I wasn't a big fan of "Diamond Dave" David Lee Roth before this show in 1988 but I left a true admirer. Anyone who works that hard for his audience, makes it that much fun and makes such a joyful noise it aces in my book. He'd split a couple years before from Van Halen and their great run of top hits.
Roth's flamboyant antics contrasted with Eddie Van Halen's technical wizardry on guitar. Roth put his own stamp on their mid-80's hits like "Panama", "Jump" and "Hot for Teacher". You can't hear those song without hearing DLR's voice stamped in your brain. His later solo hit cover's like "California Girls" and "just a Gigolo" returned him to huge commercial success.
On this tour Dave's recording and touring supergroup of Steve Vai (see photo) on guitar, Billy Sheehan on bass and Gregg Bissonette on drums was super-tight and didn't miss a beat without Eddie and crew. Roth's energy on stage commanded the audience as he ripped through hit after hit. But he often made room for Vai to step forefront in the same way he had for Eddie.
He worked his ass off on stage and few artist I ever shot in concert gave me more 'looks', more different images in the short three songs I got to shoot. He wasn't the worlds greatest rock singer but he was a marvel of an entertainer. You have to appreciate someone who is having so much fun doing what they love.
IN January 2006 Roth replaced Howard Stern's show on CBS but that didn't last but four months. In Spring of 2007 he and Van Halen bandmates were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and last fall they were finally able to rejoin and tour together for the first time since 1985. The tour has been a huge success. I think it was the #3 grossing tour of the year.
These and all my concert photographs are available to buy from my website artmeripol.com
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