The Tao of DLR: 10 Classic Quotes from David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth is one of rock’s greatest frontman and, overall, one of music’s most unique characters.
David Lee Roth is one of rock's greatest frontman and, overall, one of music's most unique characters.
When he's on stage, he's the ultimate showman. When he's off stage and talking with the press, he walks a line between brilliant and insane. One minute, he takes off on a stream of consciousness that convinces you he's not all there. Then he'll throw out a surprising one-liner that'll make you think, "Holy s---...Diamond Dave's has been smarter than all of us this whole time."
Roth will often release his "stream of consciousness" moments on YouTube nowadays. Back in February, he released a clip about his music video for "California Girls." Roth, of course, released his cover of the Beach Boys classic in 1985. The cover was featured on the EP Crazy from the Heat. That EP title would be recycled by Roth as the title of his 1997 autobiography.
Roth reflected in the video, "On a personal note: I feel fairly confident saying that these were some of the best times in my life, not the times on stage that my dad most envied about me. These were probably the moments everyone else's dad envied most about my life, and looking back now, even I envy me."
It's comments like that that set DLR apart from most rock figures, both past and present. During his heyday, Roth was one of rock's biggest stars because he was fronting one of the biggest bands in the world. Plus, not enough can be said about his stage presence. How could you not love those high kicks and toe touches?! Even today, he's often more interesting than most "current" lead singers in rock. Then again, who else could really replicate his unique brand of madness?
In honor of years of zaniness, let's wish a happy birthday to the one, the only David Lee Roth by looking back at these ten quotes attributed to him.
On excessive pride...
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - MARCH 01: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY) David Lee Roth of Van Halen performs at Madison Square Garden on March 1, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
On the importance of appearance...
Bennett Raglin/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: David Lee Roth speaks onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images)
On making a lasting impression...
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: David Lee Roth speaks onstage during the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS)
On the critics...
David Becker/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 27: Singer David Lee Roth of Van Halen performs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 27, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
On how music and love share similarities...
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 17: Singer David Lee Roth of Van Halen performs during the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
On fitness...
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 12: David Lee Roth attends the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center on September 12, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for MTV/ ViacomCBS)
On money and happiness...
Rachel Murray/Getty ImagesBEVERLY HILLS, CA - SEPTEMBER 07: David Lee Roth performs onstage at The Brent Shapiro Foundation Summer Spectacular at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 7, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rachel Murray/Getty Images for The Brent Shapiro Foundation)
On life's greatest challenges...
Rich Polk/Getty ImagesINGLEWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 03: Recording artist David Lee Roth attends The Ultimate Fan Experience, Call Of Duty XP 2016, presented by Activision, at The Forum on September 3, 2016 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Activision)
On vices...
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 17: Singer David Lee Roth of Van Halen attends the 2015 Billboard Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 17, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
On sex...
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 04: David Lee Roth performs onstage at Staples Center on March 04, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for ABA)
