EXCLUSIVE: Billy Sheehan has revealed that the members of the original David Lee Roth band are “ready you go”, should they get the call from the Van Halen singer. The news comes after an attempt to reunite the band in Los Angeles in 2015 was scuppered at the last minute, following concerns over safety.
By Eamon O'Neill On 1st August 2017.
EXCLUSIVE: Billy Sheehan has revealed that the members of the original David Lee Roth band are “ready you go”, should they get the call from the Van Halen singer. The news comes after an attempt to reunite the band for a low key event in Los Angeles in 2015 was scuppered at the last minute, following concerns over safety.
Sheehan was part of the line-up that also included guitarist Steve Vai and drummer Gregg Bissonette, who recorded classic 1986 release ‘Eat ‘Em And Smile’, and its follow-up 1988’s ‘Skyscraper’.
Speaking to eonmusic, the bassist recalled the events of the night of Wednesday, November 25, when the fire marshal shot down the proposed impromptu reunion of the band at the Lucky Strike Live venue in Hollywood.
Said Billy; “I noticed a big commotion to my right, and they came in roaring in, with helmets [on], and said; “Shut it down – everybody out.”
The former Talas player continued; “The place holds about five hundred [people], legally, and they let in, I estimate there was twelve hundred in there. In a way, they did the right thing, because it was too crowded, but it broke our hearts completely”.
Billy revealed that the band had been poised to perform two songs; 'Shyboy' and 'Yankee Rose' - both taken from their debut release - however following the cancellation of the event, they did at least get to spend a little time together. Said the Mr. Big player; “The good thing about it was we hung out afterwards. It was me, Steve, Greg, our keyboard player Brett [Tuggle], and of course Dave. We all hung and told stories and had a few drinks, and it was like the old days. It was so great.”
When asked by eonmusic if the chance might come again to reunite the band, Billy revealed; “Maybe someday it will. It’s up to Dave, [but] I’m ready, Steve’s ready, Greg’s ready - we’re all ready. So if Dave decides to do it, we’re ready to go”.
The in-demand player has recently been busy with Mr. Big, who have just released their ‘Defying Gravity’ album. The band hit the UK for a series of shows in November with The Answer and Faster Pussycat. The full list of dates can be viewed below.
Like this story? Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates & more of the same.
Look out for eonmusic’s EXCLUSIVE interview with Billy Sheehan, to be published in full later this week.
MR. Big 2017 UK Dates:
16th Nov - Rock City, Nottingham
17th Nov - Academy, Newcastle
19th Nov - Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
21st Nov - Academy, Manchester
22nd Nov - ABC, Glasgow
23rd Nov - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
EXCLUSIVE: Billy Sheehan has revealed that the members of the original David Lee Roth band are “ready you go”, should they get the call from the Van Halen singer. The news comes after an attempt to reunite the band for a low key event in Los Angeles in 2015 was scuppered at the last minute, following concerns over safety.
Sheehan was part of the line-up that also included guitarist Steve Vai and drummer Gregg Bissonette, who recorded classic 1986 release ‘Eat ‘Em And Smile’, and its follow-up 1988’s ‘Skyscraper’.
Speaking to eonmusic, the bassist recalled the events of the night of Wednesday, November 25, when the fire marshal shot down the proposed impromptu reunion of the band at the Lucky Strike Live venue in Hollywood.
Said Billy; “I noticed a big commotion to my right, and they came in roaring in, with helmets [on], and said; “Shut it down – everybody out.”
The former Talas player continued; “The place holds about five hundred [people], legally, and they let in, I estimate there was twelve hundred in there. In a way, they did the right thing, because it was too crowded, but it broke our hearts completely”.
Billy revealed that the band had been poised to perform two songs; 'Shyboy' and 'Yankee Rose' - both taken from their debut release - however following the cancellation of the event, they did at least get to spend a little time together. Said the Mr. Big player; “The good thing about it was we hung out afterwards. It was me, Steve, Greg, our keyboard player Brett [Tuggle], and of course Dave. We all hung and told stories and had a few drinks, and it was like the old days. It was so great.”
When asked by eonmusic if the chance might come again to reunite the band, Billy revealed; “Maybe someday it will. It’s up to Dave, [but] I’m ready, Steve’s ready, Greg’s ready - we’re all ready. So if Dave decides to do it, we’re ready to go”.
The in-demand player has recently been busy with Mr. Big, who have just released their ‘Defying Gravity’ album. The band hit the UK for a series of shows in November with The Answer and Faster Pussycat. The full list of dates can be viewed below.
Like this story? Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates & more of the same.
Look out for eonmusic’s EXCLUSIVE interview with Billy Sheehan, to be published in full later this week.
MR. Big 2017 UK Dates:
16th Nov - Rock City, Nottingham
17th Nov - Academy, Newcastle
19th Nov - Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
21st Nov - Academy, Manchester
22nd Nov - ABC, Glasgow
23rd Nov - Wulfrun Hall, Wolverhampton
