Throwback Thursday: Van Halen 1982 The Forum
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Original image found at The Mighty Van Halen
I skipped Music Monday this week and pushed it off to a Throwback Thursday. This is remembering my first concert. It was September 1982. Van Halen did multiple nights at The Forum. I don’t recall what night I went to. It was with friends [I don’t remember what friends either… that was 34 years ago]. There were no digital cameras. No one thought to take a regular film camera into the show, at least I didn’t even though I love taking pictures back then. The thought of it getting confiscated was a valid enough reason.
This site I’ve linked to here covers the night of September 10, 1982.
First Concert Memories
Original image found at The Mighty Van Halen
The tour was for the recently released “Diver Down” album, which was mostly covers. I remember getting a shirt and wearing it to various places. My mom hated this shirt. She hated most of my music and anything to do with it, so this was no surprise. I had to hide the shirt from her due to her threats to get rid of it [she eventually did toss it along with most of my music]. I understand you can order retro concert shirts. I should buy one to have again.
Set List
- Romeo Delight
- Unchained
- The Full Bug
- Runnin’ With the Devil
- Jamie’s Cryin’
- Little Guitars
- Where Have All the Good Times Gone (The Kinks cover)
- Hang ‘Em High
- Cathedral
- Secrets
- Everybody Wants Some!!
- Dance the Night Away
- Somebody Get Me a Doctor (With “I’m So Glad”)
- Ice Cream Man (John Brim cover)
- Intruder
- Oh, Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison cover)
- Guitar Solo (Including “Eruption”)
- D.O.A.
- Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
- Bottoms Up!
- You Really Got Me (The Kinks cover)
- Happy Trails (Roy Rogers cover)
Encore:
Many Years Ago
Oh to go back in time to relive this show, taking modern technology with me and taking as many pictures and video I could. The site I linked to above does have a bootleg cassette tape recording that was digitized. The sound is pretty decent and it appears to have been recorded from a good angle of the stage. I do remember David Lee Roth’s “I forgot the fucking words” quote during the opening song “Romeo Delight” so there’s that memory. I wasn’t high or drunk as I didn’t do any of that in 1982. I’m sure there was enough pot smell around me.
As a long time fan of Van Halen [although sadly I never saw them with Sammy], I’m proud for it to have been my first concert.
Cool memory. Where’d you find the setlist? And you need a replica shirt. Buy it. Now.
Originally found it at this link over on setlist.fm
http://www.setlist.fm/setlists/van-halen-2bd68066.html?page=104
Replica shirt not purchased yet, but soon.
Awesome write up. I think I’ve mentioned previously that while I like the Diamond Dave era VH, _my_ VH will always be the 5150 VH. Why Can’t This Be Love the very first VH song I ever heard on Top Of The Pops back in England.
Thank you, sir. Yes, I do remember that first Hagar fronted album was your favorite (back on my 30th anniversary post of 5150). Great album. Still bummed I never saw Sammy with VH live.
35 years ago tonight! Sep 9, 1982
Oh wow. That’s awesome. 35 years is a long time for anything music related.
September 10th 1982 at the forum will always remain in my memory..it was also my first concert, I was only 12 years old and
I remember that shirt because I also bought one and I wore it proudly that first week as a freshman in high school.
Good memories,thank you!!!
You are welcome. Good memories indeed. That shirt was great. Proud to have worn it as well.