Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony rockin' up the joint
Phew! This show was a last-minute invitation on Sunday (the 20th, 2009) from my friend/co-worker Jeff. Who was I to pass up the opportunity to see Van Halen version 3.5 or maybe Van Hagar version 2. I didn’t care because when it was over I realized I had seen my first supergroup after 27 years of attending concerts. It also the first time I had been to San Antonio for a concert, other times I head south for sports (no longer with the Austin Stars starting next week!). Other than the Alamodome and some place called the Sunken Gardens, SA has this place called Sunset Station. Visions of those “distant-local” casinos in Las Vegas raced through my head but it’s an outdoor venue similar to Stubb’s or Liberty Lunch near the city’s train station; where the Texas Eagle from Amtrak stops. I do envy SA, Sunset has the majority of its general admission area covered to keep rain from ruining the show.
The music? It was what I expected of them, loud and about drinking and/or sex but in a good way. I may be an Alternative Rat yet I have a soft spot in my heart for both versions of Van Halen and the Hagar solo albums I remember when I was growing up. It was quite different to see/hear Joe Satriani on the guitar instead of Eddie. Some people make unfair comparisons of Joe too. I think he’s considered the Dean Koontz of solos with Eddie obviously being Stephen King. They’re just very distinct styles. Sammy not playing guitar until the encore was a shock, he usually did rhythm in Van Halen. Rounding out the quartet was Chad Smith on the drums. “Who?” is likely your next question. Smith was the drummer for the Red Hot Chili Peppers from 1989 until a few years ago. I will have to borrow Jeff’s copy to revisit what I heard. I’m sure it will grow on me with a few cycles of listening to it.
Chickenfoot came out for one big encore which culminated in them covering the Who’s “My Generation” while Chad knocked his drum kit apart. It was a pretty cool evening. I’m pretty appreciative Jeff thought of me when the opportunity appeared. We’ve concluded we’re good-luck charms for each other. He helped me meet Spinal Tap. We both got to meet Viv Savage at a movie. Jeff scored a drum stick which Chad threw into the crowd.