POP MUSIC REVIEW : Roth Takes Center Stage at Forum

David Lee Roth may no longer be the young punk he was during his days as Van Halen’s frontman, but the athletic performer can still do those high kicks that brought him fame. He can also put on a glitzy extravaganza that makes for an evening of highly enjoyable fluff. That more than satisfied the cheering youngsters who packed the Forum on Friday night. Even if Diamond Dave suffered poor attendance in other parts of the country, his hometown still loves him.

Though this show danced along lightly, Roth’s band provided heavyweight musicianship. The brothers Bissonette--drummer Gregg and new bassist Matt--pounded a primal thump. Captivating axeman Steve Vai came close at times to stealing the show. When Roth exited the stage during an instrumental, Vai’s sexually charged presence took the spotlight. His breathtaking solo culminated in an erotic clinch with his guitar on top of the speakers. Roth offers brash double-entendres and muscular agility, but it was Vai who won the hearts of the panting teen-age girls.

Roth regained center stage with his larger-than-life props. He climbed up into a boxing ring that hung from the ceiling of the Forum for a couple of numbers, then rode a surfboard over the heads of the audience during his version of the Beach Boys’ “California Girls.” Roth (who also headlined Irvine Meadows on Saturday and is due at the San Diego Sports Arena on Friday) is an expert at lighthearted entertainment, and with Vai riding shotgun his showmanship shines brighter than ever.

Second-billed Poison is wise to continue opening for more established acts like Roth. These up-and-comers have a pair of platinum albums under their belts, but they need more polish before seriously considering a headlining tour. They’ve toned down their glamster image, which is a mistake, since their androgynous look has won them as much attention as their catchy hard-pop sound. They also overplayed their hand Friday by giving guitarist C. C. DeVille a solo spot, when Steve Vai was bound to blow him away a little later.