Much-ballyhooed rock reunion tours are the talk of the 2012 concert season, with the Beach Boys reuniting with the enigmatic Brian Wilson for a 50th anniversary edition of “When Dinosaurs Roamed America.”
Of course, that AARP tour would pale next to a 50th anniversary run by The Rolling Stones, who would certainly pack stadiums and sell oodles of over-priced tickets and merchandise to fans with a serious, pent-up desire to see a legendary band of 60- and 70-somethings who haven’t toured in five years. (And it’s looking more and more like it might happen.)
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And “Rumours” are that Fleetwood Mac is likely to launch a tour later this year, too.
Frankly, all of that is well and good, because I’d be as much of a sucker as anyone else to see all three of these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame mainstays in concert, even if they’re all held together by Ace bandages, surgical gauze and support hose.
But I may have to draw the line at Van Halen.
Anyone who’s viewed the video for the latest Van Halen song, “Tattoo,” from the band’s upcoming new album, “A Different Kind of Truth,” has to wonder: “What in Sam Hill are these guys doing?!?” And, “Why are they singing about tattoos?“ Followed by, “When will this song be over?”
Actually, the answer to Question No. 1 is pretty simple: They’re making a dash for cash, pure and simple.
What else could explain this goofy slice of power pop/rock with even goofier rock posturing by David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen. This is aimed at inciting interest in the upcoming reunion tour that kicks off Feb. 18?
Just a few years removed from their “final show” right here in Grand Rapids, Van Halen brings us “Tattoo” and “A Different Kind of Truth.”
But truth is, this may be a reunion worth skipping … and another unsightly tattoo your kids wouldn’t want you to see.
Is this video supposed to be funny? Because if it is, they succeeded!