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Crazy from the Heat
The tales from the larger-than-life spectacle that was the glory days of Van Halen are the stuff of rock and roll legend. In this unapologetic, Technicolor, high-fiber blast, David Lee Roth comes across with seemingly unlimited energy and graphic clarity. of photos.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1997
37 people are currently reading
1522 people want to read
About the author
David Lee Roth
85 books22 followersDavid Lee Roth is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, actor, author, and former radio personality, best known as the original and current lead singer of Van Halen. In addition to his work with Van Halen, Roth is a successful solo artist, having released several platinum and gold solo albums. Sometimes referred to as Diamond Dave, Roth rejoined Van Halen in 2007 for a North American tour that became the highest grossing tour in the band's history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
October 6, 2015
The David Lee Roth route to happiness, the one that goes through fun and only fun, is what makes this autobiography - and, ultimately, classic Van Halen - so fulfilling.
David Lee Roth may not be Bob Dylan. In fact, he’s not even Bob Daisley. Why is it, then, that his lyrics have been so influential in the ideological development of millions of young males? Certainly one could have taken more from some of Dylan’s (or Ozzy’s) more profound statements on love and life.
Why does the line “Take a chance: you’re old enough to dance” hit so hard in the gut? Same for “I’m takin’ whiskey to the party tonight and I’m lookin’ for somebody to squeeze.” Same for “I live my life like there’s no tomorrow” and “This is home, this is mean street” and “Ain’t talking ‘bout love.” For explanation from the man behind it all, David Lee Roth's 1998 autobiography Crazy From the Heat (Ebury Press, ISBN: 0091874807) may help.
David Lee Roth and Reptilian Genius
There’s something about Van Halen’s music that appeals to the reptilian brain the human race still has. There’s a base-level connection made between a Van Halen song and the soul (a point of connection. Use what term necessary). Sure, it’s mostly a bunch of male-centric, chest-thumping, borderline misogynistic tomfoolery, but it’s all so innocent. It’s the dirty hesher in his Trans Am yelling “Nice legs, what time do they open?” to girls outside the 7-11.
That guy is an idiot, yes, but he’s sincere. Maybe one girl looks down and goes “Yeah, I do have nice legs” and she comes back later for a soda or something and the same scumbag rocker is sitting in the same spot listening to the other side of The Cult’s Electric.
He invites her into the car. So she goes. They make out until the tape flips over and then they drive somewhere and get it on to “Peace Dog”. “Drop drop your lovin’ down on me, child” and then they share a joint and he drops her back off in front of the gas station. Nobody’s talking about a relationship and nobody’s interested in anything but what just happened. Nobody’s talkin’ ‘bout love. This is where David Lee Roth is coming from at all times.
Saddled With Bad Writing, but Not Hindered by It
Crazy From the Heat is saddled with bad writing, but not hindered by it. There isn’t a ghostwriter or editor in the world who can make David Lee Roth sound like Faulkner. Of course, that’s not what DLR is about. DLR on the page sounds like DLR on a microphone.
Therein lays the problem: this is a book, not an audio/visual interview. Some of the stories drag, like the tales of mountain climbing and a few of the stories about his youth. This can be chalked up to inexperience in written-word storytelling, and even though it’ the biggest problem with the book, it’s still minor. Some of these stories are just too impossible to screw up.
A Non-Traditional Format for a Non-Traditional Man
Diamond Dave very wisely decided to not go ahead with a traditional, linear autobiography, instead opting for a series of a few dozen random stories ranging anywhere from a couple sentences up to a dozen pages.
“M+Ms”, “Roadwork”, and “Wars & Remembrance” are all fantastic little non-sequiturs that tell us what Roth is all about: owning oneself with complete honesty (and booze and girls and all the trimmings). “Reunion Blues” is the best “chapter," as it’s the closest to talking dirt that he gets in the book.
It was almost disappointing to see Dave take the high road, but it’s not surprised. Dave never seemed to be an ego-maniac, despite his undying optimism. Dave was just the life of the party and he knew it just like everyone else did. He even gives EVH props by commenting on Ed’s complaining about all the media coverage of the ill-fated DLR reunion by saying “As if anyone in the ****ing solar system thinks of Eddie V. as a backup guitar player. If somebody does, well, then I’m the singer for Up With People.”
Dave comes off cool-headed and Zen throughout the whole book, and while a lot of it is because it’s his book, he’s most likely level pretty much all the time, with “level” being a non-stop party where all the labor is that elusive “labor of love.”
