WARF
08-28-2005, 08:51 PM
WARNING: THIS IS EXTREMELY LONG!
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_06.jpg
Date: 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Pasadena, CA (Perkins Palace)
After all the rehearsing was done, we would usually have a dress rehearsal and invite about 200-300 people to play to, to help get any bugs out of the show. This one was right before the "Eat 'Em & Smile" tour.
Perkins Palace was an old, cool but broken down theater in Pasadena that used to have stage shows and things. Dave rented it for the rehearsals and at night we stored all the equipment in a huge metal container, locked all the doors and kept a guard on watch.
One night somebody broke in (don't ask me how), cut the iron chains on the locker and stole 5 of my guitars and 2 of my good Marshall amps.
It's funny but when I heard about it, I wasn't upset at all. I was bummed to have lost the "Swiss Cheese" guitar that my friend Joe Despagni hand-built. Other than that I didn't care for some reason. They weren't really my favorite guitars and in a weird way I was kind of relieved. I don't collect guitars and I don't like feeling attached to things that are perishable. When these guitars were stolen I just thought that it's less crap in my life I have to worry about.
Through the years I have been contacted by many people who have claimed to have located these stolen guitars. Listen...thanks, but I don't care about them. Keep them or give them to me and I'll auction them off for the Make A Noise Foundation.
Date: August 12, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum) - rehearsals
Rehearsal - all is well. Received per diem.
Business calls - Paul Levy, office & home, Grover Jackson
Transcriptions for Dave
Date: August 13, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum) - rehearsal
Date: August 14, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum) - rehearsal
Rehearsal. Afterwards we all went to see "The Fly" - it was great. We had the entire movie theater to ourselves and when we left there was a crowd of people waiting to meet us. Wow!
I must start working out again. Great night's sleep last night, 9.5 hours.
Date: August 15, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum) - rehearsal
EH. Sleep - 5 good hours.
Business calls - Grover, Lee Jackson, Bob Bradshaw.
Date: August 16, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum)
My god it was incredible. I've never heard people scream like that. Hey, I could dig this whole rock star thing. I can't help feeling it, I really deserve it. It's like Edward built the audience and I'm cashing in on it. Well, they really know how to make a guy feel good.
Fooled ya!!!
Date: August 18, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte Coliseum)
Date: August 19, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Columbia, SC (Carolina Coliseum)
Short drive. GOOD SHOW!!! The bus is like a home, a little sanctuary, and the bunk is your own private hotel where you are what you are and the reality is there, while the world and its illusions are out there someplace. Onward, young man!
Date: August 20, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Roanoke, VA - day off
5:30 am wake up. Did Japanese live broadcast to 100,000,000,000 people. Lip sync 'Yankee Rose' - no sweat. No sleep.
Date: August 21, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Roanoke, VA (Roanoke Civic Center)
Slept 10 hours, aahhh!!! Did lead sheets all day.
Show was "eh!" Serious guitar problems, it kept cutting in and out and it was half a house. Worked out a little, shoulders & back. Great party after the show, a lot of dancin'. I really like dancin'. It's like being allowed to act swanky and get insane at the same time.
Date: August 22, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Knoxville, TN (Knoxville Civic Coliseum)
Good sleep. Worked out a little, arms & chest.
Business calls: Lee Jackson, Grover Jackson, Bob Bradshaw, Steve Blucher, Gail at office.
Good show, played great, great guitar sound. Terrible soundcheck. Some people believe all others to be inept except those who are off their own beliefs. That's why most countries of the world are run by people who are literally lunatics.
Date: August 23, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Nashville, TN (Municipal Auditorium)
Great show, okay playing. Half decent tone. Big party after show, lots of fun. Some very interesting videos were made tonight. I'm such an instigator sometimes.
Date: August 24, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Huntsville, AL (day off)
Worked all day, recording "New Breed". Recording costs: $1321.00
Date: August 25, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Huntsville, AL (Von Braun Civic Center)
Show was ok. I broke 5 strings and 2 straps.
Reading a great book - "Revelations", D Spayler.
Date: August 26, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Memphis, TN (Mid-South Coliseum)
Received package from Lee Jackson - three 4-ohm resistors, 1 switcher box.
Good show, broke one strap. Went to John Odins' aunt's house. Southern hospitality. Called Bob Bradshaw.
I feel like I'm drowning in my own pool of spiritual longing. I think I know what I want so desperately, but I act so contrary.
Date: August 27, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Little Rock, AR (Barton Coliseum)
Date: August 28, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Norman, OK (day off)
Did Dave ID w/portastudio. Beautiful bike ride. Movies - "Top Gun" - Pete, Bill, Ed, Gregg and Playboy twins. Hung out at the bar.
Date: August 29, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Norman, OK (Lloyd Noble Arena)
Date: August 30, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Wichita, KS (Kansas Coliseum)
Good show, but I played really shitty. Got booed in "Ice Cream Man", ouch! Dave egged the crowd on. Good party afterwards, with Doublemint Twins. Sleeping a whole lot.
Date: August 31, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Minneapolis, MN (day off)
Pia arrived. Hanky panky. Hi Pia. Little work out, went to State Fair. She's a peach and I'm her pit.
Date: September 1, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Minneapolis, MN (day off)
Went to picnic, was great. Dinner with Sal. So nice in Minneapolis in the summer. Pia and I took a beautiful walk around the park. Made a nice memory.
The most precious things are free to all and that's what we take with us through life, those memories. I believe it changes the quality of our whole life. Especially when we write about it.
Date: September 2, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Minneapolis, MN (The Met Center)
Business calls - Carvin.
Good show, felt ill. Small flu.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_07.jpg
Date: September 3, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Omaha, NE (Omaha Civic Arena)
OK show. The power blew on the last song so we couldn't do an encore. Dave flipped.
Pia left today. Bummer.
Date: September 5, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: La Crosse, WI (The Center)
Date: September 6, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Kansas City, MO (Sandstone Amphitheater)
Outdoor show, very cold and raining. A lot of people were there. Big show after the show. The guy from People Magazine and Aaron Brown were there. Did Spanish radio ID's with Dave. What a seņor!
Not good sleep.
Date: September 7, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Carbondale, IL (Siu Arena)
Good show. Did transfers for Spanish video ID's. Big party afterwards. Ah, there's always the big party! They have some first class food & wine, you're treated like a king and adored by so many. Is this real? Probably not, but fantasy can be more real than reality, and you can figure that out could you tell me?
