David Lee Roth Accidentally Exposes Streaming's Greatest Flaw / A Different Kind of Truth

I saw a video about the current conflict between David Lee Roth and Wolfgang Van Halen. I had been reading about it on a few music sites, but after watching this video, I started thinking about the issue more seriously. 

Essentially, the dispute is about the final Van Halen studio album, A Different Kind of Truth. The 2012 record marked the return of David Lee Roth as lead singer, and the debut of Wolfgang as bassist. For my money, the album is incredible. I love it. A Different Kind of Truth received mixed reviews from fans and critics. 

At some point in 2022, the album quietly disappeared. It was pulled from streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify, and stores could no longer order additional copies. In an interview, Wolf hinted that the reason was that someone in the band -- cough cough -- wouldn't cooperate on getting it re-issued. 

The "conflict" came to light after a series of videos that Diamond Dave posted on his YouTube Channel. Roth states that the album was both a commercial failure and a drag to create. Apparently, he felt the need to publicly state this to the world. Supposedly, Roth (and maybe Alex Van Halen) don't see the point in paying lawyers to re-negotiate a new deal for an album that sucks. Usually, Roth's videos are funny and entertaining. These were not. 

First off, the album doesn't suck. And as I was preparing to defend the album and urge Diamond Dave to reverse course, I realized that this particular dispute makes a fantastic (though maybe inadvertent) argument in favor of physical media and against streaming. 

I own the Van Halen album, A Different Kind of Truth. I can play it right now. I didn't even notice that it had been removed from the streaming services. If I didn't have a physical copy, I couldn't hear this fantastic record. For a serious music fan, this creates a huge dilemma. How can I ensure that my personal music library contains all of my favorite albums? The only way is to have a physical copy. 

The digital era has created a new definition of ownership, as well. When you "buy" that digital copy of the Barbie movie, do you get to keep it forever? Check the fine print. You don't. Music, movie, and TV fans need to re-think the idea of ownership in this age. It's a frightening thought.

Ronnie Montrose's Death Ruled a Suicide

Very sad news. The passing of legendary rock guitarist Ronnie Montrose has been ruled a suicide. Montrose's wife told the media that he suffered from clinical depression for much of his life.

Rather than dwell on the end of his life, let's celebrate the man's music. Here is a video of Montrose (feat. Sammy Hagar) performing "Bad Motor Scooter" back in 1974.

The Mighty Van Halen Return

I, for one, have never liked the band Van Halen since David Lee Roth left in 1985. I never liked Van Hagar, and I never even heard the record VH did with Gary Cherone. Totally didn't care (especially since a few months before VH had released two new songs with Roth before they told him they didn't want him back in the band).

As the years wore on and VH went back to Hagar after Cherone, I assumed a full-blown reunion of the original line-up of the band was never going to happen. Until it did in 2007. Sort of. Roth came back for a tour, but bassist Michael Anthony was replaced by Edward Van Halen's son, Wolfgang. Despite the change, and the inclusion of a 17 year old in the band, I still loved the reunion tour. Van Halen was, and always will be, Edward Van Halen and David Lee Roth. They wrote all the classic songs together, and they created the sound and style that spawned a million imitators. Literally.

The band is now on the verge of releasing its first album with Roth since 1984's 1984 album. It has been a really long time. The first single and video has been released ("Tattoo") and the reaction has been mixed. When I posted it on my Facebook page, most of the comments were negative. My feeling is that it sounds like what a Van Halen in its 50s would sound like. It has been nearly 30 years since these guys were at their zenith. I, for one, did not expect the band to just zap back in time and become guys in their 20s again. No one can do that. Supposedly, much of the rest of the album is comprised of older songs the band wrote but never used back in the 70s and early 80s. I am curious to see if those sound "vintage" or more modern like "Tattoo."

The song itself is okay. The video is better. I can't help it. I just love Diamond Dave. That guy is infinitely entertaining. What do you think of the song and video?

This Is SO Great!!

