Many were pleasantly surprised to hear that three-fourths of the members from David Lee Roth‘s solo band (Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan and Gregg Bissonette) announce a one night reunion show in honor of the 30 year anniversary of the Eat ‘Em And Smile LP with Steel Panther vocalist Michael Starr (Ralph Saenz) filling in Roth’s spot. What they weren’t prepared for was the over populous turnout that stretched from outside Lucky Strike Live, where the concert was expected to take place, all the way down Hollywood Blvd. This resulted in the fire department cancelling the gig before it even began due to the amount of attendees.
Right when the occasion seemed to be all but ruined, to everyone’s amazement, David Lee Roth himself appeared in photos on Sheehan’s and Starr’s social media pages, backstage in Lucky Strike Live, and was captured on video exiting the venue, apologetic over the incident and possibly hinting at a probable reschedule.
Look who showed up for the reunion! Guess I’m singing back ups lol pic.twitter.com/Ikob8BSczu
— Michael Starr (@MichaelStarrr) November 26, 2015
From last night. The original Eat ‘Em and Smile Band! Sad we got shut down, it was GREAT to all be together again. pic.twitter.com/lJlbDgQXwL
— Billy Sheehan (@BillyonBass) November 26, 2015
Since the cancellation of the show, it has opened a whole new door of questions and possibilities. Will Roth go on tour with his original solo lineup? How does this impact Van Halen? Will another singer have to be contacted if this project were to intervene with a following Van Halen tour?
None of these theories have been confirmed…yet. However it’s leaving the Van Halen fan base with serious suspicion. Roth’s original solo group is no joke!
They, as a group, are a powerhouse together just as they were starting out and none of them are going to want end their reunion once they start catching up. This is an extraordinary opportunity for one of the most musically talented bands of the ’80s to set out to the road in a nostalgia-fueled revival.
This all sounds great from Roth’s point of view, but where does that leave Van Halen in the equation? Coming off of a successful tour with fans’ favorite frontman ruling the stage, would it conflict with the band’s future plans if, in fact, their singer has been presented with an offer too good to pass up?
How would fans react if Roth wasn’t able to take part in Van Halen any longer after it took 23 years for him to reunite with them?
This wide variety of chance is what holds the future of Van Halen and David Lee Roth in balance. Soon the official details will be publicized and we won’t have to depend on speculation any longer, however it wouldn’t be the first time something good came out of Van Halen through silence and anticipation.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSEnpmPQufk&w=560&h=315]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpw8SXp9tG4]
C´mon people, it´s just a JAM among friends!
C´mon people! It´s just a JAM!
No tour. No plans. Nothing more. Calm down, please.
It’s opened up a lot of theories. None of them confirmed. Then again you never know with Roth.