20 Years Ago - Gary Cherone and Van Halen Part Ways

Twenty years ago, Gary Cherone left Van Halen. The band released Van Halen III in 1998 - went on a tour and that was it. I graduated high school in 1998 and I honestly don't remember much about this album. I did not own it and I never have. I guess it didn't get much radio airplay. I don't even remember the video for "Without You" either. It is posted below. Eddie Van Halen is dressed crazy - post grunge I guess. Definitely does not look like Van Halen to me. Some of the YouTube comments say it is Red Hot Chili Peppers-lite. That is probably true!

One album, one tour, then it was over: https://t.co/H6r6T1hR1I

— UltimateClassicRock (@UltClassicRock) November 6, 2019

Comments

[stu]

as long as you don’t think of the album as being van halen, it’s fine. kinda like the last vh with sammy. the guys changed their sound to go with the times. and it didn’t work for the old school, guitar god fans. but the more time passes, the better those albums are. but they’ll still never be great.

[Jeff]

I remember buying this CD and seeing the tour. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't anything to write home about. For me the highlight of the show was hearing Mike Anthony sing all of Somebody Get me
a Doctor. Cherone always seemed like a square pag in a round hole here. In my opinion the best song on this album is Dirty Water Dog. I still have it in rotation.

[Basileus]

I gave it a chance, bought the album, saw the tour; never thought it was great, but I convinced myself that it was pretty good. And then I put it away and never felt the urge to listen to it again for the next 15 years. One day, I decided to listen to it again with fresh ears and...nope, it wasn’t any better. It offers a few moments here and there, but even the decent songs feel unfinished, with Fire in the Hole and One I Want being good examples. The former features a cool riff and groove at the beginning but the chorus is completely underwhelming and the song just never goes up a level, it just peters out; the latter just feels like a rough demo (which Cherone has pretty much confirmed is what many of the songs were)

I think my favorite songs at the time were Year to the Day, Without You, and Once, although the later was certainly not very Van Halen-sounding. But it’s not like I have them on my VH playlist or anything. Still, I wouldn’t mind the chance to hear the songs they were working on for the follow up before they shelved it and got rid of Cherone.

[Him]

I recall finding the single "just okay" after not really caring for anything that Van Hagar released (yes, I was--and am still to a degree--one of _those_ people).

At the time, one of my jobs was working at a higher-end deli (to help pay for my tent near the overpass). I recall a guy from a local rock station (long since gone) bringing in one of the largest stacks of free GA tickets I had ever seen in my life!!! His comment was something to the effect of: "Please, give these to anyone who comes in otherwise the show is going to be empty." My first thought: "Giving away tickets at a deli?!?! Not exactly target-marketing." My next thought was: "What the hell? Free show, EVH and Anthony." So I grabbed a few and went about my day of slicing meat and acting neat.

Concert evening arrives. I can't really recall how many people were at the amphitheater. Can't even recall if someone/who opened for them. What I recall is this: Gary Cherone acting the fool, reaching between his legs, while standing facing away from the audience, and slapping his own butt. Not once, mind you. Several times. Not even the majesty of EVH could keep us there. We left after barely half a dozen songs. It just felt . . . off.

Jeff has it right: wrong fit, not my size. Cherone is a great singer. Extreme is under-valued because they were also so hard to categorize. You think it would work, work even better than Mr. Mitch and the 1/2 second of greatness (sponsored by Crest). But it didn't. Sure, I bet a good portion of that went to the fact that EVH was once again sliding out of control (Cherone said as much when talking about working on a second album and then being dismissed by AVH). Thing is, Cherone takes the experience in stride. No animus. Recognizes it for what it was: a failed experiment, but one that left him being able to say he was in VH. Not too shabby.

[steverox]

At the time, I bought the album. Didn't really like it. Was never an Extreme fan either, although "More than Words" was one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar.

Despite the new songs, I took a look back at the setlists from the tour, and they pulled out some good older songs they hadn't played for a while (at that time). A decent mix of Sammy and DLR stuff, plus of course way too many tracks from VH3.

Still hoping (but not counting on it) that we'll see a farewell show with everyone VH past and present playing for a bit. Yes, even Cherone on an encore song or something, just to complete the VH circle.

[fletch]

In related Van Halen/David Lee Roth news (copied from ghostcultmag.com)

Former David Lee Roth guitarist Bart Walsh has reportedly died. He was just 56. No cause of death has as yet been revealed. Ex-Mötley Crüe frontman John Corabi paid tribute to Bart on social media, writing: “R.I.P. Bart Walsh ….A great guy, talented guitar player, and always beyond helpful when I worked at Gibson Guitars…I hope you’re happy playing guitar up there buddy!!!! You’ll be missed…” Walsh’s death was also reported by a DLR fan account. Walsh was the original guitarist for the Van Halen tribute band The Atomic Punks, which also once featured singer Ralph Saenz, now better known as Michael Starr from Steel Panther. His years spent performing with them caught the eye of VH frontman David Lee Roth, and he was soon recruited to join Dave on his 1999 world tour as his lead guitarist. Although Bart is best known for his time playing hard rock, he grew up under the tutelage of his great uncle Cecil Campbell, a Country Music Hall Of Famer. After the DLR band, Bart toured with Brett Michaels, worked for years for Gibson Guitars and other projects.

Here is a copy of his Official Facebook page banner pic with Dave on stage. Notice Ray Luzier (now in Korn) on drums:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156131833992194&set=a.10150702608822194&type=3&theater

Robert Crane (Quiet Riot/RATT) wrote:

A sad day... Bart Walsh was a good guy... He looked out for a 19 year old me and I am forever grateful our paths crossed. I hope he’s found the peace he deserves. God speed Bart Walsh...

and shared this picture of them together:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156216745212820&set=a.10150103833567820&type=3&theater

Ray Luzier wrote;

I’m still shocked from hearing the news of my old friend & band mate Bart Walsh passing away. He just texted me last week about doing a Van Halen jam soon. He had such a huge passion for music & such a huge heart. My deepest condolences to his family. Rock out up there brother 🙏🏼❤️

Ralph Saenz (Michael Starr/Steel Panther/Atomic Punks) wrote;

I'm in Shock! I love this guy with all my heart. R.I.P. Bart Walsh. VH 4Ever

I didn't personally know him, but I met him a couple of times when he toured with David Lee Roth. He was quiet/laid back, but friendly. I wish his family and friends my deepest condolences on the loss of their beloved one.

[Bob]

wow! so sad about Bart Walsh. Dude was a seriously great player. that DLR band with walsh and Luzier was pretty killer. go back and listen to that DLR band album from '99. I think you'll be surprised at how good it is although it went nowhere. as for Vh III, I am sorry, but that album is just awful IMHO. it is Eddie's ego run amok, and wouldn't have sold more than 5,000 copies if it didn't come out with the VH name on it.

[Metalboy!]

Yeah, c’mon, Boyz ...

Cherone is a goofball.

One good song: “Kid Ego”.

Everything else he ever did is absolute sh*te.