Van Halen or Van Hagar

I grew up near Pasadena and actually played street football with Alex when we were kids. Anthony lives in my hometown. I saw numerous versions of the band at backyard five keg events from 1973 to 76, when they finally launched. For the San Gabriel Valley, it was strange to think that our two greatest cultural exports were Van Halen and In-N-Out burger. I think Eddie deserves credit for reimagining the "guitar god." By 1978, when they openned for the Stones, Led Zep and Jimmy Page were on the descent, largely due to his troubles with heroin.

Eddie was and has been largely hampered by his alcoholism, which really started to take over in 1983, at the time of their US Festival gig. I used to him tits up all the time around town, in the local grocery store and record shops. I like the fact they were able to tour briefly four years ago, while he was sober on the first part of the tour, the first time in close to 24 years. It brought back good memories of the first years. David Lee actually could sing on key, through most songs, and was especially fit.

Bongo, I never go to In n Out when I am in SoCal, is it worth a stop?

Absolutely. In Houston, it would equal to the Lankford Grocery. Consistently good quality ingredients at a cheap price. Has a rabid following here in So Cal.

Van Halen w/ David Lee - great hard rock band with a sense of humor and a real front man

Van Halen w/ Sammy Haggar - pop band with easy listening ballads and a buffoon(although a ridiculously rich one).

1984 was the turning point musically, it's been all downhill from there.

I prefer Tommy's burger over In & Out. More meat, more flavor, more everything - especially the double chili cheese.

I've seen Eddie about a few times in the last few years. Last time was in Burbank, it was ~10am and he was going into a liquor store for smokes and a bottle. Looked like something the cat dragged in. Really sad to see him like that.

I would add votes for Van Morrison and Dick Van Dyke.