Rock Star: Van Halen?

[VH101]

As Andrew has posted, I too think that it seems a very slim chance that Al, Ed and Mike would appear on a TV series to choose their next lead singer. But it does have its appeal!

As for INXS' choice of JD... having only paid close attention to the final episode, I thought it was a foregone conclusion that he would be the winner. He sounds (to me) the most like Michael Hutchence.

P.S. Andrew, thanks for bringing up that VH (im)possibility. My dreams will probably be influenced by that!

[Red13JoePa]

Not likely.
Get Dave back or bust. VH does not need their profile in the US raised, either as INXS did. It was all geared at them getting back a foothold in America.

[jrnyman28]

Eddie needs to fix his problems before the band can "return".
I would dig watching Rockstar:VH but I can't see the band being as involved as INXS was.
JD was the best choice of the people who were left. And he surprised me with how much he "fit" with the band.
The sad thing is, the INXS CD is already written. It is probably already recorded except for the vocals. JD is really only a touring member for INXS at this time.

[NealIsGod]

I think "Rock Star: VH" would get massive ratings. But I also think it would diminish the band's credibility among hardcore fans. Maybe Ed can get Patty Smyth to join, as was the rumour way back when...

[Red13JoePa]

I think "Rock Star: VH" would get massive ratings. But I also think it would diminish the band's credibility among hardcore fans. Maybe Ed can get Patty Smyth to join, as was the rumour way back when...

Oh yea. Bingo. I'm a huge INXS head and never watched more than maybe 25 minutes TOTAL of that whole series. I will buy the album but could not sit through, as Andrew frequently talked about, young unkowns covering Nirvana and REM all the time.
Nor would I sit through VH watching unknows do the same. I think it's a non-issue though.

[NealIsGod]

I think "Rock Star: VH" would get massive ratings. But I also think it would diminish the band's credibility among hardcore fans. Maybe Ed can get Patty Smyth to join, as was the rumour way back when...

Oh yea. Bingo. I'm a huge INXS head and never watched more than maybe 25 minutes TOTAL of that whole series. I will buy the album but could not sit through, as Andrew frequently talked about, young unkowns covering Nirvana and REM all the time.
Nor would I sit through VH watching unknows do the same. I think it's a non-issue though.

I would watch it just to see Eddie and Alex interact with the singers. It would be great if they actually played with the singers. Did INXS play at all on that show? I didn't see much of it.

[Red13JoePa]

I heard they did, as it dragged on the remains of the contestants started to be able to play with the band but I couldn't sit through the other stuff (nope, not even Brooke Burke. Fully clothed, what's the point?) like Navaro going, "Dude, I wish I could say something but you nailed it. Way to go" after yet another rendition of heart-shaped box or losing my religion with the house band while INXS sits in the back bobbing their heads to make mundane (and SSSOOO scripted) critiques at the end.

[ltbob]

I think V.H. should get Steve Perry,then start a new band with a new name. I don't think Ed could take direction like Neil though, and he would have to practice so he could play the Journey stuff. Hell he would have to practice to play his own stuff!!

[VH101]

Van Journey?

[VH101]

Van Journey?

Whoa, dude! We've been riding in this van for so long, what should we name our band?

[Kenny]

I think V.H. should get Steve Perry,then start a new band with a new name. I don't think Ed could take direction like Neil though, and he would have to practice so he could play the Journey stuff. Hell he would have to practice to play his own stuff!!

Bob, do you work in a paint, or glue factory or something like that? Don't they give you a respirator??
Schon is fit to be EVH's guitar roadie - on a good day.

[jrnyman28]

Schon is fit to be EVH's guitar roadie - on a good day.

Neal plays with more emotion than EVH does...ANYDAY!

[NealIsGod]

I think V.H. should get Steve Perry,then start a new band with a new name. I don't think Ed could take direction like Neil though, and he would have to practice so he could play the Journey stuff. Hell he would have to practice to play his own stuff!!

Bob, do you work in a paint, or glue factory or something like that? Don't they give you a respirator??
Schon is fit to be EVH's guitar roadie - on a good day.

Sounds like YOU need some oxygen, Kenny. Neal is one of the most talented players out there today. Much more well-rounded musician Eddie.

[Kenny]

I think V.H. should get Steve Perry,then start a new band with a new name. I don't think Ed could take direction like Neil though, and he would have to practice so he could play the Journey stuff. Hell he would have to practice to play his own stuff!!

Bob, do you work in a paint, or glue factory or something like that? Don't they give you a respirator??
Schon is fit to be EVH's guitar roadie - on a good day.

