Van Halen Hall of Fame Induction a Ghastly Joke, As Expected
Tuesday March 13, 2007
Well, I already regret using the word "joke" to describe the situation Monday night when Van Halen was so unceremoniously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After all, a joke is supposed to provide some degree of mirth or insight, both of which were in short supply when exiled former bandmembers Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar were the only ones present to accept the honor. Can I just say that it's absolutely pathetic, regardless of the reasons why, that less than half of one of the world's biggest-selling rock bands bothers to show up for what's designed to be a grand moment of perspective and humility in a business not known for those elements. Aside from a reference to Eddie Van Halen getting some kind of "help" for vague personal struggles, no one offered any explanation for the absence of the majority of Van Halen from Monday night's proceedings. What about Alex Van Halen? Where was David Lee Roth, who always rises to the occasion whenever a spotlight is near? Totally ridiculous, insulting, even poisonous to the spirit of the occasion. That would be my mild and restrained description of the rock and roll travesty just witnessed. To say I threw up in my mouth a little would actually be dignified, given the circumstances. Ugh, indeed.
Comments
Fair enough. I was a huge Van Halen fan in my youth. What little a suburban kid in Indianapolis could learn about being cool in the late 70s and early 80s, I learned from them–Dave especially. I couldn’t care less about the bogus Hall of Fame or even if they made another album or toured just to rip me off for 80s nostalgia. I’d just like to think they could jam in Eddie’s studio from time to time and, when they were done, they’d know they did it better than it’s ever been done before or since.