Took at least 20 mins for the guys to warm up, I guess that’s what happens when you’re pushing 60. By the time they got to Beautiful Girls it was smooth and the mix was finally sounding decent. Mean Street grooved like mad, by far the best performance of the night.
“I’ll Wait” and “Little Dreamer” were Roth’s best performances. The guy can sing, even if he does strut around the stage like a game show host/lounge singer/crazy old man muppet with an Ali Baba jacket.
I’ve probably heard Panama a hundred times in my life, and it never gets old. One of the most recognizable and imitated intro riffs in rock combined with the most badass breakdown there is, brilliant.
Drum solos generally suck. The only person I’m at all interested in hearing is Neal Peart, but if I had a #2 it would be Alex Van Halen. Yes it was standard rock drum solo stuff but Alex has a unique twist, complete with karate headband. He’s old as hell.
I don’t want to bash Wolfgang too hard because I know it was his Dad’s idea, but I don’t care. Having Michael Anthony on stage would have made this show and tour a home run, instead we get an awkward and stupid looking kid lumbering around the stage.
Whenever the little ###### was on stage but not actually playing I kept wishing a roadie would throw a blanket over him so I would have to look at the dumpy mess. Horrible stage presence, I had to consciously focus on the rest of the band and away from him to keep enjoying the show. I found myself cursing Jack Daniels & Valerie Bertinelli.
Roth’s “Ice Cream Man” story was kind of funny at the beginning but dragged on and got real stupid with the obligatory weed reference that made every monkey in the crowd scream. *Weed? Yeeaaaaah Arrrgh!!!* Dummies.
They went overboard with the backing vocal tapes. Again, would have been great to have Michael Anthony on stage.
Eddie is a legend, watching the man play guitar is witnessing a genius at work. He is the best guitarist is rock. Great show, halfway through I didn’t feel bad at all for dropping $170 on the ticket. When Eddie Van Halen rolls through town you don’t stay home and sit on the couch.
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