Van Halen Concert

Original lead singer David Lee Roth was clearly happy to be back on stage with Van Halen in Los Angeles for the first time in more than two decades. The Pasadena-born band played a set of Roth-era material to a sold-out Staples Center crowd on Tuesday. (Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times)

Sept. 16, 2014 7:04 AM PT

David Lee Roth performs in the Van Halen concert at Staples Center in Los Angeles on November 20, 2007.

Founding brothers Eddie (guitar) and Alex (drums) Van Halen shredded and bashed their way through a set of songs from their first six albums, including major hits such as Panama and album cuts such as Somebody Get Me a Doctor. (Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times)

The band now has three Van Halens: Wolfgang, Eddies 16-year-old son, joined on bass, replacing original member Michael Anthony. Wolfgang, left, with his dad and singer David Lee Roth, wasnt even born until 1991 (years after Roth had departed) when Van Halen was on the third album of its run with vocalist Sammy Hagar. (Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times)

Fan Jon Young shows off his hard-to-come-by ticket before going into Tuesday night’s show. (Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times)

From left, Ross Sullivan, Rina Cunniff and Joe Haynes of Las Vegas were ready to rock before the show began. (Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times)

Kellie Peters and Stew Herrera of the Westside grin like Diamond Dave in anticipation of the Staples Center show. (Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times)

The cradle will rock: Chris Gulack, left, Antonio Curiel and Kris Ornelas of Santa Clarita were too young to see Van Halens last tour with Roth the 1984 Tour. (Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times)