Review by Tony - brincka@slu.edu

Make no mistake, David Lee Roth is in fantastic shape and he is sreaming on the high register again! He said the St. Louis Rams were going to the Super Bowl and did a rap about the Rams in one of the songs. That was REALLY cool! Maybe he was a Rams fan when they played in Los Angeles.

As for the show, it had some explosive moments. Unfortunately, Bart Walsh was way off tonight and the sound crew butchered most of the show. Dave did his part. Dave's voice was on and his act was in tact. In fact, maybe he even came on too strong for some with a virtually X-rated performance complete with gyrating, crotch-grabbing, cussing, finger-licking...

David Lee Roth is truly "brazen as a baboon's ass". He'll be the first one to tell you he's a clown. But he's honest, and he can still rock like he did 20 years ago... almost.

People go to see David Lee Roth for two reasons. The Van Halen songs and/or the "Diamond Dave" experience. The Pop's show in Sauget had both. The set list was the exact same as in Tunica the night before. Lots of old VH tunes with two solo efforts thrown in for good measure. ERUPTION - JUST SAY NO!!

Dave was on top of his game in terms of his act. Lots of crotch grabbing, Jack Daniels drinking/spilling and of course flirting. He moved well, jumped high (although not as high as he did circa 1985...but who does) and rollicked through the 75 minute set.

The heart of the matter...at least for me...the songs, were very good. The band was tight, and "on" throughout the set. Dave never sounded live like he did on any recording. So as I read past reviews, and it question Dave's vocal ability, it is obvious that these people have never seen Dave live on prior tours. It seems to me that if he has lost anything, it is only slight.

Dave is a talent. As a close friend said after the show, "If anyone has the right to be afflicted with 'lead singer syndrome'...it is Dave." He practically invented the description of what a lead singer should be. He should not be missed.

Dear Eddie,

Please take different buses, stay in different hotels, do whatever is necessary, but please give the fans another chance to see this legendary group again. You have got a new hip, Dave has his old hair...get over it!! We deserve it!!!

Sincerely,
The VH fans worldwide

I went to see dave at Pop's last night in Sauget, IL. All I got to say is he was spirit of Van Halen! His set was the same as the other citys. I really liked Atomic Aunk and Yankee Rose. He has a good time and it spills over to stage to us. Pops is a great place to see a show like this. And I'm glad Van Halen failed with Gary whatshis name.

This is the third show I've seen with Dave since he was opening for Bad Company. This just proved once again that Dave is the man! I travelled with my fellow Outcast travel partner Big Sexy and we drove round trip 600 miles from just outside of Chi-town to East St Louis.

Is it me or does Pop's Saloon have Patrick Swayze as a bouncer?

Dave rocked!!! The set list is the same as the last date on his prep tour. I turned to my buddy and asked him, "Whaddya think of the show?" He was laughing at Dave's jokes and he was like when is Van Halen gonna get him back in. It would be phenomenal!!! I have to agree with a previous review I saw. I really wish "Unchained" was still in the set.

Dave's performance and voice were in top form!!! I don't think the fickle music buying public realize how good Dave is live. If he were in VH his behavior would seem acceptable. Whenever VH gets their act together and gets Dave back, everyone will come outta the woodwork and be into Dave again. VH will be playing bar mitzvahs and keggers again if they don't call Dave!

Dave blew the roof off another joint on his tour!!! Eddie Mike, Al: it's time to come full circle!!! Say yes to another excess!!! People check Dave out!!! It's a must see!!!!! Everybody Wants Some, indeed!!!!!!!

When I woke up it was snowing and cold in Muscatine, Iowa 263 miles away from the big show at Pop's. But, 5 hours later The Silver Surfer David Lee Roth got things heated up in a hurry.

I had read a few reviews here and thought I was prepared for the show. How wrong could I have been. Dave kicked ass and that is the only way to describe it. It was an hour and twenty minutes of high kicking, Jack swigging, chick digging, ass kicking fun. Tons of classic Van Halen songs with a couple Daved Lee Roth originals thrown in on top.

