A Look at Van Halen Tour Rehearsals
Video clips and spoilers below!
These rehearsals were apparently attended by press, assorted fans, and well-wishers/friends of the band. Valerie Bertinelli (ex-wife of Eddie Van Halen, and mother to Wolfgang) was reported to be in attendance.
As has been reported, Eddie's son Wolfgang has replaced Michael Anthony for the time being. But I'll be darned if "Wolfie" didn't actually pull it off! He's pretty solid on bass, and decent on the signature Anthony harmony vocals. Eddie and Alex seem like they've been rejuvenated, both are as solid as ever. Eddie in particular seemed inspired.
The surprise, for me, at least, was David Lee Roth. Sometimes, Roth has been maligned as a quality singer, but find and see the clips at the links below and elsewhere. DLR is in as good or better form than I've heard from him in age. Endurance, pitch, and style are all intact, and he's sounding as good as he ever has. Which to be honest, as far as I'm concerned, is one of the major make-or-break factors of this tour.
To top it all off, Wolfgang has chosen a set of 25 of the classic Van Halen tunes that we all heard growing up. They're all there "Unchained", "Mean Streets", "Panama" "I'll Wait" and many more. If you watch the video clips, one other neat thing is apparent. The band has subtly re-arranged some of these tunes to sound a little modern - less 70s and more 2000s.
So maybe, just maybe, this tour might be worth shelling out cash for after all! :)
Set List - culled from various sites/sources - may or may not be in order
01. You Really Got Me
02. I'm the One
03. Runnin' With the Devil
04. Romeo Delight
05. Somebody Get Me a Doctor
06. Beautiful Girls
07. Dance the Night Away
08. Atomic Punk
09. Everybody Wants Some
10. So This Is Love?
11. Mean Street
12. Pretty Woman
13. Drum Solo
14. Unchained
15. I'll Wait
16. And the Cradle Will Rock
17. Hot for Teacher
18. Little Dreamer
19. Little Guitars
20. Jamie's Cryin'
21. Ice Cream Man
22. Panama
23. Guitar Solo
24. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
ENCORE:
25. 1984
26. Jump
Video clips of "Panama," "Beautiful Girls," "Cathedral," and "Romeo Delight" (girl tries to get on the stage) in rehearsal for 2007 tour.
Published by Ryan Sheeler
Ryan is a musician, composer, writer. He has won awards from ASCAP, The Paramount Group and the Iowa Motion Picture Association. He has written film, musical, and orchestral works. He also works as a sin... View profile
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27 Comments
Post a CommentRe the Wolfie post from Ryan - I agree, based on the rehersal footage, although Wolf has definitely loosened up considerably when I saw him in TO. He was strutting around the stage and wailing on his guitar just like his Dad at times, although much more reserved. Give the kid some time and I think we'll see a similar energy from Wolf.
That's not a girl trying to get on stage- that's obvious! The rumour going around is that the person trying to get on stage is actually Zakk Wylde, which would by why Eddie seems so interested in appeasing him. :)
I think I've reconciled in my mind the one issue I have with Wolfie being up there. His bass playing is solid and his vocals are OK. I think the fact that he doesn't have Michael Anthony's stage presence and attitude is a big thing. Watching those clips of the 07 rehearsals, I keep wanting some energy from the bass side of the stage, but Wolf A) doesn't move around much and engage the crowd or B) crack a smile or anything close. Mikey used to really engage the crowd and really have fun.
Unless you're Rush or the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the bass ain't all that important.
Whenever I think of Van Halen I think of the "Dave" years. They set the bar in so many facets of rock too many to list here and quite frankly nothing we all dont all ready know. For "1984" to be the last Dave album is truly great. How many bands have ended their careers with truly "craptastic" albums and just fade away. Look only at Def Leppard, as they limped on, Metallica too is not immune, they are getting the taste of the bitter end.
Heavy Metal/Rock is a young mans game. Bloated music, lead singer ego trip (look at Axl) and drama seems to haunt my favorite musical acts, ahhhh. Van Halen did as well as any rock band to be relevant and long lived. When Sammy came onto the scene Van Halen was riding a good wave, they also morphed into a pop band, maybe not the musical pioneers they once were but relevant. Sammy is a solid front man with a very strong voice but the Dave years rule.
This new incarnation of Van Halen is best left alone. I loved Dave when with VH but he has gone over
For the record, I do think Roth actually does sound really good in these new rehearsal clips. I was surprised actually!
New Sammy interview: http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=81094
For what it's worth: I saw Sammy in 1997 on his "Marching To Mars" tour (which I think is one of his best solo albums and most underrated). It was a great show. It's interesting to hear how pro-Sammy and pro-Dave camps burn on each other. I prefer to stay out of that. :)
This is great! Love Van Halen!
Wonderful article!! Thanks for sharing this info! :-)
Great Post from Thunderlips !!!!
A TRUE DIE-HARD VAN HALEN FAN !
We were probably in the audience in 1980.
Yeah, I'll miss Michael Anthony, It's a brand NEW band !
Hey, I GOT OVER PETE WILLIS WHEN HE WAS BOOTED OUT OF DEF LEPPARD AFTER "HIGH n DRY"