Todd's VH Musings

Fave with Dave: Hard to pick and I have had to revise to "Mean Streets."
Fave with Sammy: "5150," without a doubt.
(Hey, what about that other guy?)
All-time Fave Song: "Eruption"--it was life changing, as I've already written here.
Fave LP/Tape: Van Halen I. The tape changed everything for me, overnight. I went from listening to Richie Valens and Buddy Holly and Bill Haley & the Comets to listening to Van Halen, Van Halen, Van Halen. I couldn't stop listening to the tape. I bought their other albums on cassette as soon as I could save the money.
Best Concert Memory: going to the West End in Dallas to see the Free Show Van Hagar put on there in 1992; I told my French professor that I wouldn't be there because Van Halen was putting on a free concert, and I had to leave immediately. He looked at me with awe, awe that I had the nerve to tell him and awe that I was being so honest. But his nod was full of disdain. There were throngs and throngs of people. It felt good to be among so many Van Halen fans. I had never been a part of something like that, which felt to me like a revolution, but what did I know of revolutions.
Best Personal Memory: From the moment I heard "Eruption," I dreamed of seeing EVH live and in person. So I was ecstatic when it came time for his guitar solo during the Houston show on the For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge tour, where I was fourth row. When he played the opening to "Mean Streets," my knees wobbled, the universe spun quickly, sweat dropped from his forehead. I couldn't believe he could make the guitar do all those things during that solo.
Best Behind the Scenes Moment: Eddie's playing the guitar solo for "Beat It," and his behind the scenes work on Sammy's solo album I Never Said Goodbye.
Worst Behind the Scenes Moment: the Hall of Fame Induction broke my heart, but I don't know if that counts. But Eddie's trash talk about Dave and Sammy is more disappointing. Over the years, it's been hard to acknowledge that he may be the one to blame for all the break-ups, and now I have to say (from what I've read) I think it's true.
I Can't Figure Out Where to Put This One: I once heard from a very good and reliable source (someone in the music industry) that she saw, in a backstage hallway, after a show, people in line talking to Diamond Dave. While he was talking, a woman was blowing him.