Van Halen Energized

Van Halen Sunday, Sept. 17, The Gorge

After Saturday’s performance at The Gorge, I think it’s about time we change Van Halen’s name to better reflect its current physical state.

No, we’re not changing it to Van Hagar. That’s already been done to death.

How about Van Handicapped?

That sounds about right.

Why the name change?

Mr. Guitar Hero Eddie Van Halen’s hip has deteriorated from years of wild stage moves, and he will have to undergo hip replacement surgery. Thus, his mobility on Saturday was limited.

Brother Alex Van Halen sat behind his drum kit with a neck brace on as a result of three herniated discs. Judging from his grimaces early on, Alex didn’t appear too enthusiastic about playing drums.

Indeed, the members of Van Halen, rounded out by bassist Michael Anthony and vocalist Sammy Hagar, began to look their middle-age.

Van Handicapped or not, the 21-year-old Van Halen churned out an amazing performance anchored by sparkling youthful energy and a steady stream of hit songs.

As the night unraveled, the show got consistently better and grew increasingly more climactic. An urgent performance of “Right Now” was an appropriate selection to open the night and a smoking rendition of “Panama” was a smart way to close.

In between, there were other spectacular moments like “Ain’t Talkin’ About Love,” “Poundcake” and “Feeling.”

What’s more, Van Halen, notorious over the years for delivering sloppy concerts, performed impeccably tight.

Of course, a number of individual solos were played during the two-hour-plus set. Every member belted out one, even Alex, who was caught on the video screens smiling as he shouldered his injury and pounded away.

Eddie re-invented his influential “Eruption,” asserting that the new sober Eddie is as good, if not better, than the Eddie of 20 years past.

Hagar hardly looked his age of 48. Throughout the show, he couldn’t be contained. Like a hyperactive child, he couldn’t sit still. Vocally, Hagar let his raspy, sometimes whiny, wail fly.

All night long, Van Halen’s loyal worshippers showered the band with various offerings - women’s undergarments (which Hagar piled onto his mike stand like a shrine), T-shirts (most of which the singer donned), banners, frisbees, and all kinds of junk.