David Lee Roth’s Message: Through Fun, Find Happiness
Fun and happiness sure are easy to confuse. That’s how people turn into alcoholics and perverts and social leeches. It may be fun, but it’s probably not happiness. That’s not to say it can’t be, but it just takes a certain outlook and execution of that particular ideal to make it work. For proof, look no further than Crazy From the Heat.
David Lee Roth may not be Bob Dylan. In fact, he’s not even Bob Daisley. Why is it, then, that his lyrics have been so influential in the ideological development of millions of young males? Certainly one could have taken more from some of Dylan’s (or Ozzy’s) more profound statements on love and life.
Why does the line “Take a chance: you’re old enough to dance” hit so hard in the gut? Same for “I’m takin’ whiskey to the party tonight and I’m lookin’ for somebody to squeeze.” Same for “I live my life like there’s no tomorrow” and “This is home, this is mean street” and “Ain’t talking ‘bout love.” For explanation from the man behind it all, David Lee Roth's 1998 autobiography Crazy From the Heat (Ebury Press, ISBN: 0091874807) may help.
David Lee Roth and Reptilian Genius
There’s something about Van Halen’s music that appeals to the reptilian brain the human race still has. There’s a base-level connection made between a Van Halen song and the soul (a point of connection. Use what term necessary). Sure, it’s mostly a bunch of male-centric, chest-thumping, borderline misogynistic tomfoolery, but it’s all so innocent. It’s the dirty hesher in his Trans Am yelling “Nice legs, what time do they open?” to girls outside the 7-11.
That guy is an idiot, yes, but he’s sincere. Maybe one girl looks down and goes “Yeah, I do have nice legs” and she comes back later for a soda or something and the same scumbag rocker is sitting in the same spot listening to the other side of The Cult’s Electric.
He invites her into the car. So she goes. They make out until the tape flips over and then they drive somewhere and get it on to “Peace Dog”. “Drop drop your lovin’ down on me, child” and then they share a joint and he drops her back off in front of the gas station. Nobody’s talking about a relationship and nobody’s interested in anything but what just happened. Nobody’s talkin’ ‘bout love. This is where David Lee Roth is coming from at all times.
Saddled With Bad Writing, but Not Hindered by It
Crazy From the Heat is saddled with bad writing, but not hindered by it. There isn’t a ghostwriter or editor in the world who can make David Lee Roth sound like Faulkner. Of course, that’s not what DLR is about. DLR on the page sounds like DLR on a microphone.
Therein lays the problem: this is a book, not an audio/visual interview. Some of the stories drag, like the tales of mountain climbing and a few of the stories about his youth. This can be chalked up to inexperience in written-word storytelling, and even though it’ the biggest problem with the book, it’s still minor. Some of these stories are just too impossible to screw up.
A Non-Traditional Format for a Non-Traditional Man
Diamond Dave very wisely decided to not go ahead with a traditional, linear autobiography, instead opting for a series of a few dozen random stories ranging anywhere from a couple sentences up to a dozen pages.
“M+Ms”, “Roadwork”, and “Wars & Remembrance” are all fantastic little non-sequiturs that tell us what Roth is all about: owning oneself with complete honesty (and booze and girls and all the trimmings). “Reunion Blues” is the best “chapter," as it’s the closest to talking dirt that he gets in the book.
It was almost disappointing to see Dave take the high road, but it’s not surprised. Dave never seemed to be an ego-maniac, despite his undying optimism. Dave was just the life of the party and he knew it just like everyone else did. He even gives EVH props by commenting on Ed’s complaining about all the media coverage of the ill-fated DLR reunion by saying “As if anyone in the ****ing solar system thinks of Eddie V. as a backup guitar player. If somebody does, well, then I’m the singer for Up With People.”
Dave comes off cool-headed and Zen throughout the whole book, and while a lot of it is because it’s his book, he’s most likely level pretty much all the time, with “level” being a non-stop party where all the labor is that elusive “labor of love.”
David Lee Roth’s Message: Through Fun, Find Happiness
Fun and happiness sure are easy to confuse. That’s how people turn into alcoholics and perverts and social leeches. It may be fun, but it’s probably not happiness. That’s not to say it can’t be, but it just takes a certain outlook and execution of that particular ideal to make it work. For proof, look no further than Crazy From the Heat.
