KVC

Van Halen - what a show! Phenomenal! They blew me away! The set list was awesome. The band members were in top form. The sound was great. Eddie still plays the guitar with such skill and sexiness (he's still the only man I would legally change my last name for). David Lee Roth still dominates the stage with such charisma doing high kicks and roundhouse kicks while strutting across the stage. They captivated the audience as only the greatest of bands can do and I didn't see anyone sit down during the show.

The evening was extra special because it was Eddie's 53rd birthday! I am so honored that I was at his birthday show (which I think sets me apart from the rest of the world!). Before the concert, 2 radio stations broadcasted live from Victory Park and the music was rockin'. One of them had a huge birthday card for Eddie which Coleen & I signed. During the show, David Lee Roth led the audience in singing "Happy Birthday".

Coleen with a rep from 93.3 The Bone
Happy Birthday Eddie!

The 1984 tour was the first time I saw Van Halen live. The band was young. They looked like, acted like and had the energy of 20-somethings. Fast forward 24 years. After battling cancer, rehab, hip replacement surgery, (and I'm sure the list could continue), I wasn't really sure what kind of zest and energy they would bring to the stage. I'm here to tell you that the aging band members have unraveled the Surgeon General warnings! January 26, 2008 was like 1984 all over again!

1984

2008

Here is a recount of my journey to the show in 1984 and in 2008:

1984: I was picked up at my parents house in a 'good times' van driven by a David Lee Roth lookalike; Trisha knew these guys who were in their early twenties and were able get us tickets and drive us to the show; Thanks Trisha! I'm forever grateful! To this day, I have no idea who the guys were.
2008: I drove myself and Coleen in my white acura; Thanks Coleen for going with me! You are so much fun!

1984: We stopped at a record store on the way to the concert (yes, I said record - as in vinyl)
2008: We ate sushi at Kenichi in Victory Park on the way to the concert

KV & Coleen at the W Hotel in Victory Park before the show

1984: I saw the show at the Summit in Houston (now home to Joel Osteen Ministries)
2008: I saw the show at the American Airlines Center in Dallas

1984: The band opened with a song made famous by Led Zeppelin "Rock and Roll"
2008: The band opened with "You Really Got Me"

1984: Eddie entered the stage smoking a cigarette
2008: Eddie entered the stage smoking a cigarette

1984: The Summit was completely filled with smoke of all kinds
2008: We've now gone smoke-free

1984: 6 pack of beer on stage
2008: 6 pack abs on stage

1984: The band had long hair
2008: The band had short hair

1984: During the song "Hot for Teacher" there was absolutely no doubt that I was a student
2008: During the song "Hot for Teacher" we were asked by the guys around us if we were teachers

1984: Alex wore a white headband
2008: Alex wore a white headband

1984: Michael Anthony on bass
2008: Wolfie Van Halen on bass

1984: David Lee Roth wore spandex
2008: David Lee Roth wore spandex

1984: Eddie wore a shirt & and bandana
2008: Eddie went shirtless

1984: The crowd was made up of mostly long hairs resembling 70's and 80's rockers
2008: The crowd was made up of mostly late 30 and 40 somethings who wanted desperately to relive the 80's

1984: The encore was "Jump"
2008: The encore was "Jump"

1984: Cameras were strictly prohibited and were confiscated
2008: Who can be stopped? Camera phones, digital cameras, recording devices galore; Coleen recorded a song and we had our own little encore on the way home!

On that note, enjoy my pics from the show.....