During his recent appearance on Dean Delray’s Let There Be Talk podcast, Steve Vai hinted that a reunion with David Lee Roth’s band seems unlikely now, especially with rumors about Roth retiring.
The guitarist talked about a time when a reunion seemed possible, stating:
“There was a period of time where we talked about it, and we considered it, but then Van Halen was back. So Dave was out doing that.”
Dispelling Reunion Rumors
With DLR now seemingly more available, Vai still feels the moment for an ‘Eat ‘Em and Smile’ reunion has passed, as he went on to say:
“There comes a time where you feel the train has left the station. I heard Dave retired. And I’m so ensconced in my solo career, all the stuff I’m doing. So you never know, but it doesn’t seem likely.”
The closest the band came to a reunion was in 2015, during the 30th anniversary of the ‘Eat ‘Em and Smile’ album. A performance was scheduled at a Hollywood bowling alley, featuring Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Gregg Bissonette, with Roth planning a surprise appearance. However, the event was canceled at the last minute due to safety concerns.
Vai’s Focus On Solo Work
In an October 2022 conversation with Eddie Trunk, Vai shared more about his current focus and past collaborations with Roth. He highlighted Roth’s penchant for adventure and his own contentment with producing ‘weird music’ for his fans. The possibility of reuniting with Roth seemed distant also then, as the musician disclosed:
“How did I know that you were going to ask that question, Eddie Trunk? It’s one of those things that I don’t really entertain in my mind unless something is actually there. But, you know, Eddie, these days, I’m just really content doing the music; I’ve just kind of come to this inner decision that for the rest of the time I have here, I gotta crank out as much as the weird music that I do for those people that like it.”
Vai and Roth’s partnership in the mid-80s marked an important period in rock history, with Vai’s guitar work featuring on Roth’s solo albums ‘Eat ‘Em And Smile’ and ‘Skyscraper.’
You can listen to the full episode below.
