David Lee Roth @ OLG Stage, Niagara Falls, Ontario 5-21-26

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer David Lee Roth brought his band to the OLG stage for a sold out show this past Thursday night. BackstageAxxess covered Roth’s show in Central New York last summer so we kind of knew what to expect. There were a few changes made to the lineup and setlist this time around. There were 3 backup singers compared to five last year. Sean McNabb was enlisted as the new bass player replacing Ryan Wheeler and K.C. Knight replaced Dany Wagner on keyboards. You still had Al Estrada on lead guitar and Francis Valentino on drums. It should also be noted that this is the first time Roth has played the Southern Ontario/WNY area since Van Halen played Darien Lake PAC on August 25, 2015.

DLR took to the stage at 8:15pm and led the band and audience on a weird and wacky journey for the next 2 hours. What I mean by that is, Roth is known by being one of the greatest front men in rock and roll history. He still showcases that bravado. He was never known as a great vocalist and now at age 71, what he did have is severely diminished. What is still a big positive in my book is that he dedicates to still singing live and not relying on backing tracks. The band he has are terrific musicians and can carry the load while Dave can be Dave. There were two songs that were changed from last year’s setlist. In were “Little Dreamer,” (the first time this has been performed in 23 years and “Ice Cream Man.” Out were “I’ll Wait” and “Runnin’ With the Devil.” Putting together a setlist could always be challenging, especially with a catalog as deep as Van Halen’s. I said this last year and I’ll say it again, Roth has great solo material to choose from as well. Omitting those is a travesty in my opinion. Roth told more stories and communicated to the audience more this time around than he did last year. Before he played “Ice Cream Man,” he talked about how he and Eddie Van Halen used to write songs back before the band’s first record. Roth also got choked up and said that they took to the same approach to write the last 2 songs too. They would get real close together and share a cigarette with their knees gently touching while plucking chords on guitars. It was touching moments especially since Van Halen’s’ passing back in October of 2020.

Again, talking about the show itself, the band musically is spot on, Roth’s vocals (for the most part) do not hold up. With the backup singers, they are able to fill in the melodies and let Roth do what he does best, be a great front man. There is always seems to be an appetite to see Roth regardless of Roth’s vocals. One must admit, from the time Roth takes the stage until he walks off, he is all smiles. As long as Roth is able to still do it physically and is having fun doing it, I don’t see him going anywhere anytime soon.

Setlist:

Panama (Van Halen song)

Drop Dead Legs (Van Halen song)

Romeo Delight (Van Halen song)

Little Dreamer (Van Halen song)

Blues Jam

I’m the One (Van Halen song)

Beautiful Girls (Van Halen song)

Dance the Night Away (Van Halen song)

Ice Cream Man (Jim Brim cover)

You Really Got Me (The Kinks cover)

Jamie’s Cryin’ (Van Halen song)