Date: September 9, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Evansville, IN (Roberts Municipal Stadium)
Good show. No party afterward. Oh, withdrawals! Withdrawals!
Date: September 10, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Madison, WI (day off)
Spa. Shoulders & back. Mall, bought a lot of tapes. Worked on portastudio, upbeat song for "Dudes".
Date: September 11, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Madison, WI (day off)
Received stuff from Pia. Work on portastudio all day. "Amazing Grace".
Date: September 12, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Madison, WI (Dane County Coliseum)
Journal entry:
Good show. We couldn't use the whole stage or all the lights because of hanging weight problems. Good party after show, girlfriends & wives left. Photographer from "People" was here, got good shot of the audience from the stage. Did photo session with Neil Zlozower for "Guitar For The Practicing Musician".
Date: September 13, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Ames, IA (Hilton Coliseum)
Good show, big crowd. Nice party in big room, cozy bus ride, not much sleep.
Date: September 14, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cedar Rapids, IA (Five Seasons Center)
Good show. Big room. Chris Butleman showed. Sometimes the audiences all look the same in these big venues. Maybe I should change my eyeballs.
Date: September 15, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cincinnati, OH (day off)
Ran 30 minutes, worked out a little. Dinner with Zlozower. He's one of the original wild men. So funny and honest and Hollywood yet dirty and skanky and New York.
Date: September 16, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cincinnati, OH (day off)
Same as previous, no workout.
If I could, I would surrender myself to that which is pure and true - but how do we know? There are so many masks in the world. Come on little voice, answer me!
Date: September 17, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Gardens)
Not a very good show. Nady problems. Bottle of Don Perignon from the record company - certified PLATINUM! Mmmm! My first Platinum record, wow. Very addictive. So much comes with it, money fame etc. I don't feel any different except really thrilled. I know it will pass, but I have the guitar! Making the music is really the most important thing.
Date: September 18, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Battle Creek, MI (Kellogg Center Arena)
Date: September 19, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Chicago, IL (Rosemont Horizon)
Date: September 20, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Peoria, IL (Peoria Civic Center)
Great show. Emotional equilibrium is the key. Not to be so affected by either the good or the bad. It all seems like a play, as Jethro Tull would say, a Passion Pay. I hope I'm on my 5th encore at this point.
Date: September 21, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Ft Wayne, IN (day off)
Portastudio. Wrote & recorded "Dudes". Short workout, record store. YJM, Eurythmics.
Date: September 22, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Ft Wayne, IN (Allen County Memorial Coliseum)
Good show. I look out into the audience and see those eyes. Each one has a purpose and each one has a life. All those souls, every one a precious stone, all those souls, looking for home. And there's the ones up on the stage, demanding attention creating a rage. Would be nice to forget about the useless things, and reach into their hearts and maybe attach some strings. They hand the reins over to the lord of compassion, to embrace the souls with more than we can imagine.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_08.jpg
Date: September 23, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Indianapolis, IN (Market Square Arena)
Bad show for me, blew Yamaha cab. Great party.
This guy in the front just kept yelling "you suck Vai", "you stink", "fuck you" etc. I just played the whole show to him with every bit of honestly I had. I forced every note from my heart into his and was playing great. At the end of the show, he gave me a thumbs up.
Ah, victory. I hate losing.
Date: September 25, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Pittsburgh, PA (Pittsburgh Civic Arena)
Date: September 26, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Detroit, MI (Cobo Arena)
"Eh" gig, not great sound, not really into it. Big party. Some nights are so inspired and others are like beating a dead dog. Well...I'm gonna beat that dog until it comes back to life and does the mambo! Yee-haw!
Date: September 27, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Detroit, MI (Cobo Arena)
Great show, one of the best for me. Good playing. Really into it. Best guitar tone. Not a big party. Mark Goodman is with us.
Date: September 28, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cleveland, OH (day off)
Portastudio day. Wrote song for Dave. Practiced "Sisters". Beautiful bike ride with Chaz.
Date: September 29, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cleveland, OH (Richfield Coliseum)
Great show, guitar sounded great. About 12,000 kids. Wah wah didn't work, I hurt my big toe on my right foot right where I apply pressure, ouch. Maybe the wah wah broke out of sympathy for my toe. Those wah wahs are so considerate.
Fun hotel escapades with Paul. Fire extinguisher. Business call - Grover Jackson.
Date: September 30, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Buffalo, NY (Memorial Auditorium)
Date: October 2, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Glen Falls, NY (Glen Falls Civic Center)
All calls this day are business. Pretty good show. Nice party at hotel.
Date: October 3, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hartford, CT (Hartford Civic Center)
OK show, big crowd. Pia's father, Nicki, girlfriend & Loraine. I love Pia's family. Her father is just a cool guy. Can't imagine what he thinks of me.
Date: October 4, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: New York, NY (Madison Square Garden)
Well, it happened in a big way.
Good show. Green guitar died. Great vibe from Madison Square Garden. My first concert was Led Zep at Madison Square Garden. When Jimmy Page came out on stage I fell to pieces. I couldn't believe it was really him, he seemed like a myth up to that point. The man that shaped my life, and there he was. I was glued to the stage, even though my seat was the furthest and highest in the arena.
On stage tonight, I walked to the front of the ego ramp for my unaccompanied solo and played it to the little guy sitting up with the pigeons in the furthest highest seat in the arena. I played it for the guy who thought it could never be. I stood on that stage and poured every bit of what was inside me out. I laughed and wept all at the same time for me, that little boy, and for the creation. It was one of those rare karmic moments that are more of an awakening than an event.
How on earth did this happen? How is it that I'm worthy? Maybe someday we'll understand all of this, but for right now...WHOOPEE BABY!!!
Date: October 5, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Worcester, MA (Worcester Centrum)
OK show. Stig was here. Sold out.
Date: October 6, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Worcester, MA (Worcester Centrum)
Good show, sold out. Tired.
Date: October 7, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Landover, MD (Capital Center)
Date: October 9, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: E Rutherford, NJ (day off)
Went to New York, Long Island. When I was younger, the idea of being in a situation like this was impossible but still I'd sit day after day listening to music and imagining that I was playing in front of huge crowds, especially my friends. I imagined it very hard and constantly, and here it is. Power of my mind. Go figure karma.
