Gary Cherone puts in his two cents

[Angiekay]

When Van Halen is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next month, the honorees will include Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony, and David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar -- but not Gary Cherone. Cherone recorded one album with the group and toured with them, and he doesn't mind that his name isn't on the citation. On the message board on his official cherone.com website, the singer wrote, "To answer the few fans who are wondering whether I should, or shouldn't be included? While yes, I was a small part of their history, I was certainly not a part of their legend, and that is what WE, the fans, are celebrating!"

Cherone also had kind words for Van Halen. He wrote, "It was only a matter of time before the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized one of the greatest and most influential rock bands of all time, whose guitar player changed the course of rock and roll! Congratulations to my friends Alex, Eddie, Michael, Dave, and Sammy... The mighty Van Halen! An incredible honor."

[Kenny]

Yeah that's pretty cool of Gary. A real gentleman.

[Red13JoePa]

I think Cherone should be there, too.

[Kenny]

Probably right.

I saw them on the tour with Cherone and he really worked hard up there....it's kinda hard to imagine many guys who could pull off both the Dave and Sammy stuff. I would have liked to hear the 2nd album they supposedly had in the can.

[Red13JoePa]

Yep, I was BIG time fired up for the III follow up.
The only song I know of that actually became anything is Left For Dead, which Cherone took to his Exit Elvis project. By FAR the best song on that record and would've made a monster Van Halen song.

[Knuclebones03]

I did like a couple of songs from the VH3 cd. It was a totally different VH thats for sure. Maybe it was a change for the good at that point with Gary but the record company didnt go for a second album with him thats for sure. I remember reading after Gary had left/been fired while working on songs for the next album that there was good rockers coming out but the record company was asking "wheres the hit" , that was frustrating for Gary and the boys so thats why it ended. Im glad Gary relizes that he shouldnt be in the RRHOF with the boys. He seems like a real cool dude thats for sure. Im glad he fought EVH on singing a bunch of classic DLR favs when they did tour in 1998 . that showed he knew the fans would like to hear them instead of just a couple that SH was singing up to that point.

[stingthebeerdrinker]

Gary is a class act. Think the VHIII lineup would have worked a little better if he would have kept the long hair Extreme look. A short hair guy with a suit coat was just not VH even though he killed on stage.

[VH101]

Yep, I was BIG time fired up for the III follow up.
The only song I know of that actually became anything is Left For Dead, which Cherone took to his Exit Elvis project. By FAR the best song on that record and would've made a monster Van Halen song.

In total agreement with ya there, Red! That song, if combined with EVH's playing, would be a sure hit! It's still a listen-worthy tune even without Ed!

[Red13JoePa]

Yes, Left For Dead is a total ass-kicker even as-is.

[VH101]

"In My Dreams" on my Tribe Of Judah sampler CD sounds good too... if it were less "industrial/electronica" and instead given a good bass line and EVH styling it'd be another potential hit!

[ironmountain]

Strange how the one left out of the HOF induction, comes out the "adult" in all of this.

[X factor]

Humility? From a former or current mmber of Van Halen????
Say it ain't so...

[atticus]

Gary Cherone has always been a great guy.When I saw them on tour Gary was more than willing to sign my VH3 cd and whatever else.We had a blast hanging out with him for about 45 minutes talking about VH,Extreme,Queen and all sorts of stuff.

Kudos for Gary.