December 14, 2008
I remember back when I was in jr. high a little after Van Halen rolled through town on the last tour they did with Roth as the singer during the 80's soon thereafter many wild stories bordering on, if not surpassing, folklore began circulating about the depravity and debauchery that Van Halen indulged in during their stay in town. Off the top of my head a few that I can remember, the band had a contest backstage to see who could snort up the biggest line of coke. Eddie won, snorting a line that was as thick as your ring finger and as long as your forearm. David Lee Roth was having these mulatto chicks sit on his face one right after the other backstage right in front of everybody. When the show started Roth came out on stage with a huge bong in hand, fired it up, took a big hit and passed it out into the crowd. Roth downed a gallon of Jack Daniels within the first 30 minutes of the show. There were also reports of Roth throwing handfuls of joints into the crowd throughout the show and Roth giving out free drugs of all sorts outside the stadium either before or after the show. Did any of this really happen? I would imagine not, but in retrospect it really is funny as hell that so many 13-16 year olds took every word as truth.
But about Roth, I mean what can you say? He was a VERY Jewish looking and acting guy that dyed his hair blonde, developed a California surfer dude persona, was leaping around doing flying kicks and martial arts moves when you know damn good and well the only fight he's ever had in his life was a tough bout he had with the flu back in 1976. Plus he stole his look and at least certain aspects of his persona from Jim Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas (Come on Dave give JD some credit!) But as lame as all that sounds (excluding the Jim Dandy influence) it some how not only worked, but Roth was one of the greatest rock frontmen of all time. When people talk about the classic Van Halen line up its for a reason, the original Van Halen was a true classic! As incredible as Eddies guitar playing is Van Halen just isn't Van Halen without DLR. In fact Van Halen without without DLR is just unlistenable garbage.
But now that I've got my jr. high folklore and Van Halen groupie worship out of the way the book itself is good, but not great. Much of it is written in a rambling stream of concious way which just doesn't work in this case. You get plenty of the expected wild road stories and the snipes at Eddie (he had almost nothing to say about Sammy Hagar though) but you also get a lot of Roth going on and on about being Jewish and he even says that when he's on stage doing his flying kicks he is pretending that he's kicking Nazis! I also got the impression from reading this that he was never all that close friends with anybody in the band and their relationship was never anything but business. I don't know I just don't like Roth so much as a person after reading this. I still love classic Van Halen though.
But about Roth, I mean what can you say? He was a VERY Jewish looking and acting guy that dyed his hair blonde, developed a California surfer dude persona, was leaping around doing flying kicks and martial arts moves when you know damn good and well the only fight he's ever had in his life was a tough bout he had with the flu back in 1976. Plus he stole his look and at least certain aspects of his persona from Jim Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas (Come on Dave give JD some credit!) But as lame as all that sounds (excluding the Jim Dandy influence) it some how not only worked, but Roth was one of the greatest rock frontmen of all time. When people talk about the classic Van Halen line up its for a reason, the original Van Halen was a true classic! As incredible as Eddies guitar playing is Van Halen just isn't Van Halen without DLR. In fact Van Halen without without DLR is just unlistenable garbage.
But now that I've got my jr. high folklore and Van Halen groupie worship out of the way the book itself is good, but not great. Much of it is written in a rambling stream of concious way which just doesn't work in this case. You get plenty of the expected wild road stories and the snipes at Eddie (he had almost nothing to say about Sammy Hagar though) but you also get a lot of Roth going on and on about being Jewish and he even says that when he's on stage doing his flying kicks he is pretending that he's kicking Nazis! I also got the impression from reading this that he was never all that close friends with anybody in the band and their relationship was never anything but business. I don't know I just don't like Roth so much as a person after reading this. I still love classic Van Halen though.
September 28, 2018
If you are looking for a proper autobiography of Diamond Dave then look elsewhere. As he says himself: if you’re looking for an exacting history to the month, to the year, that’s not how I remember it.
It’s a memoir and some memoirs are just full of stories but not in order. There isn’t a history of Van Halen or his solo career but fractious relationships existed as they are mentioned.
His erudite style of writing about what he did and why he did it is reason enough to read it. It’s also a travelogue in parts as his favourite places he visited are given just treatment
It’s a memoir and some memoirs are just full of stories but not in order. There isn’t a history of Van Halen or his solo career but fractious relationships existed as they are mentioned.
His erudite style of writing about what he did and why he did it is reason enough to read it. It’s also a travelogue in parts as his favourite places he visited are given just treatment
February 1, 2018
David Lee Roth is smarter than you'd think, but maybe not as smart as HE thinks... At least that was the case back in '97 when this was written. I've gotten to where I like reading memoirs long after their original release context much more than "current" memoirs, because it's fun to take into account everything that's happened since. In this case: David Lee Roth pretty much hates Eddie Van Halen in 1997. "Ed Van Halen without a guitar is a crummy human being." Now the original band is touring together again even though they don't pretend to be friends. Also fun to read are some of the deep, artistic notions Dave had about the quality of his 80's music videos in 1997. Yeah...there's plenty of ego, but all-in-all Dave comes across as a likable rock star.
