Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 1:25 am Post subject: Favorite Van Halen Era
Mine would have to be (like at least 95% of the fans) the Diamond Dave era (1973-1984) because he brought charisma and showmanship on stage every time he performed with the group.
Plus, the group was harder sounding due to Eddie Van Halen's virtoroso guitar playing which has not been heard before.
My favorite album is their debut album from thirty years ago because it still had the same raw power that the band was known for when they first hit the hard rock/heavy metal scene.
Sammy Hagar was very good in his role as DLR's replacement, but Gary Cherome almost ruined the legendary half metal group.
Joined: Aug 23, 2008 Posts: 138 Location: Colorado
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:20 am Post subject:
i agree.....though I liked some of the riffs on VH3. Eddie had some very cool riffs in the beginning but I really like the way his sound evolved on the F.U.C.K. album and I still emmulate it to this day...This was one of the records I used to learn to play. _________________ I found him...I have Jesus in the trunk of my car.
-"It's not that I want to kill Lois...It's just.....:sigh: I want her not to be alive,,,anymore." Stewie Griffin-
Joined: Nov 17, 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 219 Location: in the shadow of our pale companion
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:36 am Post subject:
The Diamond Dave Era Part One (1973-1984) - that is Van Halen to me. I just could never get into the Hagar and later periods much at all though undoubtedly Eddie is still an amazing guitarist. Just something about the early material - it has an energy they've never matched. And Dave had so much more personality than Hagar. I realize Dave is back now and they've been touring... Are they planning to write new material with him? I'm curious how it would turn out if they do.
Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Age: 41 Posts: 2054 Location: SC, USA
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 7:20 am Post subject:
The first era with the exceptions of the 'Diver Down' release, and the most popular song from 1984. After dave left the band, the replacement singers couldn't replace DLR, and Eddie's guitar tone had increasing amounts of processing, as well as the fact that he stopped using late 60's plexiglas panelled Marshall amps, both of which which caused it to suffer. _________________ "Blessed are the Distinctly Alien, for they shall inherit the Earth." -- Genesis P. Orridge
Joined: Nov 17, 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 219 Location: in the shadow of our pale companion
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:30 pm Post subject:
Fogman wrote:
... and Eddie's guitar tone had increasing amounts of processing, as well as the fact that he stopped using late 60's plexiglas panelled Marshall amps, both of which which caused it to suffer.
Yeah that's definitely something else I didn't like about the post-1984 era aside from the lack of Dave. The guitar tone really changed and I think all the processing obscured Eddie's playing too much. The earlier tone had so much more raw power to it.
Joined: May 07, 2008 Posts: 3658 Location: Pantopia
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:32 pm Post subject:
Which Van Halen era is your personal favorite?
( ) The Diamond Dave Era Part One (1973-1984)
( ) The Van Hagar Era (1985-1996)
( ) The Diamond Dave Era Part Two (1996)
( ) The Cherome Era (1998)
( ) The Van Hagar Era Part Two (2004)
( ) The Diamond Dave Era Part Three (2007-present)
( ) I like all eras of Van Halen
( ) I don't like Van Halen period
(·) Van Halen who? _________________ The leaders of the American automobile industry have been amazingly consistent in their management philosophy, in that they have never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Age: 41 Posts: 2054 Location: SC, USA
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:41 pm Post subject:
SpectreWithin wrote:
Fogman wrote:
... and Eddie's guitar tone had increasing amounts of processing, as well as the fact that he stopped using late 60's plexiglas panelled Marshall amps, both of which which caused it to suffer.
Yeah that's definitely something else I didn't like about the post-1984 era aside from the lack of Dave. The guitar tone really changed and I think all the processing obscured Eddie's playing too much. The earlier tone had so much more raw power to it.
Part of the decline of EVH, is not only the tone and processing that he had, but also the lack of inspiration. I suppose that being an alcoholic multimillionaire that has everything that he could possibly want will kill the inspiration when the realization that he never have to do anything ever again comes to him. --He's nowhere near as good now as he was on the first few albums. _________________ "Blessed are the Distinctly Alien, for they shall inherit the Earth." -- Genesis P. Orridge
Joined: Nov 17, 2006 Age: 34 Posts: 219 Location: in the shadow of our pale companion
Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject:
Yep - sadly that seems to happen a lot with musicians. Apathy brought on by success suppose. I can think of many bands / artists that have amazing output early in their career and its just downhill from there. There are rare ones that can keep it going strong for decades - those seem extremely rare though.
Joined: Jul 11, 2008 Age: 22 Posts: 891 Location: Somewhere in Time
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:56 am Post subject:
I grew up with my dad blasting Balance on the ol' Pioneer stereo system at home, absolutely LOVE that album to this day. Seventh Seal, what a song. For me, it's nostalgia, other stuff might be better, but this album brings me back. _________________ Still grateful.
"...do you really think you're in control...?"
Diagnosis: uncertain.
Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Age: 41 Posts: 2054 Location: SC, USA
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject:
Hector wrote:
Is anything more worth hearing from the band for someone who heard the first s/t and Fair Warning, and liked the latter more?
'Women And Children First' and 'Mean Streets' come to mind, everything after that, save for some of the stuff on '1984' was crap AFAIC. _________________ "Blessed are the Distinctly Alien, for they shall inherit the Earth." -- Genesis P. Orridge
Joined: Jan 13, 2008 Age: 18 Posts: 862 Location: rhode island
Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:54 pm Post subject:
I don't think anyone likes the Cherone era, Van Halen III was a terrible album. _________________ "We can't stop here, this is bat country." - Hunter S. Thompson
Joined: Jun 23, 2008 Age: 38 Posts: 313 Location: Boston MA
Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:11 am Post subject:
I am deliberately ignorant of the Cherone era. I blocked my ears.
Their first four albums were it. I continued to buy their albums up to "Balance", not caring for the post-made-it-big songs themselves but addicted to EVH solos. (The solo he did on Michael Jackson's "Beat It" is my all-time favorite air guitar solo to perform.)
I am never one to yell sellout or whatever. The band, and in particular Eddie, did enough for me on those first four albums that they are permanently immune from criticism, even if I have lost interest in their newer exploits.
EVH will always be one of my favorite guitarists.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
