Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience on Thursday, and he called out a myth about rock songwriting that has been popularized by people like The Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards. He also discussed Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. Alternative Nation reporter Mike Mazzarone transcribed his comments.
Roth: I’ve seen Freddie live at he Forum. I was, maybe, in the 20th row, when Bohemian Rhapsody had just come out.
Rogan: Oh my goodness.
Roth: Yeah, I saw him at his prime there so I’m very curious. Because stage craft is one thingm but what Freddy was and what he brought was way more than what you just saw on stage.
Rogan: Yeah…
Roth: Yeah, fair enough?
Rogan: Yeah, what was he bringing?
Roth: [gasps] Well, his sensibilities in terms of music weren’t just three cords and an attitude. Don’t fall for that shit either. If Keith [Richards] ever tries that shit (in Keith Richards voice): ‘It’s all right Rogan, you just need three chords and an attitude.’
Yeah, and you need to know the inversions of each one, all seven of, ah fuck you Keith, because he does know all those and the tricks and whatever. Freddie brought a whole wealth of listening to different kinds of music. Whether it was orchestral, big band, bistro, musette, which might be something that you hear in a coffee shop in France.
