Why did DLR bomb so badly after VH?

[buddastrat]

Originally Posted by BigViolin

The first two albums and tours were very successful.

Yeah, it'd be nice to bomb like that!

[dmb70]

Yankee Rose is awesome & IMO the best thing that either DLR or VH did post 1984

[Bill McDowell]

Originally Posted by 27sauce

Wow, I didnt think he bombed, not right away, anyway.

Me niether - I liked DLR with Vai and Sheehan

[Jerry Lundegaard]

Originally Posted by big mike

I'm not saying either weren't good, I just don't think they can stand up to VH's 5150 and OU812 let alone Balance.

I don't agree. It's all a matter of personal taste really. While VH seemed to head in a more pop oriented direction, Daves' band maintained a more guitar oriented hard rock, "deep cuts" kind of vibe.
I don't own any VH albums with Sammy on them. I do own Daves' first three 'solo' albums as well as the California Girls one just for fun. I always preferred Dave to Sammy anyway.

[Bassomatic]

Originally Posted by big mike

Still my biggest issue with Roth.
He's essentially a clown. I never thought of him as a singer, he's a frontman or entertainer.

Then he fooled you, imo - he is indeed a tremendous frontman *and* singer.

[Jube2550]

Originally Posted by big mike

Dave's become to Van Halen what Shatner has become to Star Trek...to focused on the 'persona' he seems to have lost what makes him HIM.

....and I get your point.

The songs on Eat 'em were quirky upon first listen but had incredible musicianship, more so than 5150 IMHO. It was lyrically in line with the less serious, corny, DLR poke fun party side. He might have become or been crazy by his own awesomeness but that is the DLR rock-clown stigma....that rock can be seriously bad-ass but fun at the same time. I just hope we get a little of both on the upcoming VH release and not just one sided.


Man I have to dig this out, forgot how good the solo was on that one...

[Goldburst]

First of all, EEAS was a huge record

How many millions did it sell? I try to Google it, but all I get is that EEAS went "platinum".

Meanwhile, according to wikipedia, "1984" sold 10MM in the US... and with momentum like that you'd think that a followup album would do well.

But in a way, "1984" had two followup albums: EEAS and 5150.

5150 sold 6MM in the US (wikipedia).. what did EEAS sell in the wake of "1984"?

[big mike]

Originally Posted by Bassomatic

Then he fooled you, imo - he is indeed a tremendous frontman *and* singer.

Ah. we're back to personal preference.

There's no wrong answer really, it's all opinion.
I just prefer Sammy leaps and bounds over Roth.

[Dave2512]

It's rock and roll not opera. With rare exception the vocals are more about feeling and presentation than convincing the audience you have Julliard honed skills.

[VH5150]

Originally Posted by Jube2550

....and I get your point.

The songs on Eat 'em were quirky upon first listen but had incredible musicianship, more so than 5150 IMHO. It was lyrically in line with the less serious, corny, DLR poke fun party side. He might have become or been crazy by his own awesomeness but that is the DLR rock-clown stigma....that rock can be seriously bad-ass but fun at the same time. I just hope we get a little of both on the upcoming VH release and not just one sided.


Man I have to dig this out, forgot how good the solo was on that one...

when i first heard this i laughed...Roth trying to rap...bad

[jtm622]

If there was any doubt about DLR being all alone at the TOP of the goofyness chart, he removed it for all time when he released that CD of Bluegrass Versions of old VH songs...

That CD was an even worse idea than that classic brain fart of having Paul Anka cover Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"...

[Jube2550]

Originally Posted by VH5150

when i first heard this i laughed...Roth trying to rap...bad

I actually noticed that too after not hearing for years but hey, rap was taking off back then.. just a different flavor on the album.

[Goldburst]

Actually I thought the bluegrass record was kinda cool. Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT a DLR hater...

I'm just trying to figure out why after all the years of momentum with VH and especially "1984" did EEAS not live up to expectations.. yet 5150 continued the VH trajectory pretty well.

[John Hurtt]

Originally Posted by monty

Eat em was the best album by either camp since 1984.

Sorry...fun album but weaker than any subsequent VH album until VHIII..IMO...

[CowTipton]

The first two albums did well but then Vai and Sheehan left in '89.
Vai to join Whitesnake and Sheehan to make his own band, Mr. Big.

I wouldn't say DLR flopped. His band just broke up.