Bassist Billy Sheehan Says David Lee Roth's “Eat ’Em Smile” Band Hope To Reunite

[theclown74]

Bassist Billy Sheehan Says David Lee Roth's “Eat ’Em Smile” Band Hope To Reunite For Some Select Shows

Bassist, Billy Sheehan (Mr. Big, David Lee Roth)  has confirmed there are plans for Van Halen singer David Lee Roth and the band for his solo debut album, Eat ‘Em And Smile, to reunite following the cancellation of their November 25th reunion attempt at the Lucky Strike Live in Hollywood.

Speaking with Eddie Trunk on his radio show recently, Sheehan stated about more possible reunion attempts, “We hope to do it. We don’t know if it will be just for one show. Maybe do… who knows? Rock In Rio, or do ten shows somewhere. And hoping to do it is not the same as planning to do it. We really hope it happens. And Dave was into it. And he was great (at Lucky Strike Live). We had a great time. It was just like the old days. It’s been 30 years this last summer that we started the band, and next summer will be 30 years since the record came out, so we thought it would be nice to do something. And (Dave) seems into it. So I hope it can happen. It would just be a great way to complete that whole circle.”

David Lee Roth and his first solo band (which debuted on 1986’ Eat ‘Em And Smile), were to celebrate their 30th anniversary on Wednesday, November 25th at the Ultimate Jam Night at Lucky Strike Live Hollywood/Highland for a free show beginning at 8:30 PM. Roth himself was set to make an unannounced appearance at the event. This would have been the first time in 30 years that Roth would have performed with guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Greg Bissonette, and keyboardist Brett Tuggle.

However, the show was canceled at the last minute by the Fire Marshal. “I apologize about this evening”, he says. “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?”

[GEMINIGUY]

Thanks for sharing, TC! Great to hear David Lee Roth's original solo band hope to reunite!
I didn't know of Billy Sheehan until seeing him on THAT METAL SHOW - another reason I love the show! - and he seems like a really stand up kind of guy. I didn't know he had been in Dave's solo band with Steve Vai, that's cool.

[theclown74]

Helps to add the actual band members to the post

David Lee Roth - vocals, backing vocals
Steve Vai - guitars, horn arrangement on 3
Billy Sheehan - bass, backing vocals on 2, 3, 5, and 6
Gregg Bissonette - drums, backing vocals on 3

Additional personnel[edit]
Jeff Bova - keyboards on 1
Jesse Harms - keyboards on 5
Sammy Figueroa - percussion on 5
The Waters Family - backing vocals on 10
The Sidney Sharp Strings - strings on 10
Jimmie Haskell - horn and string arrangement on 10

It was there! Did you miss this part? 

"This would have been the first time in 30 years that Roth would have performed with guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, drummer Greg Bissonette"

[theclown74]

Thanks for sharing, TC! Great to hear David Lee Roth's original solo band hope to reunite!
I didn't know of Billy Sheehan until seeing him on THAT METAL SHOW - another reason I love the show! - and he seems like a really stand up kind of guy. I didn't know he had been in Dave's solo band with Steve Vai, that's cool.

Yes he was! He recorded Dave's "Eat 'Em and Smile" LP and did the tour plus the music videos for "Yankee Rose" & "Goin' Crazy" and "Skyscraper" LP, but not the Tour. He formed Mr. Big in 1988 after leaving Roth's Band.

[GEMINIGUY]

Cool. Billy is an awesome guy and a Hell of a guitarist.

[theclown74]

Cool. Billy is an awesome guy and a Hell of a guitarist.

You mean Bassist? Yeah he is awesome, he recently accepted a Bass guitar from a Lady who's Husband was a HUGE Fan of his and had recently passed away. She thought it would be nice for Billy to own her late Husband's Bass guitar since he was such a Fan of Billy's.

[GEMINIGUY]

Sweet! It's nice when fans can give back and really show their appreciation.

[theclown74]

That's what I have heard too. That is why people hate the new Live CD with David saying he sounded like crap. I personally have not heard them live with Roth just some live stuff with Sammy & I liked it. Of course Sammy Hagar is a really good singer to begin with.