In a perfect world, Van Halen may have been one of the longest-running mainstream rock bands since The Rolling Stones. They had the potential to make hit records until they dropped. But no amount of great chemistry could make up for the different musical directions that everyone wanted to go down. Eddie Van Halen’s musical prowess was almost too big for just one instrument, and when he brought keyboards into the picture in 1984, it was clear that David Lee Roth wanted out.
The band always had a little bit of tension since Eddie was hogging up the spotlight most of the time. Also, hanging out with David Lee Roth on a good day would be exhausting for anyone to deal with.
By the time the band started working on Fair Warning, Eddie had started to become particular about what he wanted. The entire album featured an eclectic mix of both guitars and keyboards, something which Roth was opposed to. I mean, Eddie’s tapping licks are already perfect, so why are they suddenly getting stifled?
Eddie didn’t like the idea of compromising his sound. And when he came up with the basis of the song ‘Jump’, he made sure that everyone knew that this was the band’s new direction. A squelchy keyboard might have led the charge. But the fiery solo towards the end of the track proved that both styles could play nicely together.
Since the group was recording in Eddie’s home studio, 5150, everyone rolled over for the one song, only for Eddie to start working on the next few tracks based around the same thing, like ‘I’ll Wait’. To get his energy out, Roth eventually put out a handful of songs on the EP Crazy From the Heat, which saw him get his first real taste of success outside the band.
If the rest of the group is going along with a style that you don’t like, it’s not hard to see the writing on the wall. Roth may have kept his showman demeanor throughout the rest of the tour, but he was ready to hang it up with the band once he finished all his commitments, eventually leaving and titling his album Eat Em and Smile specifically to get back at the other members.
Granted, Roth’s personality wouldn’t leave the pop charts any time soon. Whereas Van Halen completely reassembled themselves with Sammy Hagar behind the microphone. Roth took the basis of his wildman persona and turned it up to ten on his next few albums. It featured new guitar virtuoso Steve Vai in tow. Then again, Roth didn’t want to mess with the formula. It’s somewhat convenient that he switched to embracing dance music on some of his later tracks.
Roth may have never wanted to see the band again after walking out. But he ended up closing shop with the Van Halen brothers towards the end. He played their final run of shows in 2015 before Eddie’s untimely passing. 1984 may have been a nightmare to make, but sometimes, that tension helps breed the best material.
