Watch 'The Van Halen 1984 Documentary' Episode 4: The 1984 Tour!

The long-awaited fourth episode of ‘The Van Halen Fan-Made 1984 Documentary’ has arrived!

It’s the latest episode released by The Tapes Archive via YouTube. Watch and discuss in the comments below!

The 1984 Van Halen tour marked the peak of their mainstream success, with the original lineup inching closer to their downfall. Despite grossing millions in ticket sales, the tour exposed cracks within the band. The tour featured a massive stage setup, new performance elements, and MTV’s highly successful “Lost Weekend” contest. Behind the scenes, substance abuse and egos were causing turmoil. The band members’ struggles and conflicts culminated in the possible mistreatment of Michael Anthony, leading to a change in his contract terms. David Lee Roth’s solo endeavors further strained relations. The Monsters of Rock tour in Europe marked the last time the original Van Halen lineup would perform together. The tour’s success and backstage issues symbolized Van Halen’s rise and fall.

Chapter List:

00:00 – Intro to Episode 4, The 1984 Tour
00:21 – Van Halen starts a merchandising company
01:13 – Noel Monk scores a sponsorship deal for Van Halen’s 1984 tour
02:45 – Van Halen promotes the Western Exterminator Company
03:12 – David Lee Roth responds to the sponsorship topic
03:33 – Building the 1984 tour
04:46 – Van Halen introduces new elements to their show
05:30 – Eddie Van Halen patents a piece of guitar gear
06:07 – The only place to buy Van Halen merch
06:18 – Autograph opens for Van Halen
07:05 – MTV’s Lost Weekend promotion
09:03 – Where have all the good times gone?
09:44 – Noel Monk lays out the darker side of the 1984 tour
11:36 – DEA Band (Drugs, Ego, Alcohol)
13:01 – Van Halen wants to renegotiate their contract with Mike
13:39 – Are bass players important?
14:00 – A new contract with Michael Anthony
14:26 – Was Billy Sheehan offered the bass player job?
14:46 – Were Alex, Ed, and Roth jealous of Michael Anthony?
15:08 – Or was the new contract fair?
15:37 – Edward Van Halen speaks on the Anthony situation
17:02 – Late breaking news on Michael Anthony and the contract
17:25 – Sammy Hagar speaks
17:48 – David Lee Roth makes a solo record
19:07 – Eddie Van Halen’s side projects: Beat It.
20:15 – Eddie Van Halen’s side projects: Brian May
21:38 – Eddie Van Halen’s side projects: Seduction of Gina
21:52 – Eddie Van Halen’s side projects: The Wild Life
22:42 – Was there anything wrong with Eddie doing all these side gigs?
23:49 – How David Lee Roth decided he wanted to do a solo record
24:39 – When the band found out about Roth’s solo project
25:39 – The 1984 Monsters of Rock tour
26:47 – Ross Halfin’s not-favorable story with Eddie Van Halen
27:55 – The last time Van Halen’s original line-up plays together