Van Halen To Perform On 'Billboard' Awards

The 2015 Billboard Music Awards telecast is set for Sunday, May 17th on ABC - the show starts at 8 p.m.

Intermixed with lots of pop, country and R&B crap will be the mighty Van Halen. I suspect a band performing real music - and, you know, actually playing instruments - will baffle those in the crowd and at home, but the gig should rock. It's great exposure for Van Halen as they promote their new live album and summer tour.

Also performing on the awards show are Kelly Clarkson, Hozier, Nick Jonas, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Britney Spears, Iggy Azalea and lots more. To be honest, I wasn't going to watch the Billboard Awards, but I will now just to see Van Halen's performance. They better get more than 2 minutes of air time!

Comments

[Jeff]

Looking forward to it! Saw a clip that Wolfie posted of them rehearsing DIrty Movies as well as Drop Dead Legs. It would be amazing to hear them play one of those. That's probably a pipe dream though as they will probably stick with Jump or Panama.

[Metalboy!]

Hey, I thought they were great on Kimmel and Ellen. Trust me, they will blow all of those current Pop Poseurs away!

[Jeff]

http://www.vhnd.com/2015/05/01/van-halen-rehearsing-a-never-performed-fan-favorite-from1984/

[Jack]

They did play a few deep trax (The Full Bug, Girl Gone Bad, etc) at least sometimes on the last tour so really hoping the teases pan out.

[Metalboy!]

Jeff is probably right but I wish they would take into consideration what they've already played the first and second time on live TV, on Kimmel and Ellen and play something different.

So taking that into account, how about a little "Unchained" and "Jamie's Cryin'", though the latter is a more likely a candidate.

[Shawn]

Unchained! gets my vote one of the best in the VH catalog.

[Him]

I will be watching this just like every other fan. As my recent posts suggest, I am going to keep my hopes in check and just celebrate the fact that a new live album is giving them a promo push into the spotlight. All the rest of it is, well, up to VH LLC.

I'd also like a deep cut or two (and I would even place "She's The Woman" in that category). But that doesn't play to the cheap seats at an industry event. So I will just focus on the positive, hoping that DLR got his overalls pressed and had them do a double-check on the floor grease so he can shimmy and shuffle all over that darn thing.

Thanks for posting that snippet Jeff. One thing missing though, eh?

Oh, one final thing (a quibble really): not a fan of most of the other artists that Allyson listed. But many of them do play their own instruments. Many of them also have the vocal chops to deliver the songs the fans want. It isn't the Magical Metal Tour Awards, so best not to be too dismissive of talent in other genres.

Music makes the world go 'round; not all of it is our music. So be it.

[Metalboy!]

Indeed, HIM, but they'll still blow them away and the shock and awe or expressions of ignorant dismissal on the audience's faces will be priceless.

Oh, and expect social media to blow up 90% negative on Roth who I personally find quite entertaining.

[Him]

Nail on the head, Metalboy! I continue to say: I still prefer a world with classic era VH (Anthony sadly not included) than one without them.

I will likely be critical (which isn't to say negative, not by a long shot) of his vocals if they are as they have been recently. But I, too, think the man still has that odd sort of stage presence that few are given, many struggle to manufacture, and some retain.

[Metalboy!]

And, if I may add, HIM, a stage presence few people seem capable of appreciating, revealing their overall lack of a sense of humor.

Quite simply, Roth seems to genuinely enjoy being on stage and that should be contagious!

BTW, I wonder if he'll try that mike stand twirling thing that nicked him on Kimmel. If you notice, he didn't do that on "Ellen", where he was risking slipping on the rug he had placed in front of Alex's drum riser.

[Him]

If I were to bet, Metalboy!, I would guess he will. Reason? Bigger stage and more prep time. When Dave has a chance to chew scenery, he does it like few can/could.

And you are right: diminished though he might be, he never seems capable of expressing anything but a showman's joy for being in the spotlight and sharing it with his fans. Small clubs or Enormo-domes, the smile is the same. Yes, it is his show. But everyone is welcome.