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Bruce Springsteen Playing Warm-Up Dates, Sammy Hagar Speaks on Michael Anthony-Free Van Halen, Keane Channel Dr. Dre

9/20/07, 3:15 pm EST

  • Before their new album Magic comes out on October 2nd, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will play two benefit rehearsal shows at Asbury Park’s Convention Hall next Monday and Tuesday. Tickets for the event are $100, and will support an as-of-yet unannounced beneficiary. Springsteen and the band will embark on a tour, starting in Hartford, the same day Magic is released.
  • Keane are bringing an unusual influence into the recording sessions of their third album. Drummer Richard Hughes explains that the band is listening to a ridiculous amount of Dr. Dre’s 2001, and hope to capture that album’s sparse sound on their next release.
  • Sammy Hagar has finally spoken out about his former band’s semi-reunion. We say “semi-reunion” because Hagar feels it’s not the real thing without ousted bassist Michael Anthony. On a previous tour, when Hagar was still in the band, Eddie Van Halen attempted to exile Anthony, but Hagar insisted he wouldn’t tour without Anthony on bass. Hagar had no explanation for why Eddie wanted Anthony out, but it probably has something to do with Eddie’s desire to “play with his son (Wolfgang, who took over bass duties).”
  • Yung Joc will emulate Snoop Dogg in Old School (or George Clinton in PCU, whichever you prefer) when he performs at the 100th anniversary celebration of Cornell University’s Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. The frat came under fire in 2004 for throwing a racially insensitive “Ghetto Fab” party at which revelers were told to dress like rappers.
  • Friends of family of George Grantham (of POCO) are collecting items to auction off to help pay his medical bills (Grantham suffered a stroke and has no health insurance to defray the cost). Don Henley and Graham Nash have donated so far, and more information is available here.

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Comments

mj | 11/3/2007, 1:33 pm EST

I think van hagar sounded good at that time period but now they are back with diamond dave it really makes more sense. I also believe adding a junior Halen is a great move. Hagar has his own band anyway. Let;s see how Dave does back in the front line.

Berry | 9/27/2007, 9:25 pm EST

Dude.. If you were a real Van Halen fan you would`nt be saying Sammy and Mike are the real van halen tour and really would`nt be settling for a cover tribute band..Van Halen is and will always be Dave and Eddie if you settle for anything less then you a poser..POSER !!! TONIGHTS THE NIGHT !!! VAN HALEN 2007

Tim | 9/25/2007, 11:23 pm EST

I have been a huge Van Halen fan since I can remember. I was there for the 2004 VH tour. In fact, I was there for the private sound check which had about 150 fans prior to the show. All I can tell you is that Sammy and Michael were great!! They signed autographs, talked to the fans and Michael played “requested” songs from the fans. I can’t say the same for Eddie. I was actually worried that the show would be cancelled because he was so intoxicated. He wouldn’t even talk to one single fan.

I can also say I have seen the last two shows with Sammy, Michael and the Cabo’s. I actually think it’s a much better show, Sammy has so much energy and he is a great perfromer. As far as I am concerned the real VH tour that is going on right now is the Sammy Hagar show. BTW-I think it’s crazy how much VH is charging for tickets too. If you like the old VH I strongly recommend that you catch an Atomic Punks show because they have the “energy” and “attitude” of the old VH. Here is The Atomic Punks website. And guess what!! Michael Anthony has played bass for the band upon occasion.
http://www.theatomi cpunks.com/

Greg | 9/23/2007, 3:21 pm EST

Give it a rest Mr Hagar..Van halen is better than it`s ever been in over 20 years . Mike was good but he wasnt the band and as the clips show he has been replaced..For a 16 year old kid he`s certainly has it in his blood and he will only get better..Mike & Sammy were both fat so what ??? Mr Roth is all about attitude and Rockin..if you guys want technical perfect vocals go watch American Idol ..but if you want real Rock and Roll then Van Halen 2007 is the ticket. Van Hagar will never be remembered the way DLR-era Van Halen will be.Thats a Fact..Good bye Mike and Sammy .. And Hello VAN HALEN !!

van hagar fan!!! | 9/23/2007, 10:16 am EST

Diamond dave has definitely lost his voice…eddie still had the chops, but for god’s sake, 55 yr old men that are skinny as a rail, have no reason to have their shirts off. I agree with Sammy’s comments…..No real reunion, without the best backing vocals in rock!!! we love you Michael Anthony!!!

