35 years ago today, Van Halen’s 1984 tour rolled through Las Vegas. Through the miracle of technology, we can watch some of that show on video!
That’s right, someone in the audience smuggled in a shoulder-mounted VHS camera, and managed to record 41 minutes of the band’s sold out performance at the Thomas & Mack Center, which includes the first nine songs, and the drum and bass solos. Sure, the quality isn’t that great, but it is still an amazing document of rock history.
If you were lucky enough to attend a show on the 1984 tour, you can relive the memories of the show you saw. If you discovered Van Halen after Dave left the band, you can see what their biggest tour was all about.
During “Jamie’s Cryin’,” you can actually see a small item fly over the audience and hit David in the face. He immediately stops singing in singles to the band to stop playing.
“Hey! Stupid motherfucker hiding out in the dark – any asshole can throw shit at me where I can’t see you, motherfuck!
“You come on up onstage and let’s see what you do! I’ve only got two eyes, Las Vegas.
Next time some asshole throws some shit up on stage, you beat the fuck out of him!”
Naturally, the crowd is going absolutely wild during his rant. Then, as soon as Dave is done giving the crowd their orders, the band promptly launches back into the song, and Dave is singing and jumping around as if nothing happened.
A true professional who takes no shit from anybody!
Watch the partial concert, embedded below.
SONGS TAPED:
Unchained
Hot for Teacher
Drum Solo
On Fire
Runnin’ With the Devil
[Dave talking to crowd]
Little Guitars
Cathedral
House of Pain
Bass Solo
Jamie’s Cryin’
I’ll Wait
The only other 1984 show that was captured by a bootlegger was their performance in Montreal. You can watch that complete concert here.