Sounds like YOU need some oxygen, Kenny. Neal is one of the most talented players out there today. Much more well-rounded musician Eddie.

Yeah, ok. He can probably tune a guitar too.

[Kenny]

Schon is fit to be EVH's guitar roadie - on a good day.

Neal plays with more emotion than EVH does...ANYDAY!

The Journey forum is the one below, pal. Thanks for giving a good belly laugh though.

[jrnyman28]

EVH has got licks, but Neal has emotion. Don't be scared...it's ok. We all know how innovative EVH was. If he can ever pull his head out of his ass he could be good again. But Neal has recorded more music than EVH, put more feeling and pure emotion into his playing (IMO), continues to improve and hone his craft, was a prodigy at 15, invited to play in Derek And The Dominoes by Eric Clapton and Santana, has continued playing for 30+ years, has sold over 75 million albums, hasn't self-destructed....hmmmm what can you say about EVH? "Eruption"?

[ltbob]

Kenny there was a time when I would get in a fist fight over this debate,but after what I saw in Indy I just felt ripped off. Edward was sloppy, and he got lost on his own stuff more than twice!! Playing at a skill level that Ed was at is hard to hold onto, it takes practice, which is work, which is probably the reason he isn't near as good as he was. Neil on the other hand has, and stays on it. Just working and putting out the way Neil has makes him a better player. Who is the best? I can go to a local bar and see a couple guys that could smoke both of them. Just remember all that Kenny is in love with Ed so ya cant say anything without hurtin his feelings on the subject.

[Kenny]

Well you had me till the last sentence Bob - a fairly eloquent argument, if ever I saw one.
I guess the best thing I could say in relation to the 'in love with EVH' comment is that I have been a huge fan of the band, yes. But it's kind of an odd thing to say.

[Kenny]

EVH has got licks, but Neal has emotion. Don't be scared...it's ok.

Why would I be scared? When I think of guitarists playing with 'emotion' I think of Steve Morse in the rock genre, not either of the two guys we're discussing.

We all know how innovative EVH was. If he can ever pull his head out of his ass he could be good again. But Neal has recorded more music than EVH, put more feeling and pure emotion into his playing (IMO),

And that is all it is - your opinion. Putting 'more emotion and feeling' (the same thing??) is extremely difficult to measure.....

continues to improve and hone his craft

, Are you referring to Soul SirkUS?? You would have to be I guess, cos there ain't nothing that's a stretch in Journey!

has sold over 75 million albums, hasn't self-destructed

.Self destructed? Has EVH 'self destructed? Or is that just your opinion?
...

hmmmm what can you say about EVH? "Eruption"?

Well.....yes you can say 'Eruption' if you want to, but only if you are prepared to also judge Schon on a single piece of playing from his distant past.....

[ltbob]

Hey, maybe Ed could get Fred Flintstone,plus have Barney,Betty, and Wilma as backup singers. He could play bass, and lead at the same time,that way he could screw Mike out of the band.......like he did on 3.

[Kenny]

Hey, maybe Ed could get Fred Flintstone,plus have Barney,Betty, and Wilma as backup singers. He could play bass, and lead at the same time,that way he could screw Mike out of the band.......like he did on 3.

Ah Bob.....and just when I told you had mounted a fairly eloquent argument too.

[Red13JoePa]

Schon and Eddie are imo, about equal peers. And that's not damning EITHER one with faint praise. Ed's got more notoriety, and made the first qunatam leap on the electric guitar with VH1. Neal's been more prolific lately and taking his craft to ever improving levels (I couldn't that's possible but listen to SS and Generations).....VH will be back when the time's right.

[NealIsGod]

Schon and Eddie are imo, about equal peers. And that's not damning EITHER one with faint praise. Ed's got more notoriety, and made the first qunatam leap on the electric guitar with VH1. Neal's been more prolific lately and taking his craft to ever improving levels (I couldn't that's possible but listen to SS and Generations).....VH will be back when the time's right.

I disagree. I don't think VH will ever be a significant factor in music again. I hope I am wrong, but Eddie seems too messed up.

[jrnyman28]

Why would I be scared? When I think of guitarists playing with 'emotion' I think of Steve Morse in the rock genre, not either of the two guys we're discussing.

That's great. But of the two we ARE discussing, Neal plays with more emotion. You can hear it in his playing. EVH is a far more technical player, and could very well be superior when it comes to that technique...but you can feel more wmotion from Neal's playing.

And that is all it is - your opinion. Putting 'more emotion and feeling' (the same thing??) is extremely difficult to measure.....

