Backstage at the Van Halen tour these days probably isn’t the same as it was the last time David Lee Roth and the Van Halens were together. Because of the open stage set-up, fans who were stage right got an additional show to the one on the main stage – a peek into Roth’s makeshift dressing room.
During Alex Van Halen’s drum solo, fans got to see Roth smoking and joking around as he changed shirts (and top hats!) and adjusted himself in his skintight leather pants. During Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo, Roth ate what looked like a yogurt (!) and downed an energy drink.
All that kind of paled in comparison to a fan’s late-show leap from the 200 level seats to a hanging rope ladder. Why’d he do that? Well, the band was playing “Jump.” He didn’t get anywhere near the band, though. Security was waiting for him as he climbed down the ladder. Ow.
SETLIST: You Really Got Me / I’m the One / Runnin’ With the Devil / Romeo Delight / Somebody Get Me a Doctor / Beautiful Girls / Dance the Night Away / Atomic Punk / Everybody Wants Some / So This Is Love? / Mean Street / Pretty Woman / Drum Solo / Unchained / I’ll Wait / And the Cradle Will Rock / Hot for Teacher / Little Dreamer / Little Guitars / Jamie’s Cryin’ / Ice Cream Man / Panama / Guitar Solo / Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love / ENCORES: 1984 / Jump
Full review here
PHOTO: David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen in Toronto, by AP.
Comments (2)
did anyone hear what eddie said into the mic near the end of the show. i thought he may have said "not a good show". he appeared frustrated with his solo. definitely not at the top of his game, but for those of us waiting 20 years for a reunion it was a blast!
Hmm...if what you're thinking about was what he said into the mic at the end of his solo which was right before the last song (after rolling around on the floor and creating a bunch of feedback), it was something along the lines of:
"....yeah, I know....I'm up here just makin' a bunch of noise....if ya don't like it, then just throw somethin' at me....F__ it, I'm havin' fun!"