Expert: Andrea Murphy Date: 12/13/2006 Subject: VAN HALEN OAKLAND '81 & 5150 TOUR '86
Question HI ANDREA,
JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON TOUR FOOTAGE VIDEO/DVD:
DID ANYTHING SURFACE ON VIDEO OR AUDIO THAT YOU KNOW OF, OF THE
FOLLOWING?
OAKLAND, CA 1981 --FULL SHOW?
SHRIEVESPORT, LOUISIANA 5150 TOUR 1986 (SAM'S FIRST GIG WITH VH)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ MEADOWLANDS ARENA 5150 TOUR 1986
NEW HAVEN COLISEUM, NEW HAVEN, CT 5150 TOUR 1986 (ANY DIFFERENT
SHOW THEN THE RELEASED "LIVE WITHOUT A NET"--OR DID THEY PLAY
ONLY ONE NIGHT IN NEW HAVEN.
THANKS.
ALSO, DO YOU KNOW ANYONE LIKE YOURSELF WHO KEEPS UP WITH JOURNEY
AND STEVE PERRY AUDIO/VIDEO FOOTAGE, LIKE YOU KEEP UP WITH VH?
SINCERELY,
BJ
Answer Hi BJ,
So here is what I know. The full Oakland show has never surfaced. There is a claim by the VH brothers that only the videos that were released were salvageable from that recording.
I've never seen or heard of the first show with Sammy being released...either audio or video...from 3/27/86.
There is audio of the East Rutherford show from 7/31/86 and 8/1/86. I don't think I have either.
They played 2 nights in Hartford in 1986, both 8/26/86 and 8/27/86. There is audio for both. The video and good audio were only captured the 2nd night...since there was an equipment malfunction the first night. I know I have the commercial release...and a very cruddy audio tape of the first night. One of my roommates spilled sweet and sour pork on it a while back. The little wheels never turned right again.
In terms of seeing if anyone else has the shows you mention...try vhtrading.com. They have some lists of what is available and are more up to date than I am.. They also have some Journey traders as well. In terms of a heads up...do not offer to buy anything at that site, it will start you off on the wrong foot. Buying and selling is not allowed. Also, if you set up a trade make sure you work out details and follow through on your end. Members of that site are purists when it comes to quality and sound (including not having roommates who dump stuff on their collection) which is why there is still some awesome sounding stuff from all eras of VH. A great bunch of guys (and a few gals).
