David Lee Roth

David Lee Roth, also known as Diamond Dave, (born October 10, 1954 {{ref|age}} in Bloomington, Indiana) is a Jewish, American rock vocalist, best known for his work with Van Halen. The son of Nathan Roth, a prominent ophthalmologist, David Lee Roth moved to Pasadena, California in his teens, after living in Swampscott, Massachusetts. David Lee Roth's uncle, Manny Roth, is an influential New York City nightclub owner, and entertainment entrepreneur. Roth's grandparents emigrated to Indiana from Ukraine.

After Van Halen

In April 1985, Roth either quit Van Halen or was fired, according to differing reports. Reportedly, tensions broke between Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen over Van Halen's desire to incorporate keyboards, synthesizers, and power ballads into the group's sound. In his 1998 autobiography, Crazy From the Heat, Roth characterized Van Halen's music just before his 1985 departure as "morose." Reportedly, Roth wished to record an album quickly, tour, and then shoot a movie, (the ill-fated Crazy From the Heat,) but found his bandmates apathetic, lethargic, and drug addled. Roth also disliked Eddie Van Halen's behavior regarding his appearance on Michael Jackson's 1983 hit Beat It—Van Halen never told Roth that he had recorded the song, for fear that Roth would prevent him from releasing it. Still, the exact reasons for Roth's departure from Van Halen remain a mystery. Since 1985, Roth and his former bandmates have engaged in an acrimonious (if often colorful) feud that made has headlines for decades, and has become the subject of much popular debate and speculation.

Related Topics:
1985 - Van Halen - Eddie Van Halen - Keyboards - Synthesizers - Power ballad - Michael Jackson - 1983 - Beat It

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In late-1985, Roth assembled a band that many considered a "supergroup", composed of guitarist Steve Vai, bass player Billy Sheehan and drummer Greg Bissonette. He later enlisted Van Halen producer Ted Templeman to produce the band's debut album. Eat'em and Smile saw Roth return to hard rock music, and met with considerable commercial success. The Eat'em and Smile Tour was one of the most successful concert tours of 1986.

Related Topics:
1985 - Supergroup - Steve Vai - Billy Sheehan - Greg Bissonette - 1986

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Van Halen's first album with Sammy Hagar, Roth's replacement as lead vocalist, entitled 5150, met with greater commercial success than Eat'em and Smile. Van Halen titled their 1988 album OU812 (i.e. Oh, you ate one too?) to ridicule Eat 'Em And Smile.

Related Topics:
Sammy Hagar - 1988 - OU812

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In early-1988, Roth released Skyscraper, a more experimental album, musically, with a pop sound. Although it featured Roth's most famous original solo song, Just Like Paradise, Skyscraper met with a more tepid commercial response than anything Roth had released previously. Soon after Skyscraper's release, Billy Sheehan left Roth's band. Following the Skyscraper Tour, Steve Vai left Roth's band.

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In 1991, Roth released A Little Ain't Enough, a basic hard rock album, produced by Bob Rock; it achieved RIAA Gold status. Twenty-year old guitar prodigy Jason Becker played on the album, but was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease shortly before the accompanying arena tour, and was replaced by Joe Holmes. The stage for the A Little Ain't Enough tour featured statues of devils that spat vodka at Roth's audience, and a pair of giant, inflatable, legs, positioned 'spread-eagle', wearing ripped, fishnet stockings. Musical tastes changed dramatically at about 1991, with the arrival of grunge music, hence Roth's tour did not sell out many venues, as in the past.

Related Topics:
1991 - Bob Rock - RIAA - Jason Becker - Lou Gehrig's disease - Joe Holmes - Grunge

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In 1993, Roth was arrested in New York City's Washington Square Park, for buying what he once described as, "$10 worth of Jamaican, bunk reefer," from an undercover police officer. The arrest made headlines, and became a late-night television punch-line.

Related Topics:
1993 - New York City - Washington Square Park

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In 1994, Roth released Your Filthy Little Mouth, an eclectic, lyrically intricate album, produced by Nile Rodgers. It combined elements of rock, country, reggae, hip-hop, lounge, and others; for example, it included the song "Cheating Heart Cafe", a duet with the popular country singer Travis Tritt. It did not sell well, failng to achieve Gold status. Roth then began to perform at smaller venues in the U.S.

Related Topics:
1994 - Nile Rodgers - Travis Tritt

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In 1995, Roth devised and performed an adult lounge act, largely in Las Vegas casinos, with a brass band that featured Nile Rodgers, Edgar Winter, and members of the Miami Sound Machine. It also featured several exotic dancers, who in Roth's words were "so sweet, I bet they shit sugar!"

Related Topics:
1995 - Las Vegas - Edgar Winter - Miami Sound Machine - Exotic dancers

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In June, 1996, Roth reunited with Van Halen to great public fanfare. He recorded two songs with Van Halen for their Best of Vol. 1 album. After an infamous group appearance on September 5, 1996, at the MTV Video Music Awards, during which Roth and Eddie Van Halen reportedly threatened each other, Roth was passed over for Van Halen's lead vocalist job in favor of Gary Cherone, (whose previous band Extreme had opened for Roth in 1991.)

Related Topics:
June - 1996 - September 5 - MTV Video Music Awards - Eddie Van Halen - Gary Cherone - 1991

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In 1997, Roth wrote a well-received memoir, entitled Crazy From the Heat. He continued to release new music; however, it did not sell as well as before. Roth's 1998 album DLR Band, recorded in several weeks with guitarist John Lowery, became a surprise critical success.

Related Topics:
1997 - 1998 - John Lowery

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In 2001, rumors swirled that Roth and the members of Van Halen had recorded several songs together, and were in the process of attempting yet another reunion. Roth later confirmed this, but nothing became of the music.

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In 2002, Roth's Heavyweights of Rock and Roll tour with Sammy Hagar succeeded beyond expectations and revived his career somewhat. Despite this, Roth's future remains uncertain, as Hagar's recent reunion with Van Halen clouds the DLR Army's hope that Roth will ever reunite with Van Halen.

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On July 4, 2004, Roth performed with the Boston Pops at Boston's annual Pops Goes the Fourth celebration.

Related Topics:
July 4 - 2004 - Boston Pops - Boston's

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According to news reports in July 2004, Roth relocated to New York City where he became a certified emergency medical technician. In July 2005, it was reported that Roth would be replacing Howard Stern on his syndicated radio show when Stern moves to satellite radio.http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050707/en_nm/media_stern_dcThis is yet to be confirmed as of October 2005. There are rumors circulating in the British press that Roth is presently forming an all star band with Tommy Lee, Vinnie Vincent(formerly of KISS), and Bob Daisley (formerly of Ozzy Osbourne's band)

Related Topics:
July - 2004 - New York City - 2005 - Howard Stern

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