Man, ever since those new Van Halen TV performances on Jimmy Kimmel and Ellen started surfacing the internet this week, David Lee Roth’s singing is getting knocked like crazy. Most people can agree that the rest of the band sounds pretty sick and tight but what they’re criticizing is David’s singing. They are saying things like that David should spend lesser time on showmanship like running around the stage, swinging his microphone stand around and all that stuff and just concentrate on the singing. I read all that stuff and I’m like really?
Welcome to the new generation of young music fans where people don’t know anything about rock n’ roll.
When you perform live in rock n’ roll, it doesn’t matter if your singing is good or bad. It’s all about the music. In rock n’ roll showmanship is pretty important as a way to entertain the crowds. Why would a singer want to stand there looking like a fucking zombie??? The goal is, a rock n’ roll singer needs to be all about showmanship as a way to put on an entertaining show… running around on stage, dancing, smiling, swinging the mic and all that stuff, ya know?
If you find all that stuff annoying about Van Halen, then you must be new to them. I got news for ya, people. Van Halen has always been about showmanship. David Lee Roth has always been that kind of performer with his Van Halen career and his solo career. He has always been the same old David Lee Roth.
Sure, David doesn’t have the strong and powerful voice like he used to but he’s still a good singer, in my opinion. When you sing for rock n’ roll, you don’t need to be a perfectionist. I love Van Halen and am planning to get their new “Tokyo Dome” live album pretty soon.
Kev
K'Brocking 