Forty years ago this month, in January 1985, David Lee Roth released his debut solo EP, Crazy from the Heat, after his surprising departure from Van Halen. On the heels of the anniversary, Rhino will release a new box set gathering together the EP and Daimond Dave’s first four full-length studio albums.
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The Warner Recordings 1985-1994 is due out on February 21. In addition to Crazy from the Heat, the multi-disc collection will feature Eat ’Em and Smile (1986), Skyscraper (1988), A Little Ain’t Enough (1991), and Your Filthy Little Mouth (1994).
[RELATED: Alex Van Halen Recalls the Jealousy David Lee Roth Had for Eddie Van Halen]
The box set, which can be pre-ordered now, will be available as a five-CD set, a five-LP vinyl set, and via digital formats. The vinyl collection can be purchased exclusively from Rhino.com.
Here’s a brief look at each record in the set:
Crazy from the Heat
Roth began his post-Van Halen career with a bang, as the Crazy from the Heat EP yielded two Top-20 singles—covers of The Beach Boys’ “California Girls” and Louis Prima’s hit medley “Just a Gigolo”/“I Ain’t Got Nobody,” which reached No. 3 and No. 12, respectively, on the Billboard Hot 100.
The four-track collection also featured Roth’s renditions of the Edgar Winter Group’s “Easy Street” and The Lovin’ Spoonful’s “Coconut Grove.”
Winter himself appeared on “Easy Street,” and the two hit singles, while Christopher Cross and The Beach Boys’ Carl Wilson sang backing vocals on “California Girls.”
Crazy from the Heat peaked at No. 15 on the Billboard 200, and was certified platinum by the RIAA for sales of more than 1 million in the U.S.
Eat ’Em and Smile
Roth continued his winning streak with his first full-length solo album, Eat ’Em and Smile. The 1986 album became the singer’s highest-charting solo release, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
Roth was backed by the first incarnation of his solo band, which featured guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan, and drummer Gregg Bissonette.
The majority of the album was co-written by Roth and Vai, including the hit single “Yankee Rose,” which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100.
Eat ’Em and Smile also was certified platinum.
Skyscraper
Skyscraper was released in 1988, and reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Keyboardist Brett Tuggle joined Roth, Vai, Sheehan, and Bissonette to record the album.
Skyscraper included the hit single, “Just Like Paradise,” which topped Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart and peaked at No. 6 on the Hot 100.
A Little Ain’t Enough
A Little Ain’t Enough reached No. 18 on the Billboard 200. The album featured contributions from guitarists Jason Becker and Steve Hunter, and drummer Bissonette, along with his brother, bassist Matt Bissonette. It was produced by frequent Metallica collaborator Bob Rock.
A Little Ain’t Enough’s title track and the song “Sensible Shoes” reached No. 3 and No. 6, respectively, on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.
The 1991 album was certified gold by the RIAA for sales of more than 500,000 copies in the U.S.
Your Filthy Little Mouth
Your Filthy Little Mouth was a commercial disappointment, although the lead track, “She’s My Machine,” did reach No. 12 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock tally.
Interestingly, the album was produced by Chic guitarist Nile Rosdgers. In addition, country star Travis Tritt also lent guest vocals to the song “Cheatin’ Heart Café.”
David Lee Roth – The Warner Recordings 1985-1994 Track List:
Crazy from the Heat
- “Easy Street”
- “Just a Gigolo/I Ain’t Got Nobody””
- “California Girls”
- “Coconut Grove”
Eat ’Em and Smile
- “Yankee Rose”
- “Shyboy”
- “I’m Easy”
- “Ladies’ Nite in Buffalo?”
- “Goin’ Crazy!”
- “Tobacco Road”
- “Elephant Gun”
- “Big Trouble”
- “Bump and Grind”
- “That’s Life”
Skyscraper
- “Knucklebones”
- “Just Like Paradise”
- “The Bottom Line”
- “Skyscraper”
- “Damn Good”
- “Hot Dog and a Shake”
- “Stand Up”
- “Hina”
- “Perfect Timing”
- “Two Fools a Minute”
A Little Ain’t Enough
- “A Lil’ Ain’t Enough”
- “Shoot It”
- “Lady Luck”
- “Hammerhead Shark”
- “Tell the Truth”
- “Baby’s on Fire”
- “40 Below”
- “Sensible Shoes”
- “Last Call”
- “The Dogtown Shuffle”
- “It’s Showtime!”
- “Drop in the Bucket”
Your Filthy Little Mouth
- “She’s My Machine
- “Everybody’s Got the Monkey
- “Big Train
- “Experience
- “A Little Luck
- “Cheatin’ Heart Café
- “Hey, You Never Know
- “No Big ‘Ting
- “You’re Breathin’ It
- “Your Filthy Little Mouth
- “Land’s End
- “Night Life
- “Sunburn
- “You’re Breathin’ It” (Urban NYC Mix)
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