February 7th, 2008
From: http://www.sherwoodvoice.com/
By Mark Buffalo \ Staff Writer
Rock group Van Halen entertained more than 9,300 fans during its two-hour
concert Jan. 30 at Alltel Arena.
The group, which has seen different configurations of its members for more
than 35 years, was led by guitarist Eddie Van Halen and the group's most
famous front man, David Lee Roth. Other members who played last week were
drummer Alex Van Halen and bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, son of Eddie.
Van Halen played many of its original songs, with Roth on lead vocals.
They opened with "You Really Got Me," "I'm the One" and "Runnin' with the
Devil."
Throughout the night, the band continued to play its signature songs,
including "Beautiful Girls," "Dance the Night Away" and "Pretty Woman."
The crowd reaction was deafening for "Hot For Teacher," but that was one
of only a few songs that the band didn't stay together on. Either Roth got
ahead on his vocals or the band was behind, but the fans didn't seem to
care.
The set included a drum solo by Alex Van Halen, joined on stage by nephew
Wolfgang, and a guitar solo -- "Eruption" -- by Eddie Van Halen.
The set "ended" before the band played its biggest commercial hit,
"Jump." But the fans wanting more got their wish as the band returned,
with Roth waving a red flag at the top of the stage, then jumping into
"Jump." The band seemed to have a bit of trouble keeping up on the finale,
but the crowd, again, didn't mind.
When it was said and done, this version of Van Halen showed it could still
rock despite all the members', except Wolfgang, being over 50.
Opening act Ky-Mani Marley, son of legendary reggae singer Bob Marley,
entertained with several songs of his own but also did a stellar rendition
of "I Shot the Sheriff."
Van Halen front man David Lee Roth entertains the crowd at Alltel Arena
during the band's concert last week. (Photo by Mark Buffalo)
[Return to Current Headlines]
The Van Halen News Desk: Serving up Van Halen, David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar news since 1996
