David Lee Roth’s latest illustrations go back to the time his brief stint as FM radio morning show host went cold while his reunion with Van Halen was about to finally catch fire.
Roth’s illustrations begin with a depiction of himself attached to a ball and chain talking into a microphone. Alongside “New York” in big bold colored letters are the complaints and demands of management: “Why can’t you be more like Stern…”, “Play Nickelback” and “He’s playing ethnic music again!!”
In 2006 Roth replaced Howard Stern, who left terrestrial radio and moved to Sirius Satellite Radio. The David Lee Roth Show, produced by CBS Radio, was based out of WFNY-FM in New York City and aired in seven markets from January 3rd to April 21st of 2006. CBS abruptly pulled the plug on the show resulting in a lawsuit.
Roth’s illustration goes on to tell the rest of the story, including his eventual reunion with Van Halen: “I lasted 4 months,” he wrote alongside un upside down classic Van Halen logo. “The Van Halen lamp was re-lit…, On the road again.”
On the road again indeed. On January 24th, 2007 Billboard reported that Roth would rejoin Van Halen for a 40-date arena and amphitheater tour in mid-2007. And the rest is Van Halen history.
Below is Roth’s illustration series courtesy of his Twitter page:
David Lee Roth’s First Radio Show (1/3/06):
David Lee Roth Responds To Radio Show Cancellation (Fox News 2006):
Van Halen 2007 Reunion Press Conference (8/14/07):