And I called it my opinion. So you got me with the feeling=emotion, but, as I said above, I feel you can feel more from Neal's playing. Winds Of March, LTS, I'll Be Alright Without you, Mother Father, Livin' To Do and many others exemplify why I feel that way.

Are you referring to Soul SirkUS?? You would have to be I guess, cos there ain't nothing that's a stretch in Journey!

Have you listened to "Generations" yet? Or Red13, or Arrival? And I DO include Soul SirkUS.

.Self destructed? Has EVH 'self destructed? Or is that just your opinion?

Well, I am pretty sure it is an opinion shared by MOST people. From every interview I have read from EVH, Sammy, fan reviews of concerts, etc. it has become apparant that EVH has some serious problems. Whether those issues stem from alcohol, or from something else, I do not make any assumption.

Well.....yes you can say 'Eruption' if you want to, but only if you are prepared to also judge Schon on a single piece of playing from his distant past.....

My point is that EVH is essentially recognized for that work. It is his masterpiece and his moment of noteriety when it comes to guitar playing. And he certainly made more of a name for himself with that one piece than Neal ever has in the mainstream. But it still is an example of his technical prowess more than an emotional connection with his instrument.

I am in no way belittling EVH. He is a superstar with the guitar. But the original argument I had boiled down to style of play.

[VH101]

Well.....yes you can say 'Eruption' if you want to, but only if you are prepared to also judge Schon on a single piece of playing from his distant past.....

My point is that EVH is essentially recognized for that work. It is his masterpiece and his moment of noteriety when it comes to guitar playing...

I was going to say that Ed is probably more recognized due to his keyboard playing in 'Jump,' but you had to throw in the sentence about guitar playing.

However, there are so many instantly recognizable (by many non-Ed lovers) EVH guitar licks... 'Runnin' With The Devil,' 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love,' 'Jamie's Cryin',' 'Mean Street,' and 'Unchained.'

The solo stuff is beyond comparison... 'Spanish Fly,' 'Cathedral,' 'Little Guitars,' '316.'

[Taliwakker]

You can't say Neal plays with more 'emotion'....what emotion would he be playing with?
Does closing your eyes, tilting your head back and bending a note constitue emotion.....if it does then Santana's got them all whipped.
Vibrato and facial expressions does not = emotion.
Could you explain what you think you mean?

[jrnyman28]

Could you explain what you think you mean?

Excuse me? What I think I mean?
What I mean is the emotion you can hear in Neal's guitar playing. I am sure having a certain amount of blues influence has helped Neal with that. In blues, guitar playing is often about the feeling not the notes. Maybe it also has to do with the song content. EVH has always played more straight-ahead rock 'n' roll while Neal has played to the ballads and some "landscape" music. IMO Neal paints a picture with his guitar playing. He fills in the colors of the song. IMO EVH rocks! Rock is it's own emotion I suppose, but it is not very broad.

[VH101]

... EVH has always played more straight-ahead rock 'n' roll while Neal has played to the ballads and some "landscape" music. IMO Neal paints a picture with his guitar playing. He fills in the colors of the song. IMO EVH rocks! Rock is it's own emotion I suppose, but it is not very broad.

Can't get any more landscape-ish than 'Cathedral!' And, I hear nothing but emotion when I listen to '316!' (tap, tap, tap, tap, tap)

(IMO)

[Kenny]

Have you listened to "Generations" yet? Or Red13, or Arrival? And I DO include Soul SirkUS.

No, but I am interested in 'Generations' - I have SS, it hasn't grabbed me in any significant way, yet. I feel thay should have culled it to 10 or 12 songs......

Well.....yes you can say 'Eruption' if you want to, but only if you are prepared to also judge Schon on a single piece of playing from his distant past.....

My point is that EVH is essentially recognized for that work. It is his masterpiece and his moment of noteriety when it comes to guitar playing. And he certainly made more of a name for himself with that one piece than Neal ever has in the mainstream. But it still is an example of his technical prowess more than an emotional connection with his instrument.

Yes you make some good points there.....there are other pieces though that VH101 mentioned, but I am certainly seeing your point of view here.

am in no way belittling EVH. He is a superstar with the guitar. But the original argument I had boiled down to style of play

I thought you were trying to.....clearly I got it wrong. I think we're close to being on the same page.
However, I certainly don't think there is anything 'straight ahead rock' about Edward's playing. He pioneered a new way of approaching the instrument, and did things that have never been done. The man is, or was, depending on your point of view, a bona fide genius. Like a lot of people who are extremely talented, the man has flaws. That doesn't mean that a good, honest blue collar player like Neal Schon is Ed's superior in any way though.

[Red13JoePa]

They're BOTH GENIUSES. Different in many ways, same in others.