Born 1955, U.S.A.
1985 Crazy From the Heat
1986 Eat 'Em And Smile
1987 Skyscraper
1991 A Little Ain't Enough
1994 Your Filthy Little Mouth
1997 The Best
1998 DLR Band
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History
One of the greatest showmen and performers in hard rock history. Upon his departure
from metal legends Van Halen in 1985, Diamond Dave set out to upstage
his former band. At first it worked, but his popularity has been on a steady decline
despite his outrageous personality and quotability.
Roth was still a member of Van Halen when he released his debut
EP, Crazy From The Heat, a collection of tongue-in-cheek songs. The album
spawned two top 20 singles, and disappointed with the slow progression of the new
Van Halen record, Roth left the band. His first full-length album
featured members that could almost rival his old bandmates, Steve Vai
(guitar, formerly of Frank Zappa and Alcatrazz), ex-Talas bassist
Billy Sheehan and Gregg Bissonette (drums). The album was a smash hit,
and Roth's videos were on heavy rotation at MTV.
Skyscraper was another huge success, but the songs were more
keyboard oriented. Feeling squeezed out of the band, Sheehan departed to form
Mr. Big. For A Little Ain't Enough, Roth had got an almost
entirely new band of Jason Becker (guitar), Steve Hunter (one time
Alice Cooper guitarist), Matt Bissonette (bass) and Brett Tuggle
(keyboards). The album hit the top twenty, but spawned no hit singles and it was
apparent that few cared anymore. Roth fired the entire band shortly after and
moved to New York where in '93 he would be arrested for buying $10 worth of marijuana.
His 1994 album (co-written with childhood friend and guitarist Terry
Kilgore) was an absolute flop and Roth was dropped from his major label
contract. A short-lived Las Vegas lounge act also failed to bring in any new fans.
Surprisingly he was asked to rejoin Van Halen to record new tracks for their
Greatest Hits album. Two new tunes were recorded, but the band hastily let
Roth go afterwards, despite his belief he was once again back in the group. In
1997 he wrote an autobiography chronicalling his rocky affair with the Van Halen
boys called Crazy From The Heat.
On an idependant label, Roth unleahed his greatest album since 1986.
A tour for the record never came off when guitarist John Lowery suddenly left to
become Marilyn Manson's Johnny 5. It wouldn't be until mid 1999 that
Roth hit the road, playing mostly Van Halen tunes and sounding better then
ever. Amazingly, current rumors have Diamond Dave rejoining Van Halen
for yet a third time, although nothing has been confirmed yet. Whether he is back in the
band or remains solo, he will always be around to entertain the masses. One of the
few rock legends.
Links
The Official David Lee Roth Page
David Lee Roth Army
World Of Experience
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