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.

With Van Halen

Roth rose to prominence in the 1970s Los Angeles rock scene, as the lead singer of Van Halen. In 1974 Roth rented his PA system to the brothers Edward and Alex Van Halen, and later joined their hard rock band as lead vocalist. Roth soon persuaded the Van Halen brothers to change the band's name from Rat Salade to Van Halen. (The group had also performed as Mammoth.) In the late 1970s, Van Halen developed a local following while playing the nightclubs on the Sunset Strip.

Related Topics:
1970s - Los Angeles - Van Halen - 1974 - Hard rock - Sunset Strip

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In 1978, Roth sang lead vocals on Van Halen's eponymous first album. Van Halen is considered one of rock music's greatest debuts — it quickly established the group as a commercial success, and is credited with establishing Los Angeles as popular music's unofficial capital during the 1980s and early-1990s. Soon after, Roth became well-known for his charisma, acrobatic showmanship, and outrageous off-stage behaviour. He became a media celebrity; his ribald witticisms were frequently quoted. Although not often noted for technical prowess, Roth's bluesy baritone voice and distinctive screams, along with his often humorous and ironic lyrics, were integral to Van Halen's sound. Roth was able to take his voice into a multi-pitched wheeze/rasp, almost like a train whistle (see Throat singing), that few can imitate successfully.

Related Topics:
1978 - Album - 1980s - 1990s - Train whistle - Throat singing

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1979 to 1984 saw Van Halen release five more albums: Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down, and 1984 — each to increasing popular success and critical acclaim. In 1983, Van Halen was paid $1,000,000 to play one set at the US Festival in California, and thus became one of the two highest paid bands in modern history, along with the festival's other headlining act, David Bowie. Van Halen achieved their greatest commercial success, including their first Billboard #1 single, (for the song Jump,) in 1984. Soon after, tensions boiled over between Roth and his bandmates. In early 1985, while still a member Van Halen, Roth released a solo EP of off-beat standards, which became wildly popular. Singles for Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody, and California Girls succeeded largely due to their innovative music videos, which featured ridiculous characters created by Roth.

Related Topics:
1979 - 1984 - 1983 - US Festival - California - David Bowie - Billboard - 1984 - 1985 - EP

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