'Light Up The Sky' - Drum Playthrough

Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater fame is a big Van Halen fan. Modern Drummer recently did a video interview with Portnoy where he worked through Van Halen's "Light Up The Sky." The entire playthrough starts just after the 2-minute mark. I love how there are cuts to Portnoy's feet as well.

I do think Alex Van Halen is probably underrated as a drummer. He was always in his brother's shadow but that was inevitable. Eddie Van Halen was a musical genius but Alex has those chops and rare talent, too. "Light Up The Sky" is one of those gems that really shows off the talents of both brothers equally.

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Comments

[Him]

I have to say, this guy seems to have mellowed. Maybe not been humbled, But, mellowed.

I recall a time, not so long ago, when everything out of his orifice was begging to beat Corey Taylor for winning the douche in residence award. And I get it. That is a way to beg for attention while also trying to find a way to seek help. Some do. Some don't. Living in the spotlight can't be easy. I don't begrudge either of them their problems or their successes. But that doesn't mean that I have to give them a pass as a casual fan or observer.

Perhaps he is just getting older. Perhaps he has looked back at what he has said (about Van Halen, about Puppet Theater, about other stuff) and winced. Either way, he seems more balanced. More reflective. And he still, to my untrained ears, sounds like a great drummer. Thing is, I can now listen to his drumming and his talking and not have one of those things cancel the other out.

And highlighting a really important aspect of Van Halen--that it was the mix of the four, not the bright shining light of any one of them (and that includes Eddie, and also DLR)--does him a service here. Yes, he is focused on Alex. But he adds to the overall picture. Those four guys captured something, as other do. And in highlighting Alex, he tips his hat to a great band.

Keep at it, Portnoy. I like this side of you.