Umphrey’s McGee Covers Van Halen’s ‘Panama’ In 2018: Pro-Shot Video
By Scott Bernstein Oct 8, 2020 • 7:25 am PDT
Umphrey’s McGee honored Eddie Van Halen, who died earlier this week, by sharing a Van Halen cover. Drummer Kris Myers handled lead vocals on “Panama” in pro-shot video from UM’s October 20, 2018 concert at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Van Halen originally released “Panama” on their 1984 studio album, 1984. Umphrey’s McGee debuted their rendition of the tune on April 27, 2004 and have covered “Panama” a total of 19 times through the most recent performance in St. Paul.
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“He changed what was sonically capable at the time, everything else sounded like Clapton in the rock fields,” Umphrey’s McGee guitarist Jake Cinninger wrote in a note accompanying the video. “What really shines about Eddie Van Halen was his genius rhythm playing, just symphonic and swaggering. So much polyphonic energy, there is no need for any other melody instruments. Gonna take a while for his passing to set in on this musical world.”
Watch Umphrey’s McGee’s version of “Panama” from 2018 below:
