Video of David Lee Roth Residency

The videos are in! Now we can enjoy first clips of David Lee Roth at his Las Vegas residency. Diamond Dave is performing at the House of Blues. The setlist is below. From the clips, it looked like Roth was kind of having a rough night but he was still having fun. Online comments for some of these are brutal.

1. You Really Got Me
2. Big Train
3. Unchained
4. Just Like Paradise
5. Atomic Punk
6. Dance The Night Away
7. Mean Street
8. California Girls
9. Tobacco Road
10. Jamie's Cryin'
11. Beautiful Girls
12. Panama
13. Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love
14. Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody
15. Jump

Comments

[Gallogs]

WOW! My favorite VH song, Unchained, just butchered. I WAS excited when it was announced that Dave was opening for KISS. Now, not so much.

[Steverox]

I mean ... what to say? Love Dave ... this is terrible. Band sounds good I guess.

[Him]

Rough is putting it nicely.

Yes, Steverox, the band does sound good. And Dave is passable on "Ain't Talking About Love" because he, for the most part, avoids the yelps and such. He does seem to be having a good time. So there's that too.

Here's the thing: bought tickets for the last night in March. And I am still excited to go. I saw Dave at the HoB back in the "flowing hair-plug," sequin suit, and pole as a stand-in for the sword, days. Then, as now, he was in great shape . . . for his age. Crotch-placed Jack was dutifully launched. Stories were told. His voice was, well, then and always, an acquired taste.

As a card carrying fan boy, I get the vitriol being launched in DLR's direction. But I also wonder if some of these keyboard jockeys are really thinking things through: this is the HoB, not the Joint, or some other large venue. Dave is talking too much?!?! Really? Everyone remembers the day when he was soft-spoken and people had pull a comment out of him. Dave doesn't sound good? Again, really? And he sounded so sweet and lovely on the last Van Halen tour.

So why go? Well, there are a host of reasons. First, still love his banter. Always have. Second, I am going back to a venue where I had a great night and believe that I will again, even if the rose tint on my glasses must be adjusted. Third, I am going to guess this is one of the last times I will (get to) see him. I want to get one final look at the Diamond One with some good friends.

Like I said, he sounds waaaaay worse than just rough. He is a spent shell when it comes to being a vocalist. But he still has that "thing" that made Dave Dave back in the day. Those cringing at his antics need to go back and watch earlier stuff. Seriously, do it. He was doing the same sorts of things . . . but just a bit better in his 20s, 30s, and so on. But it is now an old guy doing it. That rictus grin was there at the US Festival. Now it is just presented on older skin, lacking the collagen and pluck of youth that made it seem so pleasing.

As is often said here: the market decides these things. And everyone who is spitting venom because DLR is doing this and fans are going to watch it has every right to do so. But, for some of us (and we all pick our spots), seeing a legend is seeing a legend. That happened with Elvis (whom DLR dutifully name-checked, as it was his birthday). I will have a good time, critics be damned. And I know that DLR will too. Is that tunnel-vision? Yup. But what a tunnel!

Finally, to quote a famous philosopher: "My karma just ran over your dogma.
I can feel your pain. If everything is coming your way, you're facing the wrong lane."

[Kixchix]

Well said previous commenters.

It’s Dave. I’d be more perturbed at the production (or lack there of) for this event in Vegas. There is none. The voice is expected. As is the DLR banter before during and after songs. Is he having fun? When does he not “seem” to be ? He’s a showman. Remember the video of him crashing a hotel room bachelor party playing VH loud? He knocks on the door and they think it’s grandpa complaining. That’s a show! ...and Dave keeps smilin’

I think Dave would better serve himself as a large scale lounge act. Maybe pull a Rod Stewart by covering some “classics”. He already has a bunch with California, Gigolo, You Really Got Me Etc. Bring out the furniture and engage the audience with the DLR style. I think what lacks in this first show is creative effort to give people theirs money’s worth. That is what sucks.

[Bkallday]

I may be a mere “keyboard jockey” but I’ll agree with the majority. What a shame! These days he sings the songs completely different than the original versions, & is quite honestly, a nut(you have an excuse when you’re young, now not so much). So I have no issues with anyone that wouldn’t wanna pay to see this mess. Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing to the brand, at a minimum! How about singing the songs like they were meant to be sung, instead of giving us the crappy, jazzy, elevator versions? & calm down on the antics, you’re damn near 70 now. Then the songs will be better and the fans may actually even be able to recognize what songs they’re doing. But for those that are happy just to see a living, breathing DLR, regardless of all else, be my guest!

