Steve Vai recently opened up about why David Lee Roth’s solo career didn’t achieve the same commercial success as Van Halen. He shared his insights during an appearance on The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan.
The guitarist worked with Roth after his departure from Van Halen. He explained that the key difference came down to songwriting capabilities and the unique chemistry between Roth and Eddie Van Halen.
“We didn’t have the songs. Van Halen had the had the songs for that kind of success. Eddie’s got his whole ear for writing. That’s the secret sauce. You can’t replace that,” Vai said. “We had we had great music. I love the music, but when I say we didn’t have the songs, I’m talking about those specific things that cross over at radio.”
Vai acknowledged the strengths of Roth’s solo band while recognizing their limitations in creating mainstream hits.
“But what we had with Dave Roth, we were like the roving youth gang. It was really a powerful crazy different kind of a a unit of intensity. It was a good time for it and we were right on time and we did great tours and made a couple of really great records,” he continued. “We had good songs and they sold us a lot of records and the mystique of the band sold us a lot of records.”
The guitarist emphasized the irreplaceable songwriting partnership between Roth and Eddie Van Halen.
“But to have those songs that catapult a band and raise them up. Edward just had that sauce. We can go back and listen to every Van Halen song and Dave and Edward were a perfect kind of communication there,” Vai explained.
He concluded by reflecting on what might have been different and acknowledging his own role in the collaboration.
“As Dave started to sunset from selling millions of records, we did pretty good with when I was with him for the two records. I believe if we had the songs that were as accessible and inspired in a top 40 way, then it might have been a bit of a different story. But he needs that other partner that’s going to help him do that. And I’m just not that guy. I contributed certain things, but not in that realm,” Vai said.
Vai’s assessment highlights the songwriting challenges. However, the commercial reality of Roth’s solo career tells a more nuanced story that demonstrates both his achievements and limitations outside of Van Halen.
Roth’s solo career did achieve significant commercial success, particularly in its early years. Wikipedia reported that albums like Eat ‘Em and Smile reached No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 and sold over 2 million copies in the U.S. alone. His solo band featured virtuoso musicians including guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Gregg Bissonette. This lineup created a formidable live act that produced solid records.
The broader sales figures reveal the enduring power of the Roth-Van Halen partnership. Guitar Player noted that Roth’s total worldwide sales for Van Halen albums amount to about 57 million. This significantly outpaces Sammy Hagar’s 27 million during his tenure with the band. This stark difference underscores the commercial magic of the original Roth-Eddie Van Halen collaboration.
Roth has maintained impressive financial success despite not reaching Van Halen’s peak commercial heights with his solo work. Witherbys estimated his net worth between $60 million and $80 million. This wealth is sustained by both his Van Halen legacy and solo ventures. This financial stability demonstrates that while his solo career may not have matched Van Halen’s radio dominance, it still provided substantial commercial returns.
The contrast between Van Halen’s mainstream appeal and Roth’s solo work highlights what Vai identified as the missing element. Van Halen’s songs possessed that rare combination of accessibility and innovation that translated into both critical acclaim and massive commercial success. This proved difficult to replicate even with exceptional musicianship in Roth’s solo band.
