A Fire Marshall shut down a free 30th anniversary reunion show by the lineup featured on David Lee Roth’s 1986 solo debut, “Eat ‘Em And Smile”, at The Lucky Strike in Hollywood on Wednesday due to concerns over crowd size.
The event would have marked the first public performance in three decades by guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Gregg Bissonette and keyboardist Brett Tuggle, who were set to perform with guest vocalist Ralph Saenz (a.k.a. Michael Starr of Steel Panther) and Roth himself.
Following an opening set by John 5 and The Creatures and a host of other players, according to California Rock News, the planned headline performance was cancelled by authorities.
Sheehan updated fans on Twitter as events unfolded throughout the evening, part of the club’s free weekly "Ultimate Jam Night" series.
“There's already a line to get into Lucky Strike tonight, so get there quickly if you want to get in!,” posted the bassist early on. “Utter chaos at Lucky Strike live!!
“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.”
The surprise was an unannounced appearance by Roth, who was to join his former bandmates for the show.
Saenz posted a photo of himself with the Van Halen frontman backstage, writing “Look who showed up for the reunion! Guess I'm singing back ups. Lol.”
Roth signed autographs as he left the venue, telling fans, “I apologize about this evening. Looks like we were too popular. There were too many folks, so we’re going to try and find a place that has… should we go to the Hollywood Palladium maybe?”
Roth released "Eat 'Em And Smile" in the summer of 1986 following his the success of his 1985 EP “Crazy From The Heat” and his departure from Van Halen that same year.
The album was previewed with the US Top 20 single “Yankee Rose”, and hit No. 4 on the US Billboard 200 on its way to selling more than 2 million copies in the States alone.
From last night. The original Eat 'Em and Smile Band! Sad we got shut down, it was GREAT to all be together again. pic.twitter.com/lJlbDgQXwL— Billy Sheehan (@BillyonBass) November 26, 2015Look who showed up for the reunion! Guess I'm singing back ups lol pic.twitter.com/Ikob8BSczu— Michael Starr (@MichaelStarrr) November 26, 2015See also:
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