Reply To: 2015-07-20 Red Rocks Amphitheater, Morrison, CO

Last night’s show surpassed my expectations. This was easily the BEST show I’ve seen them do with Dave since his return. I don’t know if Dave has been doing vocal warm-ups or what, but whatever he’s done between ’12 and now has seriously helped. He’s not out there carrying notes like Pavarotti, but it sure as hell isn’t the Dave we heard vocally from last tour.

I still think “Me Wise Magic” should be the set opener, or used to close the set, but “Light Up The Sky” is still great and a nice change of pace from “Unchained.” Both Ed and Dave were playing off one another, complete with smiles and laughter. I didn’t see any rolling of the eyes from Ed when Dave would go off on one of his many stories, as we’ve seen in the past. Ed’s playing last night was phenomenal, and improves with each tour. Still love hearing “In a Simple Rhyme” and “Dirty Movies” in there, and as far as these two songs go, it sounded as though they’ve worked out any kinks from the first few shows. Dave really didn’t mess anything up lyrically last night that I could tell. I’m sure there were probably a few here and there, but I was in such a zone it didn’t really matter to me. Al’s playing is solid as ever. He’s pounding those skins as though he’s still 20 years old. And Wolf? He’s grown into his role as a full band member, musician, and shouldn’t be looked at as “Eddie Van Halen’s bassist son” any longer. I love Dave’s line about how he was going to title his life story “50 Shades of Dave.” Yes, there were times when he droned on just a little too long, but I love hearing his stories, and even now he is so much better as a frontman than Hagar ever was. I love the Sam era of VH, but live he never had what Dave has, regardless how much he tried. One thing about Dave and last night, though; he had more wardrobe changes than Cher. Ed played a riff during his solo that wasn’t anything I recognized, so maybe it’s something he’ll use in a possible new song? The only downside I saw to the entire show was seeing Ed, Al, and Wolf exit the stage at the end of the show to one side, and Dave exited the opposite side. So, yeah, even though they’re all displaying a “happy happy joy joy” vibe onstage, it looks as though once the show is over, the business aspect of it is done and they go their separate ways until the next gig.

Weather last night sucked, until about 30 minutes before the show started. There was wind, and a decent wind upon arrival, but all that stopped about five minutes after KWS left the stage. After that, the weather cleared up, for the most part, and it was a beautiful night. I’ve been waiting to attend a show at Red Rocks ever since I first saw the “U2 Live at Red Rocks” home video when I was kid, so this was a big deal for me, made even better that it was it was my favorite band playing introducing me to an actual live experience there.

Hooked up with Scott (Voodoo), Ron, Ron, and Dave. Hung out under a red rock overhang, laughing and enjoying each other’s company until the show started. The only other time I’ve “met” Voo was while while walking the streets of Tokyo in search of bootlegs and talking with him on my cellphone. That was around maybe ’97 (?). Finally glad to put a face with the voice. Almost walked past Ron & Ron when my wife & I entered the venue because, seeing that it was raining, I had removed my glasses so it was hard to see. Secured a Jack Daniels bandanna from Dave, and my wife was very pleased with it.

Couple in the fact that I hung out with some very great people, and the show was FLAWLESS, and you’re talking to one very satisfied Van Halen fan. The only sad part was the fact that it had to end. Here’s to hoping these guys can keep it together and give us more in the years to come.