MISSING IN ACTION: David Lee Roth used...

MISSING IN ACTION: David Lee Roth used a little devil as the logo for his last album, 1991’s “A Little Ain’t Enough.” But Diamond Dave went away with his own pointed tail between his legs after the album failed to make much impact and a tour fizzled--all the more dramatic in the face of the huge success his ex-mates in Van Halen have had since Roth went solo in 1985. The usually irrepressible singer has been virtually unheard and unseen since.

Well, he’s ba-a-a-a-ack. Roth has relocated from Pasadena to New York, where he’s working on his fourth solo album with producer Nile Rodgers, the ex-Chic member whose production credits include David Bowie’s “Let’s Dance.” A Roth spokesman describes the new Warner Bros. album, tentatively titled “Your Filthy Little Mouth,” as rawer, harder and bluesier than Roth’s other solo work.

A tour is likely, though no formal plans have been made. And Roth has apparently shelved plans to revive what once seemed like a sure-fire acting career, preferring, at least for now, to concentrate on his music.