In a recent conversation with The Bluegrass Situation’s Army Reitnour Jacobs, Van Halen producer Mike Post offered insights into the commercial disappointment surrounding the Gary Cherone-fronted album, ‘Van Halen III,’ absolving Eddie Van Halen of any blame.
Post candidly reflected on the album’s lackluster reception, attributing it to a combination of factors rather than singling out any individual:
“In essence, I simply facilitated the process. However, it’s undeniable that ‘Van Halen III’ fell short of expectations. It wasn’t anyone’s fault per se; rather, it was an experimental endeavor that unfortunately didn’t quite capture the magic. Eddie Van Halen took on the majority of musical duties, as Alex Van Halen was grappling with personal challenges at the time. This reshuffling of roles may have contributed to the album’s lack of cohesion.”
Cherone’s tenure as Van Halen’s lead vocalist on ‘Van Halen III’ marked a departure from the band’s signature sound, introducing new songwriting approaches that challenged Eddie Van Halen creatively. In a conversation with Jeremy White, Cherone shed light on their collaborative process, highlighting his role in introducing lyrical concepts to Eddie:
“Our creative partnership took a different path. I presented Eddie with lyrics, a departure from his usual songwriting process. It was a novel approach for him, one that sparked new musical directions. He explored unfamiliar territory, experimenting with piano-driven compositions and blues-infused tracks like ‘Year to the Day.'”
Cherone’s eagerness to pay homage to Eddie’s legacy through a potential Van Halen tribute tour underscores his continued reverence for the band’s iconic guitarist. While Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony embark on their own tribute tour, Alex Van Halen’s involvement remains uncertain, leaving the possibility of a comprehensive tribute tour in limbo.
As discussions surrounding Van Halen’s legacy continue to evolve, Cherone’s reflections offer glimpses into the band’s creative process and the enduring impact of Eddie Van Halen’s musical legacy.