From pouring Jack Daniels all over the front three rows, spinning the microphone stand on a stage no bigger than the trunk of the car I drove down in, to almost walking of the stage and straight into the crowd, which by the way had security caught completly off guard as they scrambled to keep up with all of Dave's crazy antics, this was one hell of a ride and the Diamond One was having the most fun of all. The smile never left his face the whole time.

Don't blow it, people!!!!! If you have to drive a few hundred miles, do it. Or you are going to kick yourself in the ass for missing this one folks.

The King of Swing was a swiggin' and shakin' and jumpin' and rockin' at Pop's Salloon--yes, indeed. The set list is stellar but how about a surprise? I dig the way the cool-enough band jams ala old school VH but Dave should be fronting Van Rothin' and playing gigs at football stadiums.

I was cracking up at THE GREATEST ENTERTAINER ALIVE'S antics all night. How 'bout playing more Dave solo tunes--"Blacklight" or "Tight" or "Relentless" would have been sweet. Some chickidee flashed Dave her hooters--that was nice. Some idiot hoosier tried to hold up the album sleeve of 0U812--what an moron. Anyhoo, "Everybody...," & "Atomic Punk" & "Pretty Woman" & "Hot for..." were just awesome--the man is still god's gift to lead singing, I wonder why he didn't say anything about the failin' van halen.

I hope it is a lawyer thing. Dave is 45 but you'd think he's 25. I was high as a kite and it made the music "sound a whole lot better!" I hope Dave covers "It's Your Thing" or "In the midnight hour" on his next DLR Band album. Long live the sinner's swing. P.S. I tried out Dave's Jack Daniel's "move" the other night at a watering hole with a bottle of budweiser--it was so damn fun.

Having grown up during the Sammy-era of Van Halen, I was never really big on David Lee Roth. Yeah, his albums with Van Halen were great, but the live recordings I have heard were awful. Dave didn't sing, he talked. And that was when he remembered the lyrics. However, I did want to see Dave live when he came to town.

Although I have heard stories from his days with Van Halen, I wasn't really sure what I was in for. After waiting for over an hour for Dave to take the stage (fashionably late?), he finally arrived. Out walked the man, dressed in silver, with his blond, but receding hair flowing. Wow, that's David Lee Roth. It was quite a thrill to see the man who was a huge part of Van Halen's early success, but what did he sound like?

Well, within the first few songs, it was quite clear. Dave's back, and he's better than ever. Not only was he singing well, he was singing really well. Hearing "Hot For Teacher," "Ice Cream Man," and "So This Is Love?" with Dave's vocals was awesome. The band was pretty talented, too.

One of the things that sets Dave apart is his ability to entertain. He's not just singing, he's putting on a show. Dave interacted with the crowd quite a bit, even talking about the success of the Rams. But his actions, facial expressions, and one-liners are hilarious. Seeing the legendary "jumps" from the drum riser was incredible. While Dave is (still) obsessed with his genitals, his music makes up for it.

While I still prefer Sammy with Van Halen, I have a new respect for Dave. He sounds great and puts on a really good show. I will definitely go to see him next time around. If rumors are true, that could even be with Van Halen. Ya never know….

OBSERVATIONS:
1) Dave really doesn't fit with Van Halen anymore. The current members of VH have grown up, started families, and gotten clean and sober. Dave, well, Dave hasn't. (Although Dave probably has many families.)

2) The blatant copying of Edward was not necessary. It's one thing for Bart Walsh to use the same riffs in a song or even play a song note-for-note. However, to include Eruption in your guitar solo is just wrong. It might even be sacrilegious.

Hot For Teacher
Panama
Little Guitars
Dance The Night Away Mean Street
Runnin' With The Devil
Eruption
You Really Got Me
So This Is Love?
(Oh) Pretty Woman
Little Dreamer
Atomic Punk
Ice Cream Man
Everybody Wants Some
Yankee Rose
Tobacco Road
Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
Jump

DLR Solo: 02
Van Halen: 16

Total: 18

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