The ever outspoken frontman of Californian rock superstars Van Halen has openly blamed the inevitable transition of the band from stadium rock titans to karaoke’s secret pleasure, quite predictably, on the popularity of the movement that followed their own, Grunge.
In a typically hyperbolic interview with Buzzfeed, David Lee Roth openly embraces the flaws of his sometimes gritty, sometimes truly unbelievable career, as the bumps in the road that made him the 57 year old, master swordsman he is today.
Amidst the tales of glimmering shoulder-length hair, trashed hotel rooms and midget body guards, Roth’s true thesis reared its ugly head with the mention of that flannel clad buzz kill gargling over the airwaves:
“Two words: Kurt Cobain. I went from playing to 12,000 people to 1,200. From arenas to casinos and state fairs and the local House Of Blues. That will cause you to reflect a lot more clearly on your values. Fun wasn’t seen as fun anymore.”
Not to be beaten down, however, Roth backs up his road less travelled, particularly the messy and divisive decision to leave Van Halen in 1985. Even though they have now re-united it is worth reflecting on Roth’s statements and understand that, in the long run, the bad times are just as valuable as the good:
“I wonder who I might have been had I stayed in the band… Not as interesting, not as involved. I probably would have followed the more traditional, long, slow climb to the middle. Enjoying my accomplishments, living off my residuals. I wouldn’t have half the stories to tell.”
Mickey Rourke feels ya, Davey.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND1_Sc17SGE
