David Lee Roth’s uncle Manny Roth has died on Friday at age 95.
At his website David Lee Roth posted, “Uncle Manny has passed away. He was 95 years old. He was happy, laughing and smiling right up ‘til the end. His presence already missed. His contributions with us forever”.
Manny Roth was a legend of the New York live music scene decades before Van Halen came into existence.
The elder Roth opened Café Wha? In 1962, one of New York’s best music venues in Greenwich Village.
Café Wha? became the venue for amateur acts to cut a break. Unknowns like Jimi Hendrix, Peter Paul & Mary, Woody Allen, Joan Rivers and Woody Allen started out at Roth’s Café Wha?. Bob Dylan was told not to come back to the venue after turning up late three times for his shows.
Manny Roth was the first manager for Richard Pryor.
When Van Halen released ‘A Different Kind of Truth’ two years ago they launched the album with a performance at the 250-seat venue. Manny was in the audience.
David Lee Roth interviewed his uncle of his radio show in 2012.
