The VH Trade Site Forums Archives

[whitjoss]

First off, thank you very much to everyone for posting the vid clips. For many of us especially in the South (if they don't add any 2008 dates) it may be all we get to see of the Mighty Van Halen if the "circus don't come to town".

Is Dave ok physically? Now...I know the guys are in their 50's...none of us are getting any younger...but Dave doesn't look very mobile. In fact, he almost looks downright stiff and robotic. I haven't seen him in person since '98/'99 time frame so there has definately been some water under the bridge since I saw him last.

I had heard some mention of him hurting his back just prior to the tour. I've blown my back out a couple of times, and the way he is stiffly moving sure looks like he may have done something to his back. Does anybody know? Or, is he under orders from the Brothers to keep it toned down?

Also, keep in mind I'm basing this solely on the clips I'm seeing and nothing more.

Thanks again for the clips. I hope they make it to Texas, but if not...you posters are at least giving us a good taste of what we're missing.

[romobud]

Actually I thought he looked to be in great shape.

[whitjoss]

Yeah, he looks great...shoot, I hope I look that good when I'm 52/53...I just meant his movements (or lack thereof) in general, not his physical shape.

[guitard]

He definitely ain't doing the stuff he did back in the day.

But I saw a photo of him doing a leg kick and his foot was well above his head. That right there is better than about 90% of the people his age can do.

[pmroche]

He's doing plenty of his leg-kicking, and during encore "Jump" he does that twirl-the-mic stand thing. It looks cool as hell. But at age 53, does anyone really expect him to do the old double leg kick jump off Alex's drum riser? That's just not realistic. As long as his voice holds up for most of the shows, I'd be happy. And I agree with guitard--Dave looks a helluva lot more fit, and does physical stuff--that a lot of people in their 30s can't.

That said, the real surprise of the tour is Eddie, who--after oral cancer and hip surgery--is more mobile and kinetic than I've ever seen him. He's doing plenty of his trademark scissor kicks, playing on his knees, running circles around Dave and Wolfie. If he's not really loving what's taking place on stage, he's doing a helluva job making it look convincing.

[blu]

Dave's antics and dancing are some of the very things that bother me about the CVH tours, and I'll say that in Indy, Dave did fine. He was mobile, he was having fun, and he did plenty of those kicks he does (I swear the guy standing in front of me had mini-orgasms every time Dave did them too, but that's another story). If toning down compared to 84 is the result of age, then great because it makes for a better show in, IMO. As for his physical shape, he looks incredible, really cut muscle-wise; in great shape.

Over-all, if you all ready liked Dave, you'll have no problems.

[thatartguy]

We also have to remember that Dave never did the drum riser jump on the first tour either. Dave is the master showman. He'll have you eating out of his hand jumping or not.

TAG

[steecoe]

Dave looks like he is in great shape. My opinion is that he has put away the ass-clown antics in favor of actually putting forth the effort to SING the songs...its working cause Dave & VH are kicking ass :thumb:

[romobud]

I was kind of worried he might separate a hip if he tried to do his kicks and jumps :D

[Gilligan]

I just watched the youtube vid of Mean Street from the Toronto show and Dave is looking badass. No backflips or roundhouses, but he's rockin' it. I can't wait to see it live!

[hain23x]

the guy is in his 50s. He makes me look like I'm in my 80s but I'm really in my 30s. I did hear he had some kind of back operation a few years ago but that could have been a rumor.

[clb]

who cares about kicks ,he's getting all the words to the songs right now!
thats amazing , he did'nt do that back in the day

[suebndave]

Have to admit, I do miss Dave jumping off the drum riser, but if he's trading that in for remembering the words, cutting out a lot of his senseless blabbering, leaving the assless chaps at home & singing his best, that's more than a fair trade to me!

[VOODOO]

Dave was much more physically active last night. I can remember several spinning kicks and a few of those over the head kicks as well. No riser splits, but he's definitely more limber than he was in the earlier boot footage I've seen. He seems to be getting more active as the tour rolls on.

(Dave ---> ) :dance:

[Dr. Mark]

I don't think I've ever seen the whole band look that good and happy onstage in a long while.