Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
Catch it While You Can
Long sought-after video footage of Van Halen’s iconic performance at the Monsters Of Rock Festival in Donington Park back in 1984 has been quite elusive, even though audio bootlegs have been circulating almost immediately after the band left the stage. While there is available footage of the band’s rendition of “Hot For Teacher,” thanks to MTV, the rest of the performance has remained unseen.
Frontman David Lee Roth had expressed the intention to bring back a piece of the UK performance to the United States to showcase “how England does it.” However, the complete footage remained hidden, until now.
A YouTuber under the name “Hot Shoe, Burnin’ Down the Avenue,” which is derived from lyrics in “Panama,” has unexpectedly uploaded what appears to be the missing portions of the film. This professionally captured footage, although not flawless in terms of audio quality (with occasional cuts, shifts between stereo and mono, and crowd noise), effectively captures the fervor of the show. This set was particularly exceptional due to its rarity – marking Van Halen’s first UK show since their 1980 World Invasion tour and their final performance in the UK with Roth, who left the band at the tour’s conclusion.
The newfound footage is not only inclusive of the band’s entrance but also provides glimpses of the silent moments in the dressing room after the show. Additionally, the video features Eddie Van Halen’s guitar solo and a bass solo by Michael Anthony, although the latter is often best left unmentioned. While the recollections from most fans about Van Halen’s singular Donington performance tend to center around David Lee Roth’s lively banter between songs, rather than the music itself, the footage serves as a splendid reminder of a band that consistently brought their infectious energy to every stage they graced.
