Biography

David Lee Roth (born October 10, 1954 in Bloomington, Indiana) is an American rock vocalist, songwriter, rock climber, adventurer, actor, author, and former radio personality, perhaps best known for his work with the band Van Halen and his fast-talking, larger-than-life persona. He left Van Halen due to creative differences in 1985 (being replaced by Sammy Hagar (Montrose, HSAS)) and went solo. After a short time spent performing lounge jazz, Roth recruited a super group of Steve Vai (guitar), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Gregg Bissonette (drums), and released the wildly successful ‘Eat ‘em and Smile’ album in 1986. After this line-up, guitar prodigy Jason Becker (formerly of Cacophony) was brought into the fold in 1989. Sadly, Becker contracted Lou Gehrig’s Disease (a form of paralysis) and could no longer play, having only performed on one DLR album A Little Ain’t Enough (1991). Since then, Roth has employed a revolving line-up of musicians in his DLR Band.

In 2007, David Lee Roth rejoined Van Halen for a semi-reunion with the Van Halen brothers, along with Eddie Van Halen’s son (Wolfgang Van Halen) on bass (replacing Michael Anthony from the original lineup), which lasted into 2008.

On December 26, 2011, Van Halen (again with Roth) announced a tour for 2012, and released their first album in 14 years, A Different Kind of Truth, on February 7, 2012.