A report and photos have been widely distributed online from someone who got to see a VAN HALEN rehearsal at a Los Angeles location last Saturday night (September 8), rumored to be the Los Angeles Forum. The person, who wrote that he was taken to the rehearsal by a friend, described the stage has having an S-shaped runway that "snakes out into the audience," with a stage-long video screen mounted behind the performers. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen was the first to arrive, followed by his son and bassist Wolfgang and drummer Alex Van Halen. Wolfgang was accompanied by his mother and Eddie's ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli, as well as five friends. Singer David Lee Roth arrived some time later.
Roth addressed the small crowd of approximately 40 to 50 people that watched the band run through its set, thanking them for coming and explaining where certain things would happen onstage during an actual performance. The writer said that Wolfgang Van Halen did a "fine job," but added, "I have absolutely nothing bad to say about him, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that (former bassist) Michael Anthony was missed. While Wolf competently filled the position, he doesn't have the same sound, either in his playing or in his voice, as Michael."
Roth said at the band's recent press conference announcing the tour, his first with VAN HALEN in 22 years, that it was Wolfgang who selected the songs that the band will play: "It was Wolf who picked the song list, and we've got close to 25 of your greatest hits, all the favorites that you've been hearing tearing out of the back of a pickup truck at the Burger King drive-thru for how many summertimes. It's all very well intact, stereo sound and hi-fi style."
The spy posted the complete list of songs that the band rehearsed. Don't read further if you want to be surprised. As expected, the list included nothing past the band's first six albums, ignoring the Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone eras of the group.
VAN HALEN rehearsal songs (as of September 16, 2007):
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 (incl. "Women in Love" intro, "Cathedral", "Eruption") 24. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love ------------------------ 25. 1984 26. Jump
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COMMENT | Better be worth it posted by : robtune 9/17/2007 12:31:56 PM
Sounds good, but it better be worth the small fotune they are charging for these tickets.
COMMENT | BOOBS posted by : pos69sum 9/17/2007 12:32:08 PM
first post
COMMENT | Nice Try Jr. LMAO!! posted by : Mysteria 9/17/2007 12:34:51 PM
I thought it sounded great. Wolfgang picked out some fkin' great material. That's the Van Halen I know and love. Despite the cost, I'm sure t it will be well worth going and seeing.
COMMENT | hm posted by : AimlessDave 9/17/2007 12:39:47 PM
Not bad, but Mike Anthony's backups are sorely missed.
COMMENT | EVH vs. DLR both going for the spotlight... posted by : InThroughTheOutDoor 9/17/2007 12:43:14 PM
DLR sounds good, but needs to move more...
COMMENT | boo posted by : Hardcore666 9/17/2007 12:48:27 PM
Get some Hagar stuff in there haha
COMMENT | Sounds better than I expected posted by : Jtull 9/17/2007 12:50:54 PM
Dave especially, but we'll see if his voice holds out. Wolfgang wasn't exactly amazing especially vocally. But I reason that this will be alot better musically than the Led Zep reunion.
I didn't seem to miss Anthony on that 50 second clip. Wolfgang sounded ok.
COMMENT | posted by : pigchop 9/17/2007 1:07:43 PM
Hey....sounding good. Yet, like a great deal of others, I think it sad that Michael Anthony is not playing this tour.
Here is a picture some readers may be interested in viewing - it is rather large.
http://i18.tinypic.com/4kjgz7s.jpg
COMMENT | posted by : pigchop 9/17/2007 1:08:36 PM
Hmmm...tinypic.com resized it. Bummer, as the original is really huge.
COMMENT | Ed had the pick of destiny posted by : ScortoftheNort 9/17/2007 1:42:08 PM
Eddie is a fuckin excellent player, the 4th clip is so good. As much as I love to hate this guy, he's one of the greatest. That dumb fucker should've never flicked him the pick of destiny.
COMMENT | jeez, where are all the posted by : Savage_Thrust 9/17/2007 2:01:03 PM
nay-sayers now?!?!? am i on the right board?
COMMENT | what I want to know posted by : Jtull 9/17/2007 2:06:43 PM
is why eddie isn't playing a strat?
COMMENT | Re Sammy.... posted by : The Hammerguy 9/17/2007 2:11:13 PM
DAVID LEE ROTH IS VAN HALEN
COMMENT | Michael Anthony-can you hear him ? posted by : Van5150 9/17/2007 2:12:23 PM
I hear him in the background voacls., check out beatuiful girls,.,.sad,sad,sad.