Date: October 10, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: E Rutherford, NJ (Brendan Byrne Arena)
Great show, whole family was there. Better than NY. A lot of friends, a lot of people. Self-fulfilling mental prophecy.
Date: October 11, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Philadelphia, PA (The Spectrum)
Date: October 23, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Atlanta, GA (The Omni)
OK show, big crowd. Felt good. Kinda rusty. Bad guitar sound. Big party - Sam Kinison, Bon Jovi was at the show. Kansas people, Teddy Luft, Jane Crawford, Glenn Hughes, Jeff Sipes, Danny Matiasuse.
Date: October 24, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Greensboro, NC (Greensboro Coliseum)
Tried Jackson Marshall, sounded great, a lot of noise. Dave had a big fit. Very funny, threatened to break my nose. Ouch.
Date: October 25, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Clemson, SC (Littlejohn Coliseum)
Yuk. Bad audience, bad sound. Small room, hitting off wall, not a good tone. No Show-Co risers. Got better towards the end. It's raining like mad, very beautiful. Rain can be soothing. It feels like home.
Date: October 26, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Huntington, WV (Huntington Civic Center)
OK show, a lot of guitar noise. Great crowd. Sold out. I played very sloppy.
Big party after the show. Met radio people before this show, filmed a bit of this show for video homecoming concert. Walked around campus. Autumn is my favorite time of the year.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_09.jpg
Date: October 27, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Richmond, VA (day off)
Great day. I took off, worked out with Nautilus. Bike riding with Gregg and Chaz, beautiful, through old graveyard. Old neighborhoods too. Ate with Gregg - great seafood, watched the World Series. The Mets won. Worked on Western Vacation a little. It's nice to tour with friends, it makes for bright memories. Soon you'll be here Pia. Oh boy!!
Date: October 28, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Richmond, VA (Richmond Coliseum)
Slow audience, OK show. Jackson amp sounds good. Left early and finished the solo for Marty. Dave's bus broke down. There's so much porn out here sometimes.
Date: October 29, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Toledo, OH (day off)
A wasted day. Photo shoot with Zlozower, exercise - lift a little. Good sleep. No kicks to the liver.
Date: October 30, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Toledo, OH (Toledo Sports Arena)
Date: October 31, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Toronto, Ontario (Maple Leaf Gardens)
Beautiful in Toronto. OK show, very packed. Why do I love Halloween so much?
It's funny to stand up there in front of 20,000 people and turn from a sultry rock star to a shivering stool because of a 19-cent fuse. What an ego I have!
Date: November 1, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Montreal, Quebec (Montreal Forum)
OK show. Blew an amp in 'Tobacco Road'. Did an interview with a French magazine.
Date: November 2, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Portland, ME (Cumberland County Civic Center)
Sold out. Not such a good crowd, but an OK show. But why do I judge - actually all crowds are great and if they're not, its my fault.
Date: November 3, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Savannah, GA (day off)
Tired. Ugly plane rides.
Bike ride with Gregg, card game with da boys. Lost about $30. Water fasting all day - ouch!
Date: November 4, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Savannah, GA (day off)
Beautiful little vacation, hardly working. Golfed with Gregg, 9 holes. Won by 3 strokes, 67 to 70. Saw 'Crocodile Dundee', had a nice dinner with Gregg. Played cards, won $14. Oh yes, this is nice. It's especially nice because I don't do drugs. The ones that do ruin their day and look hopeless.
Date: November 5, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Savannah, GA (day off)
Golf game, BBQ. Played with studio a bit.
Date: November 6, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Savannah, GA (Savannah Civic Center)
OK show, some amp problems. If I look half as ridiculous as I feel when I blow an amp, I should retire now for fear of humiliating my soul for even a future life.
Date: November 7, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Augusta, GA (Augusta Civic Center)
Business. John Stix - Guitar mag.
Date: November 8, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Biloxi, MS (Mississippi Coast Coliseum)
OK show. I played one of the worst I ever did. How nice - God sometimes I'm such a HACK!
Date: November 9, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Birmingham, AL (Jefferson Civic Center)
OK. Big party after show, much fun. Holly(wood) lesson. I tell you, these parties are legendary. One day I'll write a book. Yeah right, and then get sued.
Date: November 11, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Lakeland, FL (day off)
Recorded "Windy Wood" with studio. Nice bike ride, shitty area. Sometimes I like the lousy areas better than the others. They all carry a charm just to pedal and pass on. Very Zen.
Date: November 12, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Lakeland, FL (Lakeland Civic Center)
"EH" - OK show. Meeting with Pete and Dave about my solo album - not good. One day this record will be real.
Date: November 13, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Lakeland, FL (Lakeland Civic Center)
Tried new sound man. "EH". Pinski was at the show, another meeting about solo album. Looks worse. The show was a disaster. Ain't talkin' 'bout SOUND. I had to laugh at myself tonight.
Date: November 14, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hollywood, FL (Hollywood Sportatorium)
Beautiful. OK show, not too many people. A lot of business, MTV contest winner. Big huge party. Saw Billy, Mike and other Condani. 3 days till pudgie Jim. God put some extra time in on creating one so hip.
Date: November 15, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hollywood, FL (Hollywood Sportatorium)
OK show, more people. A lot of guitar tone problems changed. I wonder if its me. People say the tone is great but the stage can sound so different. Maybe they're really diggin' the emperor's new clothes.
Date: November 16, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Miami, FL (day off)
Beach, dinner & a movie. I enjoy that so much - a good movie is a good investment in a fabricated emotion & memory. A bad movie is a terrible waste of time.
Date: November 17, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Miami, FL (day off)
Ate with Harv, saw "The Color Of Money". Weird town.
Date: November 18, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Jackson, MS (Mississippi Coliseum)
Weird show, slow audience. Tried Pierce amp. Got Marshalls fixed with new tubes, 100% better sound. Played shitty, had energy. Weird place, glad to go bye bye.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_03.jpg
Date: November 20, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Tulsa, OK (Tulsa Convention Center)
OK show. Still have stomach virus? Got hit in the head onstage with a lemon squeezer. Good show, good tone. A little weak. I crave. My spirit feels intense. Hard to contain sometimes.
Date: November 21, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Dallas, TX (Reunion Arena)
Great show, good tone. Big party. Big band meeting before we left. Those demons know how to attack a man when he's down.
