Eddie Van Halen enters rehab

[Sounds Great]

Eddie Van Halen enters rehab


LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Eddie Van Halen said on Thursday he would enter rehab "to work on myself," a move that appears to rule out a reunion by his troubled band when it is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame next week.

The announcement came a month after he and former Van Halen singer David Lee Roth, his longtime antagonist, said they would tour North America in the summer. Within weeks, speculation arose the plans had run aground.

"I always got hammered to be able to cope," he told the magazine. "I have zero social skills and I don't know how to act, so I get drunk. And then I make a real ass out of myself."

[methmetal]

Well, that just sucks!!! I hope he gets straight so we can see them in the fall or winter or spring or summer.....shit; I am still waiting for that new Guns and Roses album.....lol.

[somedude74]

Originally Posted by methmetal

Well, that just sucks!!! I hope he gets straight so we can see them in the fall or winter or spring or summer.....shit; I am still waiting for that new Guns and Roses album.....lol.

Dude, the reunion is not going to happen, period. The Guns And Roses album has more of a chance to be completed than a Roth/VH reunion.

[andreªs]

... well almost.

www.van-halen.com - The Official Van Halen Web Site

[7 Hz]

That's a shame, best wishes to him and to anyone else coping with serious addictions.

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by 7 Hz

That's a shame, best wishes to him and to anyone else coping with serious addictions.

You know, we all make choices. Sure, best wishes and all. But it pisses me off that people with such talent would CHOOSE to piss their lives away. Actually, anyone, talent or not. Life is too precious.

[johnnyjellybean]

Originally Posted by 7 Hz

That's a shame, best wishes to him and to anyone else coping with serious addictions.

Coping .... with serious... addiction .. myself.....
must.....have ....need......gear.....

[artbeat77]

I guess it depends on how you look at it. I posted this earlier in the Good News Zone because I'm glad that he's taken an honest look at himself and decided to work to make it better.

It sucks that he drinks and does drugs, but it's good that he's trying to change.

My $0.02.

[KingDaddyO]

Yep ... first step is admitting that there is a problem. Anyone who cares about him, or has been inspired by his talent, or perhaps just thinks that the page isn't fully written on what Eddie has to offer, can only be glad that he is taking this step.

And that is one interesting quote (post #1) - if he really said that, then more power to him!

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by artbeat77

I guess it depends on how you look at it. I posted this earlier in the Good News Zone because I'm glad that he's taken an honest look at himself and decided to work to make it better.

It sucks that he drinks and does drugs, but it's good that he's trying to change.

My $0.02.

But is he? It seems this isn't the first time into the 'rehab' route. This seems to be all the rage now for celebrities seeking to divert the spotlight away from them.

I hope he seriously wants to take a different route with the rest of his life. I remember the stories about Namm shows many years ago when Eddie showed up to play completely drunk and people were laughing at him.

Of course I have never experienced the pressures of being famous and everybody wanting a piece of you, so I'm really not sure how much to allow for that. But others in that position do seem to cope.

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

But others in that position do seem to cope.

Yes, but they don't play like THAT. There's a price to pay for laying your soul bare musically and the EHV style of playing was/is ultra-intense. Look at Hendrix or SRV and it's a similar story, I don't want to 'celebrate' that lifestyle but I see the connection between the rush of standing in front of a row of roaring Marshalls and booze/drugs....

And don't forget that these folks were extremely uncompromising in their practice routines atr least in their formative years. To play an instrument at the level of Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Michael Brecker, Duane Allman, Hendrix, EHV, SRV or Jaco means TOTAL dedication for a long time where it's basically nothing but practicing for the majority of your waking hours. Add tremendous talent - maybe at odds with 'market demands'- and the ill effects of stardom and I think you thus realize that it takes an immensly strong and mature personality to not **** up.

There ARE people like Pat Metheny that seem to be able to play at that level without getting caught up in the booze/drugs/celebrity maelstrom but then again Pat's music is much more 'considered' i.e less bluesy and that's great but it's not the 'soul on fire' style of a SRV or EVH and therefore it's most certainly a much more thoughtful and disciplined person behind the music.

