They said it would never happen. They said that it couldn't be done. They said that there was a better chance of John Lennon and George Harrison rising from the grave and reuniting with The Beatles. But all of these doubts were put to rest on Oct. 30 at the TD Banknorth Garden when David Lee Roth joined his former musical partner, Eddie Van Halen, on stage for a night of rock classics.
Roth's return to the band marks the first tour he has done with Van Halen in 22 years. He was joined by his former bandmates Eddie and Alex Van Halen on guitar and drums. Original bassist Michael Anthony, now at odds with the Van Halen brothers, was replaced by Eddie's 16-year-old son, Wolfgang. Though this substitution has been met with annoyance from fans, it is hard to stifle the anticipation created by this partial reunion.
The concert opened with the blistering guitar riff of "You Really Got Me," the famous Kinks cover from Van Halen's debut album. Without so much as taking a breath, the band proceeded to launch into "I'm The One," a fast-paced rocker heavy on background vocals that dates back to 1978. The trilogy of songs from the debut album was filled out with "Running with the Devil."
The set list for the night was more than any Van Halen fan could have asked for. Touching upon 24 favorites from the six albums Roth did with Van Halen, the show left little out. Nine out of 11 songs came from the band's first, and often most critically acclaimed, album. Crowd favorites included "Panama," "Hot For Teacher," "Atomic Punk," and "Unchained." Roth charmed the crowd, playing the acoustic guitar and telling a tale of teenage debauchery before the band rejoined him for "Ice Cream Man." Mixed in with the hits were an impressive drum solo and Eddie's signature, extended guitar solo that contained snippets from songs such as "Women in Love," "Cathedral," and "Eruption."
Before the night concluded, Van Halen gave the crowd the obligatory encore that rock audiences have come to expect. A disco ball reflected beams of light throughout the arena as the band played the keyboard-heavy instrumental track "1984." Halfway through the song, Roth emerged, triumphantly waving a gigantic red flag with the Van Halen logo on it. After a brief silence, the spotlights hit the stage and the band launched into "Jump," perhaps their biggest hit. As the song came to an end and confetti rained down upon the audience, Roth and the three Van Halens exchanged sincere hugs and respectfully bowed to the audience.
Unlike some bands that embark on reunion tours, Van Halen appears to be just as fresh and energetic as ever. Though Roth has lost a little bit of his range, he is still able to howl and do his kicking gymnastics like few other frontmen this side of Steven Tyler. He is clearly thrilled to be back in the band and has even toned down his over-the-top persona a bit to bring the attention to his vocals.
Likewise, Eddie Van Halen was all smiles. He pranced about the stage and nailed each guitar solo, which is quite a difference from the 2004 tour with Sammy Hagar, which was marred by sloppy, intoxicated play. It is clear that his recent stint in rehab did him well.
The concert was nearly flawless, but there was one thing that could have made the evening more legendary: the presence of original bassist Michael Anthony. While it was exciting to see Roth reenter the fold, it would have been a more legitimate reunion if all four of the original members had been present. The young Van Halen did a fine job filling in on bass and backing vocals, yet he lacked the energy and stage presence that Anthony once brought to the band.
Nevertheless, last Tuesday's show provided fans with a performance that they never expected to witness. Music lovers should jump at the chance to see Van Halen now while there is still a chance. The songs sound as good as they ever will, and, as is the case with the volatile chemistry of the band members, you never know how long this incarnation of Van Halen will last. A-
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