Date: November 22, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Shreveport, LA (Hirsch Memorial Coliseum)
Great show, a lot of energy. Sometimes the stage feels like a space station and my good will shoots out like a broadcast to every heart in the arena. It's up to me to direct it. Sometimes it hits their heart, sometimes I aim for the genitals. Wooo is me.
What an atmosphere. Sometimes the zone I'm in feels so comfortably alien. To feel that energy when the notes are cascading out, it's so hard to hold on to any humility - those demons devour and you don't even realize it. The mind is such a poison and the soul is such a nectar. I feel like my notes are little bullets of creamy universe soup.
Date: November 23, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Houston, TX (The Summit)
Oh God no. What a show. Started out incredible, then the guitar went out in 'Elephant Gun'. Then power went down in 'Ain't Talkin'.
Look at him go, so wild, so majestic. What a poser. When I grow up, I want to be the best poser I can be.
I remember a Zen technique of mind control to focus the mind on an object and you can become that object. Sometimes I feel like we really do have the potential to be God, but I believe I'm turning into human genitalia.
Date: November 24, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Austin, TX (day off)
Not a good sleep. Went to mall, got to eat in the best Italian restaurant ever, called "Basils". Watched little video, went to see Stanley Clarke. Home, practiced. I'm getting tired of being freaked out when I get tired. I guess I should be thrilled at the idea of being happy. I am! Wow - Hey Stevie, he likes it!
Date: November 25, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Austin, TX (day off)
Great day, recorded. Bike ride with Dave, ate at Basils again. What a great restaurant. I ate so much I can't even hear! Dave can be so much fun sometimes, really funny.
Date: November 26, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Austin, TX (Frank Erwin Special Events Center)
Great show in Austin. Bad crowd, they weren't really jumpin'. Called Mom, yesterday was her birthday. We could never repay our parents for all they do for us.
Date: November 27, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: El Paso, TX (day off)
Long drive. Thanksgiving, we ate at the hotel. Yuk. Worked a little on recording. Saw "Star Trek IV" - great. Went to club. A lot of people. Ate so much I can't even see.
Date: November 28, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: El Paso, TX (El Paso County Coliseum)
Very packed, great audience, good show. Pinski did sound for the first time.
Steve, if you ever read this in the future, I want to tell you how lucky you are. These are your early days. Some good, some better, some "eh". But remember them for all the great health, friends, fans that you have. You're a very lucky kid, little Stevie Vai.
Date: November 29, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Phoenix, AZ (Veterans Memorial Coliseum)
One of the very best shows of the tour. Wild wild audience. Played well.
Overslept. Felt dizzy before show, had a lot of energy. Big party, "Wheel Of Butthole" video. Those wild audiences really inspire. It's like a drug in your veins. Pure adulation - more addictive than heroin. And maybe more dangerous to your soul when not digested with humility.
Don't want to write sometimes. Seems like there's nothing in the mind. Maybe it will be interesting someday, or maybe as boring as the color grey. Takin' a snapshot of the day, hoping maturity don't wash it away. Thoughts are moving way to fast for time to stop and the moment to last. I feel sorry sometimes for all us lost souls, trying to figure out how the world goes. Would love to have the power to just turn it off sometimes, maybe then I could go within and experience the profoundly sublime.
Date: November 30, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Albuquerque, NM (Tingley Coliseum)
The worst audience this band has ever played for. I can't believe it.
We played OK. My sound has been consistently good these days.
Date: December 1, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Salt Lake City, UT (day off)
Sent Diamond guy $1200 for Picasso Rings. Called office. Had a real rough time sleeping last night. Whenever I go against the voice of my soul I ultimately suffer. I'm glad it hurts. I want it to hurt so much that it overcomes the lust. I want to almost die from guilt. I said almost.
Date: December 2, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Salt Lake City, UT (Salt Palace)
Date: December 3, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Boise, ID (Boise State University Pavilion)
Good crowd, played EH. Not many people at all. New sound man, Steve "Radar". Sounds good. I left my ears at the back of the arena so I could hear what it sounded like from the stage. Just reachin' here.
Woke in the middle of the night laughing my ass off. I love when that happens. Just laughing at some ridiculous sound I heard in my head as I slept. Hope it's not the guitar solo I'm gonna play tonight.
Date: December 4, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Reno, NV (day off)
Did DIR radio show. 16 hours of work.
Date: December 6, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Vancouver, BC (day off)
No sleep. Ugly plane ride, great city. Indian food with Chaz and Gregg, bought a lot of Zappa tapes and listened all night. One of my favorite cities in the world.
Date: December 7, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Vancouver, BC (PNE Park Coliseum)
Gregg is very ill. Wrote outline for "Siro and the Angels".
Why is it that when some women just get near you it's like a rush of fire races through your blood and explodes your veins? Thank God that the thought of unfaithfulness makes me sicker than the pump of lust.
Date: December 10, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Seattle, WA (Seattle Center Coliseum)
Journal entry:
Bad show, bad sound, bad audience. Boy, ain't I the primadona.
Date: December 11, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: San Francisco, CA (day off)
Early plane ride, no sleep. Went to Children's Hospital in Palo Alto. Went to Mike (Vai's) house and spent the night, the lads are beautiful. Little Vai boys, oh no!
Date: December 12, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: San Francisco, CA (The Cow Palace)
Slight anxiety - big show tonight. Green guitar will not stay in tune. Guitar Player mag was here, Joe Satriani, Mike & Linda.
(later) I don't feel like I played great, mild audience but everyone thought it was a great show. Eh. Whatever. I had fun.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_12.jpg
Date: December 13, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: San Francisco, CA (The Cow Palace)
Jammed with Joe Satch, it was much fun. I played great tonight, a lot of energy. Dave was...
Very cool city, unlike any other.
Date: December 14, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Fresno, CA (Selland Arena)
Tomorrow Pudgie arrives again, yeah! Oh boy, is Sluggo glad!!! Oh that girl.
Date: December 16, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Las Vegas, NV (Thomas And Mack Center)
Date: December 17, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: San Diego, CA (day off)
Finally got to spend some time with Pia. I believe there is not an ounce of sperm left in my whole body. She has a way of extracting all the Bad out of me. So warm, the touching the feeling. Just lying naked in an embrace is a divine gift to the flesh. The exchange of tenderness and compassion. The oneness of the union and the euphoria of the climax.
