Big Trouble (En Busca de Pleito)

The Zoo Crew is spinning the wild vibes of "Big Trouble (En Busca de Pleito)" by David Lee Roth from his iconic album Eat 'Em and Smile, and the Zoo Freaks are loving it! This track, a standout from the 1986 release, has some juicy trivia behind it. In a 2016 interview with author Greg Renoff, guitarist Steve Vai shared that the song was part of the creative explosion following Roth’s split from Van Halen. Originally, much of the album’s material, including "Big Trouble," was intended for a movie project called Crazy from the Heat, which never materialized due to CBS Theatrical Films shutting down. Vai’s intricate guitar work on the track, described as both “brilliant” and “youthful” by Spreading the Sound, gives it a unique edge, blending hard rock with a funky, almost proto-crossover vibe. The song’s Spanish version, featured on the album Sonrisa Salvaje, ends abruptly rather than fading out like its English counterpart, a quirk noted by bassist Billy Sheehan who pushed for the Spanish-language release to tap into the Latin American market.

Another cool tidbit comes from the song’s lyrical flair, which captures Roth’s larger-than-life persona. Posts on X from outlets like @themetalvoice highlight how Eat 'Em and Smile, and tracks like "Big Trouble," were Roth’s bold response to his Van Halen departure, with fans still debating whether Roth outshone his former band’s 1986 output. The song’s narrative, with characters like “Fresita” and “Ratón,” paints a vivid, almost cinematic story, which Ultimate Classic Rock praised for its “winsome and hazy” storytelling and surprising depth. The track’s energy, driven by Sheehan’s bass and Gregg Bissonette’s drums, made it a live favorite, though Roth’s vocal acrobatics were at their peak during this era, as noted by fans on The Diamond David Lee Roth Army forum.

David Lee Roth, born on October 10, 1954, in Bloomington, Indiana, kicked off his career with a charisma that redefined the rockstar archetype. Growing up in a family that moved between Indiana and California, Roth was drawn to music early, influenced by his uncle Manny Roth, who ran the legendary Cafe Wha? in New York’s Greenwich Village. As a teenager, he sang in bands like The Red Ball Jets, but his big break came in the early 1970s when he joined forces with brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen in Pasadena, California. Initially renting a sound system to the Van Halen brothers for their backyard gigs, Roth’s larger-than-life stage presence and vocal style earned him a spot as their frontman. By 1974, the band, named Van Halen, was gigging relentlessly, and their 1978 debut album, produced by Ted Templeman, skyrocketed them to fame with hits like “Runnin’ with the Devil.” Roth’s flamboyant persona, blending vaudeville theatrics with hard rock swagger, made him a standout, though tensions led to his 1985 exit from the band.

Post-Van Halen, Roth launched his solo career with the 1985 EP Crazy from the Heat, showcasing his love for lounge and pop covers. Eat 'Em and Smile marked his full-on return to hard rock, proving he could hold his own with a supergroup featuring Vai, Sheehan, and Bissonette. You can keep up with Roth’s latest antics on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans, or “Zoo Freaks” in spirit, gather at sites like The Diamond David Lee Roth Army, a vibrant forum for all things Roth, and Van Halen Links, which dives deep into his solo and Van Halen eras. For community vibes, check out the David Lee Roth Fan Group on Facebook, where devotees share memories and updates. So, Zoo Crew, keep those records spinning, and let the Zoo Freaks rock on!