Eddie Van Halen: Evolution

More than any single person, Eddie Van Halen got my butt down in the garage practicing 5 hours a day in high school. Not so much to sound like him, but to play like him. Like I was really good and having the time of my life. Over different times my my career, I have had various levels of sheer musical dexterity to play with. At my height of chops (if lacking musical maturity), Ed was my hero. And I've followed the highs and lows (Van Halen III ?!?!?) of Ed's little band. So, it is with all due respect I say, Ed should quit. I don't want Eddie to be another Axel Rose asking me to wait 10 plus years for a crappy "Chinese Democracy" that will never come. Writing song after song that doesn't measure up, pushing back the release as he knows it's true.

Ed threw down a gauntlet with "Eruption" few have dared to pick up. Perhaps only protege and die hard fan Paul Gilbert ever achieved such a mixture of frightening chops and musical soul. (I Love Satch and Vai , but what I said is true) And on top of writing some of the most kickass guitar riffs ever, Ed mastered the art of pop song writing with songs like "Dreams", "Love Walks In", "Right Now" and "I can't stop loving you", where he showed he was also the master of the tasteful, melodic guitar solo.

But, Ed has seen better days. I actually picked him for a Ghoul Pool this year. He's had a hip replaced and he's battled cancer. His long time marriage to Valerie fell apart. Tireless VH trooper Michael Anthony is out of the band. And, as much as we all loved the glory days, Dave hasn't been Dave in years. Who wants to see him on tour with VH? Not me.

If Ed quits now, he can look back at almost 3 decades of rock with very few regrets. If he puts out another album. It better be awful darn good, or all of the legacy is in jeopardy. I love him. I miss him. I hope he never comes back.
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And that's enough for now.

Brian Norwood

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