In the ever-expanding universe of Van Halen memorabilia, some finds are more surprising than others. During a routine dig through the dwindling CD and DVD section of a large retail store – a habit fueled by the scarcity of dedicated record stores – I stumbled upon something unexpected: a DVD simply titled “Dance The Night Away” by Van Halen. My initial thought, seeing the tracklist hinting at a setlist dominated by their early hits, was that this could be a fantastic discovery, possibly from their prime era around 1983. Could this be an undiscovered gem capturing Van Halen at their electrifying peak, performing classics like the song “Dance the Night Away”?
However, skepticism quickly crept in. For a band as massive as Van Halen, the complete lack of fanfare or proper advertising for this release was perplexing. No concert location, no year – just a barebones DVD case. The suspicion of a bootleg release arose, yet purchasing it from a mainstream retailer muddied the waters. Was it an unauthorized release? A deep dive into the internet after purchase confirmed my suspicions: this DVD captured Van Halen’s legendary headline performance at the US Festival on May 29, 1983. A historic event, indeed, where Van Halen shared the stage with soon-to-be metal giants like Motley Crue, Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, and Scorpions, playing to a staggering crowd of approximately 375,000 fans. The potential was immense.
Unearthing a Van Halen Time Capsule: The US Festival 1983
The US Festival in 1983 was a cultural phenomenon, a massive music festival that defined an era. Van Halen, already stars but on the cusp of superstardom that “1984” would solidify, were at the apex of their raw energy and stage prowess. Headlining this festival was a statement, cementing their position in the rock pantheon. The anticipation to witness this performance, especially one supposedly featuring a blistering rendition of “Dance the Night Away,” was high. The DVD promised a glimpse into this legendary show, a chance to relive a moment in rock history.
Video Quality: A Bootleg’s Burden
Unfortunately, the excitement took a hit upon actually watching “Dance The Night Away.” The video quality is, to put it mildly, subpar. It’s immediately apparent that this is a bootleg. The footage is blurry, often out of focus, and plagued by light glare issues. At times, it feels like watching a distant memory struggling to materialize on screen. During “Ice Cream Man,” an odd visual anomaly of rainbow stripes appears, reminiscent of old television static – a stark reminder of the low-fidelity nature of the source material.
Comparisons to other US Festival performances released on DVD are inevitable and unfavorable. Quiet Riot’s Live At The US Festival 1983 and Judas Priest’s US Festival footage (included in the Screaming For Vengeance – Special 30th Anniversary Edition) boast significantly superior video quality. Even a bootleg version of Motley Crue’s US Festival set surpasses “Dance The Night Away” in visual clarity. This poor video quality undeniably detracts from the viewing experience, making it at times a test of endurance rather than pure enjoyment.
Van Halen’s Raw Power: Performance Highlights
Despite the visual shortcomings, the raw energy and sheer performance power of Van Halen in their prime shine through. This DVD captures Van Halen arguably just before they reached their absolute zenith with the 1984 album, showcasing a band firing on all cylinders. David Lee Roth, while his vocals might be slightly rough around the edges at points, delivers a quintessential Diamond Dave performance. His stage presence is captivating, filled with scissor kicks, engaging banter with the massive crowd, and the undeniable charisma that made him one of rock’s greatest frontmen. It’s easy to see the lineage from Roth’s showmanship to modern-day rock frontmen who emulate his style.
Eddie Van Halen is, as always, a force of nature. Young, incredibly energetic, and seemingly boundless in his movement across the stage, he unleashes iconic guitar riffs and solos with effortless brilliance. The trademark Van Halen vocal harmonies, a crucial element of their sound, are also present and sound fantastic, adding depth and richness to the live renditions of their hits, including what one hopes is a powerful version of “Dance the Night Away.”
Song Selection: A Journey Through Early Van Halen
The tracklist of “Dance The Night Away” is a major selling point for any Van Halen fan. It’s a near-perfect representation of their greatest hits up to 1983. Each of their first five studio albums is well-represented, ensuring a setlist packed with fan favorites and deep cuts alike. Hearing live versions of tracks from Diver Down like “Full Bug” and “Secrets” highlights the underrated quality of that album within their discography. While the absence of “Where Have All The Good Times Gone” from Diver Down is a minor disappointment for some fans, the inclusion of almost everything else makes up for it. The drum and bass solos, while perhaps dated by today’s standards, were a staple of the era and are present here, offering a glimpse into the concert experience of the early 80s.
Bootleg Quirks and Missed Opportunities
The bootleg nature of “Dance The Night Away” is further highlighted by various quirks. Song titles are misspelled on the DVD case itself, a hallmark of unofficial releases. Notably, “Happy Trails,” which Van Halen played in its entirety at the end of the show before reprising “You Really Got Me,” is omitted from the listed tracklist. This attention to detail, or lack thereof, reinforces the unofficial origin of this DVD.
One can only imagine what a properly produced, officially released DVD of this US Festival performance could have been. Improved video quality, professionally mixed audio, and bonus materials like commentary from David Lee Roth and the Van Halen brothers about the iconic gig would elevate this concert footage to legendary status. The missed opportunity for an official release is palpable.
Conclusion: A Bootleg Gem for Die-Hard Fans
Despite its significant flaws in video quality and its bootleg origins, “Dance The Night Away” DVD serves a valuable purpose. It provides a rare visual document of Van Halen at the US Festival 1983, capturing their raw energy, iconic stage presence, and a setlist brimming with classic hits, potentially including a live rendition of their beloved song “Dance the Night Away.” For die-hard Van Halen fans, particularly those who appreciate the David Lee Roth era, this DVD, despite its imperfections, is a worthwhile addition to their collection. It fills a void, offering a live recording from the original Van Halen lineup during their golden age, even if it’s presented in a rough, bootleg package.
DVD Track List:
- Romeo Delight
- Unchained
- Drum Solo
- Full Bug
- Runnin’ With The Devil
- Jamie’s Cryin
- So This Is Love
- Little Guitars
- Bass Solo
- Dancing In The Street
- Somebody Get Me A Doctor
- Dance The Night Away
- Cathedral / Secrets
- Everybody Wants Some
- Ice Cream Man
- Intruder / Pretty Woman
- Guitar Solo
- Ain’t Talkin’ About Love
- Bottoms Up
- You Really Got Me
- Happy Trails
- You Really Got Me (reprise)
Band Members:
- David Lee Roth – lead vocals / harmonica
- Eddie Van Halen – lead guitar / background vocals
- Michael Anthony – bass / background vocals
- Alex Van Halen – drums
Production: Unknown
Band Websites:
Reviewed by Olivier for Sleaze Roxx, January 2016
