Stupidity or Genius

I've been a fan of Van Halen since back in the day, before Sammy. I had 1984 on vinyl, for the love of Pete! Van Halen begat Van Hagar, which begat a big mistake. Fast forward nearly 10 years, Van Halen has basically dropped off the radar. They probably can't get Sammy back after the 2004/5 reunion tour. I didn't see them on that tour, but it sounds like there was one screw up after another. If Eddie so much as mentions Gary Cherone the villagers will revolt and probably garotte him with his own low E string. The only thing left to do eat crow and call Diamond Dave, apparently that call was made. Dave said yes, but Michael Anthony is out and Wolfie Van Halen is in as the new bass player.

So yesterday the 2007 tour was announced, 40 dates this summer. One of the most highly anticipated reunions in rock 'n roll has been shot in the butt by Ed's I don't know what. Stupidity, I guess. I saw them in 1995 on the Balance tour (the day Jerry Garcia died, Sammy announced that at the beginning of their set) and that will have to be my Van Halen concert memory. If 2007 isn't a forgettable tour by a past-their-peak band, I'll be a surprised. Good luck to them.