Van Halen Came, Conquered, And Kicked A** [Review & Photos]

March 22, 1984 was the first concert I was ever able to attend on my own, I was 14 years old. The venue,The Aud, the band...Van Halen, the show... changed my life.  Fast forward 23 years later, March 9, 2012, First Niagara Arena,the only thing that changed was the venue.For three hours David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, his son Wolfgang and brother Alex brought me back with an onslaught of hits after hits including music from their latest album "A Different Kind of Truth" which if you do not have I suggest you go and get it now.

The stage was simple other than the huge video screen serving as a backdrop in which David remarked "Yeah I've seen a screen this big...at the drive-in!"

They came out without Fair Warning (sorry had to) to the Kinks Classic "You Really Got Me" and the roller coaster continued for three hours! New tunes included "Tattoo", "She's The Woman" and "Chinatown".

From Alex Van Halen's Latina inspired drum solo to Eddie's, how can I put this? Mesmerizing display of musicianship, genius, dexterity and awesomeness, the show never let you take a breath until David came out tinkering on an acoustic guitar while his herding show dogs played on the screen behind him (trust me it made sense within the context of the show). That led to "Ice Cream Man" and more of what everyone who came out wanted to hear. All the hits, all served by four guys who looked, played and sounded like they really enjoyed each other, the crowd and the night.

Eddie and his son Wolfgang vocally sounded great and that kid can play! I like Michael Anthony and miss him in the line up, but this kid can play and sing!

I had to write "something" for this review so I did...but all I could have written was "Van Halen KICKED A**! If you were there you know, if not someone who was will tell you!"

Special thanks going out to Marrisa and the staff at Cobblestone for getting everyone amped during JACK'S Pre Concert Party.