David Lee Roth Turned Down Appearing on John Mulaney Netflix Show

David Lee Roth seems like a guy who would be up for random things, or at least, that's what his YouTube channel reflects. However, that is clearly not the case. Just ask comedian John Mulaney.

Mulaney appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live! to promote his limited live Netflix series John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's In L.A. He's recruited an impressive slate of guests to appear on the show, including David Letterman, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Patton Oswald, Sarah Silverman, Bill Hader, Nate Bargatze and Cedric the Entertainer.

Kimmel asked Mulaney if there was anyone he asked to appear on the show, but they turned it down. Mulaney humorously initially answered, "So many!" But then, he singled out the Van Halen frontman. The comedian originally pitched that DLR act as his band leader for the show and then offered up for him to be a guest.

Mulaney admits, "I honestly didn't know how to appeal to him, because it's David Lee Roth. I should just call him up and be like, 'Let's party!' and he might show up."

Kimmel then noted how Roth is a certified EMT, and that next time, Mulaney should call him and say, "I'm bleeding!" and then he'll show up.

Through laughter, Mulaney said, "Can you imagine being in a medical crisis and you’re strapped down to the board, and your head’s in that [brace], and you look up and [Roth says], ‘Yeah!’? Like, that must be insane!"

It's a real shame Roth turned down the chance to appear on Mulaney's show. He's always been such a character, and since the show is live, who knows what he would've done.

A fine example of Roth's uniqueness came back February when he released a video to his YouTube channel looking back on his music video for "California Girls."

Roth, of course, released his cover of the Beach Boys classic in 1985. The cover was featured on the EP Crazy from the Heat. That EP title would be recycled by Roth as the title of his 1997 autobiography.

Roth reflected in the new video, "On a personal note: I feel fairly confident saying that these were some of the best times in my life, not the times on stage that my dad most envied about me. These were probably the moments everyone else's dad envied most about my life, and looking back now, even I envy me."

David Lee Roth is one of rock's greatest frontman and, overall, one of music's most unique characters.

When he's on stage, he's the ultimate showman. When he's off stage and talking with the press, he walks a line between brilliant and insane. One minute, he takes off on a stream of consciousness that convinces you he's not all there. Then he'll throw out a surprising one-liner that'll make you think, "Holy s---...Diamond Dave's has been smarter than all of us this whole time."

Roth will often release his "stream of consciousness" moments on YouTube nowadays. Back in February, he released a clip about his music video for "California Girls." Roth, of course, released his cover of the Beach Boys classic in 1985. The cover was featured on the EP Crazy from the Heat. That EP title would be recycled by Roth as the title of his 1997 autobiography.

Roth reflected in the video, "On a personal note: I feel fairly confident saying that these were some of the best times in my life, not the times on stage that my dad most envied about me. These were probably the moments everyone else's dad envied most about my life, and looking back now, even I envy me."

It's comments like that that set DLR apart from most rock figures, both past and present. During his heyday, Roth was one of rock's biggest stars because he was fronting one of the biggest bands in the world. Plus, not enough can be said about his stage presence. How could you not love those high kicks and toe touches?! Even today, he's often more interesting than most "current" lead singers in rock. Then again, who else could really replicate his unique brand of madness?

In honor of years of zaniness, let's wish a happy birthday to the one, the only David Lee Roth by looking back at these ten quotes attributed to him.