Comments on: Van Halen (or, The Band That Ate My Life)

By: Daddy Scratches

Daddy Scratches — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:52:23 +0000

Thanks, Jackie. I appreciate it.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 16:51:13 +0000

OK I know I’m years late in writing this but, OMG!!! You met Van Freaking Halen!!! You my friend are a stud. haha They were/are my husbands favorite band. I think he feels about like you do. I will have to show him this post. I have only been reading you for the last couple of months if that long and decided to go back and read everything today. I love your writing. You have a beautiful family.

By: VH Dude

VH Dude — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 04:26:48 +0000

I was directed here from VHND and wow, what a great read. You didn’t mention the magazine you worked for, so I won’t mention it either. But I have every issue and waited in anticipation like Santa was coming for every new release, then devoured every page. I want to say ‘good job’ although it appears to be many years late. I enjoyed it very much – would love to hear any and all VH related stories. My fanaticism rivals your own, so I can honestly say I am happy you got to experiecne what you did. I’m not even jealous, I’m just happy someone who loved VH as much as I did got to live the dream.

By: BOSSY

BOSSY — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:32:42 +0000

Ahhhhh. Very cool.
BOSSY´s last blog ..Bossy, You Seem Like A Perfectly Nice Girl, But What Is Skin Control?

By: Kat

Kat — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:42:05 +0000

OMG!! You lived one of my “things to do before I die”. I bow before you, as being in 5150 is a badass feat!! Just think – if Ed had still abandoned the drum set their dad bought him but had NOT picked up Alex’s guitar, we’d not have the genius that is Ed or that trademark EVH sound. I have to agree with the commenter above, I’m taking Eddie’s side too. He’s the man. My 15 yo daughter can name every VH song on my iPhone, and has ripped the majority of my CDs to her iPod. And she’s educating her friends too!

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:08:33 +0000

My best high school memories are accompanied by a Van Halen soundtrack. I sure miss them, too, but the coolest thing happened a couple of months ago: My 15yo son bought “For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge” so I could hear this “new” song he liked. LOL He has since “borrowed” my cds.

By: Sweet William

Sweet William — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:45:20 +0000

Dude,

That was a great blog!! Eddie is nothing less than a Genius but often times the most brilliant people are also the most eccentric. Then throw in the pride element, and it’s rough. Pride is a bad thing and has left many a rich man poor and many a happy man miserable. Pride has destroyed everything from marriages to bands, to peoples lives.

I feel your pain, Van Halen hooked me at a young age too. It’s been rough to watch, but honestly often times the most brilliant musicians, for all of their ability still have personal short comings like the rest of us.

Lennon and McCartney had trouble, Jagger and Richards did too… just like Page and Plant, Henley and Frey, and I could go on and on. The sad thing is to imagine the music we could have heard had they been able to get along.

But instead of taking that route, might I suggest you celebrate what Eddie has given us. What if he had picked up golf clubs instead of a guitar at a young age? So love ‘em or hate ‘em… we should be grateful that Michael picked up a basketball, or Tiger picked up golf clubs… and of course the greatest of them all… celebrate that Eddie chose to play the guitar.

I’m not an optimist by nature and I usually view the glass as being half empty. But today I guess I’m just grateful that for Eddie has given us, and I’m forgiving of any character flaws he might have. The most flawed person I know, and most difficult to get along with looks back at me every morning in the mirror.

I heard a teammate of Jordan’s once say how difficult it was to play with him, because he demanded perfection of not only himself, but everyone around him as well. Clearly Eddie is a perfectionist and perhaps part of the problem is that he demands perfection from those around him, and won’t tolerate anything less.

I don’t care if it’s a break-up with Eddie and my mother, I’m taking Eddie’s side because at the end of the day, with apologies to lead singers everywhere, the magic comes from Eddie. Always has, always will.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 16:12:36 +0000

What a great ‘read,’ Jon. I have to be honest and tell you I punched myself up a few rungs on the “cool” ladder by telling co-workers…the younger ones…that my daughter was dating a guy who hung out with Eddie and the guys…and wrote for their magazine.

You still make me feel a tad ‘cool’ and I thank you for that!

By: CHW

CHW — Thu, 13 Apr 2006 05:15:50 +0000

Brilliant post. I knew you did something with the fanzine, but had no idea about the hang time with the band. So very cool.

By: Mom

Mom — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 20:48:18 +0000

As I read this I could not help but remember all the way back to the first Van Halen alblum you ever had. In fact, I think I may have bought it for you for Christmas. And that truly was the beginning of your addiction. But there are two memories that can still bring tears to my eyes. The first is when I came to Alabama to surprise you on your graduation from your basic training in the Army. I brought the 5150 tape with me; and when you got in the car; I plugged it in the tape player and cranked it up. Your face just about crumbled; and so did I. Then second time I saw that look on you was on October 9th, 1998. Your wedding day. When you and Wonder Woman were announced into that beautiful hall; Van Halen blasted out of the speakers. What a sight. Thanks for the memories Jon.