David Lee Roth “ Nothing Could Have Stopped Us Back Then Anyway”

[Frumious B]

A very moving tribute to classic Van Halen and a paean to youthful invincibility.

[Mr. Holland]

A very moving tribute to classic Van Halen and a paean to youthful invincibility.

I appreciate the message. But that's about it.

[Frumious B]

I appreciate the message. But that's about it.

I mean, it’s not “Step Beyond”, but…

Seriously though, I like DLR in this acousticy singer/songwriter mold. It suits his older voice and there is apparently a whole album he did in the can with John 5 that he has been drip feeding track by track for the past couple of years. I’ve always loved the dude’s way with words.

Obviously, some of it is down to how you feel about VH in general. To me Van Halen was more the spiritual successor to The Beach Boys than they were a hard rock band like Sabbath or Zeppelin or a proto-hair metal band. They did joyful, tuneful songs with cars and girls that embodied an idealized picture or Southern California. So a retrospective, nostalgic look back at that ideal really hits the spot for me.

[Frumious B]

Similar in spirit to this track from 1988 recorded with Steve Vai:

[luna65]

I’ve always loved the dude’s way with words.

Yeah Dave is a haphazard performer, but he does have a very unique way with lyrics and catch phrases and all that sort of thing. His vocalizing style backed it up in terms of tone and feel. And Van Halen is embedded into my adolescence in a way which is wholly indicative of being a SoCal native, the same goes for Oingo Boingo and some hair metal bands in my college years.

[Soundchaser]

Van Halen is about as dear to me as Yes is. Thing is with DLR; he keeps running his mouth over his song writing for the band, while it was obvous that Eddie called the shots musically. I always liked Dave's lyrical talent, which has more depth than Sammy Hagar. Yet, I find it somewhat disturbing when Dave is claiming things he did for VH. Lately he said that the iconic red / white / black striping was his idea for Eddie to use. This song is more respectful. Now I hope that the Tribute to Van Halen live show(s) can take place, without that egomaniac attitude, that aggrovated Wolfgang van Halen very much.

[Mr. Holland]

I mean, it’s not “Step Beyond”, but…

Seriously though, I like DLR in this acousticy singer/songwriter mold. It suits his older voice and there is apparently a whole album he did in the can with John 5 that he has been drip feeding track by track for the past couple of years. I’ve always loved the dude’s way with words.

Obviously, some of it is down to how you feel about VH in general. To me Van Halen was more the spiritual successor to The Beach Boys than they were a hard rock band like Sabbath or Zeppelin or a proto-hair metal band. They did joyful, tuneful songs with cars and girls that embodied an idealized picture or Southern California. So a retrospective, nostalgic look back at that ideal really hits the spot for me.

I do like Van Halen a lot. Wouldn't say I'm a massive fan, but there's plenty I like. And yes, the acoustic environment suits his older voice (al though I still think it sounds kind of shot). I just don't think it's a very good song, not a very good composition.

[JMKUSA]

I doubt the EVH tribute tour will ever materialize. Too many egos, sadly.

But DLR sounds good on that song. It suits his
voice. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have an amazing voice like he did and lose much of it to age. He should still sing like this.

[Mr. Holland]

I doubt the EVH tribute tour will ever materialize. Too many egos, sadly.

But DLR sounds good on that song. It suits his
voice. I can’t imagine what it would be like to have an amazing voice like he did and lose much of it to age. He should still sing like this.

I think Diamond Dave was an amazing frontman, probably one of the best Rock has ever seen. However I have never regarded him an amazing singer. Even back in the day in a live setting it sometimes left a lot to be desired . Hagar was and is far better vocalist from a technical and range point of view. But Dave has earned his stripes for sure.

[luna65]

Lately he said that the iconic red / white / black striping was his idea for Eddie to use.

Well, given that Dave and Pete Angelus were responsible for a lot of visual elements of the band I could see it as a bit of an exaggeration, but it could be possible. But there's also a theory that Ed actually borrowed the idea from Chip Kinman of the Dils (another local band of the time).

[RelayerI]

I like that.

With regard to Dave's singing I'm reminded of a quote about teachers that goes something like "Better to have a teacher that can convey all they know than the greatest expert that can't pass it on".

Dave wasn't ever the greatest vocalist, but he delivered like no other.

[Old Frothingslosh]

I really have enjoyed these acoustic songs Dave's released. These are from his collaboration with John 5 several years ago. John has been trying to get Dave to release this forever.

[Ash Armstrong]

Saw them on their first UK tour in June 1978 when they supported Black Sabbath. That was quite a night.
As was often the case they let the fans who'd waited in backstage after about an hour. Got my Sabbath anniversary programme signed.
Van Halen toured the UK again in the summer of 1980, as headliners this time. Still playing city concert halls and theatres. I got a backstage pass from the Warner Bros rep via my local record shop: the proprietor's wife didn't want to go so I had her ticket. It was Mike Anthony's birthday, so there was a bit of a party. Roth was very drunk, Eddie was almost deaf but great to talk to.

[Davy]

Van Halen is about as dear to me as Yes is. Thing is with DLR; he keeps running his mouth over his song writing for the band, while it was obvous that Eddie called the shots musically. I always liked Dave's lyrical talent, which has more depth than Sammy Hagar. Yet, I find it somewhat disturbing when Dave is claiming things he did for VH. Lately he said that the iconic red / white / black striping was his idea for Eddie to use. This song is more respectful. Now I hope that the Tribute to Van Halen live show(s) can take place, without that egomaniac attitude, that aggrovated Wolfgang van Halen very much.

Dave said he basically wrote the first album. No doubt recollections among the band members differ, but I actually believe he thinks he did. AFAIK no one has contradicted him.