I’ve been out of it lately and I’ve been meaning to do some writing…well today Van Halen announced a pretty big North American tour and shook me from my malaise. I missed the band the last time they reunited and toured–so this news has me pretty stoked. Sure, Michael Anthony is still out of the band and he-who-shall-not-named is still playing bass (and fat), but this announcement has me reaching for my Visa card.
Sure, I’m still trying to recover financially from buying a pair of Replacements tickets, but this is Van Halen. Van fucking Halen. One of THE last truly great, truly massive rock bands. I’m sure this won’t be their last tour, but this will probably be the last chance I’ll ever get to see them.
And look at all the chances Van Halen is giving me (and you) to see them this summer:
And the dates keeps going! Too many dates for one screen grab!!!
That’s pretty much every American city worth a damn, and then some. Hell, the band is even playing my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri and they only have one horse! Since moving to Denver a year ago, I’ve yearned for seeing a concert at Red Rocks (Morrison, Colorado) and this might be my chance to finally pull the trigger and visit that epic outdoor venue. But who will accompany me? Mrs. Defending Axl Rose ain’t the biggest Van Halen fan, and these tickets are gonna be expensive. I hate dragging her to stuff, but I really hate dragging her to concerts that cost $100 a pop. My fantasy list of people I’d like to see this show with would be: my Dad, Robin Renee, Gandhi, and maybe my 8th Grade Science lab partner who liked to scribble “Van Halen” on his trapper keeper (sorry dude, I have forgotten your name).
Alas, I’m broke as hell but I’m gonna fill out a home equity loan application tomorrow so I can buy tickets for this tour. I’ll keep you all posted. In the meantime, how about a little mood music?
Defending Axl Rose 
Crossing my fingers on your behalf that Dave and Eddie don’t have a spat and cancel the tour this time around … enjoy Red Rocks!
Man, I don’t think I’m going to any of these shows…I looked up the ticket prices and they are H-I-G-H. The cold light of morning has dashed my hopes. I’ll log-in and take a look when the tickets go on sale, but I’m not spending $170 a pop to sit in the back and watch Van Halen.
I feel your pain … I just got around to looking at Lollapalooza tickets today to find they’re all sold out … I guess it’s comforting to know so many others share our superb musical taste but geez …
That’s right, there’s always a positive!
They are also supposedly playing some shows this year. Not sure where tho, probably a bunch of sheds this summer.
I think you’re out a blog comment…
Don’t you mean-EXTINCT.
HA! Somehow, I am just NOW seeing this awesome shout out. You put me in some rarified company for that VH show. 😉 Many thanks.
Well, better late than never!
Wolfgang Van Halen grew up in a musical household. Anyone who had Edward and Alex Van Halen as their primary music instructors for the first two decades of their lives is probably going to play like a pro. Clips on YouTube show them having a great time with David Lee Roth back in the band. I will give Van Halen the benefit of the doubt.Healthweight