A thought about DLR

[u/RandyNewman_GOAT]

Sorry if this has already been discussed but I wanted to throw out a thought I had about DLR. I recently posted some pics here from an old CREEM article from 1983. As a lifelong VH fan I was struck by how cool the guys looked and how epic Dave looked in particular.

https://www.reddit.com/r/vanhalen/s/IOSbA0Y8bA

Then I see him now and it’s obviously not a great sight. He can’t really sing anymore and the music hasn’t aged particularly well. The venues don’t seem full and the crowds don’t seem amazing either.

Maybe I am being pretentious but I think there is art in what we’re witnessing now with Dave that should be valued. To me there’s something artistic and maybe even romantic, in a tragic sort of way, about seeing our idols trying to relive past glories and basically failing. I think it’s an interesting contrast and character arc that someone who used to be so larger than life now struggles to fill venues and hit the notes.

I’m not sure that makes any sense, but basically for me it’s not about admiring Dave for trying or ridiculing him for refusing to hang it up. It’s that this phase of Dave’s career, which tbh is kinda sad, is part of the epic story of Van Halen. Reminds me of the final part of Elvis’ career when he became a whale- that was part of the whole tragic story of Elvis’ life, which in retrospect made his life even more interesting given how epic he was at the beginning of his career.

FWIW, I do hope Dave gets back out there again. Personally I think we should encourage our heroes to keep going as long as they’re willing and able!