[fletch]

you're facing the wrong way, not lane, Him.

I still don't know why he doesn't use pumped in vocals and lip-sync. Leave his hoots and yelps for the stage.

I know, I know. It has to be live, authentic, right before your naked steaming eyes.

Paul Stanley lip-syncs, Bon Jovi lip syncs. Madonna has been lipping it since she was five. or right after her virgin tour.

even, as I type...Elton john is wondering...

[Him]

Bkallday, you are no mere "keyboard jockey." Even when we spar (which we don't anymore), you usually bring a bit more sauce to the table. And you are invested in his music; you have an opinion. So I am glad you shared it. Besides, I think all of us will mourn the loss of DLR when that time comes. Keyboard jockeys don't, in my opinion, seem to care or think about things that much. Moreover, they often spout on bands and topics about which they have limited knowledge. The moment you challenge them to clarify, or to respond, they seep back into the wallpaper in their mom's basement, content to share a Cheese Doodle or two with their best friend, Mr. Mittens. Then, with a slight pause and a look back and forth, they turn their attention to their other friend, Mr. Sock.

Fletch, you say way, I say lane. Let's call the whole thing off. And there was certainly some 'sweetening' going on in some of those songs. Just not when it came to Dave's voice.

Kixchix, I would love if he tried doing that again. And I say again because the last time it flopped like a carp. Remember 1995, when he enlisted Edgar Winter to help him bring 'something new' to the Strip at Bally's? My only regret is that I didn't get to see it. And that is a sparse stage show, granted. But the HoB isn't really a big venue and the stage isn't really that large either. I've seen several acts there--DLR, Billy Idol, etc.--and none of them really adorned the space. Speaking of which, the prices for GA are fair by Vegas standards (70 or so) and for seating not that much more (120). I'd even go so far as to say that the VIP tiers, all of them, are priced competitively. So I think, by most measures, you are getting what you pay for . . . if that is what you want to pay to see (which I do, and did, and will).

[fletch]

Him: I've been viewing videos of his second night in Vegas and he appears to have overcome some of his (putting it mildly) "opening night jitters". Sounds much better.

If you really are planning on seeing him in Vegas, we might've been able to meet, but alas, I won't be there. I was planning on going and even had a buddy to go with. We were going to go for the week and see three shows. He's not a huge fan, but he loves to drink and gamble...and has never been to Vegas. It's on his bucket list, but he never had anyone to go with him, for one reason or another. Once the residency was announced, I asked my wife for permission to go out that week (with said buddy) as my Christmas present. I know, I know...I'm Atheist, why celebrate Christmas. I celebrate the season, and the deeper meaning of giving and charity.

I'll put myself on a pedestal for a moment and reveal that every year (despite my Atheism) for the past 20 years, I've sponsored a needy family through the Local Child Protective Service Office. I badgered (I mean asked) family and friends to donate and often raised well over $1000 to provide the family with presents (and gift cards to restaurants and grocery stores). I was again contacted by the agency to sponsor a family and I respectfully declined. Why? Well, to put it mildly, this past year SUCKED!!!! I won't get into details, but my friends and family know full well what I mean. I was also completely and utterly disgusted by politics and simply wasn't in any type of mood for charity work or kindness. When I was asked whether I was sponsoring a family this year, I had a biting reply, "No, I've decided to turn Republican this Christmas. Survival of the fittest. Help yourself first. Screw others.". But, I digress.

The Buddy I was planning on going with happened to be a "kid" I use to mentor way back. He's actually just a few years younger that me. I mentioned him on here in the past. He looked me up on facebook and we've reconnected. Anyway, as I was planning the trip and looking at air/hotel/car packages, I got a call from said Buddy. He can't make it to Vegas for a stint of DLR shows and needed to back out. You see, he has another friend who has decided to get married in Vegas in June. He doesn't have the Vacation time or funds to go both weeks, and therefore he was bailing on me. So much for everything I've done for him!!! What an INGRATE! I jest. We're still on great terms and we're soon going to see Bill Maher and David Lee Roth/kiss locally instead.

Maybe when David Lee Roth does another Vegas residency, we may meet, Him. Until then, enjoy the show and I cannot wait to read your review.

[fletch]

his folks are overjoyed.