David Lee Roth is a multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter, actor, author, and former lead singer of the rock band Van Halen. He is known for his flamboyant stage persona, outrageous costumes, and acrobatic stage antics. He has also released several solo albums, including the multi-platinum hit A Little Ain’t Enough (1991). Roth was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Van Halen in 2007. He is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the hard rock genre.
Name | David Lee Roth |
Birthdate | October 10, 1954 |
Genres | Hard Rock, Heavy Metal, Pop Rock |
Occupation | Musician, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Radio Personality |
Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica |
Years Active | 1972 – Present |
Labels | Warner Bros., Geffen, Columbia |
10 Best David Lee Roth Quotes
“If it ain’t fun, why bother?”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“I was just trying to make a buck like everybody else.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“It was an era of musical discovery, an era of musical extremes.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“It’s never been about the money. I’m a musician, and I’m here to make music.”
– David Lee Roth, from Billboard
“Musicians need to have an identity and a sense of who they are and where they come from.”
– David Lee Roth, from Billboard
“My idea of a perfect night is to stay at home and hang out with my family.”
– David Lee Roth, from GQ
“I don’t need to explain myself to anyone.”
– David Lee Roth, from GQ
“I’m a product of the ’60s and ’70s. I don’t think I’d be able to survive in the modern era.”
– David Lee Roth, from GQ
“I’m not interested in being a nostalgia act; I’m interested in staying current.”
– David Lee Roth, from NME
“For me, this is a game. But it’s a very serious game.”
– David Lee Roth, from NME
7 David Lee Roth Quotes About Van Halen
“The band had a great chemistry, a great sense of humor, and a great sense of independence. We weren’t afraid to take chances.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“Van Halen was the first group to take the elevator to the penthouse.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“We were the first band to take a single from an album to the Top 10, and everybody else started doing it.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“Van Halen changed the world of rock & roll. We changed the way people think of production, the way they think of musicianship, the way they think of stagecraft.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“Van Halen was a very family-oriented band. We were four brothers and a dad, so to speak.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“Van Halen created a new musical form. We were a combination of the soulful fire of James Brown, the sophistication of the Beatles, the outrageousness of the Rolling Stones, the power of Led Zeppelin and the cosmic vibe of Pink Floyd.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“I’m proud of the work we did with Van Halen. We were the last band to make it out of the Seventies, and the first band to make it into the Eighties.”
– David Lee Roth, from National Public Radio
8 Inspirational David Lee Roth Quotes
“I’m not a perfectionist, but I’m pretty damn close.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.”
– David Lee Roth, from YouTube
“You have to live life to the fullest.”
– David Lee Roth, from YouTube
“You can’t be the same person tomorrow that you were yesterday.”
– David Lee Roth, from YouTube
“You have to take your chances and risks.”
– David Lee Roth, from Billboard
“I don’t think of myself as a quote-unquote rock star.”
– David Lee Roth, from The Hollywood Reporter
“I’m a student of life, like all of us are.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“Live for today, plan for tomorrow, party tonight.”
– David Lee Roth, from The Hollywood Reporter
6 Famous David Lee Roth Quotes
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey”
– David Lee Roth, from CNN
“I’m not a pessimist, I just think that life is a challenge. To make it interesting, you’ve got to take some chances”
– David Lee Roth, from Houston Press
“I’m a realist, and I know that nothing lasts forever”
– David Lee Roth, from GQ
“If you’re gonna be a singer, that’s fine, but you have to have something to say”
– David Lee Roth, from GQ
“I don’t have a million-dollar voice, but I have a million-dollar attitude”
– David Lee Roth, from The New York Times
“I want to make sure that my legacy is that I was a legitimate entertainer and was interested in being a real artist”
– David Lee Roth, from CNN
5 David Lee Roth Quotes About Love
“I think the greatest effect of love is not the euphoric feeling, but the desire to be better.”
– David Lee Roth, from YouTube
“Love is probably the most powerful emotion that exists.”
– David Lee Roth, from YouTube
“Love is the greatest catalyst.”
– David Lee Roth, from YouTube
“Love is the greatest gift there is.”
– David Lee Roth, from YouTube
“Love is the most powerful force in the universe.”
– David Lee Roth, from YouTube
5 David Lee Roth Quotes About Life
“I like to think of life as a carnival. You go from one ride to the other.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“I think life is a series of experiments. I’m in the business of trying to see what happens.”
– David Lee Roth, from The Guardian
“I’m the guy who’s going to take the good moments of life and make them great. I’m going to take the bad moments and make them bearable.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
“Life is an adventure. It’s an experiment, and my motto is, ‘You don’t learn anything if you don’t make a mistake.’”
– David Lee Roth, from The Guardian
“Life is a series of experiences, each one of which makes us bigger, even though sometimes it is hard to realize this.”
– David Lee Roth, from Rolling Stone
8 Quotes About David Lee Roth
“It’s great to be in the same room with David Lee Roth, and I appreciate him being with us today.”
– Steven Tyler, from Rolling Stone
“He’s the consummate rock and roller.”
– Sammy Hagar, from uDiscover Music
“I’m a great admirer of David Lee Roth and particularly his work in Van Halen.”
– Eddie Van Halen, from Gigwise
“David Lee Roth is a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, and an icon and a legend.”
– Kip Winger, from uDiscover Music
“David Lee Roth is an incredible frontman and performer.”
