DLR looks like is in rehearsals...

[Z28]

Watch his right hand in this video.

True, he has been doing that at least since 2004

[Bono Nettencourt]

Quit defending this Roth video, it’s embarrassing as hell.

I guess English isn't your 1st language.

[keyofgee]

i can see the right hand tremors, but its 2025. He will soon be 71 and still doing his thing. Winning. I sat in my bedroom as a kid in 1978 and was blown away by this guy and the others in the band when i shoved that 8 track tape into the player for the first time. Celebrate Dave, Celebrate.

[Hatchets Molly]

I think he's just a spaz. I'm no medical expert, so what do I know. Any recent interview footage where he's doing that or doing what appears to be hiding it with the pocket trick? I recall MJF saying that his meds worked pretty well during the Spin City days. Maybe Dave was on meds that aren't as effective with age or condition progression. Or, he's a spaz.

[woblinweebles]

I looked through a ton a pics of Dave through around the MTV fiasco. He never did that god damn stupid smile prior to that, then it became his "foot thing." I would imagine this is the face of someone in the electric chair.

I first noticed that weird smile thing in 94 when he was promoting Your Filthy Little Mouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVorO8GDHU

A year and a half later on the Tonight Show promoting his Vegas run, he got even weirder/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oanvleYlcqc

[FreddyFender]

........

[FreddyFender]

Pointing to the Rick Springfield thread, DLR is nearly 6 years younger, looks 10 years older and dresses like Leather Man from the Village People. Add the wacky behavior, and he's a clown. Rick can still write and sing, looks good, and doesn't look foolish in his choice of clothes. There IS a way to do it without looking like a buffoon. I looked through a ton a pics of Dave through around the MTV fiasco. He never did that god damn stupid smile prior to that, then it became his "foot thing." I would imagine this is the face of someone in the electric chair.

Rick dresses the same today as he did in the 80s. When did Rick Springfield ever dress like this?

[Hatchets Molly]

Pointing to the Rick Springfield thread, DLR is nearly 6 years younger, looks 10 years older and dresses like Leather Man from the Village People. Add the wacky behavior, and he's a clown. Rick can still write and sing, looks good, and doesn't look foolish in his choice of clothes. There IS a way to do it without looking like a buffoon. I looked through a ton a pics of Dave through around the MTV fiasco. He never did that god damn stupid smile prior to that, then it became his "foot thing." I would imagine this is the face of someone in the electric chair.

Rick dresses the same today as he did in the 80s. When did Rick Springfield ever dress like this?

That was my point. DLR is everything Rick isn't and looks foolish in his leather chaps and vest. Village People. 80s Rick was skinny ties and padded shoulders. 2025 Rick is jeans and tee shirts. Not the same.

[Jason Jennifer Leigh]

I don’t see anything wrong with it, old guy having fun, looking good and sounding like he should.

[Collapser]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qi2lSk1JkFA

No complaints about the voice. I know it's one song, but if he sounds like that, that's worth traveling for.

I hope I’m that mobile when I reach his age, but to be honest, his dancing and carrying on looks goofy and fruity as fuck.

[HueyRamone]

I first noticed that weird smile thing in 94 when he was promoting Your Filthy Little Mouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVorO8GDHU

It's not just the smile. He has this stiff, skinny-guy energy when he walks out, which is odd for a guy who was really mesomorphic in his heyday and could do the splits every which way.

[Hatchets Molly]

I first noticed that weird smile thing in 94 when he was promoting Your Filthy Little Mouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVorO8GDHU

It's not just the smile. He has this stiff, skinny-guy energy when he walks out, which is odd for a guy who was really mesomorphic in his heyday and could do the splits every which way.

[SterileEyes1]

I’m a Roth fan, I think criticism of his live performances between ‘07-‘15 is way overblown, I’m sure any shows he does with his band in the future will be fine…but these re-recordings are cringe and this video makes me straight up uncomfortable to watch.

Dude is notoriously private and this is what he decides to share with the world?

[Love_Industry]

I first noticed that weird smile thing in 94 when he was promoting Your Filthy Little Mouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVorO8GDHU

It's not just the smile. He has this stiff, skinny-guy energy when he walks out, which is odd for a guy who was really mesomorphic in his heyday and could do the splits every which way.

Yeah, he changed a lot in the mid 1990s. Haven't seen much of his Vegas shows, it sounded good but maybe it was visible already then. He was the coolest frontman for 15 years, but if his pre-YFLM career didn't exist, nobody would say that. At Sweden Rock in 1999 he tried to be the old Roth in his gold suit and a set full of classic VH, but in 88 and 91 it seemed natural for him to act like that even if all moves and oneliners were rehearsed, in 99 it seemed forced. Maybe he really wanted to be a Vegas act, ride ambulances and create books and movies, and not continue being Diamond Dave on stage back then.

