Oh, most unexpected concert moment: Michael Jackson's big '84 tour with his brothers swung through Dallas at the same time the Van Halen boys were in town. As I recall, VH was playing multiple nights at Reunion (one of 'em being the show referenced above), and MJ and his brothers were playing multiple nights at Texas Stadium. I don't even recall which of the shows I saw first, but I think it was MJ one night and VH the next...was kind of working my way through a perpetual smoke filled haze back then
, so my memory may be a little off. One thing I definitely remember is it was hotter than hell -- summer concerts. Anyway, the VH boys apparently had a night off during all this and, ta-da, they appeared at the Jackson show. Walked through the audience on the concert floor (at least I think that's what happened...it's what I was told happened, but I was in the nosebleeds and wasn't alerted to what was going on until they were on stage...just heard the roar). Long story short, EVH played the solo on Beat It. Very unexpected and completely cool.
Originally Posted by eccienewbie
allow me to fill in a few details.. your memory is basically spot on, despite your smoke-filled haze.. the Jacksons played Texas Stadium July 13-15, Van Halen played Reunion July 14-16... had to be the greatest music weekend in Dallas County history (unless that Lewisville weekend show in 1969 topped it).. I went to Van Halen's show on the 16th, scoring a good floor seat from Texas Tickets, several days prior.. I debated with myself which show I should see.. Van Halen or the Jacksons.. enough money for just one.. finally decided on Van Halen, because I had seen the Jacksons 3 years earlier (albeit pre-Thriller).. you saw the July 13 Jacksons show, on a Friday.. I don't recall if the rest of Van Halen showed up, but Eddie did hop on stage to play guitar on "Beat it".. AFAIK, that is the singular time he ever played it outside of the studio.. I remember kicking myself (so to speak) that I didn't go to that Jacksons show, but who knew?
BTW, what artist ever plays back-to-back nights in a city anymore? it is very rare.. Prince also played Reunion 3 nights straight, 12-30-84 to 1-1-85.. Michael Jackson played Reunion 4-27-88 to 4-29-88..
IIRC, Springsteen did 2 nights at Texas Stadium in 1985.. the Eagles did the same in 1994..