He's kind of an easy target in '97, but this is a fantastic rock memoir and I couldn't put it down. You get all the rock memoir dirt that you'd want, but better than that most of the book is short vignettes about Dave's random thoughts about...whatever. He has such an interesting voice that these sections are what take the book from good to great. Also great are his random memories from his extensive global travels during Van Halen tour breaks in the 80's.
There are plenty of urban legends about Dave and early Van Halen- he addresses many of them in the book, and they're great food for thought about the way we want celebrities to be as weird and self-destructive as they're portrayed. It's probably always a mixed bag of truth and fiction if we're honest.
If Dave grew up in the 2000's he would have been medicated. If they'd had medication for him as a child in the 60's he never would have dressed up in spandex in the 80's and maybe we wouldn't have Van Halen. Something to think about. Anyway, there is a certain amount of drug stories in the book (less than you'd think), but most fascinating is Dave's frank discussion of the way he medicated himself with weed and drugs from an early age. Let's face it: he's an ADHD poster child. In spite of his overall wild and crazy antics, he was never in rehab. You never heard that he overdosed. There were no needles. I find that very interesting since he was portrayed as "out of control." Honestly, by the time you finish this book you realize that the publicly quiet Van Halen brothers were the ones who spun out of control. Seems like Dave was always just being Dave.
He's kind of an easy target in '97, but this is a fantastic rock memoir and I couldn't put it down. You get all the rock memoir dirt that you'd want, but better than that most of the book is short vignettes about Dave's random thoughts about...whatever. He has such an interesting voice that these sections are what take the book from good to great. Also great are his random memories from his extensive global travels during Van Halen tour breaks in the 80's.
There are plenty of urban legends about Dave and early Van Halen- he addresses many of them in the book, and they're great food for thought about the way we want celebrities to be as weird and self-destructive as they're portrayed. It's probably always a mixed bag of truth and fiction if we're honest.
If Dave grew up in the 2000's he would have been medicated. If they'd had medication for him as a child in the 60's he never would have dressed up in spandex in the 80's and maybe we wouldn't have Van Halen. Something to think about. Anyway, there is a certain amount of drug stories in the book (less than you'd think), but most fascinating is Dave's frank discussion of the way he medicated himself with weed and drugs from an early age. Let's face it: he's an ADHD poster child. In spite of his overall wild and crazy antics, he was never in rehab. You never heard that he overdosed. There were no needles. I find that very interesting since he was portrayed as "out of control." Honestly, by the time you finish this book you realize that the publicly quiet Van Halen brothers were the ones who spun out of control. Seems like Dave was always just being Dave.
December 23, 2024
One of the four Moron Gospels of The Holy Dumbshit. Don’t get me wrong, Dave’s no dumbshit, he just talks a lot of dumb shit, ramalama, rock-and-roll-as-Delphi nonsense. It’s glorious. I’ve read this book numerous times since it was published in the late-90s and I still can’t remember anything because it’s so crammed with EVERYTHING. Pot, kung fu, mountain climbing in the Himalayas, Judaism, and growing up in the Cafe Wha? (owned by his uncle) can, and often do, rub tits on the same page if not sentence. Dave’s got the attention span of a toddler on meth and is a fount for more shit than dysentery (also a topic in the book). It’s heavy idiot glory; the Man That Brought His Pencil suffers no fools as he treats life like the absolutely fucking fantastic snow job that is.
Or:
Babadeebabadeebabababdeezop.
Or:
Babadeebabadeebabababdeezop.
June 3, 2022
Absolutely brilliant. DLR is funny, articulate and entertaining. I couldn’t put this book down. One of the last, true rock stars. Some great tales of excess but nothing tasteless or childish like some rock autobiographies You read this and know he’s lived the life rather than thinking what a complete tool. Like the Lemmy biog, I know I will read it again at some point.
November 9, 2020
Great book. I read this book twice. Huge Van Halen fan. This book is all about the crazy antics of David LR. He travelled the world on band breaks and was quite an adventurous to say the least.
May 29, 2018
DLR has always been a musical icon since the 70s, but it wasn't until I realized he was a well-read, bilingual (tri even?), black belt, swordmaster, mountain climbing, New York EMT who dominates in interviews that I truly became interested in him. The way he lives his life, heading off deep into the Amazon jungle, a hunger for knowledge and an avid reader reminds me a lot of Henry Rollins, but with a permanent smile and a more optimistic view on life. This book probably doesn't read like you may think. This isn't a tome filled with egocentric stories about sexcapades and badmouthing old band members (though there's a small amount of both in there) it's just DLR in 5th gear all the way with his flighty language that makes for an entertaining read. If you've watched interviews with DRL you'll recognize that same crafty lingo in here. I'd love it if he wrote another book that spoke on his life after this book was released, where he talks about becoming an EMT in New York, etc. You know the guy has story after story to tell and this book barely scratches the surface.
