David Lee Roth
David Lee Roth, also known as Dave Lee Roth or Diamond Dave, (born October 10, 1954) is an American rock vocalist.
He was born in Bloomington, Indiana. A product of the L.A. rock scene of the '70s, Roth's first notable project is also his most famous. After weeks of renting his PA system out to the Van Halen boys, Edward and Alex, during 1974, Roth joined the up-and-coming hard rock band, then named Rat Salade after a dark song inspiring Ed and Al. Touring the L.A. scene, including such places as the Whisky A Go-Go, Van Halen developed a local following, including numerous women due to Roth's antics and sex appeal.
In 1979, Roth sang lead vocals on Van Halen's eponymous album, which went platinum and established the group as a commercial success. The next four years saw the release of the albums Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down, and 1984. With Van Halen's first number 1 hit, Jump, as well as the famous Hot For Teacher and Panama, and Van Halen's million dollar gig at the US Festival in 1982, Roth and Van Halen were immensely successful. However, a rift developed between Roth and the rest of the band during the concert tour in support of the 1984 album. Depending on the account, Roth was either fired or quit the band in April 1985.
Undaunted, Roth assembled guitarist Steve Vai, bass player Billy Sheehan and drummer Greg Bissonette, and created the DLR Band, boosted by former Van Halen producer Ted Templeman. Later translated into Spanish, Roth's Eat 'em and Smile rose on hits like Tobacco Road, Goin' Crazy, and Yankee Rose. (The album was named after the slogan from the box for Dave's favorite brand of watermelon.)
Some believe that Van Halen's 1986 album
