June 5, 2026 – The Stone Pony, Asbury Park NJ
Review by Chris Yates // Photography by Estelle Massry
Ringmaster /ˈriNGˌmastər/: a master of ceremonies who directs performances and maintains the crowds excitement.
David Lee Roth the Ringmaster, Master of Ceremonies, and one of the most iconic frontmen of all time strutted his stuff in Asbury Park, NJ Friday night through a beautiful sunsetted evening to a large, excited and anticipatory crowd.
The Stone Pony Summer Stage has hosted countless legends over the years, but on this June night in Asbury Park, it felt like the boardwalk belonged to David. The venue’s open-air setting, with the ocean breeze drifting in from the beach, was the perfect backdrop for a performer whose entire career has been built on excess, swagger, and spectacle.
Last time I saw DLR was back in the early 90’s when he embarked on his solo career. Being that it’s been well over three decades and as a Van Halen fan, I was excited to see him and hear the songs, rapid drum beats, and guitar riffs no matter who was playing.
Roth arrived with the confidence of a man who has spent decades commanding arenas. Whatever the years have taken from his vocal range, he compensated for with sheer personality. He stalked the stage, threw karate-kick poses, mugged for the crowd, and worked the audience like a veteran showman who knows that half the battle is making every fan feel involved.
“Diamond Dave” lit up the stage (literally) in his sequins studded silver jacket, black & white barber pole tight pants and a black and red sequins vest. The lights reflected on Roth like a disco ball all evening which was appropriately symbolic to the “Diamond Dave” nickname. He delivered exactly what fans came to see: a celebration of the music, attitude, and larger-than-life personality that helped make Van Halen one of rock’s greatest live acts.
At 71, Roth may not possess the same vocal range that defined his heyday, but what remains completely intact is his charisma. From the moment he strutted onstage, flashing his trademark grin and commanding the crowd with effortless confidence, “Diamond Dave” reminded everyone why he became one of rock’s most recognizable frontmen.
Opening with the unmistakable riffs of “Panama,” Roth immediately had the packed Summer Stage crowd singing every word. The audience, spanning multiple generations of fans, responded with the same enthusiasm one might expect from a Van Halen arena show decades ago. Supported by a stellar band featuring Al Estrada on guitar, Sean McNabb on bass, Francisco Velentino on drums, and a powerful four-member vocal section, the Van Halen material was executed with precision, energy, and undeniable passion.
The set leaned heavily into the band’s classic catalog, with highlights including a thunderous “Romeo Delight,” the groove-heavy “Drop Dead Legs,” and an energetic performance of “Beautiful Girls” that perfectly matched the beach-town atmosphere. A blues jam midway through the show allowed Roth’s backing band to showcase their considerable musicianship while giving the frontman room to work the stage and engage the crowd.
This was not a nostalgia act pretending time has stood still. Roth’s voice is no longer the untamed instrument heard on the original records, and there were moments when the crowd effectively became the lead singer. Yet in a strange way, that only reinforced the communal spirit of the night: thousands of fans shouting the choruses together while “Diamond Dave” played ringmaster. Roth’s humor, storytelling, and spontaneous banter kept the performance lively and unpredictable. Whether cracking jokes between songs or leading crowd singalongs, he remained the focal point of the evening.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the show was Roth’s relentless energy. He covered every inch of the stage, dancing, kicking, and posing for fans as if time had barely touched him. The crowd responded in kind, turning the Summer Stage into one giant celebration of classic rock.
As a pure concert experience, the show succeeded; less because it recreated 1984 but more because it celebrated the larger-than-life character David Lee Roth has always been. The performance was loud, loose, funny, occasionally chaotic, and undeniably entertaining. For longtime fans, the Stone Pony show felt like a summer reunion with one of hard rock’s greatest frontmen. For younger concertgoers, it was a reminder that before social media influencers and viral personalities, there was “Diamond Dave”: part singer, part comedian, part carnival barker, and one of the last true rock-star originals.
For more info, please visit http://www.davidleeroth.com