David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile Tour 1986
Introduction
Following the release of, at that time, Van Halen’s most successful album, 1984, the band would never again release an album featuring the complete original line-up. Van Halen continued with vocalist Sammy Hagar, while David Lee Roth, the band’s original frontman, embarked on a solo career.
David Lee Roth
As described in detail in the article 1984 and the end of the classic Van Halen line-up, Van Halen was on its last legs around 1984/1985. On January 28, 1985, David Lee Roth followed Eddie Van Halen’s example by releasing music outside of the band. The EP Crazy From The Heat became a major success, thanks in part to the singles (and videos!) California Girls and Just A Gigolo / I Ain’t Got Nobody, and was certified platinum.
The outside world considered it as a one-off side project, although there was plenty of speculation. Roth’s interview with Billboard in January 1985 certainly helped create confusion: “Since my very first days in with the band 11 years ago, I have always had the feeling that one day I would wake up in a cold hotel, all the rooms would be empty and I would be stuck by a phone with a busy signal. From the first day. Nothing has changed.” A little later, however, he added: “We’ll be going back in the studio and start arguing again and we all look forward to that. … We have a lot of respect for each other and get along quite well, actually.”
According to Roth, he and Eddie Van Halen met in March 1985 to discuss the future, but the meeting led nowhere. By that time, Roth was negotiating with CBS to produce a feature film titled Crazy From The Heat. Roth’s idea was for Van Halen (the band) to record the soundtrack for the film, but Eddie refused. Roth reportedly told Eddie: “I can’t work with you guys anymore. I want to do my movie. Maybe when I’m done, we’ll get back together.”
In July 1985, Rolling Stone magazine reported that the band was “on permanent hold”, and a month later Eddie Van Halen stated: “The band as you know it is over, Dave left to be a movie star… I’m looking for a new lead singer… it’s weird that it’s over. Twelve years of my life putting up with his bullshit.”
David Lee Roth – Movie?
In the meantime, Roth was busy working on the script for his movie, which he considered the “next logical step” after his success making videos for Van Halen and releasing his EP earlier in 1985. Roth explained: “It’s the same thing … except our movies have been three minutes and twenty-eight seconds. So now it’s time to just bump it up to 90 minutes.” As a result, a screenplay was written for a film titled Crazy From The Heat (the script can be read here). The story, conceived by Roth, follows a rock star named Dave who travels to Dongo Island, where he finds himself in a series of bizarre situations. The idea was to make it a musical-comedy.
The movie also needed music, so beginning in June 1985 Roth started assembling a new band. Bassist Billy Sheehan was the first musician to be recruited. After making unsuccessful attempts to enlist Billy Idol guitarist Steve Stevens, guitar virtuoso Steve Vai joined the line-up in August, followed by drummer Gregg Bissonette at the end of September. While Roth and his manager were occupied with the screenplay, auditions, and wardrobe, the band worked on new music at Roth’s home. As time went on, more and more songs found their way into the screenplay, for which the cast had already been selected.
Then came November 1985. Just a few days before filming was scheduled to begin, CBS announced that the company was facing major financial difficulties and was scaling back its film division. As a result, Crazy From The Heat would not be made. Roth filed a lawsuit, which ultimately resulted in a settlement that compensated him financially. However, his dream of making the film was over.
It marked the end of Roth’s filmmaking ambitions, and he must have been deeply disappointed. However, he did not dwell on the setback for long. Instead, he chose an alternative path: release an album followed by an extensive tour. The music they had written sounded outstanding. Just a few days after receiving the bad news, the band entered the studio with producer Ted Templeman, who had produced every Van Halen album up to that point. The world had to hear the new music.
David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile
Eat ‘Em And Smile
After Van Halen released their first album with vocalist Sammy Hagar, 5150, on March 24, 1986, and it quickly became a massive hit, it was David Lee Roth’s turn. On June 18, 1986, the single Yankee Rose was released. The single promised a lot: explosive guitar work, tongue-in-cheek lyrics, a driven band, and real fun. On July 7, 1986, Eat ‘Em And Smile was finally released, featuring eight original songs and two cover versions. For me, it was a revelation, since it followed the disappointing MOR sound of 5150. Eat ‘Em And Smile was, in effect, the only true seventh Van Halen album.
David Lee Roth – Sonrisa Salvaje
Sonrisa Salvaje
Eat ‘Em And Smile was also released in a Spanish-language version. With the help of a Spanish teacher, Roth re-recorded all of the vocals in Spanish. To avoid offending local sensibilities, some of the lyrics were censored. The idea came from bassist Billy Sheehan, although he later admitted it had not been a good one. The Spanish version of the album sold poorly.
