Backing Vocals

whiskeyhome · October 18th, 2006, 07:13 PM

Man these guys could sing. I am still in shock at how good the 3 part harmony and background vocals were in Classic Van Halen. Even Alex sang in
Happy Trails... Is anybody else blown away by the fact that not only did they smoke us with instruments but also with their voices.. I often wondered did this come naturally or were they given lessons? Set up by Ted and Donn???

zozo5150 · October 18th, 2006, 07:17 PM

I agree, Happy Trails is an excellent display of their awsome ability. I also read somewhere that Ed was acutually going to be the lead singer at one point, but then they found David Lee Roth.

Outtalove · October 18th, 2006, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zozo5150

I agree, Happy Trails is an excellent display of their awsome ability. I also read somewhere that Ed was acutually going to be the lead singer at one point, but then they found David Lee Roth.

Ed did sing for a while, but Alex knew he wasn't cutting it. They were renting Roth's P.A. system for $10.00 bucks a shot and decided it would be cheaper to just get him in the band.

Guitarfreak · October 18th, 2006, 07:56 PM

I always dug the backing vocals for the early VH stuff, especially live. It wasn't perfect, but it was pure, rough-around-the-edges rock and roll... my favourite for the backing vocals though, was always the early Aerosmith stuff. Loved the whiskey-laced, out of sync backing vocals to that lineup in its prime...

MAMMOTH 5150 · October 18th, 2006, 08:23 PM

Whiskey...I've always loved the CVH backing vocal sound...the ooohhhhs and aahahahhhhs in the background are like silk...besides Ed's guitar work ..I've always believed that the extra polish of there background vocal sound is what set them apart from the rest of the pack of loud guitar with frontman screaming formula...I've always dug Micheal Anthony's vocal range....that guy can break a wine glass with his range!!!!

Outtalove · October 18th, 2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAMMOTH 5150

Whiskey...I've always loved the CVH backing vocal sound...the ooohhhhs and aahahahhhhs in the background are like silk...besides Ed's guitar work ..I've always believed that the extra polish of there background vocal sound is what set them apart from the rest of the pack of loud guitar with frontman screaming formula...I've always dug Micheal Anthony's vocal range....that guy can break a wine glass with his range!!!!

Michael Anthony-Cannonmouth! If you listen carefully, you can tell how Ted Templeman made the best out of the vocals by blending the end of a phrase by Dave with the awesome backing work of Mike, Ed and Al(?). there was nothing like the sound of VH. God, I wish we had some stuff like that nowadays. Not to sound like an aging rock and roller, but I really miss the music of the seventies and early eighties.

Simon Ribeiro · October 19th, 2006, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Outtalove

Michael Anthony-Cannonmouth! If you listen carefully, you can tell how Ted Templeman made the best out of the vocals by blending the end of a phrase by Dave with the awesome backing work of Mike, Ed and Al(?). there was nothing like the sound of VH. God, I wish we had some stuff like that nowadays. Not to sound like an aging rock and roller, but I really miss the music of the seventies and early eighties.

Yep, I also miss those days as much as I miss The Real Van Halen.

Scottie Hutch · October 19th, 2006, 11:00 AM

I always thought Van Halen had the best backing vocals in the biz. Listen to Dance the Night Away, Simple Rhyme or Women in Love. Outstanding! It is great how they all got invovled with it to. Great example of rock back-up vocals. I wish the kids today had such talent! I miss those days to -

Simon Ribeiro · October 19th, 2006, 12:10 PM

Man, I love the backing vocals for "I'm the One", "Jamie's Cryin' ", "Outta Love Again", "Romeo Delight", among many others. Even the simple ones like "Secrets" or "Girl Gone Bad" are awesome stuffs. Funny; "Atomic Punk" ain't got background vocals.

Nick AVH fan · October 19th, 2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simon Ribeiro

Yep, I also miss those days as much as I miss The Real Van Halen.

Yeah i miss the REAL VAN HALEN too. I wasn't born in the seventies or eighties but I do like classic stuff better than the stuff thats out here nowadays,not that i dont like new bands out there but classic stuff is legendary.