30TH ANNIVERSARY OF DAVID LEE ROTH’S “EAT’ EM AND SMILE” SEMI REUNION SHOW SHUT DOWN BY THE FIRE MARSHALL, ROTH IN ATTENDANCE
Did a fire code violation just keep a whole lot of Los Angeles fans from witnessing a full-blown reunion of David Lee Roth‘s Eat ‘Em and Smile band, complete with an appearance from Diamond Dave himself? It sure seems possible.
As previously reported three-fourths of the group – guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Gregg Bissonette – were scheduled to play November 25th at Lucky Strike Live Hollywood/Highland in Los Angeles, with Steel Panther’s Ralph Saenz on lead vocals. The show was part of former Quiet Riot bassist Chuck Wright’s Ultimate Jam Night series, and was intended to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Roth’s first solo album.
Only problem is, apparently entirely too many people thought this would be the perfect way to spend the night before Thanksgiving. As you can tell by reading Sheehan’s Facebook posts, the line outside the venue quickly grew too long to control, with the situation descending into “utter chaos.” Eventually, the Fire Marshall was forced to shut down the show before the band ever got the chance to take the stage.
Sheehan lamented the cancellation on his Faceboo before revealing, “Well well well. The fire department shut down the whole show before we got on stage. And did we ever have a surprise for you! Such is life.”
Also, there was a video of David Lee Roth leaving the venue, telling fans, “It looks like we were too popular.” That’s “we,” not “they.” Is it possible he was going to join his former bandmates for some portion of the show?
additional source: ultimateclassicrock.com
EVH has been very influential, but I never knew that influence extended to the Fire Dept.
Sammy hagar was seen speeding away from the venue.
Well of course he was speeding Elliot, remember, the Red Rocker can’t drive 55, LOL! 😉
Sammy’s car was later impoundcaked. among the items discovered in the car were three boxes of lox and a case of dave’s spray-on hair from the “sam and dave tour”;,considered highly flammable and guarantee–ee–ee-ee-ee-d to burn your eye (the spray-on hair, not the tour).
I mentioned before on some Sheehan story previously that the interest for that kind or reunion is much bigger than they think, and it obviously was. It’s entirely unprofessional of the venue to pack people in that way, btw. My understanding is that they were counting heads as people went in, so it was overcrowded on purpose. Very dangerous in this day and age.
Secondly, I’m not sure why they thought a glorified bowling alley was the best place to do this, as nice as it is. It’s a very small venue.
Thirdly, it was cool that DLR showed up. I have a feeling that we won’t be hearing any new DLR/Van Halen music again, which is ok with me, especially minus Michael Anthony. Sorry guys, he might be a great musician, but Ed’s son is a dud on the stage, and that’s part of what VH was always about.
Kind of a bizarre story. I’ve never heard of anything like this happening before, where the show got shut down before it even started. I suspect this will significantly increase demand for this show in the future. Once Steve Vai signed on, you knew this was going to be a hot ticket. I would rather see this, than VH without Michael Anthony.
With or without Dave this show would’ve been hot. But Dave being there would’ve taken it over the top. I hope these guys do this somewhere larger and we have footage!
Jeez, you’d think Michael Anthony cured cancer, brought peace to the Middle East, and caught the game-winning TD in the Super Bowl.