MTV has just started a new site where you can embed all of the classic videos onto any website (and better resolution than YouTube). Today, I selected David Lee Roth's "Yankee Rose." Enjoy.

Or how about some actual vintage Van Halen

Van Halen Tour Canceled?

TMZ is reporting that the rest of Van Halen tour is being canceled, due to a possible drug or alcohol relapse from Eddie Van Halen.

UPDATE: According to Billboard.com, the tour is NOT canceled.

Van Halen TONIGHT!!!

I've been waiting for this day for a long time, my friends. Van Halen with David Lee Roth in concert. I did see the original Van Halen back in 1984 when I was a youngin', but I can barely remember the show.

Say what you will about VH, but I will forever stand up for the original line-up of this band. They were one of the most original and innovative hard rock bands of all time. I never got into the "Van Hagar" era, so to me, they ended in 1985. It's nice to see them back. Strange how bassist Michael Anthony was not invited back, but I imagine Eddie's son, Wolfgang, will more than suffice. I doubt they'd put him on stage if he couldn't hack it with his genius dad and his uncle.

Not much more I can say about the show. I am not going to attempt to change your opinion on the band if you don't like them. I don't care. But I will be re-living a part of my youth tonight, so if you have something negative to say...keep it to yourself.

Van Halen Adds Omaha To 2008 Tour!

Fuck yeah! I will finally be able to see the reunited Van Halen. It has just been announced that VH will be hitting Omaha's Qwest Center on February 4. 'Bout freakin' time. Tickets go on sale December 1.

No, It's Not 1977, But...

Yes, they are definitely older, but I am going to go on record as saying that this Van Halen tour will be the best arena tour so far in this new century. Van Halen is back. Finally!!

Van Halen Reunion Is Back on!

Van Halen will announce a 50-date American reunion tour with original singer David Lee Roth during a news conference in Hollywood next week, sources said.

The arena trek will begin in early October.

Roth, who split from the rock group in the mid-1980s in hopes of solo stardom, will reunite with co-founders Eddie Van Halen on guitar and brother Alex Van Halen on drums. Eddie's teenage son Wolfgang will sub for Michael Anthony on bass.

A proposed summer amphitheater tour by the group never got off the ground, with Eddie Van Halen entering a rehabilitation facility for undisclosed reasons in March.

In the months since, the guitarist has been seen publicly looking healthy and fit.

Van Halen last toured in 2004, with Roth's replacement, vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million, according to Billboard Boxscore.

Reuters/Billboard

The Van Halen Reunion - Back On?

Though no one has said anything officially, MelodicRock.com is reporting that the Van Halen tour with David Lee Roth is back on. Bassist Michael Anthony is still not a part of the reunion, and his spot will still be filled by Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen. Dates are being "penciled in" for September.

I'll believe this when I am actually sitting at the concert. Oh, yeah, and after I pick up my copy of Guns N Roses' Chinese Democracy.

Van Halen with Diamond Dave in '07?

According to a posting on MelodicRock.com, Van Halen is expected to announce a 2007 reunion tour with David Lee Roth as singer. This would be good news except for the fact that this should have happened in 1996 when Roth re-joined the band for two new songs for a greatest hits CD. The Van Halen brothers chose to go with Gary Cherrone as the new singer rather than officially re-unite with Roth. Now they are all so old that I'm not sure how good this show will be. Also, as of now, bassist Michael Anthony is not in the band. The website suggests that Eddie's son, Wolfgang, might be playing bass instead. Lame.

Tag: Van Halen

It Was 30 Years Ago Today...

While David Lee Roth seems to have recovered from getting fired from NYC radio, and contributed to a new album of Van Halen songs done bluegrass style-- Strumming With the Devil -- let us not forget why Van Halen was so great back in the day.

A friend emailed me this link to a live recording of Van Halen from 1976 doing ZZ Top's "La Grange." It's pretty rockin'!

Van Halen - La Grange (live).mp3

Tag: Van Halen