Pullin’ ‘Tubes: Van Halen’s Live Return

Over the last decade Van Halen seemed to be in the news more for their off-stage, seemingly soap opera story-lines, than for what they were known for best – playing fiery arena rock. The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame act toured with both Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth, kicked originally bassist Michael Anthony to the curb, and saw lead guitarist Eddie Van Halen not only hire his teenage son as the band’s bass player, but also reenter rehab forcing a number of postponed dates during their 2007-08 tour. After numerous rumors that Eddie had been writing and recording new music, the band announced that they had officially gotten back together with Diamond Dave to record their first album of new material together since 1984, with the results being released earlier this month as their 12th studio effort A Different Kind of Truth.

After a couple of warm up gigs, that included one at the tiny 250-person capacity Cafe Wha? in New York City’s Greenwich Village, and another private friends and family show at The Forum in Los Angeles, Van Halen officially kicked off their lengthy North American arena tour this past Saturday night at the unfortunately named KFC Yum! Center in Louisville. The band’s 24-song set leaned heavily on their classic material from the Diamond Dave-era, including two tunes Woman In Love and Outta Love Again, that haven’t been played live in over thirty years. Here’s the four song stanza that opened the show, as uploaded by YouTube user Randy Bayers. Let’s take a look…

Van Halen – KFC Yum! Center – Louisville, KY – 2012-02-18

You Really Got Me, Runnin’ With the Devil, She’s The Woman, Romeo Delight, Tattoo, Everybody Wants Some!!, Somebody Get Me A Doctor, China Town, Mean Street, Oh, Pretty Woman,< Drum solo>, Unchained, The Trouble with Never, Dance The Night Away, I’ll Wait, Hot For Teacher, Women In Love*, Outta Love Again**, Beautiful Girls, Ice Cream Man, Panama, <Guitar solo>, Ain’t Talkin’ ’Bout Love, Jump

* first time played since 1980, ** first time played since 1979

Click here for the Panama, Guitar Solo (Eruption), Ain’t Talking ‘Bout Love and Jump segment. Head over to the Funk It blog, where Randy will be posting more incredible footage of the tour opener.

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