Sure beats the hell out of masturbating.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_06.jpg
Date: 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Pasadena, CA (Perkins Palace)
After all the rehearsing was done, we would usually have a dress rehearsal and invite about 200-300 people to play to, to help get any bugs out of the show. This one was right before the "Eat 'Em & Smile" tour.
Perkins Palace was an old, cool but broken down theater in Pasadena that used to have stage shows and things. Dave rented it for the rehearsals and at night we stored all the equipment in a huge metal container, locked all the doors and kept a guard on watch.
One night somebody broke in (don't ask me how), cut the iron chains on the locker and stole 5 of my guitars and 2 of my good Marshall amps.
It's funny but when I heard about it, I wasn't upset at all. I was bummed to have lost the "Swiss Cheese" guitar that my friend Joe Despagni hand-built. Other than that I didn't care for some reason. They weren't really my favorite guitars and in a weird way I was kind of relieved. I don't collect guitars and I don't like feeling attached to things that are perishable. When these guitars were stolen I just thought that it's less crap in my life I have to worry about.
Through the years I have been contacted by many people who have claimed to have located these stolen guitars. Listen...thanks, but I don't care about them. Keep them or give them to me and I'll auction them off for the Make A Noise Foundation.
Date: August 12, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum) - rehearsals
Rehearsal - all is well. Received per diem.
Business calls - Paul Levy, office & home, Grover Jackson
Transcriptions for Dave
Date: August 13, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum) - rehearsal
Date: August 14, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum) - rehearsal
Rehearsal. Afterwards we all went to see "The Fly" - it was great. We had the entire movie theater to ourselves and when we left there was a crowd of people waiting to meet us. Wow!
I must start working out again. Great night's sleep last night, 9.5 hours.
Date: August 15, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum) - rehearsal
EH. Sleep - 5 good hours.
Business calls - Grover, Lee Jackson, Bob Bradshaw.
Date: August 16, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hampton, VA (Hampton Coliseum)
My god it was incredible. I've never heard people scream like that. Hey, I could dig this whole rock star thing. I can't help feeling it, I really deserve it. It's like Edward built the audience and I'm cashing in on it. Well, they really know how to make a guy feel good.
Fooled ya!!!
Date: August 18, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Charlotte, NC (Charlotte Coliseum)
Date: August 19, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Columbia, SC (Carolina Coliseum)
Short drive. GOOD SHOW!!! The bus is like a home, a little sanctuary, and the bunk is your own private hotel where you are what you are and the reality is there, while the world and its illusions are out there someplace. Onward, young man!
Date: August 20, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Roanoke, VA - day off
5:30 am wake up. Did Japanese live broadcast to 100,000,000,000 people. Lip sync 'Yankee Rose' - no sweat. No sleep.
Date: August 21, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Roanoke, VA (Roanoke Civic Center)
Slept 10 hours, aahhh!!! Did lead sheets all day.
Show was "eh!" Serious guitar problems, it kept cutting in and out and it was half a house. Worked out a little, shoulders & back. Great party after the show, a lot of dancin'. I really like dancin'. It's like being allowed to act swanky and get insane at the same time.
Date: August 22, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Knoxville, TN (Knoxville Civic Coliseum)
Good sleep. Worked out a little, arms & chest.
Business calls: Lee Jackson, Grover Jackson, Bob Bradshaw, Steve Blucher, Gail at office.
Good show, played great, great guitar sound. Terrible soundcheck. Some people believe all others to be inept except those who are off their own beliefs. That's why most countries of the world are run by people who are literally lunatics.
Date: August 23, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Nashville, TN (Municipal Auditorium)
Great show, okay playing. Half decent tone. Big party after show, lots of fun. Some very interesting videos were made tonight. I'm such an instigator sometimes.
Date: August 24, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Huntsville, AL (day off)
Worked all day, recording "New Breed". Recording costs: $1321.00
Date: August 25, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Huntsville, AL (Von Braun Civic Center)
Show was ok. I broke 5 strings and 2 straps.
Reading a great book - "Revelations", D Spayler.
Date: August 26, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Memphis, TN (Mid-South Coliseum)
Received package from Lee Jackson - three 4-ohm resistors, 1 switcher box.
Good show, broke one strap. Went to John Odins' aunt's house. Southern hospitality. Called Bob Bradshaw.
I feel like I'm drowning in my own pool of spiritual longing. I think I know what I want so desperately, but I act so contrary.
Date: August 27, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Little Rock, AR (Barton Coliseum)
Date: August 28, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Norman, OK (day off)
Did Dave ID w/portastudio. Beautiful bike ride. Movies - "Top Gun" - Pete, Bill, Ed, Gregg and Playboy twins. Hung out at the bar.
Date: August 29, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Norman, OK (Lloyd Noble Arena)
Date: August 30, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Wichita, KS (Kansas Coliseum)
Good show, but I played really shitty. Got booed in "Ice Cream Man", ouch! Dave egged the crowd on. Good party afterwards, with Doublemint Twins. Sleeping a whole lot.
Date: August 31, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Minneapolis, MN (day off)
Pia arrived. Hanky panky. Hi Pia. Little work out, went to State Fair. She's a peach and I'm her pit.
Date: September 1, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Minneapolis, MN (day off)
Went to picnic, was great. Dinner with Sal. So nice in Minneapolis in the summer. Pia and I took a beautiful walk around the park. Made a nice memory.
The most precious things are free to all and that's what we take with us through life, those memories. I believe it changes the quality of our whole life. Especially when we write about it.
Date: September 2, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Minneapolis, MN (The Met Center)
Business calls - Carvin.
Good show, felt ill. Small flu.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_07.jpg
Date: September 3, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Omaha, NE (Omaha Civic Arena)
OK show. The power blew on the last song so we couldn't do an encore. Dave flipped.
Pia left today. Bummer.
Date: September 5, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: La Crosse, WI (The Center)
Date: September 6, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Kansas City, MO (Sandstone Amphitheater)
Outdoor show, very cold and raining. A lot of people were there. Big show after the show. The guy from People Magazine and Aaron Brown were there. Did Spanish radio ID's with Dave. What a seņor!
Not good sleep.
Date: September 7, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Carbondale, IL (Siu Arena)
Good show. Did transfers for Spanish video ID's. Big party afterwards. Ah, there's always the big party! They have some first class food & wine, you're treated like a king and adored by so many. Is this real? Probably not, but fantasy can be more real than reality, and you can figure that out could you tell me?
