Diamond Dave Live at the Unive

For the last decade, every time “Diamond” David Lee Roth has played a homecoming show, it’s been at a smaller venue such as House of Blues or as part of a package, such as the Sam and Dave tour with Sammy Hagar. So headlining the Universal Amphitheater on his own (Edgar Winter opened, but few were there to see him) was a triumphant return of sorts, and Dave took full advantage of the spotlight. And as my friend said to me mid-way through the concert, “There no one who loves or deserves the spotlight more than Dave.”

Playing a two-hour-plus set of Van Halen classics and solo chestnuts, Roth seemed like he coulda played all night long. From the opening drums frenzy of “Hot For Teacher” to the closing leap off the drum riser on the encore of “Jump,” the blonde-maned lion roared with enthusiasm and glee to a packed house. More than capably backed by a two-guitar strong, five-piece band, Dave bumped and grinded his way through all the hits and more, from “Unchained” to “Yankee Rose,” “Dance the Night Away” to “Just Like Paradise,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love” to “Mean Streets,” it was hitsville all the way, daddy-o. The crowd went typically apeshit for “Running’ With the Devil,” “Ice Cream Man” and “You Really Got Me,” but seemed just as delighted by fan favorites such as “And the Cradle Will Rock” and “Everybody Wants Some.” Unlike his last coupla tours, where he pretty much stuck to the VH catalogue, this time around Dave threw in both “Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody” and “California Girls,” both crowd-pleasers, of course. Even his cover of Steve Miller’s “Shoo Bop,” from the new Diamond Dave album, drew enthusiastic response, and that would normally be beer-refill time if ever there was one. But the crowd stuck with their hero.

And hero he is. Because as Eddie withers away in his lavish Mulholland Drive mansion, Michael jams with Sammy and Atomic Punks and Big Al retires, Dave is the only member of the original outfit that is out there rockin’ and givin’ the people what they want: a mean, lean, down and dirty, kick ass rock ‘n’ roll show just like back in ’78. Once a year so, Dave dons the leather pants (and/or spandex), throws on the cowboy boots, grabs the band, some midgets and a coupla tour buses full of Jack Daniels and hits the road to remind people what a rock show is supposed to be all about. Energetic, fun, physical, rowdy, sexy and full of laughs, Diamond Dave still knows how to party and we’re still all invited. He still kicks high, still gets high, and still reaches for the stars at very show. And ain’t that what living is all about?

STEVEOKLY - 4/20/2006 1:12:14 AM
DAVID LEE ROTH RULES HES THE GREATEST BUY ALL OF HIS MUSIC THIS WILL BRING HIM BACK TO ALL THE RECORD STORES AND MTV DAVE DESERVES YOUR SUPPORT ROCK ON DAVE

wanda - 4/27/2004 4:14:40 PM
Dear Dave my company is on stike which has given me time to evaluate my life. YOu have remand in cognito for years and i wonder just how you are doing. I always wanted to know why you wore those dog tags I was born in Camp Lele Jeune N.C. when my father served as a Marine. When i saw the dog tag i thought you served or your relatives I have desired to make contact with you I have brown wavy hair blue eyes medium build with a little dog as a dependant I know you once had place in Libonia so it would be convenient for us to get acqueainted. I have an email but i am using my friends computer if possible could you send me a normal address. Wanda Lee Walker 879 Chatham St. East Windsor, Ontario, Canada n9a-2x8 519 973-0584 Appreciative Wanda Lee Walker

snoviper - 9/20/2003 5:17:25 PM
I'll say it again...if you are An OLDER VAN HALEN Fan, Don't miss Dave on this tour...he is much better this time around than he was in many cities on the Sam and Dave Tour last summer....I thought it rocked, and again it was great hearing all those VH classics LIVE and LOUD!!!!!! ...I like Sammy too....but Van Hagar was not as good as the original...period.

crabfan1 - 9/16/2003 9:46:16 AM
I'd rather smoke a doob with Sammy in Cabo than drink Jack with Dave at the Rainbow any day. Hagar is the man.

AlmostHuman1 - 9/15/2003 5:17:32 PM
I dig Dave...I also dig Sammy...I happen to dig Dave's stuff a bit more. As for the detractors here-nobody should be surpried that a gaping anus like Angusrules is floating around...this board is loaded with assholes that put down all the bands wether they be glam,hard rock,death or thrash...there will be some limp wristed asshole there to put it down. A.H.

Imotorhead - 9/15/2003 1:06:48 PM
Oh what the hell, I just saw that DLR is coming to Arizona at the Fort McDowell Casino on Oct 4th for only $25 all general admission. This happens to be the same day that ASU plays USC (U suck cock) in football. O=What a great day it will be after kicking USC's ass all over the place, I'll get to see DLR at the casino, then gamble the night away. I saw DLR with Sammy Hager last year and the showed rocked. It will be nice to hear some of his solo stuff (Just A Gigolo). Hells bells of a night it will be for me. And for all you USC fans out there, you can't spell suck without USC!!!

joe_roberts - 9/14/2003 1:32:55 PM
Hey there anusrules, you're finding Roth fans here because this is a Roth newsboard. You're obviously not a fan so you shouldn't even fuckin' be here. Get lost, dicktard!

Stickman - 9/14/2003 3:07:58 AM
Dave's coming over to the UK in October better get me tickets quick.......Bring it on Dave.

parasite74 - 9/13/2003 1:35:14 PM
Just saw DLR live this week in Pookeepsie, New York and it was a fuckin' great show!!!!!

Formula44DD - 9/12/2003 2:15:24 PM
Yeah- Angus is sure kicking ass these days with his shcool boy shorts at what age- give me a break there angusrules- lol

angusrules - 9/12/2003 6:38:13 AM
when did the roth fan club start running knac? enough of this has been stuck in the past i used to sing in Van Halen singer! it's over and has been for years but if he wants to go around as a vegas act fine just don't act like your still the star you were in 1984. as ed and alex they were and are van halen and can do what they want including not making any music, but what's realy sad is that roth has so little talent of his own he sings almost all vh. material and covers and not songs from his solo cd's, could this be because they suck so bad? as far as Sammy doing vh stuff sure he does some but he has a ton of solo hits that still sound good 20yrs. or more latter unlik roth. a roth vh reunion would be an embarassment to the vh legacy, just listen to the 2 roth tunes on the greatest hits, great music but the worst lyrics and vocals ever!

PresidentLouis - 9/11/2003 9:47:38 PM
I was at this show, drunk off my ass, and Dave kicked ass! First class entertainment all the way. I went to the Anaheim show in June as well. Both were fantastic. Anytime he's in the area I'll be there.

webmeister - 9/11/2003 8:11:01 PM
Hey Dave may look a little rough around the edges, but can the man still put on a show? The last VH show I went to I fell asleep. Eddie hasn't done shit but bitch about Sammy's work ethic, but Sammy's been putting out albums and touring. EVH is history, which is why there'll never be a reunion. Just put on your old VH albums, crank up the stereo as loud as it can get, smoke a bong and close your eyes, 'cause that's as close as you'll ever get to a VH reunion tour.

Exsgt33 - 9/11/2003 5:02:04 PM
Diamond Dave rules, but his new CD blows!

blacksabbs - 9/11/2003 5:00:06 PM
Diamond dave is a has been. Even though I missed the last show.

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