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August 13, 2022Rock bios are dime and dozen and they all seem to follow the same formula. A pretty humdrum origin story, some lurid sex and drug escapades before the inevitable substance abuse struggle, and then a dull stab at redemption to tie things up (does anyone care about the new-but-still-cool and now clean 'n' sober recordings of Nikki Sixx post 2005?)
But DLR isn't your standard rockstar; he's a full blown force of nature. And so instead of another chest beating/woe is me rock tale, we get one that's just straight up fun. The dude is so chock full of energy that it's not to be inspired by Crazy From the Heat. This is a guy who hung out in the Himalayas and attended Haitian voodoo ceremonies between tours forgodsake.
So above all this is just thoroughly entertaining, aided in part by Diamond Dave's initially grating but eventually endearing casino-grade Dennis Miller style of delivery; spliced with completely ridiculous catchphrases and snippets of New Yawk jive such as you'd expect from rock's most consummate showman.
Emphasis on the 'showbiz' side of things too. Unlike durrbrained contemporaries who were undone by fiscal cluelessness in addition to unchecked hedonism, DLR wasn't just a singer. He was a full blown creative director, producer, writer, accountant even, who engineered the success of one the world's biggest bands at every touchpoint. That makes for views into the record label boardroom that prove more interesting than yet more views into the hotel bedroom (although there are a few of those too).
Found in street library.
But DLR isn't your standard rockstar; he's a full blown force of nature. And so instead of another chest beating/woe is me rock tale, we get one that's just straight up fun. The dude is so chock full of energy that it's not to be inspired by Crazy From the Heat. This is a guy who hung out in the Himalayas and attended Haitian voodoo ceremonies between tours forgodsake.
So above all this is just thoroughly entertaining, aided in part by Diamond Dave's initially grating but eventually endearing casino-grade Dennis Miller style of delivery; spliced with completely ridiculous catchphrases and snippets of New Yawk jive such as you'd expect from rock's most consummate showman.
Emphasis on the 'showbiz' side of things too. Unlike durrbrained contemporaries who were undone by fiscal cluelessness in addition to unchecked hedonism, DLR wasn't just a singer. He was a full blown creative director, producer, writer, accountant even, who engineered the success of one the world's biggest bands at every touchpoint. That makes for views into the record label boardroom that prove more interesting than yet more views into the hotel bedroom (although there are a few of those too).
Found in street library.
May 29, 2014
It's great to hear Diamond Dave talk about his experiences fronting Van Halen, his crazy life experiences and the drama after he left the band in his own words. The prose are raw. The whole book is written in a conversational tone, just as David Lee would talk. He's no Shakespeare; but we fans could care less about that. That said, there are passages, which are hauntingly clever.
He's a rock 'n' roll Peter Pan who takes us all along for the ride. He has his spin; but he bares his soul and makes many childish admissions, exposing his vulnerabilities. But it all makes him even more lovable. I didn't want the story to end.
I never liked Van Halen after David Lee left the band. Now, I think I understand why I lost interest.
This is a must-read for any Van Halen fans.
He's a rock 'n' roll Peter Pan who takes us all along for the ride. He has his spin; but he bares his soul and makes many childish admissions, exposing his vulnerabilities. But it all makes him even more lovable. I didn't want the story to end.
I never liked Van Halen after David Lee left the band. Now, I think I understand why I lost interest.
This is a must-read for any Van Halen fans.
December 18, 2008
David Lee Roth is a terrific showman and this book is as entertaining as his shows. My mind wandered when he got into his Wild Kingdom crocodile hunter-type shenanigans, but it's okay. He stays on the rock 'n roll path most of the time and always has something entertaining to say.
March 13, 2016
3.5 stars. DLR is a pretty interesting guy and he wrote (or dictated) a pretty entertaining book. It's easy to get a little worn out by the force of his strong personality and the seemingly endless shtick but he's fun to spend a short time with.
March 30, 2011
Just in case you needed additional proof that Diamond Dave is the man, this book provides substantial evidence.
October 21, 2025
Amusing and fun stories from Diamond Dave. A little chaotic and not a straight autobiography. Still, quite enjoyable.
August 10, 2024
Biographies have always interested me. I love to know where people come from and their journey to who they are.
