DIAMOND DAVE IS 54 !!!
From JamBase.com:
Sat Eye Candy: David Lee Roth
DIAMOND DAVE IS 54!
One of rock’s great cartoon characters, David Lee Roth is also one of the liveliest frontmen the genre has ever known. Possessed of a powerful voice and more form fitting spandex than a ballerina, Roth high-kicked his way into rock’s pantheon in the ’80s, his garish, flagrantly in-your-face persona perfect for the first crest of video age popularity. He also happened to be fronting one of the finest hard rock bands to emerge from the late 1970s at the time, which did not hurt. Sure, he’s silly, contradictory and prone to saying things he’d probably rather weren’t caught on tape, but dude has also done more than his fair share to generate real good times in this miserable old world. Today is Dave’s birthday and we encourage you to honor the occasion with some form of debauchery. You pick your poison, they’re all good to Roth…
Van Halen, especially during their rise to international stardom in the mid-80s, were a glorious mess, punk rock without the politics or social thrust. Often concerts felt like a rowdy, oversized puppy just lickin’ you all over. And thus we begin with “Hot For Teacher” at Castle Donington in 1984, just months before Roth’s initial departure from VH.
Roth’s reunion with Eddie & Alex Van Halen (along with Ed’s kid, Wolfgang on bass) has been far more fruitful than many might have expected. Here’s a rehearsal performance before their 2007 tour. And we have Wolfgang to thank for the band’s deeper exploration of their back catalog – he’s the one putting the setlists together and making the old men hop!
Dave is a genuinely weird guy. To wit, the video for his first post-VH single, “Yankee Rose.”
Brute force, trouser snake rock has few better than anthems than “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love.” And this performance from 1999 with his solo band in Finland shows him to be pretty dang spry. One would have thought the cocaine or clap would’ve taken him down by this point but here he is today, hail and hearty as ever.
Remember those good times we were talking about? 1979 was a very good time for Van Halen, Dave and almost anybody listening to this one.
And sometimes when those good times roll you gotta cry, “Get Me A Doctor!”
A few years ago, Roth made the curious decision to record bluegrass/country versions of many of his hits. We offer this performance of “Jump” from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno with scratch of our head. Make of it what you will.
One suspects Satan really digs this song, especially as delivered in 1982.
From the same gig at Largo, we present the kickass righteousness of Diver Down’s “Hang ‘Em High.” And yeah, Dave was so hot at that time he could still pull down chicks in that stupid beret.
Van Halen were truly one of the first kings of the video domain. There was virtually no one who watched the channel who didn’t instantly know what band you meant if you said, “I reach down between my legs and ease my seat back.” In fact, there’s few today who won’t instantly recognize this tune.
We conclude our small salute to Diamond Dave with the original video for his perversely iconic cover of “Just A Gigolo.” As celebrations of being a man-whore go, well, this one rules. We hope you’re up to your neck in all sorts of things this birthday, Dave. Keep shining you crazy diamond!
Filed under: David Lee Roth, Van Halen
Leave a comment
trackback • RSS 2.0
October 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am
DIAMOND DAVE IS 54 !!! ????????????????????
David Lee Roth was born in 1954, so it would actually be 55 years of life, and not 54!
Hugs…
BRAZIL LOVES VAN HALEN!!!
October 11th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
wow i didnt even no these vids where on youtube. happy bday dave
October 11th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
The video you have for “Ain’t talkin bout love” wasn’t VH, it was DLR’s solo outing from 1999 featuring a former VH cover band…. notice the hairline and no Eddie, Alex, or Mike
October 11th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Happy Birthday Dave… and thank you Wolf for putting the band back together with an awesome song catalog. cheers…
October 11th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Dave’s the greatest frontman rock has ever known.Sure there are some other very good rock frontman but not like dave.You had to be there to get it.
October 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
I have been kicking around a personal top 10 rock and roll frontman of all time list. I tried to stick with singers only (so no Hendrix, Cobain, etc). These are all bands and singers I have seen live over the years, and lots of concert footage exists as well. I thought this might be a good thread to start a discussion like this.
1. Steven Tyler - The epitome of a rock frontman. The voice, the look and the ’sex drugs and rock and roll’ attitude in spades. You can’t overlook the logevity as well.
2. Freddie Mercury - A five octave voice range, and only rivalled by DLR for flamboyance. He was a brilliant songwriter, and was the frontman in a band that has sold over 300 million albums worldwide. Enough said.
3. Axl Rose - He is still the best frontman I ever saw live. Great voice and a R&R bad boy big time. ‘Appetite For Destruction’ is still the greatest selling debut album of all time. I might rank him higher if he didn’t piss everyone off, and G&R never fulfilled its potential.
