Van Halen reunion

A lot of people have been writing about the Van Halen reunion since it's now official and the tour will commence shortly. Roth-era Van Halen are one of my top five favorite bands and my favorite American band. Yet I can't help the fact that I am none too thrilled about this reunion. If it had happened ten years ago then it very well may have been something. I think it's a little sad that Michael Anthony isn't in it, but that's not a big part of the issue. I think reunions are a case by case as to whether it should be done or not. This year I think there was a very good idea for a band reunion and a very bad one. I have not seen either and won't because I am too cheap and hate to drive in the city. However, I think Heaven and hell was a good idea for a reunion and most fan reports say it went very well. Ronnie James Dio is still in good form and every one in the band has been active in various projects in recent years. So I am sure they were very tight and there was no major hype. They were just going out to play the songs from the Dio era of Black Sabbath. With Van Halen you just seem to be getting a lot of hype and I just doubt there is much energy left there. Diamond Dave has a lot resting on his shoulders to pull this thing off. Many sources say his voice is shot. Of course he's on board for the big payday because it beats playing state fairs and the venues he has had to play to make a living in recent years. I just think Van Halen are going to be a very thin shell of what they once were. My guess is they will look like they are going through the motions. Plus they are going to charge a whole lot of money to go and see this farce. Also unlike many others, the Roth era of this band ended on top in many ways. They had a messy break-up, but right before that was 1984 which was a great album and they had a great tour. The Roth-era could have ended on that high note except that they want the big cash in that a reunion will bring. No one thinks this tour is going to just pick up where 1984 ended. However too many fans will see it as their only chance to see the band with Dave. So they will shell out the huge price tag to see these guys limp through a set and try to relive the past. I was very much hoping Van Halen would be like Led Zeppelin and not do a reunion tour so that their past could be preserved. I didn't want them to become a joke, but unfortunately they will. It won't tarnish their great albums, but it's just a shame they felt the need to ride the money train and then pretend it's going to be like some big party. What a shame.

***What do you think of the reunion?