David Lee Roth is a very interesting character. If you've ever watched an interview, he is all over the place. Doesn't not speak in a concise manner.
That is reflected in his book. Sometimes jumps from one story to another but still a very interesting fellow. It is from 1998, so some of the passages are not accurate still, especially when he talks about Eddie Van Halen.
Rock fans, read it. Biography fans read it.
Downgraded to a 3 star for a lack of focus. Still very entertaining.
David Lee Roth is a very interesting character. If you've ever watched an interview, he is all over the place. Doesn't not speak in a concise manner.
That is reflected in his book. Sometimes jumps from one story to another but still a very interesting fellow. It is from 1998, so some of the passages are not accurate still, especially when he talks about Eddie Van Halen.
Rock fans, read it. Biography fans read it.
Downgraded to a 3 star for a lack of focus. Still very entertaining.
January 31, 2021
If you want a book with exact dates and thought processes on albums, go elsewhere. If you want fantastic stories by a true entertainer, with philosophy and history thrown in, this is the book for you. Definitely one of my favorite autobiographies of all time, it not my favorite, and definitely my favorite musician autobiography (which includes Sammy’s “Red” and Keith’s “Life”).
Want advice for the music business? Read this. Want advice on climbing mountains? Read this.
Want advice for the music business? Read this. Want advice on climbing mountains? Read this.
May 10, 2023
WITHIN THE FIRST 30 PAGES, HE REFERS TO HAVING SEX AS “DELIVERIN’ THE GROCERIES!”
November 9, 2022
I love music and there is no bigger rock star from an image standpoint than Diamond Dave. This was written by him and is really anecdotes from the start of his career to modern times (or nearly). In between is a narcissism filled tale of rock and roll which you would expect. He is unstinting in his praise of Eddie Van Halen's guitar premise but equally adamant about why Van Halen didn't work. His antipathy towards Sammy Hagar is also apparent. While I learned a lot about him and his musical career it was a little too much self-glorification for me. Did that surprise me, absolutely not. It jsut kept me from loving what is otherwise an interesting glimpse into the life of an icon and it seems that much of it is honest which is a breath of fresh air.
January 21, 2009
The library finally located its copy of this book. For the longest time, it was listed as "consult librarian," which usually means it is lost or stolen. But miraculously, it was located and placed back on the shelves for me to read. Mary recommended this a while ago and I'm glad I finally got to read it. It's a fun read, especially if you're a fan of Van Halen (DLR-style, the only kind) and you like his voice - it's hard not to read this book without having David Lee Roth narrate it to you in your head, due to his distinctive voice. (A similar thing happens if you read another good celebrity autobiography: Cosell by Howard Cosell.) And David Lee Roth is actually a pretty smart guy with tons of tales and advice for aspiring musicians and world travelers. There's a little dishing here and there (my favorite being "Eddie Van Halen without a guitar in his hand is a crummy human being"), but for the most part, he sticks to his life and his own shenanigans. My favorite section is the one titled "Night Moves" in which he recommends walking a city late at night/early in the morning to really see its essence. I'm not sure you can really see the essence of a city, but you definitely see a unique part of the city. It reminded me of the time that Ruth and I walked at midnight through the Albaicín neighborhood in Granada, Spain with Ruth's friend Adriana. Anyway, the book got a little tiresome after awhile and his jokes were a little thin near the end. (I wish Goodreads allowed for "half-stars," because I'm inclined to give this book a 2.5 rating, but since they don't, I have to round-up.) But it's fun to read and a good book to pick up from your library, assuming it hasn't been stolen or lost.
June 16, 2013
David Lee Roth, former and current lead singer for the mighty Van Halen, tells his life story in a steady rhythm any fan will recognize as pure Dave. Roth gives insight into his life, growing up Jewish in an anti-Semite environment, learning show business while watching the comedians and folk singers that played in his uncle's New York City Club Wha? in the mid-1960s. Roth possesses a naturally engaging style of telling a story. We've seen it through the years in interviews on TV, in magazines, and on stage, beneath the spotlight he so loves. The book covers his life from childhood, through his teenage years, studying martial arts and partying, to his rise as one of the greatest front-men in music history, to his travels around the world. He only touches on studio time with Van Halen, discussing how certain songs came about, though these few mentions aren't nearly enough for Van Halen fans like me. I wanted more of the creative process than Roth scarcely offers here. I don't really care about how difficult it was to climb this particular mountain, or how awful it was on the Amazon River, when he became sick from some local disease or other. I want to know what it was like to record those six classic albums that cemented Van Halen as one of the greatest bands ever! Period. Overall, it is worth reading. You'll get some laughs, you'll learn just what he was trying to say in those opening lines from the song "Everybody Wants Some" from the Van Halen classic album Women and Children First, before a little too much chemical stimulation sidetracked him. He also spends way too much time dumping on Alex and Eddie Van Halen as the cause of the aborted mid-1990s reunion, but, hey, the reunion finally went down and the music world is better for it.