Date: September 9, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Evansville, IN (Roberts Municipal Stadium)
Good show. No party afterward. Oh, withdrawals! Withdrawals!
Date: September 10, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Madison, WI (day off)
Spa. Shoulders & back. Mall, bought a lot of tapes. Worked on portastudio, upbeat song for "Dudes".
Date: September 11, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Madison, WI (day off)
Received stuff from Pia. Work on portastudio all day. "Amazing Grace".
Date: September 12, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Madison, WI (Dane County Coliseum)
Journal entry:
Good show. We couldn't use the whole stage or all the lights because of hanging weight problems. Good party after show, girlfriends & wives left. Photographer from "People" was here, got good shot of the audience from the stage. Did photo session with Neil Zlozower for "Guitar For The Practicing Musician".
Date: September 13, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Ames, IA (Hilton Coliseum)
Good show, big crowd. Nice party in big room, cozy bus ride, not much sleep.
Date: September 14, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cedar Rapids, IA (Five Seasons Center)
Good show. Big room. Chris Butleman showed. Sometimes the audiences all look the same in these big venues. Maybe I should change my eyeballs.
Date: September 15, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cincinnati, OH (day off)
Ran 30 minutes, worked out a little. Dinner with Zlozower. He's one of the original wild men. So funny and honest and Hollywood yet dirty and skanky and New York.
Date: September 16, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cincinnati, OH (day off)
Same as previous, no workout.
If I could, I would surrender myself to that which is pure and true - but how do we know? There are so many masks in the world. Come on little voice, answer me!
Date: September 17, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cincinnati, OH (Cincinnati Gardens)
Not a very good show. Nady problems. Bottle of Don Perignon from the record company - certified PLATINUM! Mmmm! My first Platinum record, wow. Very addictive. So much comes with it, money fame etc. I don't feel any different except really thrilled. I know it will pass, but I have the guitar! Making the music is really the most important thing.
Date: September 18, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Battle Creek, MI (Kellogg Center Arena)
Date: September 19, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Chicago, IL (Rosemont Horizon)
Date: September 20, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Peoria, IL (Peoria Civic Center)
Great show. Emotional equilibrium is the key. Not to be so affected by either the good or the bad. It all seems like a play, as Jethro Tull would say, a Passion Pay. I hope I'm on my 5th encore at this point.
Date: September 21, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Ft Wayne, IN (day off)
Portastudio. Wrote & recorded "Dudes". Short workout, record store. YJM, Eurythmics.
Date: September 22, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Ft Wayne, IN (Allen County Memorial Coliseum)
Good show. I look out into the audience and see those eyes. Each one has a purpose and each one has a life. All those souls, every one a precious stone, all those souls, looking for home. And there's the ones up on the stage, demanding attention creating a rage. Would be nice to forget about the useless things, and reach into their hearts and maybe attach some strings. They hand the reins over to the lord of compassion, to embrace the souls with more than we can imagine.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_08.jpg
Date: September 23, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Indianapolis, IN (Market Square Arena)
Bad show for me, blew Yamaha cab. Great party.
This guy in the front just kept yelling "you suck Vai", "you stink", "fuck you" etc. I just played the whole show to him with every bit of honestly I had. I forced every note from my heart into his and was playing great. At the end of the show, he gave me a thumbs up.
Ah, victory. I hate losing.
Date: September 25, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Pittsburgh, PA (Pittsburgh Civic Arena)
Date: September 26, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Detroit, MI (Cobo Arena)
"Eh" gig, not great sound, not really into it. Big party. Some nights are so inspired and others are like beating a dead dog. Well...I'm gonna beat that dog until it comes back to life and does the mambo! Yee-haw!
Date: September 27, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Detroit, MI (Cobo Arena)
Great show, one of the best for me. Good playing. Really into it. Best guitar tone. Not a big party. Mark Goodman is with us.
Date: September 28, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cleveland, OH (day off)
Portastudio day. Wrote song for Dave. Practiced "Sisters". Beautiful bike ride with Chaz.
Date: September 29, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Cleveland, OH (Richfield Coliseum)
Great show, guitar sounded great. About 12,000 kids. Wah wah didn't work, I hurt my big toe on my right foot right where I apply pressure, ouch. Maybe the wah wah broke out of sympathy for my toe. Those wah wahs are so considerate.
Fun hotel escapades with Paul. Fire extinguisher. Business call - Grover Jackson.
Date: September 30, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Buffalo, NY (Memorial Auditorium)
Date: October 2, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Glen Falls, NY (Glen Falls Civic Center)
All calls this day are business. Pretty good show. Nice party at hotel.
Date: October 3, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hartford, CT (Hartford Civic Center)
OK show, big crowd. Pia's father, Nicki, girlfriend & Loraine. I love Pia's family. Her father is just a cool guy. Can't imagine what he thinks of me.
Date: October 4, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: New York, NY (Madison Square Garden)
Well, it happened in a big way.
Good show. Green guitar died. Great vibe from Madison Square Garden. My first concert was Led Zep at Madison Square Garden. When Jimmy Page came out on stage I fell to pieces. I couldn't believe it was really him, he seemed like a myth up to that point. The man that shaped my life, and there he was. I was glued to the stage, even though my seat was the furthest and highest in the arena.
On stage tonight, I walked to the front of the ego ramp for my unaccompanied solo and played it to the little guy sitting up with the pigeons in the furthest highest seat in the arena. I played it for the guy who thought it could never be. I stood on that stage and poured every bit of what was inside me out. I laughed and wept all at the same time for me, that little boy, and for the creation. It was one of those rare karmic moments that are more of an awakening than an event.
How on earth did this happen? How is it that I'm worthy? Maybe someday we'll understand all of this, but for right now...WHOOPEE BABY!!!
Date: October 5, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Worcester, MA (Worcester Centrum)
OK show. Stig was here. Sold out.
Date: October 6, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Worcester, MA (Worcester Centrum)
Good show, sold out. Tired.
Date: October 7, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Landover, MD (Capital Center)
Date: October 9, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: E Rutherford, NJ (day off)
Went to New York, Long Island. When I was younger, the idea of being in a situation like this was impossible but still I'd sit day after day listening to music and imagining that I was playing in front of huge crowds, especially my friends. I imagined it very hard and constantly, and here it is. Power of my mind. Go figure karma.
