VAN HALEN @ THE RBC CENTER,RALEIGH

[jim]

On a wim I drove over to The RBC Center to see if I could pick up a ticket for $20 bucks last night.I got there,avoided the $10 parking fee by parking out in the empty Carter Finley lot,walked up and started looking for a ticket.Scalpers were selling for half face value so I knew I was going to get in.Within about 15 minutes a couple who did not want to dump their tickets to scalpers sold me there $125plus ticket for $20!!!Got in,had a beer in the Ledge at the opposite of the stage and watched the first couple songs.They opened with "You Really Got Me" and continued to run thru all their hits.The stage set up was minimal w/ a giant S shaped cat walk that started behind the stage above the drum kit and gently down to stage level before going out into the crowd and turning back towards the stage.They also had a giant video screeen that stretched from one end of the satge to the other.David was in his usual Broadway self.....he was ripped.Eddie looked really healthy minus the close ups to his hands which made him look old.(It may have been just me)Wolfgang was solid a bit chunky like mom, I might add.Alex was also solid and old looking.It was a very good night which I called after they played Panama and Eddie was playing his solo at 10:45pm.I was home at 10:55pm........not a bad way to spend a Monday night in Raleigh!!