Lighten the mood, When did DLR Jump the Shark?

[Kapo_Polenton]

He used to have the mane and the swagger, sure he was a corny big mouth but he was cool and his image and antics were a huge part of the live VH vibe. At what point do you feel he became a cheesy lounge singer? Was it the loss of physicality and flexibility with age? Was it losing the hair like Samson and losing his biblical/rock power? Was it just that the it wasn't the 80's anymore? I feel he was still bringing it up until his last solo album Lil Ain't Enough and with the help of Becker's insane rythm playing and hooks, and it made for a very good album. Then he sort of fades away and then comes back for a reunion but is a total shell and shadow of himself. I saw them live in 2012, band sounded great but DLR? Such a dorkie old uncle. I wanted to think he did something cool here or there but it was just that shit eating grin the whole time and so/so vocals that were behind the beat all the time. He reminded me of what Gary Cherone will look like and do when he is 60.

When did he jump the shark for you guys?

 

[paulyc]

You nailed it.

 

[stanz]

When he began wearing assless chaps.

 

[Monomyth]

Great question man, what year did they part? 1985? Major respect for both but I think they both lost the magic when they parted, I was never a fan of Sammy, I think number one is probably one of the most epic pieces of art in modern history, I’m blown away every time I listen to it. Around the time they split bands started cross dressing like women, the war on drugs was started followed by the media pushing herion addicts from Seattle, what a weird ass time, it’s no wonder they got lost.

 

[Racerxrated]

Great question man, what year did they part? 1985? Major respect for both but I think they both lost the magic when they parted, I was never a fan of Sammy, I think number one is probably one of the most epic pieces of art in modern history, I’m blown away every time I listen to it. Around the time they split bands started cross dressing like women, the war on drugs was started followed by the media pushing herion addicts from Seattle, what a weird ass time, it’s no wonder they got lost.

Yeah, my freshman yr of college was on and I was waiting for both the DLR and Van Hagar record. Hated that they broke up. Hated it. But, eventually I played the shit outta Eat em and Smile and 5150. Got used to it. Sammy is clearly a better singer than DLR; and DLR deserved to continue.
It's funny with the grunge thing...I saw AIC at First Avenue in Mpls, also Soundgarden in the late 80s before the grunge thing even hit. Loved them both. Just felt they were very dark and brooding heavy hair bands...no cheesy radio here. Then in a few yrs Nirvana and Pearl Jam took everything else off the radio.
Everything else died. That sucked.

I have a few buddies that blamed VH for firing DLR...turns out it was the other way around. Interesting fact though...they hired Roth because he had a PA and then they wouldn't have to pay for renting it anymore...almost spot on to the story of how AC/DC hired Bon Scott. Irony.

 

[romanianreaper]

I remember when me and my buddy saw VH in 2014 (Eddie sounded amazing BTW) and there was a part where Dave started strumming an acoustic and they showed this clip of him and his dog with a frisbee, etc. He was like "Yeah, this here is Max and you know life is like a box of cherrios and I used to go down to the Cinema and get a box of Raisins for a Quarter and have a nice coffee from Nickerson's deli...", etc. and the whole place was like "WTF is going on?". I looked at my friend and thought we were on another planet. Didn't help that Kool and the Gang opened the show. When they came out, my friend said "I can't watch these guys....I'm getting ready to see the mighty Van Halen..they are killing my mood....f**k this.....let's go get some ice cream or something". LOL

 

[ElectricVoodoo]

He jumped the shark immediately imo.
That gigalo garbage....

 

[Chris6870]

He was always a cheeseball. It worked up until 1984. Eat em smile was good thanks to his band. I'll probably get flamed for this but Sammy Hagar is way more talented than DLR. Better singer, better songwriter, good guitarist and a team player. He still got the pipes at 70 years old. DLR was all about himself. It worked with with a great band behind him, but once that went away he could not sustain it by himself.
Early VH was great but I prefer Van Hagar. Great songs, EVH was clearly more relaxed and having fun and they wrote some epic songs.

 

[stanz]

Did Dave jump the shark? Every day of the week until the day he dies.

 

[PDC]

The big foam cowboy had and the popsicle shaped guitar (Diver Down era?) were a sad departure from the Jim Dandy on steroids swagger of the first 2 albums. Crazy from the Heat solo album was pretty limp - saved only by Billy Sheehan’s alway cool bass playing. I have respect for Eat ‘em and Skyscraper. When collaborating with serious musicians, I think Dave knows how to rise tp the occasion. But left to his own devices, well, you get the video to California Girls.

 

[sivad]

I think he lost it when he quit VH...Thats got to do something to your brain walking away from the best thing that will ever happen in your lifetime.

 

[stanz]

I think he lost it when he quit VH...Thats got to do something to your brain walking away from the best thing that will ever happen in your lifetime.

I saw VH in '83, DLR on the Eat Em' And Smile tour... I was more impressed by DLR's solo band.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Thanks for contributing guys, loving the insight and opinions. To go a little further down the rabbit hole, I can conclude that I must be right regarding DLR's hair because here he is in 96 and he's officially crossed over into cringe worthy.. he's still more interesting to listen to than Joe Rogan DLR but he's def. Made the jump here ;

https://youtu.be/nsrfRRsPvIM

 

[shred4Him]

He was always a vaudeville style entertainer, but I think he had a level of self awareness. I think it became cringy when he lost that self awareness and believed in his own act.

 

[stanz]

They should cast DLR as The Joker. Smilex!

 

[Monkey Man]

That gigalo garbage....

As good an effort as Gigolo was (not my cup of tea but it was the only VH-related song my old man liked), it was the first clip that sprung to mind when I saw the OP's question.

For me he lost his coolness factor / mojo right there and then.

 

[Chris O]

When he began wearing assless chaps.

I've yet to see any chaps that had an ass.

 

[Monkey Man]

Ladyboys in Thailand?

 

[stanz]

When he began wearing assless chaps.

I've yet to see any chaps that had an ass.

Easier than saying chaps without pants. i.e. Semantics.

 

[jabps]

When?

I think it there was a few points where he jumped the shark.

1. Was the Crazy from the Heat Ep. It was fun, cheesy and pure Dave and had he returned to Van Halen it would have been fine. But it "kinda set the tone".

Now let me say this, his Eat Em and Smile tour was monstrous. And IMO destroyed what Van Halen was doing live at that point. Dave's band was straight smoking and to this day, one of the best shows I've ever seen. Easily in my top five. Vai and Sheehan were on fire.

2. Losing Sheehan and releasing Skyscraper. Just too far IMO, not enough Vai or Sheehan, too polished and the following tour was really a step down. That's really where Dave lost his momentum.

Those are my two shark moments.

He tried getting it back with A Lil Ain't Enough but it was a little too late. And once that Roth "charm" wore off he sorta became the annoying guy that shows up at everyone's party.

Now, will say this - opening for Kiss he sounded probably the best his sounded in years. What would be cool is if he could get Michael back out to finish the tour once it starts. Maybe even get Vai to do it as well although Al Estrada was smoking on those shows.