In a fascinating moment from 2015, Steve Vai revealed that he was on the brink of performing with the legendary David Lee Roth and his original solo band during an intimate club show. Despite the excitement bubbling within him, Vai had to exercise restraint as he nearly struck the first notes on his guitar. This nearly historic reunion featured Vai, along with bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Gregg Bissonette, all of whom played on Roth’s iconic debut solo album Eat ‘Em and Smile. They were at the Lucky Strike bowling club in Los Angeles, initially planning to invite Steel Panther’s Michael Starr to join them for a few jam sessions.

As the night unfolded, Vai took the bold step of reaching out to Roth, curious about his interest in participating. To everyone’s surprise, Roth expressed his enthusiasm, which set off a chain reaction of excitement among fans and musicians alike.

As news of the potential performance spread like wildfire, the venue quickly reached its capacity, with many eager fans gathering outside in anticipation. Due to safety regulations, the event was ultimately canceled, leaving many disappointed.

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Vai had always cherished the vibrant atmosphere at Lucky Strike, so when Sheehan extended the invitation, he was thrilled. “I thought calling Dave Roth was a long shot,” Vai shared in a social media post. “To my surprise, he was very into the idea.”

Unbeknownst to the crowd, the anticipation was building around a lineup that included not just Vai, Sheehan, and Bissonette, but also the late keyboardist Brett Tuggle and Starr, who is known for his exceptional Roth impersonation.

When Vai and Roth arrived at the venue, they were met with an overwhelming scene: “The line was four people wide, stretching all the way around the building,” he recalled, noting that approximately 2,000 fans were already inside the modest venue with a capacity of only 350. “We were all set to go,” he continued, “I just needed to hit the first chord of ‘Yankee Rose’ to kick off the show.”

However, just as he was about to play that iconic chord, the club manager approached him with disheartening news: the fire marshal had ordered the event shut down, leading to an evacuation. The urge to perform was palpable, yet Vai found himself questioning, “What happens if I play?”

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The manager responded with a stern warning: “You’ll be fined.” In a moment of impulsive defiance, Vai asked, “How much is it?” Upon returning, the manager informed him that the fine would amount to $5,000. “I’ll pay it!” Vai exclaimed, but the manager quickly added that if they performed, the venue would lose its license, and the band members, along with the club owners, could face arrest.

This revelation only intensified Vai’s desire to play, as he mused, “Getting arrested for this would be an unforgettable story.” However, he also considered the implications for the club owner and felt a sense of responsibility, ultimately deciding against playing as the fire marshal approached. “I felt absolutely gutted,” he admitted, putting his pick down in resignation.

Accompanying his social media post were photos depicting Vai conveying the bad news to his bandmates. Afterward, he sought out Roth, who was waiting just a short distance away. In classic Roth fashion, he quipped, “Perfect! Now we’ll get more press out of it than if we actually played.” In hindsight, Roth’s prediction proved accurate as the incident garnered extensive media coverage.

Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Vai pondered, “What if I had just hit that chord? Do you think I should have gone for it?”

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