Diamond David Lee Roth Aims to Sparkle: Spandex-clad, Aerial-bound Rocker Promotes New CD at Ground Zero

Aug. 27, 2003

It has been a rock and roll roller coaster ride for Bloomington, Indiana native David Lee Roth. It all started when he was convinced to leave the Real Ball Jets 30 years ago to join forces with brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen and their friend Michael Anthony in the band Broken Combs (Roth convinced them to change their name to Mammoth). Mammoth would eventually become Van Halen again at Roth‘s suggestion, Twelve years later in 1985, after the group rose to the top of the heavy metal world, Roth left to pursue a solo career.
You really can‘t say that Roth hasn‘t looked back, but one can say that he is still Dapper Dave, Dancin Dave, Dangerous Dave, or as his diehard fans like to refer to him Diamond Dave. Call him what you like, the bottom line is David Lee Roth is still the dynamic performer he was when he and Van Halen hit the big time 25 years ago.
He plans to prove that to his Northern Michigan fans when he visits Streeters Ground Zero Nightclub, September 3 for one show.
Roth is out touring in support of his sixth solo CD since leaving Van Halen. The CD titled “Diamond Dave,“ is the singer‘s first release in five years and features 14 tracks that is loaded with covers including Roth‘s rousing rendition of The Doors‚ “Soul Kitchen,“ as well as tunes from the Beatles, Hendrix, Savoy Brown and Steve Miller tunes. Roth has been known for doing covers and did several while with Van Halen and his first solo hit after leaving the group was the Beach Boys “California Girls.“ He offers no apologies for doing covers.
“I like doing covers,“ said Roth. “Like everyone else, when I stand in front of the mirror I imitate and sing songs from my favorite singers. I grew up admiring Morrison and the Beatles and I love singing their songs.“
Roth even does several Van Halen tunes during his live performances. A lawsuit he recently filed against the original band has left him mum on the subject of his former band mates. There had been speculation of a possible reunion of Roth and Van Halen. Eddie Van Halen had even hinted to it. But Eddie Van Halen has been battling cancer and now a divorce from his longtime wife actress Valerie Bertinelli. The Van Halen camp has been quiet on their future for the past 16 months.
“What I will say is this -- I play Van Halen music religiously,“ said Roth. “It is not like riding a bike, it is something you have to play routinely. People expect me to perform them and I believe it is the reason why I still have a job.“
There is current speculation that the group might reunite next year at the Rock and Roll Hall Fame induction ceremony. Van Halen is eligible for induction in 2004, and many critics feel they are a lock to be inducted.
“Okay, here is how I feel about it; I don‘t care about what a person drinks, what drugs they are dating or even what their sexual orientation,“ said Roth. “For me that is just gossip. I think what you should do is shut you mouth, plug in your guitar and play. It is that simple just shut up and play.“
While the future of Van Halen remains uncertain, Roth continues to manage just fine without the band he help lead to the top. He continues to be a sought-after headliner, playing large venues and festivals. He even shocked the music world last year when he toured North America with his Van Halen replacement Sammy Hagar. Yet the tour didn‘t go as well as planned.
“I think Sam came out to prove something last year and he came up a little bit short,“ said Roth. “I don‘t consider Sam as a colleague, and I think he has always had a competitive angle when it has come to me. Despite all of that I think we all had a great time last year including everyone in his band. Right now though my focus is on my current tour and CD.“
Reviews to date have been positive for Roth‘s current tour. His band features the blistering guitar work of Brian Young, who impersonated guitarist Eddie Van Halen in a popular VH-tribute band known as the Atomic Punks, and joining them is longtime Roth-band drummer Ray Luzier, former White Lion bassist James Lomenzo, and rhythm guitarist Toshi Hiketa.
Roth has always been flamboyant and a few days shy of his 48th birthday, nothing seems to have changed for the spandex wearing, aerial-bound vocalist.
“For me it has been about bringing the energy from within out and on to the stage,“ said Roth. “I am still having fun and don‘t plan to quit now.“
Critics have pointed to Roth‘s often-intoxicated state as a determent to his live performance, charging that he forgets lyrics and is often lethargic on stage. Yet his current “Tour of the Worlds“ has been without incident and Roth seems to be back to his old showman ways. Jumping off drum risers and performing martial arts type kicks while dancing across the stage, Roth will perform several of his signature Van Halen tunes along with his solo hits when he takes the stage at Streeters Ground Zero Nightclub stage Wednesday, September 3.
Tickets are $30 in advance and available at Streeters, if it isn‘t sold out tickets will be $36 at the door. Local vocalist Amanda Waggener returns to the area to open for Roth. Waggener has been in Detroit pursuing a label deal. For additional show information call Streeters at (231) 932-1300