4. Roger Daltrey - Fronted one of the best rock bands in history. He was able to distinguish himself even amongst two other great musicians, and maybe the most visible and chraismatic drummer of all time. Back when they started I believe The Who used to gig over 300 times a year, just to pay the bills. And Tommy is still one of the greatest albums of all time (IMO).
5. Robert Plant - LZ was so good at every spot that as good as he was, he was never going to be the star. Page and Bonham were two of the best ever on their repective instruments. I bet Plant got laid more than anyone else in the band though, despite wearing women’s blouses in concert
6. David Lee Roth - I don’t need to tell anyone here about Diamond Dave. He was as big a rock star as anyone in the world for half a decade, and aside from Freddie Mercury was the most flamboyant by a mile. If he had stayed with Van Halen, he very well could have went down as the greatest R&R singer of all time.
7. Bruce Dickinson - I know they are not everyones taste, but Iron Maiden not only rocks … they have been doing it for almost 30 years. Dickinson is the perfect heavy metal frontman, with crystal clear and powerful vocals. He is quite a renaissance man as well, renowned for his anti-drug stance. He is also a pilot, and has flown the bands planes on tour.
8. Jim Morrison - His charisma was only equalled by his amazing songwriting. His lower range voice (baritone) was never my favorite, but the lyrical quality of The Door’s music was unequalled.
9. James Hetfield - A distinctive voice, and the longevity of Metallica are enough to have him included on this list. He is also a great songwriter and rhythm guitarist. I tried to include just vocalists, but I think Hetfield is known for his vocals and songwriting more than his guitar playing.
10. Ozzy Osbourne - The younger people here may only associate Ozzy as a mumbling reality TV joke. But bsck in the day, he was architect of ‘Heavy Metal’ popularity worldwide. He was not only one of the craziest frontmen in concert, but he was the consumate singer and performer.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Happy birthday Dave. All the best and keep in mind “That liquir in the night time leaves strange memories” I can’t wait to hear new music form you and the VH boys.Enjoy!
October 11th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
It Clearly states in the headline that this performance of “Ain`t Talkin`Bout Love” IS DLR`s 1999 SOLO band,
So what`s your point Gary on gilroy?
October 11th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Dave is 55, not 54. See Dave’s book, page 11:
‘I was born in Bloomington, Indiana, October 10th, 1954.’
And, Eddie was born in Jan 1955, not 1957 … which means - contrary to what many think - that Eddie is only 3 months younger than Dave.
can we get this right after all this time … some jerk keeps changing it at Wikipedia to the false dates from the band bios released in 1978 when they were all trying to knock a coupla years of their age.
October 11th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
OH YEAH!almost forgot,Thanx VHND.Very Cool B-day Tribute!!
October 11th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
“I was born without a silverspoon,-but I`m gonna make a
STIR!!
genious
October 11th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Happy B-day Diamond Dave. Greatest Frontman ever. Put theese fucking videos out on dvd
October 11th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
This is cool. DLR is a great guy, and I’d never seen that Yankee Rose video before - the original band for Dave’s solo career can’t be beaten…apart from the original Van Halen, that is (;
October 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Since when was DLR younger than EVH? I could have sworn Roth was born earlier, 54 rings a bell.
October 11th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
DAVE IS THE MAN!!
THE VOICE AND THE FACE OF VAN HALEN!!
HAIL TO DAVID LEE ROTH!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIAMOND DAVE!!
October 11th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
THE MAN!!!! The greatest frontman in Rock n Roll history!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIAMOND DAVID LEE ROTH!!!!
October 11th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
To bad the site is a DAY LATE. HAppy Birthday Dave!!!
October 11th, 2009 at 5:08 pm
better late than never
October 11th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
HAPPY FUCKING BIRTHDAY DIAMOND DAVE!!!!
Nothing like a good dose of DAVE!!!
October 11th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
Awesome post, thanks. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!! Can’t wait for the new VH album and tour with ya. Rock on bro!
October 11th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Dave Bridge:
May 8th, 1953-Alexander Arthur vanHalen(b.Holland)
October 10th,1953-David Lee Roth(b.Bloomington,Indiana)
June 20th,1954-Michael Anthony Sobolewski(b.Chicago,Illinios)
January 26th,1955-Edward Lodwijk vanHalen(b.Holland)
Autumn`73:Dave joins”Mammoth”
Spring`74″Michael Anthony”joins”Mammoth”
Summer`74-ROTH convinces band to re-name it to=VANHALEN=
May`76:Gene Simmons”discovers”&finances a”demo tape”
May`77:Ted Templeman”re-discovers”=VH=&”signs”the band to
Warner Bros,
OCTOBER 10th 1978: =VH=1 goes PLATINUM!!
