Dave's Solo Career Legacy

[DFVH5150]

Maybe "legacy" is too much, but I was thinking today: Dave has gotta be one of the most successful hard rock solo artists AFTER leaving a high-profile band. Then, after more thought, I realized he's #3 of all time.

#1 obviously goes to Ozzy, and #2 goes to Plant. Yes, "California Girls," "Gigolo," and "Just Like Paradise" are as popular (or more) as any of Plant's tunes, but his longevity puts him above. Which makes sense, because his former band is biggest hard rock band there has ever been.

Who else could be #3? Jon Bon? That Young Guns thing was big, but that was all he did. Steve Perry, if you consider Journey hard rock because of how borderline they are (like Bon Jovi, actually), but same thing. Just that one album with 2 hits.

Dave was huge for a half of a decade, including 3 platinum albums, 3 big hits, 2 minor hits, and 2 major tours as a headliner.

Was thinking about the other big ones' lead singers, but most of them did little-to-no solo work: Aerosmith, AC/DC, Metallica, Pearl Jam, Def Leppard, Queen, Guns N' Roses, The Who.

Who else? Vince Neil? Exposed was a little popular, but not even close. Bret Michaels? Even with his TV show, no way. Paul Stanley? Nope. Rob Halford? Nope.

Any of the other 90s bands? Nope.

The only person I could think of who even compares is Ronnie James Dio, but Dave sold 3.5 million to his 2.5 and his hits (and especially videos) were bigger.

Ted Nugent's original band wasn't biggest to qualify, and Clapton didn't sing lead enough in Cream to my knowledge to quality, otherwise he'd be #3. And they're both guitar players so no.

Pretty interesting--and impressive. Roth on...

[Van Squalen]

Jesus Christ, are you high? Number three of all time? LOL. You are one spun little cracker.

McCartney.
Ringo Starr.
Sting.
Stevie Nicks.
Don Henley.
Glen Frey.
Joe Walsh.
Ray Davies.
Phil Collins.
Neil Young.
Peter Gabriel.
Chris Cornell.
Steve Winwood.
Chrissie Hynde.
Brian Wilson.

To name a few.

[DFVH5150]

I said hard rock

[PrideofPasadena]

Yeah, hard rock there's not much competition. Cornell, is all I could think of.

[Van Squalen]

I said hard rock

lol. you meant 'metal', is what you meant.

The Beatles are practically the inventors of hard rock. Duh.

[Raldo]

Only other off the top of my head was Rob Halford.

[Zahzoo]

I said hard rock

Dave's solo catalog is pretty thin in the hard rock genre... it's there and several great pieces, but there's a lot of other stuff that's not quite hard...

[Dave's Dreidel]

lol. you meant 'metal', is what you meant.

The Beatles are practically the inventors of hard rock. Duh.

While I agree they invented it with certain songs, they weren't a hard rock band. Paul couldn't write a hard rock tune, even when he blatantly tried, he's got too much melody in his DNA.

But this is like arguing who was hotter, Cindy Crawford or Paulina Porizkova...(Paulina by the way....)

[Al Van Bundy]

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts after the breakup of The Runaways.

I Love Rock N' Roll on its own has sold 10 million worldwide & they haven't taken a year off from touring since the group formed 40 years ago.

[Dave's Dreidel]

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts after the breakup of The Runaways.

I Love Rock N' Roll on its own has sold 10 million worldwide & they haven't taken a year off from touring since the group formed 40 years ago.

I know she isn't pretty, but there was something about her that made me stand and salute back in the 80's and into the early 90's.

[Al Van Bundy]

I also think it's unfair to say The Amboy Dukes (Ted's original band) weren't big enough to count. They were around for a decade and had a pretty major hit.

[Dave's Dreidel]

Side note, I wonder if Darrin knows how many recorded songs DLR has in the archives. I know that he recorded a good bit in the 90's that he never put out because he knew it wouldn't sell. Of all ironies, he might be the guy that ends up having the big unreleased box set when he passes.

[Darrin Stephens]

Side note, I wonder if Darrin knows how many recorded songs DLR has in the archives. I know that he recorded a good bit in the 90's that he never put out because he knew it wouldn't sell. Of all ironies, he might be the guy that ends up having the big unreleased box set when he passes.

Depends on definition. Dave has a ton recorded at his basement but typically consider more demos and then if he formally records he goes to Henson. There are some leftovers from albums but not an over the top amount. He does have an over the top amount recorded at home from 03-14 the sound good but not something you would release without likely going to Henson. The best stuff IMHO is his acoustic material. Oddly he may have found his groove as a writer and artist when he publicly had the least output. That is likely par for the course in the VH landscape.

[DRFC]

Depends on definition. Dave has a ton recorded at his basement but typically consider more demos and then if he formally records he goes to Henson. There are some leftovers from albums but not an over the top amount. He does have an over the top amount recorded at home from 03-14 the sound good but not something you would release without likely going to Henson. The best stuff IMHO is his acoustic material. Oddly he may have found his groove as a writer and artist when he publicly had the least output. That is likely par for the course in the VH landscape.

It would be cool if one day Dave did an acoustic tour, tiny venues, playing a bunch of unreleased, unrecorded songs that he likes best (along with a few acoustic versions of the hits I suppose). Maybe that will be what he does in his 70s

[Destructo3]

This is the great irony about my love of VH. Admittedly Dave had a very successful solo tour the first time out. (Although I had zero interest in seeing it.) second started to drop and he finally had to cancel the big venues. After his failed Vegas attempt he was left playing to 400-500 casino audiences. For me he’s not even in the solo artist discussion. How many Dave solo songs did VH play when the got back together verses Sam solo songs during his tenure with VH? Not trying to offend anyone, but for me solo Dave solo sucked. None of it is listenable to me.

However when it comes to VH, Dave all the way. Liked the Sam era, but the music wasn’t nearly as good as the original.

Oh and wouldn’t Sam be considered very high on the solo artist list? Montrose, then was huge solo. IMO Early solo Sam was much bigger and better than solo Dave. This entire Dave/Sam issue is a riddle wrapped in an enigma. My preferences don’t make sense, but early solo Sam blew solo Dave away. (And visa versa with them in VH.