They came through blood and fire…and it was all caught on camera.
Seven years ago tonight, Van Halen appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for its first-ever televised performance with David Lee Roth. The appearance, which was to promote the release of the band’s double live LP Tokyo Dome Live in Concert, took place on Hollywood Boulevard. While the band provided the musical fire, Roth provided the blood, albeit unintentional.
During the band’s opening song “Panama”, Roth accidentally cut the bridge of his nose while performing his signature microphone stand twirls. With blood pouring down his face and unable to continue, Roth quickly left the stage during Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo. Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang Van Halen continued on with the instrumental jam session until Roth re-appeared on stage with a bandaged nose.
“I fucked my nose up on the microphone here,” Roth told the audience. “So, I’m gonna wear the Band-Aid and we’re gonna start the whole thing all over for you, and we’re gonna give you a little extra for your patience here.”
Roth and the band forged on and would run threw a set of classic Van Halen tracks – “Panama”, “Runnin’ With the Devil”, “Hot For Teacher”, “Eruption”, “You Really Got Me”, “Dance The Night Away”, “Unchained” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”.
“Panama”
“Runnin’ With the Devil”
“Hot For Teacher”
“Eruption”/”You Really Got Me”
“Dance The Night Away”
“Unchained”
“Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”