Alex is 5months older than DLR,
DLR is 1yr&a1/4 older than ED
hope this answers your question
October 11th, 2009 at 6:36 pm
i’ve seen all the videos a hundred times
and when the actual time
we actually heard ANYTHING from the man..
its been a while
October 11th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Happy Birthday!
October 11th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Happy B-day Diamond…”aawow”!!
October 11th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I love any video with rickievanwhalens mother askin for a laxative! Still waiting for that post of you jammin on one foot out the door you crybaby!!!
October 11th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Happy BDAY!!!!!!! I looooove you:)
Awesome vids VHND..thnx!!
<3
October 11th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Dave is 55!
October 11th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
A very big happy birthday to you Dave and big thanks for all of your accomplishments to us fans. Truly hope that you and the brothers are thinking about us instead of yourselves and are putting some material together for a cd and tour. And if you know what’s right, then you should do what you can to get Mikey back and do this thing for real. VH has what it takes to wake the rock and music world from its tired repetative slumber - for us the fans, please do this.
October 11th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Happy Birthday Dave! Come Back We Miss Ya!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 3:38 am
Happy Birthday !
October 12th, 2009 at 3:54 am
happy belated Birthday David Lee Roth.
October 12th, 2009 at 4:19 am
UUh I thought you were 55 now? No biggy Happy BD.
October 12th, 2009 at 5:10 am
” LOOK AT ALL THE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT!”…2ND TO NONE! HAPPY B-DAY DAVE!
October 12th, 2009 at 5:32 am
” I’ve got more hits than Bugsy Seigel!”- DLR Happy B-day, Diamond! Never lose that personality!
October 12th, 2009 at 5:59 am
Great stuff, except Dave was born in 1953, not 1955, making him 56. I’m sure the VHND knows this. When the band first started out, Dave wanted everyone to subtract two years from their ages in order to appear younger. All these years later, there’s still so much confusion over the year he was born. Love the guy all the same. Can we get some new material already? Those guys cut their entire immortal catalog in six years, for cryin’ out loud!
October 12th, 2009 at 6:05 am
Great, by the way that solo in hot for teacher, especialy the trem picking at the start, what?
October 12th, 2009 at 6:20 am
DAVE WAS BORN ON OCTOBER 1953, HE’S 56 YEARS OLD, NOT 54.
October 12th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Happy B-Day DLR! Please grace us with your presence again in 2010!
October 12th, 2009 at 8:22 am
Yeah Dave, Happy B-Day. Now get out there and at least say something, and don’t let anyone (like your employer) shut you up !!
October 12th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Let’s hope he is still at it in 54 years time.
October 12th, 2009 at 10:21 am
you the man dave! happy bday! and please stick to VH. no more of that bluegrass stuff.
October 12th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Nice to actually hear the Bass in Dance the Night Away. Mike was all over that thing. Wish we could of heard more of him like that on the albums!
Happy B Day Dave. Mine is in a few days and Sammys is tomorrow!
October 12th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Bluesbro, correction to your list putz, DLR is THE GREATEST ROCK N ROLL FRONTMAN EVER!!!! All true VH fans know the diamond one is #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
David Lee Roth from the book “crazy from the heat”
P.11 “I was born in Bloomington, indiana, October,10,1954.
October 12th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
I’ve been ‘putzed’ by Scar, about damn time
October 12th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Bluesbro, good to see someone finally has a sense of humor!!!
October 12th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
aerosmith before dlr and the who?
are you nuts?
no body can match robert plant
and nobody can match sabbath in terms of influence in the genre
and mercury does not impress with sissy rock.
learn and respect these bands if you want to talk hard rock
ac/dc, black sabbath, the who, led zep, and montrose
aerosmith had like 2 good albums at best–
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overrated- watched many im sorry- im cryin- etc. videos. blah.
October 12th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
dave,would you give a fuckin shout out already.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Bluesbro, replace Bruce Dickenson with Bon Scott and James Hetfield with Bono and you’re good to go.
October 13th, 2009 at 3:03 am
Happy B-day Dave now how about some new Vh?? And maby you could get some sining lessions from Sammy HAHAHA if you could sing like Sammy the world would be a better place….
October 13th, 2009 at 3:09 am
There’s no room in this world for two Sammy Hagars.
October 13th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Their is only one sammy Dave could not hold a candle to Sammy if he had a blow tourch Sammy is much better singer and front man he should still be with Van Halen thats why 5150 was the only number 1 album to come out and go straight to number1 i am not saying Dave is no good i just think Sammy is a much better singer have you ever heard of a little band call CHICKENFOOT
October 13th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Umm..interesting comment Stephen not sure how I feel about that..lol.
