Van Halen reunion rocks with old classics

When Van Halen announced their long awaited reunion tour with original frontman David Lee Roth, it was just another one of the handful of major reunion tours this year. But Roth vowed the tour would be different by declaring, “Usually when a band comes back like us it’s rockers with walkers, and this is everything but.” On Tuesday night at Worcester’s DCU Center, just one week after rocking Boston’s TD Banknorth Garden, Roth and company followed up on that promise and delivered one memorable rock show.

Out of all the major reunion tours of 2007, Van Halen”s was surrounded with the most question marks. Sure, everybody has been dying to see Roth back at the helm, but he hasn’t exactly been doing anything great lately (just a horrendously bad morning radio show and some bluegrass renditions of “Jump” ). Guitarist Eddie Van Halen fought off a battle with cancer before hitting rehab. Then there was the ousting of original bassist Michael Anthony. He was replaced by Eddie’s son Wolfgang, who wasn’t even born till 6-years after Roth and Van Halen parted ways. Needless to say, the Van Halen 2007 world tour had potential to go in any direction.

The band opened the show with material off their 1978 self-titled debut release. Van Halen’s cover of The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” kicked the show off, “I’m the One” followed, and by the time they hit “Runnin’ With the Devil” the band was in fine form. A dream setlist comprised of early Van Halen favorites followed to the crowd’s delight. Fan favorites such as “Everybody Wants Some”, “Unchained”, and “Hot for Teacher” were mixed with rarities like “Romeo Delight” and “Little Dreamer” during the band’s two-hour plus show.

Clad in various top hats and shiny jackets with leather pants, Roth was just how fans remember him: a fun and energetic frontman. He was lean and in shape as he ran, spun, and jumped across the stage (which had a very U2-like set up, with a catwalk circling the first few rows of floor seats). And, most importantly, his vocals were still (mostly) sharp. The only downfall came during “So This Is Love?” off 1981′s Fair Warning, where he admittedly “forgot the fucking words.”

Halfway through the set, drummer Alex Van Halen delivered an impressive five-minute solo. Perhaps the most pleasant surprise was young bassist Wolfgang. While most of his friends are going to school and starting bands in their garage, he is experiencing the true “school of rock.” For all the pressure of playing in front of sold-out arenas with one of rock’s greatest bands, Wolfgang more than held his own. From holding down the rhythm section with his uncle, urging the crowd to sing-along to “Dance the Night Away”, or even providing solid backing vocals with his Dad, he may not be Anthony but Wolfgang sure was no “kid” either.

Towards the end of the set Roth was left alone on stage with his acoustic guitar as he delivered a long winded, and rather boring, tale about the band’s beginnings. He then introduced “Ice Cream Man”, a deep cut off the band’s debut album. The old tune was soon rescued as the full band came in after the first verse.

Of course, the main attraction was guitarist Eddie Van Halen. The guitar god was in fine form, delivering numerous solos throughout the set, sometimes incorporating snippets of classic tunes like “Magic Bus” and “Smoke on the Water”. It all led up to a nine-minute solo that was simply a multi-tiered showcase ending with his signature “Eruption”. Right next to Hendrix, Clapton, and Page there is place for Van Halen and his innovative and inspiring fretwork that just can’t be matched.

Sandwiched in-between Eddie’s solo were mega hits “Panama”, which sent the crowd into pandemonium, and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”, which closed the main set. The night ended with an electrifying rendition of “Jump”. It was a classic moment of Van Halen’s arena rock greatness and quirkiness at the same time as Roth carried around a giant blow-up microphone on his back (it would later become Eddie’s seat for his final solo) as confetti streamed down from the rafters.

Indeed there were no walkers or canes for this reunion tour. But when Roth and company announced they were back from a 22-year break-up, they claimed they were a “new band” and would continue for years to come. It was also said that the tour wasn’t just about the money, but how else can one explain a $10 bumper sticker at the merchandise booth? To go as far as to say a new album is on the way is interesting. If history tells us anything, it won’t happen. So for now, fans should be satisfied with reliving the glory days of Van Halen’s past. On Tuesday night at the DCU Center there was absolutely nothing wrong with that.