David Lee Roth once recorded a spirit-lifting tune for a young girl suffering from leukemia. Many Van Halen fans likely have never heard the song, which can be listened to below.
Here’s the story…
Back in 1999, David Lee Roth was reading an article in a local New York newspaper about the Songs of Love Foundation, a Queens-based nonprofit that records personalized tunes for chronically or terminally ill children and young adults.
Expressing his desire to “do the right thing,” he contacted the foundation and learned about a 9-year-old girl named Ashley Abernathy, who was suffering from leukemia. Roth was thrilled to get involved, recording a sprit-lifting tune, especially for little Ashley.
The song is a fun listen, and absolutely oozes DLR. It’s pure Diamond Dave, recorded with great warmth, humor and love, exactly 20 years ago this week.
“Who deals the cards? Ashley Abernathy,? Roth sang. “Who steals your heart? Ashley Abernathy. Ashley Abernathy makes you happy!?
“It was just amazing, really cool, to think that a rock star would’ve recorded a song for me,? said Ashley, now 28. Her leukemia is still in remission.
As of this month, 33,647 children have received a Song of Love through the foundation.
Ashley Abernathy says her song still resonates with her.
“I love listening to it,? she said.
You can purchase this song on iTunes.
You can listen to the song below.