Buddy Blanchard fronts the world's greatest Van Halen tribute band: Philadelphia's own Romeo Delight. Buddy, as you might have guessed, plays the part of David Lee Roth.
We first met several years ago when I started this podcast. I thought it was great that we had such an authentic representation of the great music of Van Halen right in our backyard. I played with the band in their practice space in Huntingdon Valley and I had the honor of performing as a guest drummer with Romeo Delight at Musikfest and the Running of the Santas.
We share a deep admiration for Van Halen, the world's ultimate hard rock party band. No one was better. And Eddie Van Halen was a genius among us. Every time he would innovate a sound coming from his guitar, people would try to copy it. And when they'd figure it out, Eddie had already moved on to something else jaw-dropping.
Buddy and I talk about what we initially felt when we learned Eddie had lost his battle with cancer at the age of 65. We discuss why Van Halen's music was so popular. Buddy talks about meeting Eddie and David Lee Roth during a tour stop in Philadelphia. We offer our favorite Van Halen albums, songs and we select our own personal favorite Eddie guitar solo of all time. Plus, we look ahead: if Chuck Berry came first, if Jimi Hendrix took the rock guitar template and twisted it into something unique and fascinating and if Eddie Van Halen blew our minds, who is "the next one"? Maybe you have some ideas.
My thanks to Buddy Blanchard and our best wishes for Romeo Delight to continue to warm our hearts with Van Halen nostalgia. May live music return to this country soon.
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