December 2, 2007
WHEW! David Lee Roth returned with the ever-unhealthy Edward Van Halen----and currently touring with Eddie's young son Wolgang playing electric bass ( and even choosing the bunch of 'greatest hits' repertoire for the rehearsals). When I read 'Crazy from the Heat' --I found out what 'Diamond Dave' had to REVEAL cuz when Sammy Hagar took over I detected pop-flavoured, publicity stunt for the CABO WABO trash he was trying to SELL. ( And the DVD of their gig 'Right here Right Now---LIVE! wasn't EPIC at all----there was no 'Runnin' w' the Devil, no 'Atomic Punk', no 'So This Is Love'----I knew Dave rocks with these dudes with the DEFINITIVE sound of VAN HALEN----)
And the best thing about the book is Dave Lee Roth tells the WHOLE story---how the band started, what went through when they sold platinum albums, why Dave doesn't indulge in 'groupie' tell-all stories ( which was RARE for a rocker like him....), and why the Van Halen brothers are absolutely wackos!!!
I was amazed at David's sojourns to Tibet----he was simply full of zest when it came to adventure. He has travelled to wild jungles, rain forests, and has even encountered voodoo madmen---which made this book sooo fascinating. If you've read Aerosmith's 'Walk This way, and Led Zeppelin's 'Hammer of the Gods'---this BESTSELLER will -NO QUESTIONS ASKED- complete your rock journalism collectibles. ( And David Lee Roth will REMAIN with Van Halen forever-------)
And the best thing about the book is Dave Lee Roth tells the WHOLE story---how the band started, what went through when they sold platinum albums, why Dave doesn't indulge in 'groupie' tell-all stories ( which was RARE for a rocker like him....), and why the Van Halen brothers are absolutely wackos!!!
I was amazed at David's sojourns to Tibet----he was simply full of zest when it came to adventure. He has travelled to wild jungles, rain forests, and has even encountered voodoo madmen---which made this book sooo fascinating. If you've read Aerosmith's 'Walk This way, and Led Zeppelin's 'Hammer of the Gods'---this BESTSELLER will -NO QUESTIONS ASKED- complete your rock journalism collectibles. ( And David Lee Roth will REMAIN with Van Halen forever-------)
December 31, 2023
Diamond Dave is so much more larger than life than I could have expected. Great set of stories written by a guy with a unique outlook and vocabulary. I don't usually like autobiographies that has snippets of thoughts, ideas, incidents and things of interest.
Bono's book especially stuck in my mind when reading this. However unlike Bono's book this wasn't written by a writer but by the man himself and it makes such a big difference.
I couldn't stop reading. Double D can't half tell a story. He went off on massive tangents (this is in no way, shape or form a traditional autobiography) and I think it works because of that.
It shows how DD' s mind and life outlook works. Endlessly interesting and entertaining plus it confirms what I thought after reading Sammy Hagar's book a few years ago - Eddie Van Halen may be a genius guitar player but has massive insecurity issues, pretty much like all geniuses do. Great book.
Bono's book especially stuck in my mind when reading this. However unlike Bono's book this wasn't written by a writer but by the man himself and it makes such a big difference.
I couldn't stop reading. Double D can't half tell a story. He went off on massive tangents (this is in no way, shape or form a traditional autobiography) and I think it works because of that.
It shows how DD' s mind and life outlook works. Endlessly interesting and entertaining plus it confirms what I thought after reading Sammy Hagar's book a few years ago - Eddie Van Halen may be a genius guitar player but has massive insecurity issues, pretty much like all geniuses do. Great book.
October 12, 2007
...because those people would be wrong. This now OOP book was recommended to me by my friend Jared. After many years of searching, I found a used mass-market copy for about $1 at a record store in the San Fernando Valley - extraordinarily apropos.
Jared told me that this was the tale of a road-weary world traveler - not just a rock star; not the dumb blonde he plays on stage. Of course, there are the great Dirt-style road stories of strippers and drugs, but this is way more about the unexpected musings and advice on the Biz from someone who's seen it from all sides at this point. Yes, it's possible to enjoy a book more, but this one was really a fun time. I highly recommend it.