COMMENT | Wolfie posted by : mdc 9/17/2007 2:12:57 PM
hits the high notes. I knew he could play bass but he is singing some serious harmony. I will be in charlotte sept 27th.
COMMENT | Glad to see they got Gary Cherone back. posted by : Van5150 9/17/2007 2:15:32 PM
I swear he looks like gary .,.,
COMMENT | posted by : vulber 9/17/2007 2:17:23 PM
being at a concert when you know you're hearing pre-recorded stuff (i.e. you hear sound and you can't see it coming from any of the musicians) is always weird; that's dififerent from bands who use background vocals to augment their parts while still singing them (i.e. roger waters)
nonetheless, this is the case with michael anthony's background vocals in these videos. wolfgang also needs more energy
hopefully dave really is singing and not lip-synching.
COMMENT | posted by : Sgt.D 9/17/2007 2:20:39 PM
Sounds pretty good. However after the hype, this thing is starting to look like one of those great movie trailers that the movie never lives up to. Wolfgang just doesnt fit, he just seems too much like what he is, a fucking 16 year old kid! Eddie sounds great and it is wonderful to hear and see him sober after how he was at NAMM. The jury is still out on this for me. My first impression after these videos is that getting the DVD will be fine. I'm a huge fan of what this band was and has done for me as a musician, but it seems a little tired to me still. When the Denver date comes up next year, granted they make it through the first leg, I cant imagine not wanting to check it out. Like I said the early reports, press conference and the great post on here last week seem to be a little better than the actuall video evidence this week.
COMMENT | Here's another posted by : steveowabo 9/17/2007 2:22:48 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGapAkq89-I&NR=1
"Beautiful Girls"
(Thanks to my forum buddies for this link)
COMMENT | And the guitar solo posted by : steveowabo 9/17/2007 2:23:30 PM
Can be found here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLApP-89JSA&NR=1
COMMENT | Okay posted by : steveowabo 9/17/2007 2:25:38 PM
I'm a fool - apparently I had not realized that this article had been changed to include all of those and more lol. Sorry
COMMENT | Sounds pretty good... posted by : trust no one 9/17/2007 2:30:06 PM
Doesn't really matter to me, I am not that much of a VH fan, but it sounds fucking good!!!
They should play DOA though.
COMMENT | Yeah posted by : Scott the Hoople 9/17/2007 2:35:40 PM
because every rock star should be wearing capri pants.
COMMENT | I am now mopping my face off of the floor... posted by : DarthMocha212005 9/17/2007 2:39:24 PM
...my face is in a puddle on the ground because of that last clip. VAN HALEN!!!!!!!!
COMMENT | ummm... posted by : aia94 9/17/2007 2:40:13 PM
if you're a big enough van halen fan, you can CLEARLY hear michael anthony's taped vocals during "beautiful girls"
COMMENT | not worth the hype or high prices posted by : fiddywunfiddy 9/17/2007 2:41:25 PM
...I thought it was known that they were going to use his backing vocals. Didn't they say it in an interview? So it's not like they're trying to pass it off as something it's not.
COMMENT | Are you all DEAF? posted by : pflo 9/17/2007 3:01:51 PM
Those ARENT backing tapes of Mike! LISTEN TO THE CLIP!! Wolf 's vox go sharp at one point! Obviously live! He's still good! Im as shocked as anybody that this doesnt suck. Stop with the "I cant admit they sound good, they must be using Mike tapes" bullshit! How many of you could pull that of AT SIXTEEN? Call a spade a spade for once, ya conspiracy nutjobs.
COMMENT | Van posted by : jdherrerj 9/17/2007 3:21:19 PM
Van Halen is the best. Medellín (Paradise City), Colombia.
COMMENT | AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH posted by : Dee67 9/17/2007 3:46:36 PM
That is fucking EXCITING!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't care what anyone thinks or says, I'm really excited this thing is going on.. Even though they aren't coming near my house.. Hopefully a high quality DVD will be released...
Mike brings better energy on stage and it sucks they'd just wipe him away like that.. but if this is the closest we're gonna get, it'll do just fine :)
COMMENT | stop drinkin the Hater-ade posted by : stevetrooper 9/17/2007 3:54:04 PM
I will gladly pay $45 for nosebleed tix for me and my 8 & 10 yr. old to go in Portland Dec. 1st.
my first show was 1984 tour at the Meadowlands in NJ. @ 14. VH in their prime, was simply one of the best bands ever.
Wolfies done a great set list. but NO DROP DEAD LEGS? What? are you kidding me? rough.
