NEW YORK - Rocker David Lee Roth (news), the former Van Halen frontman, is taking up a new trade.
Instead of screaming "Jump," he'll be yelling "Clear!"
Roth, 50, has been riding for several weeks with a New York ambulance crew in training to become a paramedic, The New York Post reported Tuesday.
"I have been on over 200 individual rides now," said Roth. "Not once has anyone recognized me, which is perfect for me."
The singer, who spent a decade with Van Halen before embarking on a solo career, except a collaboration with the band for two new songs on a greatest hits album, has been riding along with crews in the Bronx, Manhattan and Brooklyn several nights a week.
His training seems to be going well.
Several weeks ago, Roth saved the life of a heart attack victim in the Bronx by using a defibrillator.
He takes his work so seriously that he did not want publicity so that it would not "diminish what I am trying to do here." He has said that he did not want the neighborhoods he was working in named so that he would not draw attention to himself or co-workers.
"You would never know you were dealing with a rock-'n'-roll guy," said Linda Reissman, Roth's EMS consultant and tutor. "His commitment really is touching. He wants to help people."
no one else thinks this is one of the greatest stories ever?
SeekOnce
11-16-04, 12:14 PM
David Lee Roth a paramedic.....
Now that's an unsettling thought.
Geofferson
11-16-04, 12:40 PM
He is still performing though (saw him in concert a week ago).
auto
11-16-04, 12:58 PM
This is great news.
Anything to keep him off of a stage.
nodeerforamonth
11-16-04, 12:58 PM
Heard this last July. I think it's great. He's a class act.
His book, "Crazy From The Heat" is really good too. Read it twice.
He's performing with his short hair now? That would be weird to see.
j123vt_99
11-16-04, 02:18 PM
Originally posted by nodeerforamonth
His book, "Crazy From The Heat" is really good too. Read it twice.
is it? i've always wanted to read it.. just never got around to it.
Fielding Mellish
11-16-04, 03:33 PM
I'll have a bottle of anything. And a glazed donut.
TO GO!!!
Jack Straw
11-16-04, 04:26 PM
Just curious, is he doing this because he needs a paycheck? Or is this just a lark? I guess it beats serving up fast food. It would be pretty bizarre to be needing EMT help and then see Diamond Dave pumping you full of electricity.
nodeerforamonth
11-16-04, 04:52 PM
Originally posted by Jack Straw
Just curious, is he doing this because he needs a paycheck? Or is this just a lark? I guess it beats serving up fast food. It would be pretty bizarre to be needing EMT help and then see Diamond Dave pumping you full of electricity.
I think he just wanted something productive to do. Before his Van Halen days, he worked for a hospital and would ship organs in ice chests from accident donors to the hospital.
Jason
11-16-04, 06:52 PM
Originally posted by Jack Straw
Just curious, is he doing this because he needs a paycheck? Or is this just a lark? I guess it beats serving up fast food. It would be pretty bizarre to be needing EMT help and then see Diamond Dave pumping you full of electricity.
Ten bucks says he's fishing for a reality show...
Coral
11-16-04, 07:39 PM
Maybe he can help save some lives, because he won't be able to revive his career.
nodeerforamonth
11-16-04, 08:30 PM
Sad how cynical people have become in this day and age. Really, really sad.
He cut his hair and dyed it as not to be recognized. He refused to mention the area he's working in. He was happy that no one has recognized him on 200 runs.
Maybe, just maybe, for once, just this one time, there is no conspiracy or ulterior motive and he just wants to help people?
tdirgins
11-16-04, 09:43 PM
Maybe he can take the defibrillator and jump start his career.
Numanoid
11-17-04, 01:04 AM
Originally posted by nodeerforamonth
Sad how cynical people have become in this day and age. Really, really sad.
He cut his hair and dyed it as not to be recognized. He refused to mention the area he's working in. He was happy that no one has recognized him on 200 runs.
Maybe, just maybe, for once, just this one time, there is no conspiracy or ulterior motive and he just wants to help people? Then why do we need to know about it at all?
he's learning paramedial techniques just in case his hearts gives out onstage attempting one of his high-kicks and must revive himself
Burnt Alive
11-17-04, 03:10 AM
Originally posted by Fielding Mellish
I'll have a bottle of anything. And a glazed donut.
TO GO!!!
Bozadee bozadee bop!
Geofferson
11-17-04, 11:03 AM
Originally posted by nodeerforamonth
Heard this last July. I think it's great. He's a class act.
His book, "Crazy From The Heat" is really good too. Read it twice.
He's performing with his short hair now? That would be weird to see.
Crazy From the Heat is a great read (great pics too). I had him autograph my copy when I met him.
He is performing with short hair and looks a lot better than he did with the long bleach-blond hair.
FYI, I heard an interview with him a while back where he said he has always wanted to take after his father in some way, shape or form. His father was a doctor.
nodeerforamonth
11-17-04, 12:33 PM
Originally posted by Numanoid
Then why do we need to know about it at all?
Well it's not like he's putting out press releases about it and doing a media tour about it.
The Post probably heard about it and tracked him down for it. This story IS 6 months old.
nazz
11-19-04, 05:34 PM
http://www.nelsonchenault.com/music/dlr.jpg
"Hey dude. I'm gonna have to defib-you-later 'cos I'm late for a gig."
thegame370
11-20-04, 05:13 AM
Originally posted by nazz
http://www.nelsonchenault.com/music/dlr.jpg
"Hey dude. I'm gonna have to defib-you-later 'cos I'm late for a gig."
:lol:
emhello
11-26-04, 02:59 AM
Originally posted by automator
This is great news.
Anything to keep him off of a stage.
lol :D
bill_n_opus
11-26-04, 03:31 AM
Originally posted by Fielding Mellish
I'll have a bottle of anything. And a glazed donut.
TO GO!!!
rotfl
Just what I was thinking.
benedict
11-27-04, 05:12 AM
Originally posted by nazz
http://www.nelsonchenault.com/music/dlr.jpg
"Hey dude. I'm gonna have to defib-you-later 'cos I'm late for a wig." :eek: :confused: :eyebrow:
Buy: