave fell behind a couple times. "Hot for the Teacher" seemed a little rushed and loose. It's just not the same without the sexy video.

BIGGEST SURPRISE: "Everybody Wants Some" re-energized the band at the set's halfway mark. And "I'll Wait" -- a tune that never really that stood out for me before -- took on an anthem-like quality. I half-expected Bono to walk out, waving a white flag.

A DRUM SOLO ... REALLY?: Does any band born after 1979 still do a drum show during a concert? Still, it gave Dave time to find a new jacket ... and to rub some Ben-Gay on those achy groin muscles.

GETTING PHYSICAL: There probably aren't two better-sculpted 50-something rockers than Diamond Dave and Eddie VH. They look as good today as I looked ... well forget that. I'd sell what's left of my liver to get the phone number of their personal trainer.

ON THE OTHER HAND: Alex bears a striking resemblance these days to Bill Murray in "Kingpin." I kept expecting him to spring to his feet and hold up a crystal bowling ball with a rose inside.

MOMENTUM KILLER: An hour and 40 minutes into the show, Dave suddenly picks up an acoustic guitar, strums lightly and proceeds to tell the longest, rambling story in the history of modern rock and roll. Presumably, the other three band members needed a nap. Eventually, it evolved into "Ice Cream Man" -- so everyone was forgiven.

ONE LAST SONG: I never thought of "Jump" as a good song to end a show with. I'm so wrong. It remains an enduring symbol of the 80s, a tune that wraps up everything into one tight, unforgettable memory. You want to high-five strangers, dump what's left of your beer on your head, fall to your knees and then run out and buy three more concert shirts. How many songs have that kind of power?

FINAL GRADE: Let's face it. If you were here Monday night, it's because you love Van Halen and didn't want to miss out on what could be a one-time-only reunion. They could have come out wearing diapers, playing plastic flutes and we'd have gone bonkers anyhow. It was exactly the concert we all willed it to be.

[AP file photo]

Comments

[Marissa]

"They could have come out wearing diapers, playing plastic flutes and we'd have gone bonkers anyhow. It was exactly the concert we all willed it to be."

Love it! It sounds like a great time was had by all.

[jane]

You know, I would have been worried had there not been any mention of "concert smoke." Very atmospheric.

The comparison of Alex Van Halen to Ernie McCracken = genius. I'm a sucker for a good Kingpin reference.

Nice to know Wolfie held his own on stage musically. What a rush this must be for him.

Agree with Miss Riss -- it sounds like an amazing time was had by all. Glad that expectations were met.

[Jan Wesner]

Hey Steve - Van Halen played the Lakeland Civic Center back in the day ... I saw them there twice ... not sure when the first time was (maybe too much "concert smoke") but the second time was the 1984 tour.

I thought the band put on a good show last night. DLR did what he does best - put on a heck of a show. And EVH - wow -he was H-O-T!

[Al]

Steve,

Good review. When Dave rambled when I saw them last November, he was actually pretty funny. That's classic Diamond Dave for you. It's his show, his timing, his way.

[Spears]

Come to think of it, I think when Van Halen played Lakeland back in the mid-80s, I had already moved on to New Wave, etc.

Plus, I was subject to a well-documented and highly controversial concert policy by my parents in those days. Hence, I've never seen Duran Duran to this day.

[Eric S]

Very good concert. I enjoyed myself. I am glad that EVH redeemed himself last night after his horrid performance a few years ago here with Sammy. Thought his playing throughout the night was top notch.

I guess I am not a huge Van Halen fan because I didn't remember a few of the songs. DLR sounded good. He didn't take chances on some of the songs, like his famous yelp in "Runnin' with the Devil". I can't waiting for him to do that and he didn't. Overall he did a good job singing and performing. I personally liked the story he told before the Ice Cream Man song. Thought it was funny. Reminded me a little of the funny stuff that Bruce Dickinson says on stage.

Wolfie played remarkedly well. Yes, he doesn't have the stage presence just yet. That will come when he gets more experience And his background vocals were spot on. I honestly didn't miss Michael Anthony all that much. Anthony was a bit too much of a ham for a bassist anyway. And they probably would have thrown in a bass solo like they did on their last tour if Anthony was still in the band. No thank you.

I hate hate hate hate drum solos. I think they are such a waste of time. The only one I have really enjoyed was the Neil Peart solo several months ago here. If you are not Neil Peart, you should not do one. Dio's drummer does one every tour. I seem to remember Vinny Appice doing a solo with Heaven and Hell (AKA Black Sabbath). So drum solos are still around. And Steve, you've seen at least two drum solos in the past year (Asia, Rush) so it shouldn't be that surprising. I do wish groups would do away with them.

Great reference to Kingpin. He did look like Ernie after the drum solo when he stood up. Funny stuff.

Loved hearing Everybody Wants Some, And the Cradle will Rock and Ain't Talking About Love. Those were the songs I was looking forward to. Jump was a perfect ending with the confetti falling down from the rafters. Almost felt like New Year's Eve at the Forum.

[Tonka61]

Jan,
Look up "Van Halen tours" on Wikipedia. The guys came here several times in the late 70's/early 80's - mainly Lakeland. They also played Curtis Hixon, the Bayfront Center, and they opened for the Stones in '81 in Orlando - the last time they were an opening act in the Roth era. They played Lakeland again with Sammy.

And highlights from the show included "I'm the One," "Romeo Delight," "Ice Cream Man" (loved the story), and "Everybody Want's Some."

Did anyone else hear the crowd pop when he said "I like the way the line runs up the back of the stockings?"

Goosebumps.

[Rick]

Steve, I never was a bog fan of VH, so when I saw the pic that accompanied this post, I overlooked it. But then today I gave it a read through, and I thought it was terrific, well-written, very funny.

I almost wish I'd been there to high-five you.