22 years later, imperfect is perfect

They said it couldn't happen, shouldn't happen. Diamond Dave had become a half-carat has-been. Fast Eddie had bottomed out from hard living. But more than that, these iconic head cases despised each other, a scrum of pride that turned rock's most ephemerally ferocious band into a cautionary tale (at best), a punch line (that's more like it).

But if air-guitaring is believing, Van Halen's reunion show at the St. Pete Times Forum Monday not only happened - it happened with life-affirming vigor. If it wasn't VH's original 1978 lineup, it was close enough to successfully tap into our adolescent aggression and Friday-night fantasies.

In other words, this show didn't have to be perfect for the 16,853 fans to adore every moment. After 22 years, people couldn't wait to feel that Van Halen love again.

Older, wiser, but still just as rambunctious, there they were: frontman David Lee Roth, 52; guitarist Eddie Van Halen, 53; drummer Alex Van Halen, 54; and bassist Wolfgang "Wolfie" Van Halen, Eddie's 16-year-old son, replacing original member Michael Anthony, who remains aligned with Sammy Hagar, the man who joined the broken band after Roth went solo in the mid '80s.

But bygones were bygones - or at least it looked that way. "I heard you missed us! We're baaaaack!" hollered Roth, dressed as a randy circus ringmaster, waving a giant red flag and still infused with more ham than a pork farm. When Dave and Eddie shared a no-hard-feelings hug, the ensuing roar was deafening, and it hurt so good.

[AP file photo]

The beloved quartet kicked off the 21/2-hour show with three ferocious cuts from '78's self-titled debut, songs that redefined hard rock, connecting the crunchy sound of the '70s with the showboat glitz of the '80s: You Really Got Me, I'm the One, and Runnin' With the Devil. Standing proud on a walkway high above the band, Wolfie plucked out the menacing bass line of the latter -- thunk, thunk, thunk -- instantly burying any cries of nepotism from the crowd.

It took approximately zero seconds for Eddie to 1) lose his shirt and 2) remind us why he's considered one of if not THE most revolutionary guitarist in history. The IMAX screen behind the two-tiered stage offered plenty of up-close shots of the Dutch wonder's revolutionary "tapping" style, which generated a dizzying melange of delicious swirls and pops.

Oh, yeah, Fast Eddie -- who's had cancer, a hip replacement, and a lotta bad news in his life -- is still a mind-blowing craftsman, blending gut-check riffs with Mozartian grandeur, making that sucker speak a language that is anything but guitar talk. He plays over songs, under grooves, making the noise of five men. Even when he took a power drill to his strings during his inevitable Eruption solo, Eddie and his furious fingers proved faster than that Black & Decker.

As for good ol' Diamond Dave, who's equally ab-ripped, he grinned throughout, launched a few flying kicks and referenced all areas below his belt as if he were still the hottest stud in town. He was likable, lovable even. But he was often just as frustrating, selling songs with panache but dropping every other word, gargling a few others. He occasionally paid little attention to the beat.

That said, I sang along to every dang word, the same words I scribbled in my Trapper Keeper two decades back. I pumped my fist throughout the highway-heat of Everybody Wants Some!! in which Dave gave a foreplay-by-play: "Lose the dress, keep the shoes." I banged my head to the gnarly grit of Mean Street. I can't remember the last time I was so giddy for so long during stretches of a concert.

The show's midpoint was a time-traveling marvel, a four-pronged arsenal of classic VH goodness. After Alex Van Halen's tom-terrorizing drum solo, the boys brought out the big guns. Unchained, I'll Wait, And the Cradle Will Rock and Hot for Teacher. Were they perfect renditions? Not even close. Was I sweaty and breathless after each one? Get me a towel, buddy.

Van Halen gamboled on, sticking to the gems on their first six discs, not a "Van Hagar" song to be heard. But staying loyal to the good old days worked just fine, as the first set closed with Jamie's Cryin', Ice Cream Man, Panama and Ain't Talkin' Bout Love.

You knew what was coming in the encore: the anthemic Jump from 1984. With the keyboards crashing and Eddie picking and Diamond Dave unleashing one more karate swat, it didn't feel exactly like the good ol' days. But for one night, it sure felt close enough.

Comments

[DG]

Between the 2 big reunion shows that have come to Tampa in the past year (The Police and Van Halen), which did you prefer?

[Marissa]

Sean, just reading your review was like having a cup of coffee taken intraveneously ... wow!

[sparky]

SD, DLR garbeling lyrics.

Plug in your iPod and go to Everybody Wants Some. According to the lyrics the second verse is supposed to be "I seen a lotta people lookin for a moonbeam." If you get that line out of the music I will buy you a Latte or a bag of Funyuns. But I still love that freaking song.

How did Wolfie do replacing Mad Mike's backup vocals?

[Marissa]

If "Everybody Wants Some" is playing while I'm driving in my car, I can only imagine what people might think is going on with me. I can't control my wiggle. I dare anyone to sit still with that intro.
I know I don't care what DLR is saying so much as the manner in which he garbles it. Now you made me want to put the song on.

[sparky]

Ris, everytime I hear that song. I see John Cusack flipping burgers and then saying "It's alive!" And then a burger picks up Eddie's guitar and starts dancing and jamming out. But my food often does strange things.

You should see my fajitas, they do a kick butt rendition of La Bamba.

[Marissa]

Sparky! You nut. "LaBamba" Yet another song I can't understand, but I have a great time pretending when I totally butcher the lyrics.