– Joe Walsh, from uDiscover Music
“David Lee Roth is an incredible showman, a brilliant vocalist, and a great lyricist.”
– Gene Simmons, from uDiscover Music
“David Lee Roth is a master showman, a great frontman and a great singer.”
– Slash, from uDiscover Music
Interview with David Lee Roth
Frequently Asked Questions About David Lee Roth
1. What is David Lee Roth’s most famous quote?
David Lee Roth is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead singer of the rock band Van Halen from 1974-1985 and again from 2006-present. He is known for his outrageous onstage antics and his unique vocal style. He is also famous for his many memorable quotes. Here are some of his most famous quotes:
- “If you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.”
- “I ain’t nothing but a man, and a man’s got to do what he can.”
- “I’m the space shuttle commander of rock and roll.”
- “I’m not the best, I’m just the loudest.”
- “Life is like a hot bath. It feels good while you’re in it, but the longer you stay in, the more wrinkled you get.”
- “I’m gonna party like it’s 1999…actually, make that 1989!”
2. What is David Lee Roth’s view on the music industry?
David Lee Roth has a unique perspective on the music industry, which he has shared in various interviews and quotes. Here are some of his thoughts on the industry:
- “I think it’s very important to remember that the music industry is a business, and that the business of music is to make money.”
- “The music industry has changed so much over the years, it’s hard to keep up. Technology has changed everything. It’s made it easier for people to make music, but it’s also made it harder to make a living in the music business.”
- “The music industry is a lot like a roller coaster. You go up and down, and you never know what’s going to happen.”
- “It’s important to remember that the music industry is also an art form. It’s not just about making money, it’s about creating something beautiful and timeless.”
- “The music industry is always changing, and it’s important to stay on top of it. You have to stay adaptable and be open to new ideas.”
3. What are some of David Lee Roth’s most memorable lyrics?
David Lee Roth is an American singer, songwriter, author, actor and former radio personality, who is best known as the original and current lead singer of the rock band Van Halen. He has written and performed some of the most memorable lyrics in rock music history. Here are some of his most iconic lyrics:
- “Just a small town girl, livin’ in a lonely world, she took the midnight train goin’ anywhere.” (“Running With The Devil”)
- “Ain’t talkin’ ’bout love.” (“Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”)
- “Ain’t nothin’ but a party here from coast to coast.” (“Jump”)
- “I’m just a gigolo and everywhere I go, people know the part I’m playin’.” (“Just A Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody”)
- “You don’t need money, don’t take fame, don’t need no credit card to ride this train.” (“Panama”)
- “California girls, they’re unforgettable, daisy dukes, bikinis on top.” (“California Girls”)
These lyrics have remained iconic within the world of rock music, and continue to be quoted and celebrated to this day. Roth’s lyrics are often witty, clever, and full of energy, making them just as memorable today as when they were first written.
4. How has David Lee Roth’s music career evolved over the years?
David Lee Roth has had a long and varied music career over the years. Starting out as the lead vocalist for the hard rock band Van Halen from 1974 to 1985, Roth went on to pursue a solo career, releasing multiple albums and singles that charted in the US and UK.
- 1986-1991: Roth’s first solo album, “Crazy From the Heat” (1985) was released in 1986, and spawned two hit singles, “California Girls” and “Just a Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody”. He released a further four albums during this period, with singles such as “Just Like Paradise”, “Stand Up”, “A Little Luck”, and “Goin’ Crazy”.
- 1993–present: After a period of semi-retirement, Roth returned to the music scene in 1993. He released an album of remixed songs, “A Little Ain’t Enough”, and embarked on a successful tour. He released another album in 2003, “Diamond Dave”, which featured a mix of classic covers and original material. He continues to perform and record, with his most recent album, “The Roth Project” (2016), featuring collaborations with Slash and Steve Vai.
Roth’s music career continues to evolve, as he looks to collaborate with new artists and explore different musical styles.
5. What is David Lee Roth’s approach to writing music?
David Lee Roth has always been known for his unique approach to writing music. His music is often characterized by its catchy hooks, energetic rhythms, and exciting lyrics. Here are some of the ways David Lee Roth approaches writing music:
- Finding Inspiration: David Lee Roth often finds inspiration in the music of other artists. He likes to listen to a variety of different genres, which helps him develop his own unique style.
- Experimenting with Different Sounds: David Lee Roth loves to experiment with different instruments and sounds. He enjoys the challenge of creating something new and exciting out of the materials he has available.
- Collaborating with Other Musicians: David Lee Roth loves collaborating with other musicians, which helps him create a unique sound. He often works with other artists, producers, and songwriters to create something special.
- Writing Lyrics: David Lee Roth is also an accomplished songwriter. He takes inspiration from his life experiences and writes lyrics that are both meaningful and entertaining.
- Creating Memorable Hooks: David Lee Roth is known for creating memorable hooks and catchy melodies. He likes to take risks and add unexpected twists to his songs.
David Lee Roth’s approach to writing music is unique and vibrant. He has found success by combining elements from various genres and pushing himself to create something special.
Conclusion
In conclusion, David Lee Roth is a legendary artist and entertainer who has left an indelible mark on music, art, and culture. His career has been defined by his unique and often eccentric style, which has earned him a place in the hearts of fans around the world. His quotes have also been incredibly influential, inspiring countless aspiring musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs alike. His words are a reminder that no matter what life throws at us, we can always take a chance and make something great.