In a recent appearance on Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz, Ross Valory explained whether David Lee Roth begged to perform with Journey.
Paltrowitz said that he heard DLR wanted to join Journey for a few dates. When he asked if Valory got any invitation to play bass for Roth, the rocker replied:
“I don’t remember Dave asking Journey to get on the tour. No, he never asked me to play with him, but you write about a lot of people I know, including Dave Amato. I think he was in that group with Ron [Wikso], but Ron has the funniest stories about rehearsing at Dave’s dad’s house or something like that. It’s just the way Dave went about organizing things.”
What Did Roth Say About Journey?
Diamond Dave previously talked about Journey in an interview while discussing how Van Halen changed with him compared to Sammy Hagar. He gave Journey as an example that can continue even when key members leave, saying:
“Now Journey, I would recognize the guitar player. But that’s just because I’ve listened to that part of the band. But Steve Perry, who sang for Journey, was not so much a personality as an eloquent sound. So it’s a universal sound, and if you even get close to it. It is part of every prom, every wedding, every going in and coming out party. If you’re going into the army, that’s the last song the band is gonna play. You’re coming out of jail, your girlfriend is gonna play. Even Tony Soprano!”
On the other hand, Journey’s former singer Steve Perry revealed to Rolling Stone in 2020 that Eddie Van Halen once suggested that they jam together after Roth left Van Halen in 1985. Perry considered the offer but decided against it. He felt unsure about representing the DLR era with his voice.
You can watch Valory’s full chat below.