[joe hillman]

sean hit the nail on the head: i can't remember the last time i was so giddy at a concert (and, alas, so sober).

physically i'm 46. mentally, i was back in college last night. damn those two guys (roth and eddie) are magic together; old f@rts that they are... that we are.

we are.

[SoManyJs]

The best tour of the year/decade.

[Dennis]

I have been to every show since 84 and have been a loyal fan. The last time (04) VH was in town I was a bit sadden by their performance. But after last nights performance, as a fan I felt relieved that they deserved (after all these years) to possibly go out like that. Truly awesome. Brought back so many good memories.

[Sean Daly]

In answering DG's question...

It's extremely rare for me to cover a show and totally forget I'm on the job for great, giddy stretches of rock and roll. That happened at VH. That didn't happen at the Police, although Sting & Co. sounded pretty damn good.

[William Mojica]

Freakin' "A" man. That was an awesome concert. Eddy is a true Guitar Hero. It brought tears to the eyes watching him play and knowing I was there in person to experience it. Roth was garbled as heck but his showmanship more than made up for it. I definitely am feeling worse for wear as I haven't rocked out like that in years but it was well worth the wait and pain. Somebody Get Me A Doctor

[aj]

The Police actually took their show seriously, and ensured that the sound was balanced and clear. The mix last night was awful.

[Drew]

Back in 1980 I saw VH for the first time and even went to the 1984 tour opener and then the 2nd show. Yes I am a fan.I ve been out to see all the different front men. Last night wasnt the best . The sound was off , Mike wasnt there but It was what the people wanted and I loved every second of it.
Rock on til your dead !

[Karen Campbell]

I am in the same boat with William Mojica. Someone please call a doctor. My neck is sore from bobbing my head so hard and my arms hurt from pumping the air for so long. I was in rock and roll heaven. WHAT A FANTASTIC CONCERT!!! My sister Judy and I were teenagers again and we felt the Van Halen love. I was mesmerized by Eddie's fingers...what he does with a guitar is awe inspiring. Wolfie is blessed, evidently he is capable of following in his father's foot-steps. Bless DLR's heart-at least he was willing to participate in the reunion tour so die hard fans like my sister and I could be teenagers again for at least one night.

[Jason Scott]

THAT CONCERT ROCKED!!! So what if the sound was off, the mix was poor, and David Lee Roth messed up lyrics, couldn't carry a tune in a bucket, and was generally difficult to understand...It was all about the guitars and no one was disappointed with the Van Halen boys. It was all about the memories. I haven't rocked out like that in years...so Karen and William...you are not alone. Every ache and pain I have today is worth the the music I enjoyed last night. Rock on.

[Tonka61]

I can't express enough how much I enjoyed that concert last night. It was unbelieveable. Someone on here complained about the mix, but to be honest, that was one of the best sounding shows I have ever been to at the Forum. But I was on the floor, so the sound was coming directly at me.

If anyone is into cool souveniers, go on dimeadozen...someone recorded the audio of the show.

[Joe]

I've been to two Van Halen shows in my life: One was last night ( I'm 38 now ), and my first show was on Superbowl Sunday in 1984 at the Lakeland civic center. Both shows were freakin great. What a fantastic set list last night. Of course, you knew that they weren't going to play any of that Van Hagar stuff. DL Roth is possibly the best frontman ever for a rock band that just wants to have a good time. Me and 7 old buddies had a hell of a good time last night. Thank God for taxi cabs and for taking today off from work!! Woo Hoo!!!! This hangover was sooooooo worth it!

[Ellen]

Sean, I hope your paycheck has lots of zeros in it because you deserve it! Your writing style was so ON with how every single tried and true VH fan felt last night!

It was so amazing! I saw Van Hagar 2 times and Van Cherone 1 time, and this by far blew them all away!!

Every frickin song brought me back to my bedroom in the late 70's, early 80's listening to my 33's of VH I & II and Women and Children First.

Darn, tho it was quite loud, and Ed missed a couple cords....but who the heck cared?? DLR & EVH were absolutley superior and Wolfie was amazing!! It was really sweet to see Ed's face gleeming with pride watching his offspring pound away at the bass!!

Buy me a ticket & I would totally be off to any city to see them again! This 43 yr old was very impressed!!

Rock on VH!! Keep rockin!

[Ray Pickins]

I just woke up from the concert and I was sober! Rockin out to one of the greatest rock bands in history is harder to do at 55 than when one is 18 and 19. Ahh...the sex, the drugs, the rock and roll, the memories. I am glad I survived the 70's so I could re-live it one more night. The boys were awesome. No complaints. I am glad to have the memories.

[Cathy Donough]

The concert was memorable. I can't tell you how wonderful the music made me feel. I was back on Maderia Beach, bar hopping, playing volleyball at Skips and rockin out to Van Halen all over again. I felt young and danced all night. Thank you Van Halen for a beautiful night. Worth every penny.

[William Mojica]

Hey Tonka61,
I,m feelin' better, two days later the neck doesn't hurt as much although I can't say the same for my voice, its still hoarse from screamin so much. I would like that souvenier you mentioned can you point me in the right direction. I went to dimeadozen and couldn't find anything. Thanks

[Tonka61]

Hey Will,
Go on there again, and go click on torrents and then click search. Type in "Tampa" and/or "Halen" and the VH show should be the first one. You have to sign up to download, but it's free. Also try "The traders den."