Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last night. Well, sorta. In reality, Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar, the two guys not in the current iteration of Van Halen were inducted. More than conspicuous in their absence were Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth.
Each had their reasons for missing the shindig. Ed’s in rehab trying to sort out miscellaneous problems including alcohol addiction and just generally being a cantankerous old man.
Alex presumably was supporting his brother by not attending. Sure, because that make sense. And Dave? Ah, Dave. Dave didn’t get things the way he wanted so he stomped his feet and sucked his thumb and stayed home Monday night in his PJ’s.
What could have been a shining spectacle of rock and roll, instead fizzled into mediocrity. This is a band that is the most dysfunctional family this side of Axl’s Guns n’ Roses (or whatever he’s calling it these days). A dysfunction that runs so deep, that they couldn’t pull it together for one frickin’ night…for the fans. How truly sad indeed.
Roth has been generally acknowledged as the most arrogant, annoying, self-centered rock star of the last thirty years. He had a chance last night to break from that stigma. He was given a do-over. According to Rock Hall of Fame personnel, Dave refused to appear unless he could sing. Alright, you can sing with Velveteen Rabbit they said (actually it was Velvet Revolver). Dave declined that offer because the song they had enough time to prepare “You Really Got Me,” was not a true Van Halen song. OK, Dave…how about playing any song you want with the fairly accomplished house band. Nope. Dave wanted to put together his own act because of course, he is Diamond Dave, recent paramedic, failed talk show host and nightclub bluegrass singer (really). When he didn’t get his way…well, you know the rest. The same reasons a classic Van Halen reunion has been unattainable for the past twenty-two years. Dave’s an ass, Eddie’s an ass, and the fans don’t really matter much.
Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony were perfect to be quite honest. They were appreciative, reflective, humble…and seemed remarkably genuine in saying that it shouldn’t have been like this. They really wanted everyone to show up and share in the accolades that at one time they so richly deserved. The biggest, baddest rock n’ roll band on the planet. Hagar summed up what everyone had hoped to see when he said "If we all grew up, including me, maybe all of us could do it together." Hagar said of future Van Halen touring, "I'm down with that." How cool would that be? What VH fan wouldn’t want to see that? Can you imagine Roth and Hagar hammering out “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” as a duet? The fans would go crazy. Hey guys, it’s us…the fans…..remember us?
I have a new respect for Hagar after his heartfelt words and a bit of sympathy for Michael Anthony who when asked why he was no longer in the band replied, “I don’t know…I’m ready to play.”
In the end, we were left with what might have been. Sad Halen.