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by doorknocker

Yes, but they don't play like THAT. There's a price to pay for laying your soul bare musically and the EHV style of playing was/is ultra-intense. Look at Hendrix or SRV and it's a similar story, I don't want to 'celebrate' that lifestyle but I see the connection between the rush of standing in front of a row of roaring Marshalls and booze/drugs....

I guess it's different for Keyboard players...

David Gilmour? Sting? Brad Delp (rip)? (well he was standing in front of a row of roaring Marshalls)

[Sounds Great]

Oh, I guess David wouldn't be considered ultra intense. Or Sting.

[doorknocker]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

Oh, I guess David wouldn't be considered ultra intense. Or Sting.

Well, I'm a HUGE David Gilmour fan but I think his style (and most likely his personalty) is totally different than EVH's. I consider Gilmour to be ultra-soulful and musical but his is not the 'shoot-from-the-hips' style of EVH.

Sting is a different kind of musician altogether, surely not a genius in the sense of creating a totally new style like Hendrix or VH and also IMO a modern kind of musician where business is as important as pure musical inspiration. But he scored huge points with me for reuniting the Police and really rocking the Grammies!

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

You know, we all make choices.

In the end though it could be in the genes as much as in any social or personal influences. Who knows what's really going on with addiction? I certainly don't.
A big part of coping with serious addiction is to admit that you're NOT able to control it. So it's debatable if we really are free to choose. A common pattern is to substitute one addiction with another. How many people 'found' religion after beating drugs or booze? It might lead to a better and healthier life but it's hardly 'free will' at work.

[artbeat77]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

But is he?

I don't think either of us are in the position to know the answer to that. Me: the glass is half full. It sounds like you are trying to kick a man when he's down. I've never been hooked on drugs/booze, so who am I (or you) to say how hard/easy it is to quit and then stay sober?

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by artbeat77

I don't think either of us are in the position to know the answer to that. Me: the glass is half full.

Of course. Let us hope.

Originally Posted by artbeat77

It sounds like you are trying to kick a man when he's down. I've never been hooked on drugs/booze, so who am I (or you) to say how hard/easy it is to quit and then stay sober?

Not at all. But I do make assumptions based on past history. Sometimes that cycle can be broken, but odds are not in favor of that.

I hope I'm wrong. And if he got back with the boys (including DLR) on a concert tour I would be first in line for a ticket!

[max cooper]

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

But is he? It seems this isn't the first time into the 'rehab' route. This seems to be all the rage now for celebrities seeking to divert the spotlight away from them.

Most substance abusers require multiple attempts.

It's really a disease and it's sad when anyone has it.

I think it's great and sounds like he may be considering his life as priority number one.

If the band has to die here and now, for good in order for Edward to get his life back, so be it.

One of the biggest reasons substance abusers have for putting off their recovery is that they have to "get feeling better" so they can deal with this and deal with that. So sometimes you just gotta put off all the other stuff and get clean.

Don't ask me how I know.

[andreªs]

actually good news:
YouTube - Edward Van Halen Phoenix Nascar Race + haircut + white teeth!

[Jonboy79]

Originally Posted by andreªs

actually good news:
YouTube - Edward Van Halen Phoenix Nascar Race + haircut + white teeth!

I've been see'in this all over, it really makes me happy knowing that a rock legend that I thought was for sure done and gone may actually still have a little to give before his time here is no more. I hope he stays clean and continues to take care of himself.

[Blast9]

compared to.... YouTube - Eddie Van Halen at NAMM January 19, 2007

Neverltheless...an awesome player, and fantastic tone

[Sounds Great]

Originally Posted by Blast9

compared to.... YouTube - Eddie Van Halen at NAMM January 19, 2007

Neverltheless...an awesome player, and fantastic tone

Wow, he can still jam, that's for sure. thumbsup

[gm5k]

"I always got hammered to be able to cope," he told the magazine. "I have zero social skills and I don't know how to act, so I get drunk. And then I make a real ass out of myself."

boy do i know a couple of people just like that...