Jared told me that this was the tale of a road-weary world traveler - not just a rock star; not the dumb blonde he plays on stage. Of course, there are the great Dirt-style road stories of strippers and drugs, but this is way more about the unexpected musings and advice on the Biz from someone who's seen it from all sides at this point. Yes, it's possible to enjoy a book more, but this one was really a fun time. I highly recommend it.
May 29, 2015
This book is fun to read! I think anyone who is a Van Halen fan would enjoy it.
I really liked the stories about the early days of Van Halen. He also tells some great stories about his travels, particularly to Haiti and hiking in the Himalayas.
It's not written like a normal book, with chapters, or in any order. You feel like you are sitting down listening to David Lee Roth telling stories. Not all the paragraphs use complete sentences, and not all the stories make sense; but it doesn't matter. You will want to watch old music videos and listen to old Van Halen albums. And some of the stories are really funny.
I was really sad when he told about Van Halen breaking up. Almost cried.
I really liked the stories about the early days of Van Halen. He also tells some great stories about his travels, particularly to Haiti and hiking in the Himalayas.
It's not written like a normal book, with chapters, or in any order. You feel like you are sitting down listening to David Lee Roth telling stories. Not all the paragraphs use complete sentences, and not all the stories make sense; but it doesn't matter. You will want to watch old music videos and listen to old Van Halen albums. And some of the stories are really funny.
I was really sad when he told about Van Halen breaking up. Almost cried.
December 2, 2012
This book does chronicle some of the Van Halen drama that happened when Dave briefly returned to the Band in 1996, as well as L.A. party scenes of then soon to be famous bands like Van Halen, Ratt and others. Dave has his fans and his detractors, but what I liked about this book was his sense of adventure. The chronicles of mountain climbing and exploring the world were interesting. Dave's always been known as a performer, but this book also shows his business sense and the ability to adapt and change to an ever changing marketing environment. I'm not one to read many rock bios, but this one was quite good.
January 13, 2010
Surprisingly funny, astute, and self-deprecating, Diamond Dave has a philosophy of life, death and depth that you might miss if all you think of him as is the manic rocker with the fembot bimbos in the videos. I suspect even those who've never seen the mighty Van Halen (which, let's be fair, ended with Roth's departure; never has a guitarist been so jealous of a frontman and undercut their own amazing chemistry so unwisely) could find much to admire herein. I dug this book the mostest, cause we is freewheeling.
July 15, 2011
I have a whole new respect for DLR. I still think the superior version of Van Halen was with Sammy Hagar, Diamond Dave's book is an exercise in hyperactivity and attention deficit. I wouldn't really call this a linear bio, as Dave is kind of all over the map, but what he does come up with is a pretty interesting story ... that of a man with varied hobbies and a kinetic personality. He bitched a lot less about the Van Halens than Sammy did, but the one thing they both agreed on is Eddie is out of his Goddamn mind. Which is a shame.
November 19, 2012
... Love him or hate him, DLR is to men who grew up in the '80s what Jack Nicholson was to men of the early - '70s. The embodiment of a time, the coolest guy in the room, and an influence that goes beyond rock music. This book isn't really a bio so much as a rock 'n roll version of the Hagakure - a set of short Zen guidelines for living told in the rollicking style of a man who loves the sound of his own voice - and knows we do too. even if you find Roth obnoxious, I dare you to read it and not find yourself surprised by his depth, humor and insight.
March 18, 2015
I've having a hard time rating this book.
The writing wasn't very great, the nonlinear narrative made it hard to follow (even for a fan), and some of the stories seemed out of place.
At the same time, I really loved this book. I'm giving it four stars, but I'll offer the following modifications:
1) Add one STAR to my rating if you are a Van Halen or David Lee Roth fan.
2) Subtract one STAR from my rating if you've never heard of either, or dislike either.
With that out of the way: this book is what a rock and roll autobiography should be. Go read it.
The writing wasn't very great, the nonlinear narrative made it hard to follow (even for a fan), and some of the stories seemed out of place.
At the same time, I really loved this book. I'm giving it four stars, but I'll offer the following modifications:
1) Add one STAR to my rating if you are a Van Halen or David Lee Roth fan.
2) Subtract one STAR from my rating if you've never heard of either, or dislike either.
With that out of the way: this book is what a rock and roll autobiography should be. Go read it.
February 26, 2016
Wonderful, unhinged, anarchic. Dave's a total shit talker and tale-tale teller. He's the hero of his own life (he'd be the first to tell you). The greatest thing about reading this book is, when you get off the subway and you put the book back in your bag, for a few minutes you've still got Dave's voice rattling around in your head, and that's worth the price of admission, right there. To be Diamond Dave for a second is a precious gift. Don't believe me? Ask Dave. He'll tell you.
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