David Lee Roth’s solo project has put together six studio albums so far. The albums were successful, and the first two of them included Billy Sheehan, Steve Vai, and Gregg Bissonette. But the former Van Halen rocker had another guitarist in mind before forming his solo band — Billy Idol’s guitarist.
In an interview with Ryan Roxie, Roth’s bandmate Sheehan revealed why Roth had Idol’s guitarist in mind instead of Steve Vai:
“Steve [Stevens] was the guitarist Dave had his sights on. I think they spoke a little bit. But Steve was in solid with Billy Idol and wanted to stay where he was. I met Steve after the rock band… we almost did a band together. He’s an amazing guitarist and a wonderful guy.”
Roth couldn’t have Stevens in his band. Thankfully, their deal with Vai worked out, so the band’s wasn’t left out without a guitarist. Sheehan continued:
“But when it didn’t work out with Dave, I told Dave, ‘I know another Steve,’ because I had already spoken with Steve Vai about possibly working with him. So, when Steve Stevens wasn’t available, I had Dave contact Steve and he worked out great.”
Stevens’ Experience Of Almost Getting In The Band
Stevens met Van Halen members after Roth quit the band. The guitarist first met Eddie Van Halen in 1987 and had their last conversation in 2013. During these years, Roth approached Stevens to ask if he would like to play in his band.
Stevens told the Double Stop podcast how it all happened:
“I met Dave, he came to my apartment, we went to lunch. [But] I said, ‘Look, I’m in the middle of finishing up this Idol record [1986’s ‘Whiplash Smile’], I’m not gonna leave, and I’m committed to touring behind it. So you would have to wait for me.’ And by then he already had Billy Sheehan in the band. And he said, ‘I don’t think I can wait for you. Have you ever heard of this guy Steve Vai?’ I knew him from the [Frank] Zappa stuff. I said, ‘He’s an incredible guitar player. Him and Billy would be phenomenal together.’ So I passed on the Roth gig.”
Though he passed on the gig, Stevens still had a big impact on Roth’s first album, ‘Eat ‘Em and Smile.’
You can watch the interview below.