The Best and Worst Replacement Singers

Don’t know why I’m replying to this b/c avoided these threads lately, but…. I guess we’re back in the between-tours holding pattern and we’ll have to deal with this crap again and again.

You usually replace something b/c something’s not working, or you want something better. Ed’s hip replacement is an example. His hip wan’t working for him the way he needed it to, so he had it replaced. The implication is that it’s supposed to be an upgrade, by definition.

That’s probably why this post goes right through me b/c the assumption of the writer is that Sammy was an upgrade. I know that there are still people here (very quiet for a while) that feel this way, and maybe Ron is one of them. It sure seems like it with all of these Sammy/Chickenfoot related posts over the years. Regardless, it’s time to deal with reality: Sammy is not coming back as long as Wolfgang is in the band. And, Sammy is not coming back if Wolfgang’s not in the band.

Wolfgang has made no secret of the fact that he prefers the Dave-era of VH b/c it’s more rocking, like the AC/DC records he seems to love. Like everything else related to this issue, it’s an opinion. It just so happens that his opinion is more important than just about anyone else’s at this point. Why? Because without Wolfgang wanting to make music with the family, Ed would not be doing it. And there is no replacing him, regardless of his condition (see Chickenfoot). So Dave it is, for now.

I say “for now” b/c I get the sense that, at some point, Wolfgang will want to go back to fronting his own band. I believe he could do it too. I also believe that he could make a record with dad and uncle Al that would at least be interesting. No doubt it would be the subject of much debate, but I think it might be a real breath of fresh air. Then some schmucks like zimbio would say that he was a weak replacement for DLR and he would want out.

God knows that would make the Sammy people happy. Then he would have his chance. He might be 70 at the time, but shit, roll his fat ass out there. Oh yeah (no pun intended). That will never happen b/c as re-invigorated as Ed seems now, he would probably lose all interest in continuing on with the band at that point. Soooo….

Let’s just enjoy all that we VH fans have now – a new record and tour(s). There’s no guarantee that it will last. I’m not making excuses for the current problems in the band (Dave’s voice, cancellations, etc.). I’d just hate to go back to having to see these seemingly daily, desperate attempts to legitimize Sammy’s place in VH history, when the reality is that that’s what he is now – history.

I love Dave-era Van Halen; I love Sammy-era Van Halen; I love Gary-era Van Halen; I love Van Halen.

ron: The reason for all those “Sammy/Chickenfoot related posts over the years” is because they were doing something while the VH machine had flicked the OFF switch on almost everything.If Van Halen had been in the news, you’d have seen that info, but the silence had reached 12 on a 10 scale and there wasn’t anything we could do about it.

Ok. Point taken. Is that really the case now? There’s not enough VH news to tide us over without another Sammy in VH post?

ron: Keep in mind, I didn’t write the story, I just posted a link to it and the VH parts.I didn’t put it in the “VH News” section here either, as it’s not VH news.I put it in the “Corner Pub” section.

The bands (Van Halen and Chickenfoot) are on a break right now.Who knows what VH is up to, Joe S is out on a G3 tour IIRC.I could post a photo of a LA Kings shirt that Wolfgang likes.Is that VH news?The Wabos (Sammy’s parttime band) are playing two shows in Tahoe (tonight and tomorrow), is that news for here?

There just isn’t a whole lot of VH news at the moment outside every tom dick and joe news reporter talking about the superbowl story (which has several threads here already).

There just isn’t a whole lot to talk about when the band is on a break, but we’re used to that.

I hear you Ron. It’s just that this Dave/Sammy crap is soooo old now, and no one ever changes their mind. I just thought I would make a request for a reality check and maybe the ability to move on and not have to deal with these pot stirring posts. They’re not fun at all.

wjamflan:I just thought I would make a request for a reality check and maybe the ability to move on and not have to deal with these pot stirring posts. They’re not fun at all.

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If you don’t like what someone posts, ignore it and move on. Responding to it, keeps the flames burning…….ignoring it will make it die. Pretty simple.

It might be worth noting that nearly every band in the history of music (including bands VHTers are in, I’m guessing) has had different lineups over their careers. Outside of U2 I can’t think of a longstanding-all-original lineup that’s still out there. It’s a little more interesting when it’s the lead singer that changes, but it’s really not at all uncommon in the music industry. I suppose the Sammy vs. Dave stuff comes up so often because the change happened to the greatest band in the world after a huge selling album?

For one album each (Eat ‘em and Smile & 5150) I thought we had the best of both worlds (ahem), but after that I kinda lost interest in both solo Dave and VH.

Oh, and I didn’t read the article, but my vote for best replacement is Bruce Dickenson, perhaps tied with Brian Johnson.

wjamflan:

Then he would have his chance. He might be 70 at the time, but shit, roll his fat ass out there.

Why all the Sammy is sooo fat from the Dave only crowd? Stupid. Sammy is in his mid 60′s, has millions of dollars, lives a great life. Hell, I would weigh 350lbs if I was him. Enjoy life, be happy. What about Wolfie? This kid is in his early 20′s, and not exactly Jenny Craig thin. Does it matter? No. So why does it matter if Sam has gained some pounds? The man still sings great every show, that’s all that matters.