Him and Halford used to be my favorite frontmen in the 80s, since they reunited with their respective bands both seem like there's an entirely different person up there. Has any other rock frontman changed that much? I mean changed not deteriorated, guys like Vince Neil, Ozzy and Paul Stanley are just older and weaker versions of the same person. JBJ or Axl maybe?

[keyofgee]

I first noticed that weird smile thing in 94 when he was promoting Your Filthy Little Mouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVorO8GDHU

It's not just the smile. He has this stiff, skinny-guy energy when he walks out, which is odd for a guy who was really mesomorphic in his heyday and could do the splits every which way.

Yeah, he changed a lot in the mid 1990s. Haven't seen much of his Vegas shows, it sounded good but maybe it was visible already then. He was the coolest frontman for 15 years, but if his pre-YFLM career didn't exist, nobody would say that. At Sweden Rock in 1999 he tried to be the old Roth in his gold suit and a set full of classic VH, but in 88 and 91 it seemed natural for him to act like that even if all moves and oneliners were rehearsed, in 99 it seemed forced. Maybe he really wanted to be a Vegas act, ride ambulances and create books and movies, and not continue being Diamond Dave on stage back then.

Him and Halford used to be my favorite frontmen in the 80s, since they reunited with their respective bands both seem like there's an entirely different person up there. Has any other rock frontman changed that much? I mean changed not deteriorated, guys like Vince Neil, Ozzy and Paul Stanley are just older and weaker versions of the same person. JBJ or Axl maybe?

I like judas priest but I cant stand watching halford read the teleprompt like a newspaper for every song. It just kills me. Plus his costumes are more not metal. even the studs are fake... I still like their music though.

[Hatchets Molly]

Instead of “look at all the people here tonight” he needs to run onstage and say “Never fear, Smith is here”.

Yes. Perfect.

[Gibsonite]

Instead of “look at all the people here tonight” he needs to run onstage and say “Never fear, Smith is here”.

Yes. Perfect.

[the_man_incognito]

I've been saying it for several years now, but I fully believe that Diamond Dave has Parkinson's and it has affected his voice and his hand movements. He often employs the hand in the pocket trick. Watch his right hand in this video.

Yeah, the wobbling right arm is VERY noticeable. I know people were thinking lung cancer when he said what he said about not being around after Eddie died, but maybe Parkinsons or some other nervous system/brain issue.

I think that's why he was using the headset microphone at first on the 2012 tour. That hand movement could've caused him to crack himself in the teeth with the microphone. When that microphone kept fucking up, he caved and went back to the handheld. That tour is when I also noticed how often he was putting his hand in his pocket. Michael J. Fox used to use that trick too.

Hitler used that trick as well...

[DonJuanDeMarco]

Maybe he really wanted to be a Vegas act, ride ambulances and create books and movies, and not continue being Diamond Dave on stage back then.

And the tattoos and the martial arts and the radio show, etc. The thing is, people are not accepting those versions of Dave. They want 70's and 80's Dave. He aged gracefully in that he is in great shape but his personality is odder than ever.

I'm picturing him at M3 all alone in a room making no contact whatsoever with any of the other bands. Probably no VIP Meet & Greet either. And maybe even a karaoke show like that Panama clip. But for what it's worth, I hope he kills it with a great band and a set of classic VH and some solo stuff.

[thechefs2003]

After Eat Em' and Smile, I thought he was tee'd up to go the Ozzy route, where that was the gig that all young hotshot guitar players wanted. Another thing, EEAS seemed like a band, much like VH was a band. But after EEAS, it became strictly the Dave show with a nameless backing band. If he put together a killer band and embraced it much like what Sammy did last summer, is the only way I'd have interest in seeing him live.

[Love_Industry]

Maybe he really wanted to be a Vegas act, ride ambulances and create books and movies, and not continue being Diamond Dave on stage back then.

And the tattoos and the martial arts and the radio show, etc. The thing is, people are not accepting those versions of Dave. They want 70's and 80's Dave.

It's sad when you think about it. He was ready to retire the Diamond Dave persona after ALAE but nobody wanted the bluesy songs with arty videos, the more serious YFLM or the Vegas show. The book and The Best compilation put him back on the map as a nostalgia act and that's what kept him in business including the VH reunion. He keeps the schtick because he found over and over that nobody cares about what he wants to create after 1991.

[dmbrocker]

Maybe he really wanted to be a Vegas act, ride ambulances and create books and movies, and not continue being Diamond Dave on stage back then.