Comeon | 9/23/2007, 1:34 am EST

If you think that Mike and Sammy brought quality and depth to VH you are deluding yourself. Hager’s ballads were sissy rock. Mike should be in the reunion, we all know this. You don’t see us defending Wolfgang or spinning it that he plays great bass and sings even better. Mike’s highs will be missed. Van Halen is primarily Eddie’s epic guitar playing, think Hendrix, Clapton, or any other luminary. Secondly Dave’s singing and personality, and Alex’s balls out drumming, then the bands killer harmonies, then comes Mikes fairly straightforward base lines. What Mike really contributed signature wise was those high notes in all the great anthem choruses.

Van Hagar was only that. It too was good music. Never on a level with VH with Roth. Most die hard VH fans will agree with this assertion more or less.

greg | 9/22/2007, 11:35 am EST

No one said it was a reunion tour, Sammy — Dave just re-joined the band that already kicked out MA… they said themselves it was not a reunion, why do you feel the need to tear them down by making things up.

John | 9/22/2007, 11:20 am EST

Shut up Sammy and go drink some tequila and maybe do some sit ups with Michael Anthony. Van Halen sounds and looks great,unlike that abortion tour they took with you two. True,Eddie was too stoned on that tour but you and Anthony looked like two guys in a honky tonk who drink too much beer and eat too many hamburgers at Wendy’s.
You’re day is done Sambo-get over it. Your jealousy just proves it. Sorry your son isn’t as talented as Ed’s. Now go drive 35…

Bear5150 | 9/21/2007, 4:04 pm EST

I say scr**w the VH fan lackey’s and their “has been” VH sound…I’ll spend my money in Cabo baby!

mmart23 | 9/21/2007, 1:29 pm EST

Sammy and Michael brought quality and depth to Van Halen and really propelled Eddie and Alex’s instrument and production genius to heights never before acheived. Van Halen sans Michael and Sammy is all style no substance.

Joe | 9/20/2007, 9:26 pm EST

“Radio Nowhere” sounds like “867-5309″ without the catchiness or fun or….well, you get the idea.

Joe | 9/20/2007, 9:02 pm EST

Just saw the video for “Radio Nowhere” this am. What a disappointing song. It sounded like a Pretenders b-side. Bruce looked and sounded old and tired. Lots of mumbling. Anyone who says this song represents a triumphant return for the E street band is sorely mistaken. And I thought “The Rising” and “Devils and Dust” were awesome.

Jeremy Sells | 9/20/2007, 8:03 pm EST

I think Sammy`s just a tad upset , since this now mean him and Mike are history and will never be in Van Halen again . If eddie didnt want Mike on the last tour what make anyone think Ed would want him back now ?? From watching the clips of the rehearsals it looks and sounds like Mike has been replace by Van Halen blood . The sound of Van Halen is intact and better than ever . If remember correctly Sammy said this will never happen ..How wrong he was..and all the haters remember these words from I`m the One . We came her to entertain you , You say we aggravate you don`t you know it means the same to me..Dave`s back with Eddie and still pissing people off …that`s VAN HALEN !!

doug | 9/20/2007, 5:58 pm EST

Sammy is DEAD RIGHT- The VAN HALEN that the true fans from the seventies and eightees want is the ORIGINAL LINEUP- Eddie is a jerk, but unfortunately we are between a rock and a hardplace,I am going just to see DLR back, but I am ABSOLUTELY DISAPPOINTED !

Steve | 9/20/2007, 4:17 pm EST

sammy didnt you call the 2004 a reunion ?? it wasnt cuz dave wasnt there..this is as close to the real van halen as we will ever get..mikes gone for good but wolfie is a fine replacement still sounds like van halen to me…sammy and mike RIP…Van Halen is back 2007

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