Roth’s uncle Manny owned and operated the venerable Greenwich Village venue through its heyday in the 60s, a home to authors, musicians, poets and comedians.
92-year-old Manny was on hand for the VH gig, and was celebrated with chants of “Manny! Manny!” by the packed crowd as David Lee spoke about the impact his uncle had on him.
Billboard.biz reports the VH front man told a story about first stepping foot inside the club when he was 7-years-old and hearing a calypso steel drummer playing. "I carved my name on one of these banisters."
"But perhaps more importantly," Roth added. "That was the same year my uncle sat on this stage, exactly as I stand here in front of you, and said 'Hey I got a new poet, a new folk singer, his name's Bobby Zimmerman (later Bob Dylan). He needs a place to shack up.' True story."
Check out video of Dave’s story here.
Manny, who now lives in California, told Billboard he hadn't stepped foot inside the club he built, ran and later sold (in 1988), in 15-20 years.
"David called me three or four days ago. He woke me up and said, 'Manny, you won't believe this but I came full circle. I'm headlining at the Cafe Wha? and I want you to come.' I'm not traveling much these days, but then my loved ones all convinced me I should come," he said.
Roth's review of his nephew's performance: "He was phenomenal. Dave is as good as it gets. He's like a son to me."
Van Halen Van Halen – You Really Got Me / Runnin’ With The Devil
Café Wha? – New York City – January 5, 2012
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