Dave don’t change at all we like you just the way you are;)
<3
October 13th, 2009 at 5:35 am
And Stephen– this is a birthday page…start an argument somewhere else please:) Thanks
October 13th, 2009 at 6:04 am
Yes Stephen, this is a birthday page and since everyone here knows David Lee Roth personally, we are wishing him happy birthday.
October 13th, 2009 at 6:12 am
Happy Birthday, looking forward to the new album!!!!!!!!
October 13th, 2009 at 6:54 am
Diamond Dave!!
Happy belated birthday my man!
Thank you for all the great memories I’ve had rockin’ out to your voice!
May you always stay forever young and the frontman for VH!
I can only imagine how you celebrated!
Rock on DLR!
October 13th, 2009 at 7:06 am
if stephan chartier didn`t exist,the world would be a better place. go stroke it to Chickentoe ya pansy
October 13th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Stephen, the Sammy vs Dave crap is getting old putz!!!! Your comment is pretty damn stupid, but, considering you’re a mindless dim wit, I know you couldn’t resist posting such a lame comment!!!! Get a clue Gomer!!!!
October 13th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Philster what kind of gay name is that you must be DRL’s lover You must have to share DLR with SCAR And if you did not egsist since you were jurked of on a rock and hatched by the sun if it was a cold day you would not be hear and the world would be a much better place loser
October 13th, 2009 at 11:36 am
For those of you that weren’t aware, today is Sammy’s 62nd Birthday. Two great frontmen of the greatest band with birthday’s in the same week. Happy birthday to both.
October 13th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
JC and Stephan– Kiss my ass:) K thnx.
And happy bday to Sammy too!
Agreed kayser– Two great frontmen! Funny their bday is in the same week! <3
October 13th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
HAPPY BDAY TO BOTH DAVE AND SAM!
October 13th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Forget Dave…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMMY!!!!!!! 10/13
October 13th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I just love the video for Panama. It’s the greatest, and it never gets old! It’s proof why the 80’s ruled, VH is the best (live) band ever, and why no frontman holds a candle to the Diamond One!
October 13th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
JC and Stephan– KISS IT jerks lol! K thnx:)
And happy bday to Sammy too!
Agreed kayser– Two great frontmen! Funny their bday is in the same week! <3
October 13th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Dave is ok, but I think with Sammy, the band took a step forward,being able to play both melodic rock than true big rock songs. With Dave the band would have fallen within a couple of years, while Sammy was at the top for a decade.
Clearly this does not mean it’s all about Sammy, but honestly with him the band was visibly united as a family.
When Dave left the band, I was not much disappointed, because I hated “California Girls” and the other shit,but when Sammy left for me was clear that Van Halen were over.
October 13th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
ROB5150:
Do we really need to read your stupid comment on a “birthday” page for David Lee Roth?
Show some respect and a little class jerkoff!
Now I understand why most sammy fans are known as assholes.
October 13th, 2009 at 2:56 pm
My rant also includes the middle finger to the following fruits:
*andym
*stephan c
*JC
October 13th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMMY HAGAR
October 13th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Happy Birthday to the Red Rocker Born to Rock Built to Last Sammy Hagar I wish I was in Cabo Sippin some Tequilla with you!!! It was awesome meeting him at the Chickenfoot Hall of Fame show!! I shook hands with the man!!!! I also love Dave! I was happy to see all the old school videos of Dave can we get some of Sammy and a Happy Birthday to him as well? Can we find footage of him and VH singing crossing over???
October 13th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Stephen Chartier ( is that pronounced like perrier’??)….Needs to purchase a Dictionary …Way to go with your grade school grammar Dick-wad…Happy Birth-Day Sam And Dave!!!!!
October 13th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
I miss the freaking Green Lazers!!! And the confetti!!!! Eddie Eddie Eddie Eddie!!! Love Ya Van Halen and love ya Sammy and kick ass Chickenfoot!!!! You all keep coming I’ll keep spending!!!!!
October 13th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I think it would be a mistake for vanhalen to put out new music before the do a world tour.Would led zepplin put out a new CD before they hit the road? I could think of 200 million reason’s why they should wait! Sell out 150 dates and road test some new material.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Happy B day Sammy You are truly one of the greats in all of rock&roll keep rockn Sammy you are keeping us young with your great music and the way you carry youself people could learn a lot from you…… Peace
October 14th, 2009 at 7:47 am
Hey stephan- Sammy thinks your a homo
October 14th, 2009 at 7:55 am
The greatest frontman in the world has got to be Sebastian Bach from Skid Row, right next to Diamond Dave!
