Doug Van Pelt

Where were you in 1978?

Okay, I realize that there are some that were not even "a gleam in your father's eye" back in '78, but for those that were around, what was it like for you when Van Halen burst onto the scene?

You know what? For all the rock journalism and historical nods to great artists, this fun-loving American hard rock / metal band gets left out. They came along at a time when 70s rock was being churned out like so much sweet and ordinary butter ... and they turned the world on its ear. Yes, I'm one of those "Diamond Dave" people when it comes to the "David Lee Roth vs Sammy Hagar" debate. But that's just because I was around when they hit.

I'll never forget a couple of VH moments in high school. One was during early season football practice -- probably part of the two weeks' worth of two-a-day practices called "Hell Week." Steve Nemeth, one of those school cool guys in a blue Camero was driving right by the fields with his windows rolled down, blaring "Runnin' With The Devil." It was enough to recharge my tired batteries at that point. I think I was doing a push-up or something at the time. It really brought an inner smile to my heart.

Another moment was seeing the band live outdoors at Anaheim Stadium, along with 78,000 people. It was their big "triumphant return to LA" after conquering the world with their multi-platinum debut album and touring (and blowing the tired and about to split up headliner off the stage) with Black Sabbath all over the world. The band actually parachuted from a plane above the stadium, landed far away behind the stadium, taking forever to get on stage. "Whew! We'll NEVER do THAT again!" blurted David Lee Roth when taking the stage.

Being called "Van Halen" when I wore my VH t-shirt to school (and having a Van Something last name) was kind of fun in one of those prideful, insiginificant you-had-to-be-there ways. It was almost like getting a new cool identity. The key word in my mind was "cool," of course.

And this morning I was listening to the Hayseed Dixies, who take old rock classics (like "War Pigs," "Black Dog," "Whole Lotta Love," etc) and re-work them with a spirited hillbillie and bluegrass style. They covered "Runnin' With The Devil." That song always bothered me a little bit, as it's hard to identify with the story of "being partners with" or "runnin' with" the leader of the fallen angels. The music is so groove-heavy and written so well as a sing-along, it was always a favorite, but it had that nasty thorn of its chorus. I'm odd, but I have a similar experience with the Queensryche song, "I Don't Believe In Love," because it's a real catchy song and I DO believe in love. Whenever I sing that song, I usually switch out the words "don't" with "do." The VH song is kind of one of those old blues stories where the songwriter is lamenting about his path and his ways. In that sense, it's a redeeming song in that it's step #1 in the journey to repentance (realizing the path you are on or the state you are in is a no-win, losing, and basically bad one). However, singing it from my redeemed on-a-different-path perspective is one that resists and defies its meaning. I don't like "confessing" it, for whatever that really means.

Posted by Doug Van Pelt at April 10, 2007 10:35 AM