David Lee Roth was born in 1955 in Bloomington, Indiana. With the move his family made to California and his growing love for rock, Roth became the epitome of rocker front men everywhere. He first began playing with local band Red Ball Jets, who often played alongside Pasadena group Mammoth, which included brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen. The Van Halen brothers, who played guitar and drums, took notice of Roth's powerful voice on stage and asked him to join them along with bassist Michael Anthony. As the quartet became playing on Sunset Strip, Roth suggested a name change, and Van Halen was born.

Van Halen signed with Warner Brothers and released their self-titled landmark debut album in 1978. The group created a whole new rock sound, exposing them to worldwide acclaim and mainstream success. Over the next few years, the group created more explosive, record-setting albums, while Roth issued a four-track solo EP in 1985. Rumors swirled that the group was facing the usual rock turmoil, resulting in Roth's departure in 1985 and leading to the creation of his own band. His group consisted of ex-Talas bassist Billy Sheehan, ex-Frank Zappa guitarist Steve Vai, and ex-Maynard Ferguson drummer Gregg Bissonette. Eat ‘Em and Smile was Roth's first full-length solo album, which created a following along with another sold out tour.

Though Roth continued to experiment with his sound and productions, Roth's lineup splintered, leaving Roth as the only remaining member. In 1996, Van Halen fans saw hope in a reunion when the original group presented at the MTV Video Music Awards, only to see an almost fistfight between Roth and Eddie later that evening. No reunion occurred, but Roth wrote a tell-all biography in 1997 and created more amazing solo albums the next few years before eventually taking over the FM "Shock Jock" in 2005.