October 14th, 2009 at 8:32 am
Just saw Ray Manzarek/Robbie Kreiger show in Portland last night. I know Jim Morrison flamed out early, but he deserves some props in this frontman talk. Their current singer, Brett Scallion from Fuel, has a good barritone and stage presence for the gig.
p.s. for the encore, Ray shouted “We can do one more song, what do ya wanna hear? !!” way cool.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:24 am
Now, now stephen chartier, I know you can’t help the fact that you are a pathetic lame pointdexter!!! I can tell you have had another rough day and you got busted again for being a pole guzzling, cross dressing ninny!!!! Too bad putz!!!!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Happy Birthday Red Rocker, I’m firing up this toke for you!!! By the way stephen chartier, Sammy says you really are a homo!!!!!
October 14th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Scar…you toke at 9:27 am? You are such a hardcore herbal creature. (intended as a compliment) Most of us are the more common 4:20 pm types. Cheers.
October 14th, 2009 at 10:09 am
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
October 14th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Dooley:
Brett is the singer for them full time?
I have all three FUEL albums before he left the group.
I didnt know that was his new gig. Huh!
I take it they did all the classic stuff?
October 14th, 2009 at 11:13 am
the news desk forgot about sam’s b-day,shame on you guys.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
AND SAMMY HAGAR? (BORN IN 10/13/1947)?????
HE IS 62!! Happy Birthday Sammy!!
NOBODY WANNA TALK ABOU THE OLDER GUY???
And i´m a David Lee roth fan!!
Where are the SH fans of the vhnd???? What a shame!!
October 14th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I enjoy both versions of VH (though i prefer Van Hagar), and going through and watching these “Dave” videos kinda makes me cringe a bit. Ed, Al and Mike, along with Wolfie, all sound good, but throw Dave’s live “singing” in the mix, and it kinda blows. It seems that Dave cannot carry a tune if he even had a bucket to haul it in. He’s always half assin’ the lyrics, and over all sounds like sheeite. Hopefully if and when VH does a new album, Dave will sound all right, but performing live, I don’t think so. Not long after Sammy joined VH, I remember seeing bits and pieces of Live Without a Net, and was blown away with how good VH sounded live, and then years later heard VH live with Dave and thought, this can’t be the same band. Even watching some of the YouTube clips of last years reunion tour, it felt like watching a bad episode of American Idol with a kick-ass backing band. All in all, I eagerly await a new VH album with Dave, but don’t plan on seeing them live if and when they come to my area. Dave may sound good in the studio, but for a awsome live vocalist, I’ll take Sammy all the time.
October 14th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Im a Sammy Fan! A dave fan too! Im the first one who mentioned Sammys B Day above. SAMMY SAMMY SAMMY! LOL. It is interesting how both VH singers are Libras a few days apart. When is Garys B day. If any really cares. LOL.
October 14th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
wow!!!! the red rocker from saint louis just turned 62 hey brother, happy bday man and keep on doing what you do best, and thats kick ass!!. =)
October 14th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Gary was born July, 26th 1961. Let’s all hear it for Gary!!!!! A year to the day is the best Van Halen song ever!!!!! I can’t wait for that unreleased album with Gary to one day be released!!!!! I heart Gary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 14th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I say all of us go out and buy Van Halen III and make it go double platinum and get Eddie to embrace Gary!!!! I think the world just wasn’t ready for Gary. I know I was still in “Aftershock” from Sammy leaving. I didn’t get Van Halen III till last year. It’s really good stuff. It’s the album that has the chubby guy taking a cannon ball to the chest!!!
October 15th, 2009 at 4:05 am
Gary 4 Life, I hope you are joking man. Ed’s made some silly moves before but taking Gary back would be the stupidist thing ever.
Well, two great birthdays for two singers who had a huge effect on Van Halen. This isn’t about who is better than who, Dave was the original face for VH but Sammy took them in a different direction - hey, they had to get someone in after Dave left right? So it might as well have been him. It worked for the time period - just wish there could’ve been at least one more Sammy album after Balance.
Happy Birthday to both of you, your voices are both as good as they were 15 years ago, and in Dave’s case even better!
(Also I think that that stephen guy has some serious issues - SCAR pretty much hit the nail on the head with that one)
October 15th, 2009 at 9:03 am
I guess Gary 4 Life like his singers to sound as if they’ve tied their neck ties too tight.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:40 am
Gary4life:
We here at the VH news desk know about VHIII.
Many of us would like to forget that mess.
You dont need to go into detail about the album cover…
How could we forget it. It was lame…
October 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
mike69/88:
You have a right to your opinion but I’ve seen dave live twice in my life (2002 tour with sam / reunion tour 07,)
Both times he sounded great.
