I've really come to appreciate Roth more and more over the years. Listening to the interview he did with Rogan, I was transfixed. He's eccentric, but he's such an interesting and seemingly genuine guy that it's hard not to like him.
Diamond Dave is an absolute hero of mine. In fact, he gets a nostalgic mention in my article later today, but the closest I came to meeting him was him sailing over my head on a suspended surfboard at the Birmingham NEC, circa 1989. (Skyscraper tour).
Another great story, Lori. What I can never forget is how athletic he was. Those leaps were outrageous. Loved the Dom and Mickey Ds combo gift -- what a priceless anecdote.
When Dave made his first solo album, the Sunday magazine of my newspaper in NY had such high expectations that they sent me to LA to do a cover story. Dave kept delaying, I was staying at the Beverly Hilton, full expense account for more than a week. I talked to Ted Templeman about signing Van Halen. He said it was a rainy Monday night, and the club you mentioned was empty. But, he told me, Van Halen put out like they were playing for 60,000 people at Anaheim Stadium. He signed them on the spot.
I got into Van Halen the way a lot of 80s kids did-through their monster lp '1984'+ a string of well-done videos.Then I started exploring.I found a used record club cassette of 'Van Halen 2' and proceeded to play the f*** out of it.My best friend in high school somehow managed to shoplift the vinyl version of 'Diver Down's from a local Kash'N'Karry.Don't ask me how he managed to sneak a full size record under his shirt and out the door unnoticed.Musta been his baby face.The two of us saw Van Halen Mark 2(with Sammy Hagar) at a Monsters of Rock show in Tampa.Just not the same without Diamond Dave,plus we had to endure 20 minutes of half-assed Hagar tunes.Metallica blew them away quite handily.They wouldn't have,had Dave still been fronting.Sigh.Good times.
Lori - did you ever go to the 00 club? It was an after-hours place DLR owned. He employed a few of my friends as bartenders. It had a private club type vibe - pay $5 to get in and then all the beers you could drink. Stiv Bators & I would go there all the time. Dave drew no lines about musical genres - a true appreciation of just MUSIC. And a cool dude
Gosh no! I only went to Wongs, Anti Club, Perkins Palace, Godzilla's and Cathay as far as underground went. I missed out on the Seven Seas, Scream and Starwood. I bet you have amazing stories of 00 I'm so intrigued !
I always wanted to hear him do a blues album, maybe an acoustic one. Loved Ice Cream Man and the acoustic thing VH did on Women and Children First. With a proper blues guitarist as collaborator, not some metal guitarist playing blues cliches.
One night I walked out of my office in downtown Chicago on a weeknight. My wife was home with the little kids. It was about 9 pm. David Lee Roth was playing at the House of Blues, just over the bridge, a block away. I thought: "I'll go back into the lobby, get $100 out of the cash machine, walk over to the HOB, and I bet someone will sell me a scalped ticket." But... I couldn't leave my wife alone with the kids after a long day. I bet it was a great show.
The Dom Perignon and a booklet of McDonalds gift certificates is a hilarious gift. It's as if he was trying to say, live it up, but stay grounded.
I mean it seemed to express his quirky personality for certain!
I've really come to appreciate Roth more and more over the years. Listening to the interview he did with Rogan, I was transfixed. He's eccentric, but he's such an interesting and seemingly genuine guy that it's hard not to like him.
Same. Heard that interview and I was blown away.
Love this! And DLR. He is the *only* Van Halen vocalist, as far as I'm concerned.
I second that emo!
Oh am I jealous, Lori!
Diamond Dave is an absolute hero of mine. In fact, he gets a nostalgic mention in my article later today, but the closest I came to meeting him was him sailing over my head on a suspended surfboard at the Birmingham NEC, circa 1989. (Skyscraper tour).
Fabulous article, Lori!
Another great story, Lori. What I can never forget is how athletic he was. Those leaps were outrageous. Loved the Dom and Mickey Ds combo gift -- what a priceless anecdote.
Yea as much alcohol and drugs he took he was fit.
When Dave made his first solo album, the Sunday magazine of my newspaper in NY had such high expectations that they sent me to LA to do a cover story. Dave kept delaying, I was staying at the Beverly Hilton, full expense account for more than a week. I talked to Ted Templeman about signing Van Halen. He said it was a rainy Monday night, and the club you mentioned was empty. But, he told me, Van Halen put out like they were playing for 60,000 people at Anaheim Stadium. He signed them on the spot.
Hell yess!
I got into Van Halen the way a lot of 80s kids did-through their monster lp '1984'+ a string of well-done videos.Then I started exploring.I found a used record club cassette of 'Van Halen 2' and proceeded to play the f*** out of it.My best friend in high school somehow managed to shoplift the vinyl version of 'Diver Down's from a local Kash'N'Karry.Don't ask me how he managed to sneak a full size record under his shirt and out the door unnoticed.Musta been his baby face.The two of us saw Van Halen Mark 2(with Sammy Hagar) at a Monsters of Rock show in Tampa.Just not the same without Diamond Dave,plus we had to endure 20 minutes of half-assed Hagar tunes.Metallica blew them away quite handily.They wouldn't have,had Dave still been fronting.Sigh.Good times.
Pretty slick move getting that vinyl out! Yea I never was fond of the "Red Rocker" myself! Thanks for sharing!!
You're very welcome.I look forward to reading more from you.Cheers!
Lori - did you ever go to the 00 club? It was an after-hours place DLR owned. He employed a few of my friends as bartenders. It had a private club type vibe - pay $5 to get in and then all the beers you could drink. Stiv Bators & I would go there all the time. Dave drew no lines about musical genres - a true appreciation of just MUSIC. And a cool dude
Gosh no! I only went to Wongs, Anti Club, Perkins Palace, Godzilla's and Cathay as far as underground went. I missed out on the Seven Seas, Scream and Starwood. I bet you have amazing stories of 00 I'm so intrigued !
I always wanted to hear him do a blues album, maybe an acoustic one. Loved Ice Cream Man and the acoustic thing VH did on Women and Children First. With a proper blues guitarist as collaborator, not some metal guitarist playing blues cliches.
One night I walked out of my office in downtown Chicago on a weeknight. My wife was home with the little kids. It was about 9 pm. David Lee Roth was playing at the House of Blues, just over the bridge, a block away. I thought: "I'll go back into the lobby, get $100 out of the cash machine, walk over to the HOB, and I bet someone will sell me a scalped ticket." But... I couldn't leave my wife alone with the kids after a long day. I bet it was a great show.
I have found concerts I attended on YouTube, it is possible some of that gig is up there.
Alex Van Halen is an underrated drummer
McDonald's gift certificate booklets. God I miss those.
Diamond Dave may be outrageous sometimes but he is extremely talented, smart, and captivating!!
Love this story!!
I appreciate david lee roths adventurous spirit
Like climbing mountains and traipsing through the jungle with the jungle studs and the music of course.
Living life to the fullest!
I always liked him. Not really my kind of music but he was an ace performer. Thank you Lori.❤️