Many in the Western New York area really wondered if the Van Halen show would happen after the band cancelled a performance in Hershey, PA, two nights before. It was reported that due to doctors’ orders, vocalist David Lee Roth was to rest so he could recover from the flu. A combination of slow ticket sales and actually a milder summer night made things even dimmer. Well, the fans who did decide to buy a ticket and be one of the lucky eight (8) thousand who showed up were treated to perhaps the best show of the current Van Halen tour.
Taking the stage at 8:45pm, Alex Van Halen first appeared standing behind the drum kit giving a wave before settling in. Then came the rest of the band with Roth sliding to the front of the stage while the seldom heard “Light up the Sky” was started. Prior to this tour, the song has only been played live three times since 1980. It has been noted that before the tour started, bassist Wolfgang Van Halen had the challenging task of putting a setlist together. After wetting the crowd’s appetite with the lesser known track, Wolfgang Van Halen went atop of Alex Van Halen’s kit to strum the opening bass chords of “Running With The Devil.” Another gem thrown in for the diehard Van Halen fans “Romeo Delight” was played next. Only a band of Van Halen’s stature can excite the crowd at the beginning of a show by playing a few lesser known tracks.
There were no signs of wear and tear on Roth as he was eager to show the fine folks his fine-tuned body that all at his age can only dream of. His torso, now covered by a mar of tattoos, was frequently shown throughout the show much to Roth’s delight. Singing in a lower register really benefitted Roth as it was the best I have seen or heard on this run of shows. As Roth was being emcee between songs, he did remark that “you’re getting a great show tonight!” I whole heartedly agree with that statement. Roth didn’t detract from the musical ability of the others while focusing on being the amazing showman he is while providing viable vocals. I think he did that in spades.
After injuring himself on national TV (Jimmy Kimmel show), Roth kept the twirling of the microphone stand to a minimum as he only did it during the solo of “Jump.” I have seen Wolfgang Van Halen on every tour since he joined Van Halen after they unceremoniously dismissed fan favorite Michael Anthony about nine (9) years ago. I have seen the growth and the comfortability that has taken place in him within the band. His playing has not gotten enough accolades and must be noted. In addition to his fluent playing, his harmonies (this is especially were Anthony excelled) have shown tremendous growth and have made for a true Van Halen show.
Roth shared stories of growing up in Southern California and talked about Pop Warner football and playing for Coach Brown and Coach Kelly. He also said his father was a coach. He also talked about his Australian Cattle dog and how he has lived in apartment in Japan for the last few years. It was a moment of reflection for Roth as he strapped a harmonica to his neck and played acoustic guitar for “Ice Cream Man.” When you are the brother of Eddie Van Halen, your name sometimes gets lost as one of the most influential drummers in rock history. Alex Van Halen might not play with the power he once did, but he plays with proficiency and timing. He still shows he’s one of the best and continues to prove that tour after tour.
Maybe what everyone came to see was guitar god Eddie Van Halen. There are only a handful of guitarists who have shaped the way the six-string instrument has been played. Obviously, EVH is one of them. I will not bore you with superlatives. I would say it’s best to see EVH live while you still have the chance or if not, google Van Halen live 2015. You will see an EVH who is more aware and who can consistently deliver a steady dose of tasty riffs with an abundance of well played notes. He played a unique version of “Eruption,” infusing it with various other riffs during his solo.
Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame quarterback (along with recent cancer survivor) Jim Kelly was in the house. When Van Halen has plays the WNY area, Jim sometimes makes an appearance alongside his friend Eddie Van Halen on stage. EVH also has beaten cancer so the two of them could have even mustered a more frenzied reaction but it was never to be.
One of the only negatives of the show I would point out is during “I’ll Wait” and the finale “Jump,” the band ran prerecorded keyboard parts. I would hope that guitarist Eddie Van Halen would dust off his keyboard expertise and play both parts.
What is the saying… opinions are like assh*les, everyone has one? Well, since Van Halen made an appearance on the Jimmy Kimmel show back in the early spring to promote the new live record “Tokyo Dome Live in Concert,” it seems like everyone and their mothers were talking about the vocals of one David Lee Roth. I’m glad I’m always the type who likes to formulate my own speculations. After witnessing this show, again I must say, I’m glad that seeing is believing and from what I saw, and Roth was certainly holding his own!
Setlist:
Light Up the Sky
Runnin’ With the Devil
Romeo Delight
Everybody Wants Some
Drop Dead Legs
Feel Your Love Tonight
Somebody Get Me a Doctor
She’s the Woman
China Town
I’ll Wait
Drum Solo
Little Guitars
Dance the Night Away
Beautiful Girls
Women in Love
Hot for Teacher
In a Simple Rhyme Dirty Movies
Ice Cream Man (John Brim cover)
Unchained
Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
Guitar Solo
You Really Got Me (The Kinks cover)
Panama
Encore:
Jump
We would like to thank Ashley Ball from Live Nation for her assistance in obtaining the credentials for BackstageAxxess to review the show. For more information on the Kelly for Kids foundation, please go here: Kelly for Kids.