And the tattoos and the martial arts and the radio show, etc. The thing is, people are not accepting those versions of Dave. They want 70's and 80's Dave.

It's sad when you think about it. He was ready to retire the Diamond Dave persona after ALAE but nobody wanted the bluesy songs with arty videos, the more serious YFLM or the Vegas show. The book and The Best compilation put him back on the map as a nostalgia act and that's what kept him in business including the VH reunion. He keeps the schtick because he found over and over that nobody cares about what he wants to create after 1991.

It's the Dave they came to know and expect. To be honest, I'd take "Bozedee bozedee bop!" Dave over serious DLR any day.

[LitaStrauss]

I first noticed that weird smile thing in 94 when he was promoting Your Filthy Little Mouth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCVorO8GDHU

It's not just the smile. He has this stiff, skinny-guy energy when he walks out, which is odd for a guy who was really mesomorphic in his heyday and could do the splits every which way.

Yeah, he changed a lot in the mid 1990s. Haven't seen much of his Vegas shows, it sounded good but maybe it was visible already then. He was the coolest frontman for 15 years, but if his pre-YFLM career didn't exist, nobody would say that. At Sweden Rock in 1999 he tried to be the old Roth in his gold suit and a set full of classic VH, but in 88 and 91 it seemed natural for him to act like that even if all moves and oneliners were rehearsed, in 99 it seemed forced. Maybe he really wanted to be a Vegas act, ride ambulances and create books and movies, and not continue being Diamond Dave on stage back then.

Him and Halford used to be my favorite frontmen in the 80s, since they reunited with their respective bands both seem like there's an entirely different person up there. Has any other rock frontman changed that much? I mean changed not deteriorated, guys like Vince Neil, Ozzy and Paul Stanley are just older and weaker versions of the same person. JBJ or Axl maybe?

I think DLR has changed the most from what we all remember him to be, and he still tries to be that guy but doesn't know how to do it. JBJ just seems like an older, more mature version of his past self. Same with Axl.

I still think I'd rather see DLR and his weirdness over Vince Neil. Dave at least will smile and look like he's having fun while Vince has no enthusiasm or joy on his face. He looks miserable. They both sound just as bad but Roth at least looks in shape and won't drop dead at any moment.

[Fletch]

There’s no way this *has* to be this bad unless there was some kind of mental impairment going on. He’s got all the money in the world to hire a stylist, hire a hair doc/plastic surgeon and a top notch backing band with a professional band director that can make those songs sound good to decent. Hate to see this continued downward spiral.

[Turner Coates]

Instead of “look at all the people here tonight” he needs to run onstage and say “Never fear, Smith is here”.

[Bono Nettencourt]

After Eat Em' and Smile, I thought he was tee'd up to go the Ozzy route, where that was the gig that all young hotshot guitar players wanted.

He tried with Becker but we all know what happened there, then the music scene changed and Dave lost the plot. He tried to be Dr. Blues Vegas but nobody bought it.

[DSAB]

He’s like Ricky Bobby except instead of not knowing what to do with his hands, it’s his entire body.

[Love_Industry]

I like judas priest but I cant stand watching halford read the teleprompt like a newspaper for every song. It just kills me. Plus his costumes are more not metal. even the studs are fake... I still like their music though.

Yeah their last 2 albums are their best since 1986 but Halford isn't even a shadow of who he was on stage around 1986. He was in perfect control of the crowd with every gesture, now he slowly walks around like an old man and sometimes waves to the crowd.

Also, lose the beard! And I don't mean Cheryl Rixon.

[Love_Industry]

After Eat Em' and Smile, I thought he was tee'd up to go the Ozzy route, where that was the gig that all young hotshot guitar players wanted.

He tried with Becker but we all know what happened there, then the music scene changed and Dave lost the plot. He tried to be Dr. Blues Vegas but nobody bought it.

The strange thing is that Ozzy stayed the course and had his biggest album/tour cycle with No More Tears at the same time Roth's career crashed and burned. He just toned down his madman schtick and released ballad singles to MTV, same as Roth.

[Fletch]

Barring the EEAS band reunion, I wonder if someone like Paul Gilbert would have ever been interested in playing the EVh role in a solo Dave band. Dave has enough clout to put together an all star band and sail off into the sunset on a high note. At least to help hide what he’s lacking. I’ve always been a fan and Have wanted good things for solo Dave. I just want him to get a victory…after watching him slice his nose open on Jimmy and then look/sound absolutely horrific on Ellen (to me those were the two highest profile VH gigs at the time) he needs a one final redemption win kind of like Zep in 08.