Unmasking the Unrecognizable: Is This David Lee Roth in LA?
ROCK LEGEND SPOTTED IN L.A.!
Get ready for a dose of rock 'n' roll drama, folks! The one and only David Lee Roth, 70, was spotted out and about in Los Angeles last week, enjoying the scorching summer heat. But don't be fooled - this isn't your average A-list celebrity sighting. We're talking about the iconic lead vocalist of Van Halen, the hard rock band that took the world by storm in the 70s and 80s.
As we all know, Roth's tumultuous history with his former bandmates has made headlines for decades. But what's new is that he's back on tour, baby! That's right, folks - after announcing his retirement in 2021, Roth is set to kick off a summer tour on July 22nd in Paso Robles, California. And let me tell you, it's going to be BIG.
But before we dive into the juicy details of Roth's new tour, let's take a trip down memory lane. Born in Bloomington, Indiana in 1954, Roth moved to Pasadena, California with his family at the tender age of 15. It was there that he began to hone his craft as a performer, singing solo gigs and playing with local bands like Red Ball Jets.
But it wasn't until he met Eddie and Alex Van Halen, the brothers who would become his future bandmates in Van Halen, that Roth's star truly rose to fame. The group was formed in 1973 under the name Mammoth (which would later change to Van Halen), and Roth quickly became the face of the band.
As we all know, Roth left Van Halen in 1985, citing creative differences with his former bandmates. But the move proved to be a masterstroke - after releasing six solo studio albums, including the hit "Eat 'Em And Smile," Roth's popularity soared.
But let's get back to the present day... or should I say, the past week? When Roth was spotted out and about in Los Angeles, he was rocking a far-out ensemble consisting of dark brown overalls, a black shirt underneath, and a jaunty light green cap on his head. And let's not forget that colorful handkerchief around his neck - it's like he raided the closet of a 1970s rock star!
Of course, no discussion about David Lee Roth would be complete without mentioning the tragic loss of Eddie Van Halen in 2020. The guitarist and founding member of Van Halen passed away after a long battle with cancer, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in rock history.
But Roth hasn't let the passing of his former bandmate bring him down - instead, he's embracing his new chapter as a solo artist. And what better way to celebrate than by hitting the road and performing for thousands of adoring fans?
The summer tour kicks off on July 22nd and will take Roth to cities across the United States, including Tampa, Atlantic City, Kansas City, and San Diego. So mark your calendars, folks - it's going to be a wild ride!
In a recent interview with Howard Stern (which you can read all about in our sister publication), Roth opened up about his decision to leave Van Halen back in 1985. "Let's make something that's going to have some longevity to it, that has a little bit of shadow, and a little mystery," he said at the time.
And what about his favorite album? "That's the one that came 'no mind'; it happened because we played for years in the clubs and the bars," Roth explained. "When you go into the studio, it is so completely familiar... You're, what's the term in theatre? You're 'off-book.' You are so 'off-book' that you know it better than your home phone number."
Well, David Lee Roth may be 70 years young, but he's still rocking harder than ever. So grab your leather pants and get ready to party - it's going to be a summer of Van Halen proportions!
