Say what you will about Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth, the guy leaves it all onstage.
There’s no holding back, even as he sings himself hoarse. Even though his stiff-looking karate kicks don’t fly as high as they used to. Even as his schmaltzy antics distract from Eddie Van Halen’s solos.
Roth keeps going and going, that reptilian smile plastered across his face.
And you know what, it works.
Roth and the boys Van Halen brought a high-energy show – the next to last of their long tour – to the Hollywood Bowl on Friday. The battle-scarred band, who close out the trek with a second Bowl show Sunday, played like it was the tour opener.
From the first note of the 21-song set to the last, Van Halen thrilled the capacity crowd with a performance that mixed vaudeville with classic rock.
The set list, reportedly written by Eddie’s son, bassist Wolfgang Van Halen, included fan favorites plus a few deep dives into the catalog, such as “Light Up the Sky.”
The band was as tight as ever, yes, Wolfgang can play. Eddie remains a master shredder, producing a sonic tidal wave from his six-string as he high-stepped across the stage. Alex Van Halen holds down the beat tirelessly.
Roth, musically, is the weakest link and yet the band’s biggest asset.
He is the glittery ringmaster of this rock circus. And he does it with aplomb.
He is the tissue that connects all the musical muscle.
Sure, it’s fashionable among some Van Halen fans to slag Roth.
“He goes low when he should go high,” complained one fan, referring to Roth’s singing.
Indeed, Roth will drop an octave or speak the lyrics to save his voice. But he goes for the high note more often than not. And he can still do the splits, though it’s visibly harder to get back up.
His shtick, part singer, part storyteller, part fashion plate, part band major, keeps things interesting.
And Eddie’s guitar can do the screaming when Roth no longer can.
Some choice cuts of the night: “Runnin’ with the Devil,” “Little Guitars,” “Hot for Teacher” and “Everybody Wants Some.”
Wolfgang and Eddie were more than capable on the high background vocals, no creaks there.
Eddie took the stage alone for a 10-minute guitar solo, a fret-tapping, fast-fingered assault. The years have made Eddie a little grayer and a little thicker, but they haven’t affected his playing. He’s still a speed demon.
Standing in the wings, Wolfgang snapped pictures of his father hammering away, all smiles.
By the time they joined hands for a final bow, it seemed like they genuinely enjoyed playing together, after years of feuding.
Or, as one fan observed, maybe they just realized they need each other.
