ABOUT
"Being a Van Halen tribute band means achieving the very heights of what it takes to be a tribute act. You have crazy outfits to wear, high notes as well as low ones to hit, complicated song structures and polyrhythmic drum work, pretty high high-jumps, plus of course that pyrotechnic guitar work. And it all has to be delivered with manic energy, and zealous fervor. When one is dealing with rock musicians in their 40s and well beyond, the best tribute bands are more worth seeing than those original artists. Panama exists in the upper tier of tribute acts, in every respect. "
- Detroit Metro Times -
Van Halen tribute PANAMA is the brainchild of front man, Ric D'Rose. After spending many years in original and cover bands, Ric felt inspired to form a tribute to one of the greatest rock bands in American history- early Van Halen. In an effort to replicate the hard driving beats of Alex Van Halen,the bass showmanship of Michael Anthony, the incredible guitar riffs of Eddie Van Halen, and the signature harmonies that comprised the band Van Halen from 1979-1984, Ric has assembled some of the best musicians in the industry.
The members of PANAMA recreate with great detail and energy, the early Van Halen concert experience. D'Roses impersonation of David Lee Roth is spot on. The vocals with Roth's signature scream, blonde mane,stage acrobatics,flamboyant costumes,and party persona that defined "Diamond Dave" are all part of the show. The musicians in PANAMA exemplify entertainment and EVERY performance is aimed at engaging and delighting the audience. PANAMA has performed at numerous venues throughout the Midwest and is quickly becoming a fan favorite in the tribute industry. The line up of PANAMA is: Ric D'Rose as David Lee Roth , Tony Fondale as Eddie Van Halen, Jonny Olds as Michael Anthony, and Larry Kuchta as Alex Van Halen.
There is magic in the moment when musicians play together and it all just fits. You can feel a bands chemistry and if the chemistry is there (and it is with PANAMA) it's a thing of beauty. That same chemistry is what defines all great bands. It is most assuredly what defined the original Van Halen. In 1985, many fans were depressed when David Lee Roth and the band split. The band was still phenomenal, but that "magic" was just not there anymore. It was the end of an era. PANAMA wants to bring back that magic, return you to a time when a group emerged from California to change the face of Rock and Roll- the legendary Van Halen. PANAMA is a high energy stage show complete with stage antics that are guaranteed to entertain.