As much as I’m a huge DLR fan I’d be the first to say if those shows were a waste of money. If someone cant sing im going to call em out quick. Both those shows rocked and the show I saw in jersey (dave and sam tour) the crowd was loving dave. So was I. Personally I think he blew sam out of the water but I’m not getting into that right now.
My point is that everyone on this site knows that dave has never been an amazing vocalist. Granted back in their prime I think his signature scream was classic, and man do I miss it. But dave has always brought something special to vh and that’s showmanship, spunk, and attitude. The guy knew how to entertain and I’ll take that over someone who’s a great singer but not a good frontman. Dave will always be dave.
And sam fans will always be sam fans.
October 15th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Wow no news in almost a week. Almost like the bad old days of 1999-2003.
VHIII will never go platnium because it is now out of production. I have my copy and I intend to keep it, regardless of the quality of the content therein.
By the way has everyone seen the Van Halen album from 1978??? It’s the one with four guys on the front against a black background!!!!
October 15th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I have said it before and i will say it again. You may not like Gary but he has twice the chops of DLR and SH combined. He is just a better singer and I LOVE DLR!
As far as VHIII, it was not a pop/commercial recording. You should open your ears a little bit. That album is outstanding in terms of chord progressions, modes used in solos and technical merit.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Mr VanWhalen,
I disagree wtih your assessment of VHII “not a pop/commercial recording”. It was hyped up right up to launch, it had four singles released to it and one song (Fire in the hole) was included on a movie soundtrack. It was also supported by true, fully blown world tour (a rarity for Van Halen).
Very much a commercial venture, and it bombed.
IMHO VHIII is at best an Eddie Van Halen solo album featuring Alex and Mikey, with vocals provided by Gary. It sits in that catergory along with Pink Floyds “The Final Cut” (1983) and “Momentary Lapse of Reason” (1987).
October 15th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Ducky Dirty Duck, I used to lean all the way toward Hagar. I love Sammy. I’m 32. I grew up with Sammy. I now appreciate them both. Growing up with an older cousin who made me quite aware how awesome Diamond Dave always has been. I do think he’s a pretty good singer. I think he had the balls to try different styles that some might poke fun of or think isn’t as challenging as other things, I happen to love em all. I mean he gave us a little of everything. Good songs that a lot of people don’t dig deep enough to appreciate, like: So this is love? Happy Trails, Big Bad Bill, to songs like Girl Gone Bad, Women in Love, and Somebody Get me a doctor. Those would be some I’d put on my own greatest hits album as ones you don’t hear all the time. Dance the Night Away and I’ll wait have to be two of my favorites. Anyways to make a long story short, I realized It had been a while since I’d seen dave so before going to the concert I went to you tube and checked out california girls, and just a gigalo and listened to all the old tunes and then it came time for the concert. Damn!!!! Cincinnati OH was transformed into the greatest place on earth for that one moment of time. Wow is all I could say. Dave is the great showman, he controlled the media everyone eats out of his hand. Everyone loves Dave, so after a great time and couldnt’ get it out of my head I went to see them again a few weeks later in Columbus. Damn again!!!! Down to the confetti what a hell of a show. I wanted to be Dave!! I went out and managed to finda a copy of his book and read it in no time. He truely is an incredible person. They are two different beasts. Sammy and Dave. I actually shook Sammy’s hand at the Rock n Roll hall of fame show and spoke to him for a minute or two. He was really down to earth. I don’t expect I’d get to ever shake Dave’s hand Sammy seemed real, you can’t fake that.
I do love going to youtube and checking out all the old interviews with Dave. Man he’s so much bigger than any star before or after him. Now you have rap stars whupppity shit!!! I just hope Van Halen let’s Dave be the Captain again and starts getting some media spotlight of his own again. I want to see more Dave!!!!! Let him do what he does best!!!!
Mewisemagic: I went out and bought the first Van Halen cd and it’s not in the hard plastic anymore it’s in a biodegradable all cardboard package now. I did find my old one. But it’s out there. I think it’s getting a lot easier now to find Dave’s era albums.
God I can’t wait for another Van Halen album.
Also there is a new Chickenfoot special edition release coming out Nov 1st with a dvd included.
Sweet.
October 15th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
You know I’m still upset that the Van Hailstorm on Sirus Radio was taken off after the tour was over last year. I think it should have been an everynight program perm. Ian Christie was the DJ he always dug into the deeper tracks. And even some un released stuff. Ian Christie also wrote that awesome book. The Van Halen Saga. Everybod wants some!!
October 15th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
DUCK…I’m a Sammy fan too…does that make me an asshole too?
