Music review
At: Verizon Center (D.C.)
By MELISSA RUGGIERI
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

WASHINGTON -- If any bitterness remains between David Lee Roth and the Van Halen brothers, give them all an Oscar now.

Not only was Thursday's sold-out concert at the Verizon Center in D.C. the most fun, loud, old-fashioned rock 'n' roll arena show in recent memory, but a stunning example of how bygones -- cushioned by a nifty paycheck -- can, apparently, be bygones.

This reunion, which die-hard Van Halen fans (also known as fans of the REAL Van Halen) thought would be as likely as The Eagles putting out a new album, is an admirable showcase of a return done right.

Roth and Eddie Van Halen have never looked better -- sculpted, cheerful and short-haired -- and it's obvious that a sober Eddie is the best Eddie.

While drummer Alex Van Halen was the most serious of the bunch, he hasn't lost a shred of his ability as an impeccable timekeeper with a deep affection for his array of tom-toms.

And then there's Wolfgang, the 16-year-old son of Eddie and ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli who wasn't even born the last time the Roth-era Van Halen toured in 1984. A sweet-faced kid with an inherent talent for even sweeter vocals, Wolfie made original bassist Michael Anthony's absence acceptable with his own sturdy playing and low-key presence.

While not having Anthony on board did add a sour tinge to the celebratory reunion, there was something overwhelmingly touching about watching Eddie and Wolfie on their knees, side-by-side, jamming.

As with any long-awaited tour, set list choices will surely aggravate fans desperate to hear their personal favorites played again.

But who can argue with an opening blitz of "You Really Got Me" and "Running with the Devil," especially when the latter was accompanied by Roth, in full ham mode, flipping on an oversized top hat, prancing around the stage in his skintight black pants and grinning like a joyful Muppet?

Though Roth sounded a touch hoarse on some songs, he still managed to screech effectively during "Somebody Get Me a Doctor," and, in his only extended yap time, a roof-rattling "Ice Cream Man."

Still, as awesome as it was to witness Roth high-kicking and pelvis- waggling, antics that always imbued Van Halen with a playful personality to counter Eddie's technical wizardry, there was no doubt that this crowd of about 15,000 was there to worship at the altar of EVH.

From the insinuating riff in "Mean Street" to the staccato melody underpinning "Little Guitars" to the giant, kick-in-the-pants crunch of "Unchained," Eddie, playing shirtless in camouflage pants and red sneakers, verified his legacy as one of the all-time great guitar gods.

As further proof of his genre-bending talent, his solo -- always a highlight -- started slowly with bluesy, nuanced riffing before he snaked through the beautiful "Cathedral" and finally pounded out "Eruption." Plenty of players mimic his tapping, but none come close to his perfect technique.

Long before Van Halen slammed through "Hot for Teacher," with Alex's double bass drum assault a show highlight, and wrapped its two-hour set with the still-overrated, albeit mindlessly entertaining, "Jump," the question was already being formed. C'mon, guys, how about a second leg of smaller markets in 2008? If there's ever a time for Van Halen to be ready, it's definitely right now.

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