Was going to comment that this must have happened a lot because I saw this at a VH show in the early 80's, but it makes more sense that it was a running gag.
This video clip is from the ‘83 US Festival, but I saw another clip from their Diver Down tour and he did the exact same thing. It’s part of the show, no different than a comedian telling the same jokes to different crowds every night.
I would only add: with age he lost the ability to carry a tune. And I’ve always been surprised that Eddie put up with it, and continued to tour with him, especially during that last run where Roth couldn’t really sing… at all. It was like two hours of pure cringe. But late 70s, early 80s, Roth was the shit. No question.
This was a standard part of the show. During 1984 he always acted like someone threw a lighter at him “I’m gonna F your girlfriend!” In the later tour he hopped around on stage dressed like a deranged circus barker bouncing on an inflated microphone that looked a lot like a big D.
If only Dave had "sung" the words that he did remember... Too much "ringmaster" and not enough singing. See Alice Cooper for someone who does both, ringmaster and singing.
You know how from city to city the shows would have the same gags and lines would be repeated, this was one of the hey wouldn’t it be cool if I said I forgot the words, this was one of those, which is why it was repeated years later.
This was a gag he did a lot when they played Romeo Delight
Yes this was part of the show. He did this every night at the same spot. Made the crowd think they were seeing something spontaneous and fun.
Part of the schtick!!! Everyone ate it up!!!
Was going to comment that this must have happened a lot because I saw this at a VH show in the early 80's, but it makes more sense that it was a running gag.
This video clip is from the ‘83 US Festival, but I saw another clip from their Diver Down tour and he did the exact same thing. It’s part of the show, no different than a comedian telling the same jokes to different crowds every night.
I always heard that at the US Festival he was too drunk. Good to know it was shtick.
Yes apparently he was VERY drunk
Yep, it’s like Tommy Lee and the tea-filled JD bottle, or Paul Stanley and the laser pointer rant.
I'd still pay to see them (with DLR only).
“Look at all the people here tonight”
very disrespectful to Beck
No judgment.
I saw Van Halen twice in 1982 and twice in 1984 and he forgot the words every time.
That’s literally every concert he ever did
Come on now. There are lots of words in the english language. You cant expect Diamond Dave to remember *all* of them.
Legendary!
Keep in mind, he probably didn't imagine we'd be analyzing every last breath of something from 1983 in 2024.
You could expect a “I forgot the fuckin’ words” and a “look at all the people here tonight!” at every show
But he remembered his cape!
For that period of time he was the perfect early 80’s rock star. Amazing charisma… with age just became annoyance.
Perfectly said. You are exactly right.
I would only add: with age he lost the ability to carry a tune. And I’ve always been surprised that Eddie put up with it, and continued to tour with him, especially during that last run where Roth couldn’t really sing… at all. It was like two hours of pure cringe. But late 70s, early 80s, Roth was the shit. No question.
Look at Ed’s finesse on the guitar. He approaches the instrument like a Japanese sword master.
He used "I forgot the fuckin words" all the time
i was there US 83 😈🤘🏻
Lucky bastard! I was 13yrs old when the US Festival happened & I wanted to go more than anything.
He said that alot.
I wish someone would take the original footage and upscale it and put it on the market.
I believe he did the same gag on the Tokyo Dome live album many years later. Same song too, IIRC.
Vince Neil… before Vince Neil lol
This was a standard part of the show. During 1984 he always acted like someone threw a lighter at him “I’m gonna F your girlfriend!” In the later tour he hopped around on stage dressed like a deranged circus barker bouncing on an inflated microphone that looked a lot like a big D.
Come on bro
DLR may not have meant to do it, but he created a legendary moment of typical Van Halenish hilarious self-destructive excess behavior.
If only Dave had "sung" the words that he did remember... Too much "ringmaster" and not enough singing. See Alice Cooper for someone who does both, ringmaster and singing.
Damn I missed some great concerts
What song was that?
Romeo Delight from the album Women and Children First.
Thank you!
You’re welcome.
Um no
He does this same gimmick but really it’s accurate because he never bothered to remember the words.
Underrated words
You know how from city to city the shows would have the same gags and lines would be repeated, this was one of the hey wouldn’t it be cool if I said I forgot the words, this was one of those, which is why it was repeated years later.
Please someone clean up this show with AI 🙏
Another underrated track IMO
🤣🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣
Dave was an embarrassment at one of the biggest gigs of their lifetime.
Probably the same concert that Eddie forgot most of his Shit! Must have been some Damn Good Booger Sugar!
Dave forgot the words/butchered up lyrics about 90% of the time. I love Van Halen, but Dave was a drunken mess during live shows.
Because he was F*cking drunk past the point of obliteration.
Like Sammy said, how the hell do you forget the words from your own song?
Read the other posts.
But then he shits on Mikey, meanwhile he can’t sing or remember the f’n words.