Hero worship: Diamond David Lee Roth

Why a Stockport lad loved this larger than life superstar

Perfect for a fourteen year old…

I bumped into Van Halen at both the ideal and the wrong time. A committed rock fan, I was 14 when I discovered this quartet of perfect musical machines: Alex Van Halen’s thunderous drums and Michael Anthony’s thudding bass and sonorous harmonies set the band apart from many other rock bands I was listening to. And, of course, the twin engine of Eddie Van Halen’s revolutionary guitar playing and David Lee Roth’s spellbinding showmanship ensured they really were like no other band.

The age of 14 was the ideal time to find them - pure entertainment, humour and remarkable musicianship. They took over my life for a short while. I listened to them and to no one else. I didn’t mind if they were pushing the guitar to its extremes (Eruption), drenching their music with synths (Jump), or bringing in acoustic country folk (Co…