PASADENA, Calif. — The David Lee Roth Band announced the immediate dismissal of lead singer David Lee Roth, confirmed sources.
“Effective immediately, David Lee Roth has been removed as lead singer of the David Lee Roth Band, and the group has decided to move in a new direction. We thank David for his years of service and wish him the best in his future endeavors,” said longtime guitarist Al Estrada. “The situation has become untenable. I can’t do it anymore. I’m playing Van Halen riffs and solos note for note, and night after night Dave just yells out whatever words cross his mind. Sometimes he’ll just drop a verse altogether and ramble about his sheepdogs or swing a sword around instead of singing, or stop the set to do the limbo. We’ve had enough. Sammy Hagar is going to replace Dave. He already knows most of the catalog, so it’s really a no-brainer.
Roth had plenty to say about his dismissal.
“Shooby doo doo wop shama lama, baby! Diamond Dave is two steps ahead of the walking dead!” said Roth. “Alert the media and edit Wikipedia because Diamond Dave is putting together a new band and it’s all killa no filla like Godzilla. The David Lee Roth Experience is about to take flight and your momma says it’s alright!”
Fans were not surprised by the news.
“Have you seen recent videos of him singing?” said Eugene Roberts of Utica, Michigan, a longtime fan. “It’s time for Dave to hang it up. The guy’s a rock legend, but at some point you just have to listen to recordings of your show and face facts. The David Lee Roth Band has a responsibility to protect the legacy of Van Halen, and with Sammy in there they can play ‘Poundcake,’ ‘Right Now,’ and ‘When It’s Love.’ It’s for the best. This is what Eddie and Alex would have wanted.”
At press time, members of the David Lee Roth Band announced that they’ve already parted ways with Hagar and will be replacing him with Gary Cherone.