Date: October 10, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: E Rutherford, NJ (Brendan Byrne Arena)
Great show, whole family was there. Better than NY. A lot of friends, a lot of people. Self-fulfilling mental prophecy.
Date: October 11, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Philadelphia, PA (The Spectrum)
Date: October 23, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Atlanta, GA (The Omni)
OK show, big crowd. Felt good. Kinda rusty. Bad guitar sound. Big party - Sam Kinison, Bon Jovi was at the show. Kansas people, Teddy Luft, Jane Crawford, Glenn Hughes, Jeff Sipes, Danny Matiasuse.
Date: October 24, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Greensboro, NC (Greensboro Coliseum)
Tried Jackson Marshall, sounded great, a lot of noise. Dave had a big fit. Very funny, threatened to break my nose. Ouch.
Date: October 25, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Clemson, SC (Littlejohn Coliseum)
Yuk. Bad audience, bad sound. Small room, hitting off wall, not a good tone. No Show-Co risers. Got better towards the end. It's raining like mad, very beautiful. Rain can be soothing. It feels like home.
Date: October 26, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Huntington, WV (Huntington Civic Center)
OK show, a lot of guitar noise. Great crowd. Sold out. I played very sloppy.
Big party after the show. Met radio people before this show, filmed a bit of this show for video homecoming concert. Walked around campus. Autumn is my favorite time of the year.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_09.jpg
Date: October 27, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Richmond, VA (day off)
Great day. I took off, worked out with Nautilus. Bike riding with Gregg and Chaz, beautiful, through old graveyard. Old neighborhoods too. Ate with Gregg - great seafood, watched the World Series. The Mets won. Worked on Western Vacation a little. It's nice to tour with friends, it makes for bright memories. Soon you'll be here Pia. Oh boy!!
Date: October 28, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Richmond, VA (Richmond Coliseum)
Slow audience, OK show. Jackson amp sounds good. Left early and finished the solo for Marty. Dave's bus broke down. There's so much porn out here sometimes.
Date: October 29, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Toledo, OH (day off)
A wasted day. Photo shoot with Zlozower, exercise - lift a little. Good sleep. No kicks to the liver.
Date: October 30, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Toledo, OH (Toledo Sports Arena)
Date: October 31, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Toronto, Ontario (Maple Leaf Gardens)
Beautiful in Toronto. OK show, very packed. Why do I love Halloween so much?
It's funny to stand up there in front of 20,000 people and turn from a sultry rock star to a shivering stool because of a 19-cent fuse. What an ego I have!
Date: November 1, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Montreal, Quebec (Montreal Forum)
OK show. Blew an amp in 'Tobacco Road'. Did an interview with a French magazine.
Date: November 2, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Portland, ME (Cumberland County Civic Center)
Sold out. Not such a good crowd, but an OK show. But why do I judge - actually all crowds are great and if they're not, its my fault.
Date: November 3, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Savannah, GA (day off)
Tired. Ugly plane rides.
Bike ride with Gregg, card game with da boys. Lost about $30. Water fasting all day - ouch!
Date: November 4, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Savannah, GA (day off)
Beautiful little vacation, hardly working. Golfed with Gregg, 9 holes. Won by 3 strokes, 67 to 70. Saw 'Crocodile Dundee', had a nice dinner with Gregg. Played cards, won $14. Oh yes, this is nice. It's especially nice because I don't do drugs. The ones that do ruin their day and look hopeless.
Date: November 5, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Savannah, GA (day off)
Golf game, BBQ. Played with studio a bit.
Date: November 6, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Savannah, GA (Savannah Civic Center)
OK show, some amp problems. If I look half as ridiculous as I feel when I blow an amp, I should retire now for fear of humiliating my soul for even a future life.
Date: November 7, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Augusta, GA (Augusta Civic Center)
Business. John Stix - Guitar mag.
Date: November 8, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Biloxi, MS (Mississippi Coast Coliseum)
OK show. I played one of the worst I ever did. How nice - God sometimes I'm such a HACK!
Date: November 9, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Birmingham, AL (Jefferson Civic Center)
OK. Big party after show, much fun. Holly(wood) lesson. I tell you, these parties are legendary. One day I'll write a book. Yeah right, and then get sued.
Date: November 11, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Lakeland, FL (day off)
Recorded "Windy Wood" with studio. Nice bike ride, shitty area. Sometimes I like the lousy areas better than the others. They all carry a charm just to pedal and pass on. Very Zen.
Date: November 12, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Lakeland, FL (Lakeland Civic Center)
"EH" - OK show. Meeting with Pete and Dave about my solo album - not good. One day this record will be real.
Date: November 13, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Lakeland, FL (Lakeland Civic Center)
Tried new sound man. "EH". Pinski was at the show, another meeting about solo album. Looks worse. The show was a disaster. Ain't talkin' 'bout SOUND. I had to laugh at myself tonight.
Date: November 14, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hollywood, FL (Hollywood Sportatorium)
Beautiful. OK show, not too many people. A lot of business, MTV contest winner. Big huge party. Saw Billy, Mike and other Condani. 3 days till pudgie Jim. God put some extra time in on creating one so hip.
Date: November 15, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Hollywood, FL (Hollywood Sportatorium)
OK show, more people. A lot of guitar tone problems changed. I wonder if its me. People say the tone is great but the stage can sound so different. Maybe they're really diggin' the emperor's new clothes.
Date: November 16, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Miami, FL (day off)
Beach, dinner & a movie. I enjoy that so much - a good movie is a good investment in a fabricated emotion & memory. A bad movie is a terrible waste of time.
Date: November 17, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Miami, FL (day off)
Ate with Harv, saw "The Color Of Money". Weird town.
Date: November 18, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Jackson, MS (Mississippi Coliseum)
Weird show, slow audience. Tried Pierce amp. Got Marshalls fixed with new tubes, 100% better sound. Played shitty, had energy. Weird place, glad to go bye bye.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_03.jpg
Date: November 20, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Tulsa, OK (Tulsa Convention Center)
OK show. Still have stomach virus? Got hit in the head onstage with a lemon squeezer. Good show, good tone. A little weak. I crave. My spirit feels intense. Hard to contain sometimes.
Date: November 21, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Dallas, TX (Reunion Arena)
Great show, good tone. Big party. Big band meeting before we left. Those demons know how to attack a man when he's down.
