The one and only “Diamond Dave” brought his 27-date solo tour to Huber Heights, Ohio at Rose Music Center on a warm, humid evening, along with support from California rockers Eagles Of Death Metal.
Although, best known as the original frontman of Van Halen (circa 1974-1985, 1996, 2007-2020 with seven albums recorded), iconic vocalist David Lee Roth’s solo career is also noteworthy—having hit songs in the ‘80s with four of his eight albums reaching Gold and Platinum.
On Tuesday, June 9, Roth gave the crowd a two-hour classic Van Halen performance, with a setlist that included: “Mean Street,” “Jump,” “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love,” “Little Dreamer,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” “Unchained,” “Everybody Wants Some,” “Dance The Night Away,” and many more.
During songs, between songs, and to introduce songs, Roth dove deep into impromptu self-proclaimed “Diamond Dave Hot Tub Time Machine” tangents and ramblings, including stories and comments about: his birth name, his age, fast cars, relationships, audience sizes, touring, cats, dogs and “peace, love and weapons.”
Before performing a cover of John Brim’s “Ice Cream Man,” he reflected on a memory about him and the late great legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen (Roth referred to him as Ed): Writing music with an unplugged electric guitar while sitting together, close enough to touch knees, smoking one cigarette.
With a grief tone, Roth rhetorically asked the crowd: “We really do miss him, don’t we?”
The standout full band, with a quartet of backup singers, vigorously supported 71-year-old Roth as his hesitant vocals often waned; but, Roth’s fun, youthful energy and spirit was present under the bright spotlight as he occasionally took swigs of a dark beverage.
Opening the evening was ever talented garagabilly hard rockers Eagles Of Death Metal.
Eleven years ago the band was performing live in Paris when three terrorists entered the sold-out Bataclan theatre, opening fire and killing 90 at their show.
Aside from a 2019 album of cover songs, Eagles Of Death Metal haven’t released a new studio album since that 2015 tour; however, they will perform in 23 cities this summer to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of their Death By Sexyalbum.
With a joyous wide smile, lead vocalist Jesse Hughes exclaimed: “I can’t believe we are opening for David Lee Roth!,” after rocking “I Only Want You” from their 2004 debut album: Peace, Love, Death Metal.
During “Cherry Cola,” Hughes’ wife Phoenix stepped on stage in the background and the recently wed couple sung a few parts together.
Before closing their brief 30-minute set—which was one of two shows with Roth—Hughes told the crowd, “We love rock and roll, and rock and roll loves us, and rock and roll loves you,” followed by performing a superb version of David Bowie’s 1971 song “Moonage Daydream,” laced with an exceptional guitar solo.
Tour Dates
https://davidleeroth.com/tour/
DAVID LEE ROTH (click to enlarge)
EAGLES OF DEATH METAL
Love the photos
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