David Lee Roth

Background

David Lee Roth was born on October 10, 1954, in Bloomington, Indiana, to Nathan Lee Roth, an ophthalmologist, and Sibyl Roth, a teacher. Roth was always interested in art, particularly film and radio, claiming that Al Jolson was his first musical idol. Roth began singing in his late teens, both solo and with the Red Ball Jets, an R&B-tinged rock band. It was during these stints that he encountered Mammoth, a Los Angeles band featuring brothers Alex and Eddie Van Halen. In 1974 they invited Roth to join their new band, Van Halen, as lead vocalist. Their debut album, “Van Halen” was recorded in 1978 and immediately grabbed national attention and radio airplay.

David Fricke described the album in “Rolling Stone” as “a nonstop booze-and-babes party train.” Roth was often credited with being instrumental in the band’s success despite his ‘wildman’ reputation.
After splitting from Van Halen in late 1985, Roth formed a virtuoso supergroup with guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Gregg Bissonette. In July 1986, Roth released his debut solo album, “Eat ‘Em and Smile.” In January 1988, “Skyscraper,” a more experimental album with the hit single ‘Just Like Paradise’ was released and shot to no. six on the Billboard album chart, selling two million copies in the U.S. In 1997, his memoir “Crazy From the Heat,” made the “New York Times” best-seller list. Roth made an appearance as a poker-playing guest of Tony Soprano on the T.V. series “The Sopranos” in 2004.

Later that year, Roth performed with the world-renowned Boston Pops Orchestra at Boston’s annual “Pops Goes the Fourth” celebration. In October 2020, he shared his song ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bar and Grill,’ written with John 5 and previously recorded as a tribute to his late bandmate Eddie Van Halen. After a final residency set at the House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay from December 2021 to January 2022, Roth announced his intention to retire from performing in October 2021.