A never-published interview with Van Halen's Diamond David Lee Roth. At the time of this interview in December 1984, Roth was 31 years old, and only months away from no longer being in Van Halen. In the interview, Roth talks about the future of Van Halen, his need for attention, whether he’s a bad role model, and what he wants on his tombstone. And in a Tapes Archive exclusive, Mr. Roth busts into an impromptu freestyle rap. 

The interview is conducted by a new Tapes Archive contributor, award-winning legendary entertainment journalist, screenwriter, producer, and author, Ethlie Ann Vare. For decades, Ethlie ruled musical taste and celebrity gossip in newspapers, magazines, and TV. Her Top 10 Syndicated column ROCK ON ran in 1,700 newspapers worldwide. She’s interviewed A-list movie celebrities like Johnny Depp and Nicholas Cage and rock royalty like Ozzy Osbourne and David Lee Roth. She wrote for Billboard, Daily Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter. She also reviewed rock concerts and albums for the New York Times, and discussed rock stars on The Gossip Show. Ms. Vare has more accomplishments than we have time to say here. Below is a link in to her website. We are honored she is allowing us to share some of her unpublished historical interviews with all of you. 

Ethlie Ann Vare's website https://ethlieannvare.com/

Watch the captioned version https://youtu.be/QodtYVn7tDQ

00:00 - Intro to David Lee Roth interview

01:46 - Start of the David Lee Roth Interview

02:57 - The rumors about Eddie Van Halen wanting to leave the band

03:58 - Was it an ego blow with Van Halen’s album 1984 not hitting #1 on the charts

05:22 - Playing Black Sabbath music while watching a football game

05:49 - Was having a pop hit with “Jump” harmful to the band?

06:57 - About his love life and what his type is

08:38 - Who is the real David Lee Roth

09:29 - How Roth is a bit of a loner, and his need for attention

10:21 - How he’s critical of other bands

12:03 - Roth does a freestyle rap. (Not kidding, not A.I.)

12:52 - His first and other jobs as a teenager

14:01 - Who manages his money

14:39 - Where his next adventure will be

15:05 - How does he defend the criticism that he’s a bad role model

15:55 - What’s next for Van Halen

16:29 - What’s the Van Halen groupie scene like

17:02 - The Hot For Teacher video

17:42 - The auditions for his music videos

18:42 - What would he want on his tombstone

19:04 - Answering machines

19:44 - What he wants back

19:55 - A scene he likes from the movie Cotton Club

20:41 - His Harley Davidson

21:41 - What type of car he drives

22:11 - His height and weight

22:41 - The movie Amadeus

23:10 - He was just offered a low-budget film

23:57 - Who’s going to remember him in 500 years