Just kiddin’ man…
Happy Birthday Dave.
October 15th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
How could the VHND forget about Sam’s birthday? Yeesh.
October 15th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I’m pretty sure they even remembered Gary’s. Seems like I remember an article about how awesome the song “once” was. And that many so-called Van Halen fans have never even heard of it.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Rick Pride,
Thanks man for a great response. I enjoyed reading what you wrote and I have nothing but respect for you. I wish more sam fans would be a little more open to roth, since he is VH’s orginal frontman. I always say, you dont have to like roth, but at least give credit where credit is due. He may not have his own brand of booze, cruise ship, clothing line, or resturants…but that’s ok with me! Dave will “always” be remembered for his acomplishments as someone who truly loved all types of music…took chances…and gave being a frontman, a new twist as far as showmanship. Not any easy task. And like he said in his book: “It took many many hours to pull that one out of my hat”.
As far as his book is concerned, it’s one of my personal faves. What always intrested me about dave was that he had an amazing life outside being a rockstar. Sure he snorted, drank, smoked, and fucked his brains out…..but the adventure didnt stop there. He traveled the world and saw and experienced things many of us will probley never even see in our lifetime. The man kept himself in amazing shape (and it’s payed off,,,not many 50 year olds have six packs man!), and always kept himself in motion. One min he’s on stage rocking out….the next min he’s watching a celebration of the devils birthday in haiti. I advise anyone who hasnt read his book: CRAZY FROM THE HEAT to pick it up!
Worth every penny. I’ve had 2 copies since 97′. I still read it! Again…dave may not be a tremendous singer but he’s done alot more in his life than most rockstars i’ve read about.
Intellegent…witty…outgoing….flamboyant…in your face…a real pain in the ass…endless smiles…and just being unique are just some of the words to sum up for me one of the greatest frontmen in the world, and possibly of all time.
October 16th, 2009 at 10:39 am
Pete:
Naaaaaaah
October 16th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Duck! Just to let you know we dont need anything from the hagar fans! I admit VAN HALEN with hagar were good but no where near what they were with dave! Why do you think the metal fans called VH with hagar BAND FAILIN’!
October 16th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Happy belations SuperDAVE!! I’ll be glad when VH puts out a new album and hopefully shut all the whining up. I personally liked all incarnations of VH. Also, the Yankee Rose vid brings back memories of another great band. Steve Vai, Billy Sheehan, and DLR. Both Eddie and Dave have worked with some GREAT musicians! The tour for next year should be Chickenfoot, VH, Mr. Big, and Extreme. You could get some music from each era of VH, maybe some classic DLR and in the meantime hear 4 awesome bands!
LONG LIVE ROCK!!
October 16th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
DUCKY…I couldn’t agree more with your take on Dave. Like I’ve said recently, as an “artist” he also deserves credit for taking risks. He didn’t always do the expected. He evolved. KISS keep giving you the same crap so that they get paid. Dave was true to his art.
So, as a fan of both eras, but someone who’s #1 is Sam, I think I speak for many when I say I’m an unrepentant fan of both. We’re probably more common than you think, but as usual, it’s the hard-core folks that scream the loudest and behave the worst. (It’s as true in VH terms as it is in public policy terms…you know…if you think about it…)
(;>)
See how deep and philosphic I can be on a friday afternoon?
Cheers to that Dirty, Dirty Duck!
Pete
October 16th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
P.S. Does anyone have any of Dave’s solo tours on DVD they’d be willing to trade? I have a good DVD of Dave on the “Sam & Dave” tour, and a great CD of the “Eat ‘Em & Smile Tour”.
thanks,
Pete
October 16th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Pete:
I would love a copy of the dave and sam tour.
Is it the tour or the documentary: the rage beyond the stage?
October 16th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
I will say it again, they should release there new album along with a live album circa 1982. Make it a double album etc, it would go 3x platnium in a 2 weeks.
October 16th, 2009 at 2:25 pm
Pete / Mical Vee and many other cool cats at this site:
Keep on rockin and rollin brothers….stick to your guns when it comes to your beliefs and hopefully we can all meet up in the future. That would be cool although prob a little dangerous too
I dont know when I’ll be back here. Just in case its for a long period of time I wanted to say later! (but NOT goodbye!!) and that I wish you all the best in life.
I know I’ll be seeing a lot of you cats at the VH concert in 2010! Man i cant wait!
Kim and dawn….stay cool rock chicks! It’s always cool to know there are girls who still love rock music!
Keep up your love for dave!
And to all the sammy fans that hate the dave era…..dave in general…or any of us for our love and respect for one of the best frontmen of all time: PFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTT!!!!!