Review
And then there was David Lee Roth with Eat ‘Em And Smile. By recruiting former Frank Zappa guitarist Steve Vai, Roth had not only found a fantastic replacement for Eddie Van Halen, but arguably one who could match him as a guitarist. The phenomenal opening track introduced the band perfectly. The playful conversation between Roth and Vai’s guitar was a brilliant idea. It perfectly illustrated where Roth’s real strengths lay: humor, swagger, and musical inventiveness that contributed to the album’s overall party atmosphere. And then there were the lyrics, a tribute to the Statue of Liberty, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1986 and had just been reopened to the public following years of restoration:
Are you ready for the new sensation?
Well, here’s the shot heard ’round the world
All you back room boys salute when her flag unfurls
Well, guess who’s back in circulation?
Now, I don’t know what you may have heard
But what I need right now’s the original good time girl© David Lee Roth, Steve Vai
Roth once again excelled at delivering memorable lyrics throughout the album. But the band should not be underestimated. The rhythm section provides a solid foundation on every track, giving Vai and Roth the freedom to do what they do best. The result is a rocking, summery album that firmly established Roth as a convincing solo artist.
In addition to the personal tensions between Van Halen and Roth, the band’s musical direction was another major reason for the split. Eddie Van Halen wanted to take the band in a different direction. Apparently, that meant following the Boston, Kansas, and Journey route. To me, that resulted in soulless music that failed to do justice to Eddie Van Halen’s undeniable talent. Roth, on the other hand, remained committed to a more traditional approach to rock ‘n’ roll, which resulted in more exciting music. And while Sammy Hagar had his strengths, he could only dream of writing lyrics like Roth.
For the majority of reviewers (and for me!), the verdict was clear: David Lee Roth versus Van Halen: 1-0. Of course, that says nothing about sales figures. Van Halen’s album sold better, but in the long run David Lee Roth’s album has won the popularity contest. It still sounds every bit as fresh and exciting today as it did in 1986!
David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile – Singles
Singles
The album spawned five singles.
- Yankee Rose
(released on June 18, 1986) - Goin’ Crazy!
(released on September 3, 1986) - That’s Life
(released in November 1986) - Tobacco Road
(released in 1986, promotional release only) - I’m Easy
(released on March 10, 1987, in Japan)
David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile – Back cover
Songs
All songs written by David Lee Roth and Steve Vai, unless stated otherwise.
- Yankee Rose
- Shyboy (Billy Sheehan)
- I’m Easy (Billy Field, Tom Price)
- Ladies’ Nite in Buffalo?
- Goin’ Crazy!
- Tobacco Road (John D. Loudermilk)
- Elephant Gun
- Big Trouble
- Bump And Grind
- That’s Life (Dean Kay, Kelly Gordon)
David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile – Inner sleeve
Musicians
- David Lee Roth – vocals, backing vocals
- Steve Vai – guitar
- Billy Sheehan – bass; backing vocals on Shyboy, I’m Easy, Goin’ Crazy!, Tobacco Road
- Gregg Bissonette – drums; backing vocals on I’m Easy
With additional contributions from:
- Jeff Bova – keyboards on Yankee Rose
- Jesse Harms – keyboards on Goin’ Crazy!
- Sammy Figueroa – percussion on Goin’ Crazy!
- The Waters Family – backing vocals on That’s Life
- The Sidney Sharp Strings – strings on That’s Life
David Lee Roth – Eat ‘Em And Smile – Ad
After Eat ‘Em And Smile
Following the album’s release, David Lee Roth embarked on a tour that has gone down in history as the finest of his career. At the end of 1986, hard rock magazine Kerrang! named Eat ‘Em And Smile the Album of the Year, and in 1987 the magazine reviewed one of the tour’s concerts as “One of the best shows I’ve ever witnessed. Pure entertainment with a sense of surprise. No one is better at this than DLR. Believe it!”
Roth followed it up with Skyscraper, recorded with the same band. That album also became a hit, but like Eat ‘Em And Smile, its sales were overshadowed by those of Van Halen. After Skyscraper, the band broke up, and Roth continued releasing music with diminishing commercial success: A Little Ain’t Enough (1991), Your Filthy Little Mouth (1994), DLR Band (1998), and Diamond Dave (2003).
Following a brief reunion with Van Halen in 1996, the long-awaited announcement finally came in 2007: Roth was once again the lead singer of Van Halen. The reunion even produced two more Van Halen releases featuring Roth: A Different Kind Of Truth (2012) and Tokyo Dome In Concert (2015).
Also read the articles 1984 and the end of the classic Van Halen line-up and Van Halen pounds on For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge for more background on (the relationship between) Roth and Van Halen.
In closing
In the world of Van Halen, for me, 1986 belonged to David Lee Roth and Eat ‘Em And Smile, especially when compared to Van Halen’s rather mediocre and dated 5150. What do you think? Let me know!
Video/Spotify
This story contains an accompanying video. Click on the following link to see it: Video: David Lee Roth – Van Halen: 1-0, the story of Eat ‘Em And Smile. The A Pop Life playlist on Spotify has been updated as well.
