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I went to see one of my all-time favorite bands Van Halen Sunday night with my long-time friend Jason. The show was kick ass.

Eddie was true to form ripping out classic VH licks left and right. Sammy sounded great. Mike was as intense as ever. Mike sang lead vocals on “Somebody Get Me A Doctor”. Alex was tearing up his drum kit all night [especially during the drum solo!].

Eddie’s guitar solo was [if I recall correctly] between “Dreams” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”. It lasted about twenty-five minutes, but it only seemed like a short moment. Eddie threw in a medley of “Cathedral”, the intro to “Little Guitars” and ended with, of course, the classic “Eruption”. Eddie can still wail.

The stage setup was interesting. It was shaped like the VH logo, and there were seats inside the ring. Very cool indeed. Sammy was down in both ‘pits’ during a few songs signing autographs while singing.

Set list:

1. Jump
2. Runaround
3. Humans Being
4. Somebody Get Me A Doctor
5. Poundcake
6. Top Of The World
7. Unchained
8. Why Can’t This Be Love?
9. Where Eagles Fly [Sammy]
10. Hallelujah [Sammy]
11. Best Of Both Worlds
12. Dreams
13. Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
14. Right Now
15. You Really Got Me
16. Panama
17. When It’s Love

The opening band was Laidlaw. I’ve never heard them before, but they were pretty good. They have kind of a Allman Bros/Skynyrd/Heavy Metal feel. A somewhat strange combo, but good nonetheless.

Eddie underwent hip surgery in November 1999.