When Van Halen Issued Fans Fair Warning
Van Halen achieved almost immediate success with their self-titled debut album 1978, by 1981, after years of non-stop touring and recording, the band, though living the dream, was exhausted.
Eddie Van Halen was reportedly ready to kick out bassist Michael Anthony and replace him with Billy Sheehan, and tensions between Eddie and David Lee Roth had reached a boiling point. The situation rose to the point where Eddie considered quitting the group.
Eddie At This Point Almost Went On As A Solo Artist
Eddie started experimenting and working on music that initially seemed like it could be part of a solo project, but Roth heard the material and quickly turned the VH ship around and wrote lyrics, leading to the creation of Fair Warning 1981
Fair Warning was a darker album by Van Halen’s standards. Although Fair Warning was the least commercially successful album, selling “only” double platinum, it quickly became a true fan favorite. It is often considered more of a “fan’s record” than commercial albums like 1984 or 5150, which had broader mainstream appeal.
Van Halen Fair Warning The Album
Fair Warning is the fourth studio album by Van Halen. Released on April 29, 1981, on Warner Bros. Records, the album peaked at number 5 on the Billboard 200, while the single “So This Is Love?” failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 110
What Was The Van Halen WDFA?
Van Halen’s 1981 tour, dubbed “WDFA,” saw them play two or three nights in the same city. This tour and album are often cited today as fan favorites. The three famous live MTV videos come from this tour’s Oakland, CA show. The story behind WDFA? Stood for ” We Don’t F*** Around Tour.”
Van Halen Shows Detroit Love With 3 Cobo Hall Shows
July 3-5th, 1981, all 3 Van Halen shows sold out. Got great seats for the second show at the Hudsons store at Oakland Mall. Hudson had a little-known ticket area downstairs that you could get in line easily, and at 10 am, we were right there to get the best seats for any show.
Show Highlights
The show was part of Van Halen’s fourth world tour, considered the largest continental tour in rock and roll history at the time.
Jim Bruce of The Windsor Star praised the band’s musicianship, calling Eddie Van Halen an “exceptionally fine lead guitarist” and said the audience left the show with smiles on their faces. See the review here.
Concert Do Over- Screamin Scott
Ira Paul 1971 Grand Funk Cobo Arena
Ira Paul 1971 Grand Funk Cobo Arena Still don’t know why this band is not in the Rock and Roll Hall yet. They have met the requirement for songs, crowd, and overall talent. Still enjoy Mark Farner’s American Band when they are on tour. Mark will be playing McMorran Place Theater in Port Huron, Mi Mar.24, 2023
Jeff Moga- Zeppelin at the Silverdome, 1977.
![17. Stairway To Heaven - Led Zeppelin [1977-04-30 - Live at Pontiac]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WOb0n9XFbIg/mqdefault.jpg)
Jeff Moga- Zeppelin at the Silverdome, 1977.
Another band that was on my bucket list to see but ran out of time when John Bonham passed away before he played the Silverdome again. Can you imagine seeing them at the Grande Ballroom in 1969?
Tony Salpino III -Kiss tiger stadium June 28, 96
Tony Salpino III -Kiss tiger stadium June 28, 1996
Tony! Love to comment on a show I got to see also. Had 6th-row center smack dab in the middle. My girl at the time got claustrophobic and we had to get off the field. Luckily I had press passes for the press box behind homeplate. The stadium shook back and forth and was so over the top. The best KISS show I had ever been to.
Gary Bird- Live Aid!! 1985
Gary Bird- Live Aid!! 1985
I agree Gary this is one show for the ages. So glad it is on film for all to enjoy for years to come. One of the bands I kick myself for not going to see the live concert. Had many chances to go see them. One of my concerts fails I will never forgive myself.
Ross Biondo- David Gilmour 94'. Greatest show I ever saw by a long shot! Pink Floyd
Ross Biondo- David Gilmour 94′
One of my favorite guitar players. Makes a Fender guitar speak on its own. Plays with such a feeling.
Bobby Lewis -Paul McCartney & Wings... "Wings Over America" tour 1976 Olympia Stadium
Bobby Lewis -Paul McCartney & Wings… “Wings Over America” tour.
Never got to see,”WINGS,” in concert but have many DVD’s of shows. Hope to see Sir Paul a few more times. Last show I got to see was at Little Caesars Arena. I believe he was the first act to play there.
Tim Marko- The Who at the Pontiac Silverdome
Tim Marko- The Who at the Pontiac Silverdome. What a concert. Except Pete did not like the sound inside the Silverdome. Didn’t stop me from going through almost the entire catalog that night.
Suzanne Govan Cobo Hall. Jay geils and Mountain we got to meet them in the basement
Suzanne Govan nothing like a J.Geils concert. Great choice as I have seen them many times in concert and from start to finish. What a party! You are exhausted after a show from cheering encore after encore. Great memories.
