The 1984 Tour was a
concert tour
A concert tour (or simply tour) is a series of concerts by an artist or group of artists in different cities, countries or locations. Often concert tours are named to differentiate different tours by the same artist and to associate a specific to ...
by
hard rock
Hard rock or heavy rock is a loosely defined subgenre of rock music typified by aggressive vocals and distorted electric guitars. Hard rock began in the mid-1960s with the garage, psychedelic and blues rock movements. Some of the earliest ha ...
band
Van Halen
Van Halen ( ) was an American rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. Credited with "restoring hard rock to the forefront of the music scene", Van Halen was known for its energetic live shows and for the virtuosity of its lead gu ...
in support of their sixth studio album ''
1984
Events
January
* January 1 – The Bornean Sultanate of Brunei gains full independence from the United Kingdom, having become a British protectorate in 1888.
* January 7 – Brunei becomes the sixth member of the Association of Southeas ...
''.
Background
The stage set which was named "Metropolis" was described as the largest production ever taken on the road by a rock band, which consisted of approximately 175 tons of equipment and special effects which had to be hoisted and operated by a hundred chain motors, eight trucks to transport and five buses with almost 100 people to organize.
On the stage were five crane devices that rose and lowered the lighting during the show, and at the conclusion of the show, would turn 90 degrees to spell out the numbers "1984" in bright white colors.
The glam metal band
Autograph
An autograph is a person's own handwriting or signature. The word ''autograph'' comes from Ancient Greek (, ''autós'', "self" and , ''gráphō'', "write"), and can mean more specifically: Gove, Philip B. (ed.), 1981. ''Webster's Third New Inter ...
supported Van Halen on a majority of their North American shows. At the time of the final three North American shows, Eddie Van Halen made a guest appearance on the
Jacksons'
Victory Tour, performing "
Beat It
"Beat It" is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his sixth studio album, ''Thriller'' (1982). It was written by Jackson and produced by Jackson and Quincy Jones. Jones encouraged Jackson to include a rock song on the album. Jackson l ...
" alongside
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the " King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. Over ...
, when he and the rest of Van Halen were in Irving, Texas. Following the North American leg, the band flew off to Europe to perform on the Monsters of Rock tour which was part of the tour. At the conclusion of the tour, David Lee Roth left Van Halen as relations between him and the other members were at an all-time low.
Reception
Bob Andelman, a reporter from the ''St. Petersburg Times'' gave the Lakeland performance a positive review. Alongside his opening statements, he agreed heavily that Eddie Van Halen was the best guitarist working steadily who had knocked 10,000 screaming teenage fans over with his dazzling musical integrity and precision. Aside from the guitarist, Andelman praised the strong performances from Michael Anthony, Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth, adding that Roth had added color and 'a touch of the circus' to the show. He also enjoyed the setlist, to which he praised the pleasure sensation of "Jump" which he said had caused the floor of the venue to reverberate and shake.
Michael Logan, a critic from ''The Day'' who had attended the New Haven concert gave the performance a positive review. He praised the band's sound as unique among heavy metal units due to the dynamics of Eddie Van Halen's guitar playing - but did not leave out Michael Anthony's bass solo, which Logan claimed that he thought Anthony was break-dancing. Logan added that both the lighting system for the show would make 'E.T. blush' and that the release of ''1984'' was timed to perfection, even though he said that ''Fair Warning'' was still his favorite album from the band. He concluded his review by stating the show was spectacle with the mention of the band having put other bands they were competing with to the dust but stated: "But this is 1984 and we're stuck with it."
Ethlie Ann Vare from ''Billboard'' who attended the Inglewood performance had stated: "A Van Halen concert is half rock, half vaudeville and half again as loud, raunchy, energetic, flashy and manic as it needs to be. Everything they did, they overdid. The monumental motor-driven lighting trusses looked like a prop from 'V: The Final Battle,' and threw off enough wattage to illuminate three night ballgames."
Setlist
Songs played overall
#"
Unchained"
#"
Hot for Teacher"
#
Alex Van Halen
Alexander Arthur Van Halen (; born May 8, 1953) is an American musician, best known as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band Van Halen. The band was formed in 1972 by Alex Van Halen, his younger brother Eddie, David Lee Roth, and Mark S ...
drum solo
#"On Fire"
#"
Runnin' with the Devil"
#"
Little Guitars"
#"Cathedral" and "House of Pain"
#
Michael Anthony bass solo
#"Jamie's Cryin'"
#"
I'll Wait
"I'll Wait" is a song by American rock band Van Halen, taken from their sixth studio album, ''1984'' (1984). The song was written by band members Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth, along with Michael McDonald ...
"
#"
Everybody Wants Some!!"
#"Girl Gone Bad"
#"Ice Cream Man" (
John Brim
John Charles Brim (April 10, 1922 – October 1, 2003) was an American Chicago blues guitarist, songwriter, and singer. He wrote and recorded the song "Ice Cream Man" which was later covered by the rock band Van Halen for their first album, and ...
cover)
#"
Summertime Blues
"Summertime Blues" is a song co-written and recorded by American rock artist Eddie Cochran. It was written by Cochran and his manager Jerry Capehart. Originally a single B-side, it was released in August 1958 and peaked at number 8 on the ''Bi ...
" (
Eddie Cochran
Ray Edward Cochran (; October 3, 1938 – April 17, 1960) was an American rock and roll musician. Cochran's songs, such as "Twenty Flight Rock", "Summertime Blues", "C'mon Everybody" and " Somethin' Else", captured teenage frustration and desire ...
cover)
#"1984" and "
Jump
Jumping is a form of locomotion or movement in which an organism or non-living (e.g., robotic) mechanical system propels itself through the air along a ballistic trajectory.
Jump or Jumping also may refer to:
Places
* Jump, Kentucky or Jump S ...
"
#
Eddie Van Halen
Edward Lodewijk Van Halen ( , ; January 26, 1955 – October 6, 2020) was an American musician and songwriter. He was the guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Van Halen, which he co-founded along ...
guitar solo
Eruption_
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Several types of volcanic eruptions—during which lava, tephra (ash, lapilli, volcanic bombs and volcanic blocks), and assorted gases are expelled from a volcanic vent or fissure—have been distinguished by volcanologists. These are often ...