The latest version of VH is great, and yes, the show is going to be awesome. looking forward to it.
COMMENT | posted by : M.E.262 9/17/2007 3:54:42 PM
VH sounds as good today as it did 25 years ago.
This music is timeless.
Roth sounds awesome, as does the rest of the group.
The doubters & haters can finally STFU.
COMMENT | Naysayers... posted by : lazyspud 9/17/2007 4:36:39 PM
CAN NOW SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!
THIS IS THE REAL DEAL!!!
I didn't hear backing tracks. One of them was singing was a little above the note. I don't think they'd have someone singing sharp on a backing track. Regardless, I've never heard Dave sound this good. Hopefully his voice holds up.
COMMENT | All you all posted by : slow Death 9/17/2007 4:39:14 PM
really think Dave sounds that good?
COMMENT | posted by : vulber 9/17/2007 4:49:34 PM
calm down guys, VH has already said theyr'e using tapes of mike's backing vocals.
that being said, as long as dave doesn't drop the mike or anything; if he really is lip synching, we'll never know
They have huh? Care to provide a quote? Im calling you on this.
COMMENT | sheep posted by : rando 9/17/2007 5:02:17 PM
Everybody seems to be enormously impressed just on the fact that Eddie can still play the songs and Dave's voice doesn't crack every thirty seconds. Big whoop. Those were the most lifeless performances I've ever seen. The one attribute a sixteen year old should bring to a veteran band is energy, but he showed even less enthusiasm than the old men. I guarantee you that Michael Anthony would not have been standing there like he was about to fall asleep.
All you people can lap this swill right up. Personally, I'd rather watch an hour of Youtube clips from before the split than pay even $10 to watch this pathetic sham.
If you base your love of music on the "class" of the musicians then you must have a limited collection. You may have missed the memo, but rock stars are self absorbed assholes. However, most of them are extremely talented artists which is what it's about.
And yes, if you've ever seen Dave live over the last 15 years, this is VERY good. I do wish it was still like this:
There are no tracks being used on these clips. wolfie does go sharp slightly on beautiful girls. If they were gonna use samples, they wouldnt use Mike anthony's voice.
But if Eddie's and Alex's respect for their fans was gasoline, they wouldn't have enough to power a pissants gocart around the inside of a cheerio. That and the way they treated Michael Anthony is why I will no longer patronize them.
COMMENT | posted by : M.E.262 9/17/2007 5:40:09 PM
Sheep?..? Fuck you man.
These guys sound as good as ever. Period. No sheep-ness involved. It's called being a VH fan, something you obviously have no knowledge of.
It's a rehearsal for 50 people, fuckhead, not even a real show.
COMMENT | This just in....... posted by : fiddywunfiddy 9/17/2007 6:03:32 PM
In keeping with VanHalen's lack of creativity, constant recycling of their past, and blatant cash grabbing "reunion" tour, the 2007 tour name will be: "Herd the Sheep Tour"
COMMENT | posted by : ed 9/17/2007 6:05:25 PM
Roth sounds great in the Panama video for sure. The other ones, meh... hard to tell
But as others were saying, better than I expected!
COMMENT | Irony posted by : lazyspud 9/17/2007 6:17:07 PM
It's interesting that one person calls the VH fans sheep and then a bunch of other posters follow by calling VH fans sheep...like sheep!
I guess we're the ones that are mindless. Fucking morons.
\VmH/
COMMENT | Wow...miricle of miracles posted by : StrangeMagic 9/17/2007 6:26:07 PM
Dave's actually singing better than he has since 86-87 and Wolfie really is doing a bang up job. I figured Ed and Alex would still have it together in terms of skill. The 2nd miracle is that only 2 of the posters on this thread need to be killed (fidyonefiddy and rando) With as many complete and total limp wristed posers as Blabbermouth seems to attract I can't believe only 2 are speaking up. Guess it does show that the music will shut up even the braindead if it's done right. (fiddyonefiddy and rando are not even up to braindead status)
COMMENT | WOW posted by : gsusi 9/17/2007 6:29:51 PM
Sounds like the VH I used to know. Finally no more ballads and lame ass love songs from Mr. Hagar.
COMMENT | Bring back Mikey posted by : troybarwick 9/17/2007 7:11:48 PM
Fat Bastard's backing vocals sound like shit. This is a shell of what once was. I'll save my money for Sammy and Mike.
