Van Halen Concert Review - Raleigh

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van halen concert review - raleigh

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Published May. 6, 2008

Van Halen displays more polish in second trip to Triangle in eight months

Last September, I made the drive to Greensboro to see the second night of the latest incarnation of Van Halen. This version includes original frontman David Lee Roth, and mainstays Alex and Eddie Van Halen. New to the mix is bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli.

I raved about the Greensboro show last September, and considering their contentious history, I never dreamed they would still be touring eight months later. The Raleigh show was rescheduled from April due to an undisclosed medical condition on Eddie Van Halen.

I am not really sure of the final numbers, but the crowd seemed a little thin, and I noticed an exorbitant number of scalpers including one that was attempting to give away a ticket free.

If I am not mistaken, the set list was identical to the Greensboro show. The evening started out with You Really Got Me, and the band played such hits as Runnin' With the Devil, Beautiful Girls, Dance the Night Away, Everybody Wants Some, So This Is Love?, Pretty Woman, Unchained, And the Cradle Will Rock, Hot for Teacher, Jamie's Cryin', Ice Cream Man, Panama, and Jump, just to name a few.

The show was nearly perfect, in my opinion. I actually thought the band was even tighter than their Greenboro show, and again, I really enjoyed that show. David Lee Roth's flexibility was the biggest in the Raleigh show. Although nowhere near as active as when in his younger days, Roth was all over the stage last night doing his all-familiar kicks and jumps, and I thought his voice was as good as ever.

Another big difference in last night's show was the stage presence of 17-year-old bassist Wolfgang. The Greensboro show was only the second live performance with Van Halen, and he definitely seemed more comfortable on stage last night. I was very impressed with Wolfgang's guitar-playing skills. The kid was more than an adequate replacement for original bassist Michael Anthony, and added yet another Van Halen name to the band.

Eddie Van Halen, in my opinion, is one of the best guitarists in rock and roll history, and he didn't disappoint. There were moments during the show when I couldn't help but just shake my head in amazement. I think the videographer did a great job of showing close-ups of Eddie's guitar to show how much work goes into those amazing riffs. I was tired just watching him.

There was one bit of excitement during the show. During Eddie's guitar solo on "Ice Cream Man", a crazed fan managed to jump onstage, and make it all the way to Eddie. This lunatic "hugged" Eddie for what seemed like 5-10 seconds before Diamond Dave grabbed the guy by the neck and tossed him to the stage before security finally caught up with him. Much to my surprise Eddie didn't even miss a note. Very impressive considering the fan's intentions were unknown at the time.

The show ended with an encore of "1984" and "Jump", and once again, I enjoyed this show just as much the second time around!

What did you think? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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31 Comments

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The only good thing to come out of that show would be to hear that VH is finally breaking up for good. Eddie and Alex were fantastic and played like brothers who have spent their whole lives working together at their craft. WVH was just OK, period. The real disappointment was DLR. He sang horribly, shouted into the microphone, tried to sing the harmonies to carry WVH where Michael Anthony was REALLY missed, and had NO connection with the audience. Dave only went out into the crowd once and when he did, the only crowd connection he made was posing for cellphone pictures for a bunch of middle aged and bored dudes... not quite the "reach out and touch your Rock n Roll hero" relationship he was hoping for, so I can understand why he didn't go back out there! There was also a palatable rift between EVH and DLR on stage. Anyone there should be able to tell you that they had no chemistry on stage. But hey, if you loved it, good for you.

robisimo
May 9, 2008 11:57 a.m.

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Good show. But as far as 'greatest guitarist' - David Gilmour.

trafalgerfountain
May 7, 2008 2:42 p.m.

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I bet it was a good show. I have to wonder about having your teenage son on tour with you though. I guess this will sound lame, but the child should be in school. If he gets in an accident and his hands get cut off, what is he gonna do then?? Oh well, I suppose that even if this is the only thing he ever does musically, it will be one heck of a story to tell!

kbyrd132
GOLO member since October 24, 2007
May 7, 2008 2:19 p.m.

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Yup, no Frankenstein guitar. He had only 3 different guitars on stage last night.

Eaglekeeper
May 6, 2008 8:07 p.m.

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Unless I missed it, Eddie used two different red & white striped guitars but neither were the Frankenstein. I only point this out because 1) it is a legendary guitar 2) I was really hoping to see it and 3) Eddie signed on with Fender to reproduce exact replicas (for WAY too much money) and one would think that the best way to promote it is if he is actually seen using it. Not that I'm about to drop that much money on a guitar but it seems to me that if you want the VH sound, you'll want to get what he uses - and he uses something other than the Frankenstein.

Sola Fide
GOLO member since May 6, 2008
May 6, 2008 2:04 p.m.

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This was an amazing show, and was definetly worth waiting the extra 2 months to see. I think that security was definetly too hard on the kid that hugged eddie. Sure they can grab him and drag him off stage, but the kid was scrawny, and and the huge security guy had him by the throat dragging him away.

thisnamesuks13
May 6, 2008 12:47 p.m.

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I saw the Frankenstein for one song.

Good observation about the background vocals. I was thinking the same thing. I can't remember the song, but I was hearing perfect vocals while the band was near the mics... and I was wondering as well.

Web guy
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
May 6, 2008 11:48 a.m.

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For some reason they have dropped "Little Guitars" from the set but they haven't replaced it with anything (unless they haven't been doing the "Crossroads" and "Magic Bus" covers before).

Quick thoughts: * Great to see them live * Dave was a little disappointing as he talked/rushed through the lyrics for some of the songs. I didn't expect all of the vintage squeals but at times it seemed he was being lazy. Not bad but a little disappointing. * Wolfgang did a great job but I suspect that some of the background vocals are taped. I'm sure he's singing but the BGVs seemed a little too perfect. Not a complaint (I don't mind if they were taped), just an observation. * Eddie never played his Frankenstein guitar. He used a white Peavey (or maybe its now an EVH) Wolfgang model for all but two songs.

Glad I went. I enjoyed it. Happy to have seen the legends in person.

Sola Fide
GOLO member since May 6, 2008
May 6, 2008 11:30 a.m.

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I did hear the feedback screech on more than one occasion last night.

:-(

Does anyone think at least one security guard last his job last night... allowing that fan to make it all the way to Eddie untouched for so long?

Web guy
GOLO member since July 2, 2007
May 6, 2008 11:27 a.m.

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Show was good but the sound in RBC sucks and too many times there was feedback! UGH...I used to be a David Lee Roth girl..but that went away with the loss of his hair. A man in his 50's grabbing his crotch and sporting camel toe is not sexy..Oh, and when did DLR start waxing/shaving his chest? LOL..cracks me up. Anyway, I love Eddie Van Halen and his talent is almost unparalleled.

dgwatson
May 6, 2008 11:22 a.m.

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