On this day in 1986 (Aug. 16th), David Lee Roth began his first solo tour in Hampton, VA with Billy Sheehan, Steve Vai, and Gregg Bissonette!
In a new interview, Billy Sheehan gives a very candid interview about his years with DLR, his bizarre exit, the near “Eat’ em & Smile” reunion, and how he almost ended up in Van Halen! (Listen below).
Eat ’em and Smile Tour
With the success of the Eat ‘Em and Smile album, an extensive tour was planned.
The setlist was an interesting mix of almost an amount of Van Halen classics (“Unchained”, “Panama”, “Jump”, etc.) and Roth solo hits (“California Girls”, “Yankee Rose”, “Goin’ Crazy”, etc.).
For “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” Roth would sing the song from a mini stage in the middle of the venue, while the rest of the band continued to perform on the main stage.
Another concert highlight was an extended guitar and bass solo “battle” (often lasting over ten minutes), which saw Vai and Sheehan try to top each other on their respective instrument.
No professionally filmed or recorded video or audio footage has ever been released from this tour, but its massive stage set can be seen in the performance section of the “Yankee Rose” video.
The opening acts on this tour included Cinderella and Tesla at various points.
Setlist (VH in red, DLR in blue)
Shy Boy
Tobacco Road
Unchained
Panama
Drum solo
Pretty Woman
Ladies’ Nite in Buffalo?
Everybody Wants Some!!
On Fire
Bump and Grind
Ice Cream Man
Big Trouble
Yankee Rose
Bass/Guitar Solos
Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
Goin’ Crazy!
Encore:
Jump
California Girls
Watch a full concert from Montreal below:
Billy Sheehan Looks Back (New Interview)
In a new interview with the ‘Dave & Dave Unchained’ Van Halen Podcast, Roth’s former bassist gives a very candid interview about his years with DLR, his bizarre exit, the near “Eat’ em & Smile” reunion, and even how he almost ended up in Van Halen! This is a great interview with Billy … he goes into greater depth than ever before about what lead him to quit the David Lee Roth band. He also discusses his work with Mr. Big and the Winery Dogs.
Before the Sheehan interview, the Daves discuss the 1987 Sammy Hagar solo album, “I Never Said Goodbye,” in honor of its 30th anniversary. The Sheehan interview begins at 70:33.
Listen to “Episode #17 – BILLY SHEEHAN LOOKS BACK” on Spreaker.
To hear more episodes of “Dave & Dave Unchained” visit the show’s Spreaker page.