COMMENT | posted by : steve_oz_49 9/17/2007 7:25:45 PM
For the arguement on wether or not Mike's voice is in the background.... Van Halen said that they have every intention to use Mike's vocals during the live shows. I believe I can hear Mike in both songs, Beautiful Girls and 'Aint Talkin' 'Bout Love.
The sad part of this concert is that Mike is as healthy as anyone could every ask for and he is NOT a part of this tour. VERY sad. I will not go to the show. Led Zepplin WILL sound great, the 3 surviving members and Jason will do great.... Van Halen has NO excuse as to why they can't set aside differences for Mike. I mean if Eddie and Alex can handle David.... then what is so bad that Mike wouldn't be a part of this.
COMMENT | posted by : Metalforus 9/17/2007 7:56:21 PM
Yummy awesome
COMMENT | No excuse... posted by : mattonbass 9/17/2007 7:56:35 PM
It would be on thing if Michael Anthony was dead, or just refused to rejoin the group, but to call this a reunion tour without even asking him to participate is really disappointing. Wolfgang will get through the songs fine, but it's just not the same without Michael on bass, or his great harmonies with Dave. It's not too late guys, have Wolfgang be in charge of bottled water!
COMMENT | Hate to say I told you so... posted by : SterileEyes 9/17/2007 8:47:26 PM
Wolfgang's last name is "Van Halen"...dude can play.
But can dude sing?
Oh well. Give him a couple months. Sounds great for the most part...lots of the tempos are slowed down but prolly just cause they're rehearsing.
COMMENT | Buy Stock in TISSUE's posted by : boomboom! 9/17/2007 8:50:42 PM
All the Red Heads are CRYING AN OCEAN!!!!!!! moses's beard the vocals at least sound better than that of the HOF performance by The BLUBBER HALF!!! Thanks for staying home with your box of tissues and watching BEACH'S and eating ICE CREAM!!!!! Leave the PARTYING to THE PRO'S!!!!!
COMMENT | I don't know what you are hearing.... posted by : trish_vh 9/17/2007 10:52:17 PM
....but the sound isn't any different than the '04 tour, and Dave sounds like a hoarsed opera singer, no way as good as in 1984.
He ends every note on a high note, kinda gay sounding?
And sorry, Wolfie isn't Michael Anthony, not even close, his bass playing, backing vocals, and presentation, come up short.
You can go ahead and waste your money, I'll stay home and listen to all six CD's with a good buzz on.
COMMENT | Oh and boom boom... posted by : trish_vh 9/17/2007 10:55:21 PM
... I think I'll let you suck Dave's dick.
.
HA HA . . ? boom boom ?
COMMENT | Yeah, I don't get it. posted by : sgt.hartman 9/18/2007 12:44:39 AM
because I'm not impressed with how they sound. I can understand being totally excited at the thought of this tour, especially if you're one of those huge Roth fans that could never forgive Hagar for replacing Dave and instead blamed him for VH's sound going more commercial (as though Sammy and not Eddie wrote the music and contolled the band). But all this wishful thinking for all these years has you Roth worshippers overexaggerating quite a bit. Let's be honest - especially you M.E.262 - they do not sound "as good as ever." If they want to sound like anything close to the VH of old, they gotta get Mikey back.
COMMENT | trish_vh posted by : StrangeMagic 9/18/2007 9:37:39 AM
Please do stay home since nobody would want your worthless ass at a VH show anyhow.
COMMENT | So f***ing there posted by : Geddlee 9/18/2007 4:34:02 PM
The only Van Halen. Yeah, be even better with MA, but damn- I'll take it. The greatest SoCal band of all time is back!
COMMENT | Hmmmm posted by : Cradlewillrock 9/18/2007 7:43:02 PM
Why is it that singers feel the need to sing differently than the original. There is no lip syncing going on here as some might believe. David is out of key at times and he feels the need to change the song. I can sing the song exactly in time as per the originals, i wish david would do the same. Overall it looks good for 22 years apart.
Eddie Money did the same with his Lyrics and it really bothered me. John Waite & Lou Gramm were awsome when i went to see them last month.
COMMENT | Your right. posted by : grlpwr 9/19/2007 10:19:05 PM
He sings his songs like a gay opera singer, ending each note high???????
Come on Dave give us a break.
COMMENT | We deserve Michael! posted by : El_Cyclone 10/2/2007 1:15:27 AM
I wish they would have waited for Wolfgang to get past puberty before they took him on tour. Sounds like his voice is changing!
They should have called Michael, at least he's hit puberty.
I hope Wolf's voice has changed by the time I see them in December!
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