Later suckerrrrrrrrrs!!!!!!
October 16th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
PS)
SCAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You’re the best! PUTZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 16th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
MeWise
I did not know it had 4 singles released. I know about Fire in the Hole and Without You. What were the other two?
My point is that there is nothing really commercial about the album. Ed said you would have to listen to a few times in order to “get it”. I don’t think even he thought it would be a commercial hit.
October 16th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Ducky, I wish we all could get together have some beers have sex with some 18 year old hot chicks and go see THE VAN HALEN 2010 concert together. How bout it? Let’s try and make a plan, you, me, Pete, SCAR ect?????? Let’s figure it out!!!! And after we’ll get together a big rubbermade trashcan and fill it full of fireworks and gasoline and light it up and have a David Lee Fucking Roth hell of a good time!!!!!
October 16th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
I say we all get together and hit up an Extreme concert listen to some Hole Hearted kidnap Gary and take him back to Eddie!!!!! lmao!!! I love you Gary!!!!!!
October 17th, 2009 at 2:05 am
For Phillster
In a last interview for a french mag “guitarist”.Michael anthony said he really met VH when his band “snake opened for VH in 1974(they just changed their name).Mike said he never played for Mammoth!
October 17th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Also, if it wasn’t for Dave, we could be on the “Daddy Longlegs” News Desk.
Although I really like Sammy, the first song I heard of Van Halen was “On Fire” - Dave was literally on fire man, his vocals were awesome. I then got the albums, saw the live shows…Dave is a machine.
Definately agree that credit where its due - Dave was the original for Van Halen, and that video of “Dance the Night Away” showed what a tight band they were. Really enjoyed the volume on the bass, Mikey was all over that song!
October 17th, 2009 at 8:01 am
Damn I’d like a copy too Ducky. Man I spent half the night downloading videos of David Lee Roth interviews from the early 80’s. I sure hope he brings back the midgets. I sure miss the midgets.
October 17th, 2009 at 8:04 am
DUCK - RICK…I’d be happy to share the Dave DVD. It’s a boot from the NJ show. It’s just of Dave’s performance, no behind the scenes stuff, and it’s really good.
Duck…where are you going man?
October 17th, 2009 at 8:25 am
Yeah man. Don’t leave. The NEWS DESK NEEDS YOU BUDDY!!! I say we all move to Pasedena get jobs that allow us to follow Van Halen around like roadies or something. lol. These are good times we are living in!!!! Sweet Pete hit me up. rickpride@gmail.com
October 17th, 2009 at 10:36 am
For vaijuju:
Well I`ll be dipped in shit!lol
Thanx for the info.
Spent the whole summer re-readindg”CrazyFromTheHeat”&
EverybodyWantsSome.I guess i “smoked too much” while reading
`em(victimless crime)
For Pete:
Where in the hell did you find that Roth Show?
Bootleg record store?Ebay? I gotta know!
I got”Skyscraper”Toronto,Can.`88 on VCR, but haven`t found anything else since.
October 17th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
Goddamn ducky your a long winded son of a bitch aren’t ya?Good luck on your “voyage”.gary4wife,don’t.scar your cool,i was wrong in my first impression.Bluesbro i understand your top ten,but look at steven tyler in concert in the 70’s.Not so good dude.i think roth came along and stepped it up for every frontman.Also blowing off his influence as a mere 5 years is a serious injustice,tho if he only had 5 years to make an impression he made a helluva imprint huh?
October 17th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Dear Pete: nevermind, I found it
October 18th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
VanWhalen,
Apologies, I thought “Ballot or the Bullet” was a fourth single. There were three, “Without you”, “One I want”, “Fire in the hole”.
I’m skeptical with EVH’s comments about the album. I realise that it was his project and he was pretty damn happy with it, but one does not embark on a world tour to support an album when it is not “intended to be a hit”.
III was a messy era and really the only two people to come out of it smelling of anything close to roses (in regards to us fans) were Gary and Mikey, on the strength of the live shows, and the fact that Gary left on good terms (supposedly?)
October 18th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
Dave in his 50’s sings much better than he did in the younger days. Keep the haircut, you look much better now than you did back then.
October 20th, 2009 at 6:36 am
RICK - I’ll be in touch. A bit busy right now, but we’ll get you fixed up.
PHILLSTER - I got it on Ebay. It’s pretty good. During Panama they splice in some of Dave’s “No Holds BBQ” which is pretty “out there”, but the band and performance is great. (Except for one technical issue - the keyboard sample cuts out after the keyboard solo in Jump, but the guitar player reacts quickly and starts playing it on guitar, so it actually turned it into something really cool, in my mind. Shit happens live, right?)