Date: November 22, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Shreveport, LA (Hirsch Memorial Coliseum)
Great show, a lot of energy. Sometimes the stage feels like a space station and my good will shoots out like a broadcast to every heart in the arena. It's up to me to direct it. Sometimes it hits their heart, sometimes I aim for the genitals. Wooo is me.
What an atmosphere. Sometimes the zone I'm in feels so comfortably alien. To feel that energy when the notes are cascading out, it's so hard to hold on to any humility - those demons devour and you don't even realize it. The mind is such a poison and the soul is such a nectar. I feel like my notes are little bullets of creamy universe soup.
Date: November 23, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Houston, TX (The Summit)
Oh God no. What a show. Started out incredible, then the guitar went out in 'Elephant Gun'. Then power went down in 'Ain't Talkin'.
Look at him go, so wild, so majestic. What a poser. When I grow up, I want to be the best poser I can be.
I remember a Zen technique of mind control to focus the mind on an object and you can become that object. Sometimes I feel like we really do have the potential to be God, but I believe I'm turning into human genitalia.
Date: November 24, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Austin, TX (day off)
Not a good sleep. Went to mall, got to eat in the best Italian restaurant ever, called "Basils". Watched little video, went to see Stanley Clarke. Home, practiced. I'm getting tired of being freaked out when I get tired. I guess I should be thrilled at the idea of being happy. I am! Wow - Hey Stevie, he likes it!
Date: November 25, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Austin, TX (day off)
Great day, recorded. Bike ride with Dave, ate at Basils again. What a great restaurant. I ate so much I can't even hear! Dave can be so much fun sometimes, really funny.
Date: November 26, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Austin, TX (Frank Erwin Special Events Center)
Great show in Austin. Bad crowd, they weren't really jumpin'. Called Mom, yesterday was her birthday. We could never repay our parents for all they do for us.
Date: November 27, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: El Paso, TX (day off)
Long drive. Thanksgiving, we ate at the hotel. Yuk. Worked a little on recording. Saw "Star Trek IV" - great. Went to club. A lot of people. Ate so much I can't even see.
Date: November 28, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: El Paso, TX (El Paso County Coliseum)
Very packed, great audience, good show. Pinski did sound for the first time.
Steve, if you ever read this in the future, I want to tell you how lucky you are. These are your early days. Some good, some better, some "eh". But remember them for all the great health, friends, fans that you have. You're a very lucky kid, little Stevie Vai.
Date: November 29, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Phoenix, AZ (Veterans Memorial Coliseum)
One of the very best shows of the tour. Wild wild audience. Played well.
Overslept. Felt dizzy before show, had a lot of energy. Big party, "Wheel Of Butthole" video. Those wild audiences really inspire. It's like a drug in your veins. Pure adulation - more addictive than heroin. And maybe more dangerous to your soul when not digested with humility.
Don't want to write sometimes. Seems like there's nothing in the mind. Maybe it will be interesting someday, or maybe as boring as the color grey. Takin' a snapshot of the day, hoping maturity don't wash it away. Thoughts are moving way to fast for time to stop and the moment to last. I feel sorry sometimes for all us lost souls, trying to figure out how the world goes. Would love to have the power to just turn it off sometimes, maybe then I could go within and experience the profoundly sublime.
Date: November 30, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Albuquerque, NM (Tingley Coliseum)
The worst audience this band has ever played for. I can't believe it.
We played OK. My sound has been consistently good these days.
Date: December 1, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Salt Lake City, UT (day off)
Sent Diamond guy $1200 for Picasso Rings. Called office. Had a real rough time sleeping last night. Whenever I go against the voice of my soul I ultimately suffer. I'm glad it hurts. I want it to hurt so much that it overcomes the lust. I want to almost die from guilt. I said almost.
Date: December 2, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Salt Lake City, UT (Salt Palace)
Date: December 3, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Boise, ID (Boise State University Pavilion)
Good crowd, played EH. Not many people at all. New sound man, Steve "Radar". Sounds good. I left my ears at the back of the arena so I could hear what it sounded like from the stage. Just reachin' here.
Woke in the middle of the night laughing my ass off. I love when that happens. Just laughing at some ridiculous sound I heard in my head as I slept. Hope it's not the guitar solo I'm gonna play tonight.
Date: December 4, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Reno, NV (day off)
Did DIR radio show. 16 hours of work.
Date: December 6, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Vancouver, BC (day off)
No sleep. Ugly plane ride, great city. Indian food with Chaz and Gregg, bought a lot of Zappa tapes and listened all night. One of my favorite cities in the world.
Date: December 7, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Vancouver, BC (PNE Park Coliseum)
Gregg is very ill. Wrote outline for "Siro and the Angels".
Why is it that when some women just get near you it's like a rush of fire races through your blood and explodes your veins? Thank God that the thought of unfaithfulness makes me sicker than the pump of lust.
Date: December 10, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Seattle, WA (Seattle Center Coliseum)
Journal entry:
Bad show, bad sound, bad audience. Boy, ain't I the primadona.
Date: December 11, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: San Francisco, CA (day off)
Early plane ride, no sleep. Went to Children's Hospital in Palo Alto. Went to Mike (Vai's) house and spent the night, the lads are beautiful. Little Vai boys, oh no!
Date: December 12, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: San Francisco, CA (The Cow Palace)
Slight anxiety - big show tonight. Green guitar will not stay in tune. Guitar Player mag was here, Joe Satriani, Mike & Linda.
(later) I don't feel like I played great, mild audience but everyone thought it was a great show. Eh. Whatever. I had fun.
http://www.billysheehan.com/photos/pics/dlr_12.jpg
Date: December 13, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: San Francisco, CA (The Cow Palace)
Jammed with Joe Satch, it was much fun. I played great tonight, a lot of energy. Dave was...
Very cool city, unlike any other.
Date: December 14, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Fresno, CA (Selland Arena)
Tomorrow Pudgie arrives again, yeah! Oh boy, is Sluggo glad!!! Oh that girl.
Date: December 16, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: Las Vegas, NV (Thomas And Mack Center)
Date: December 17, 1986
Band: David Lee Roth
Where: San Diego, CA (day off)
Finally got to spend some time with Pia. I believe there is not an ounce of sperm left in my whole body. She has a way of extracting all the Bad out of me. So warm, the touching the feeling. Just lying naked in an embrace is a divine gift to the flesh. The exchange of tenderness and compassion. The oneness of the union and the euphoria of the climax.
Sure beats the hell out of masturbating.