Tobacco Road

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Tobacco Road" by David Lee Roth from his 1986 album Eat 'Em and Smile, a track that’s a high-octane cover of John D. Loudermilk’s 1960 folk-blues song. Roth’s version, cranked up to 11 with Steve Vai’s screaming guitar licks and Billy Sheehan’s galloping bass, transforms the somber original into a flamboyant, metallic showstopper. In a 2014 analysis on Something Else!, writer Fred Phillips described Roth’s take as “corny and completely over the top,” noting how Roth’s vocal gyrations turn it into a theatrical spectacle, drawing out the word “road” with his signature charisma. This rendition hit #10 on the Billboard Rock chart, a testament to its raw energy and Roth’s ability to make any song his own. The track was recorded at The Power Station in New York, where Roth said the gritty Hell’s Kitchen vibe fueled the album’s anxious, electric feel.

Another tidbit comes from the recording process, where "Tobacco Road" was chosen over a cover of Kim Mitchell’s “Kids in Action” for the final album cut. Session keyboardist Jeff Bova, who worked on the track, later expressed disappointment, as he’d added cool synth layers to “Kids” that never saw the light of day. Roth’s decision to go with "Tobacco Road" leaned into the album’s mix of covers and originals, showcasing his knack for reinterpreting classics with a larger-than-life spin. The song’s evolution is notable too—Loudermilk’s folk original got a rock overhaul by The Nashville Teens in 1964, and Roth took their blueprint, amplifying it with 80s excess. A 1986 promotional vinyl for "Tobacco Road" even listed Roth’s U.S. tour dates on the sleeve, hyping the song as a centerpiece of his live shows.

David Lee Roth, born October 10, 1954, in Bloomington, Indiana, kicked off his musical journey through his father’s love for crooners like Al Jolson and Frank Sinatra. After his family moved to California in the late 1960s, a teenage Roth dove into the rock scene, idolizing bands like Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, and ZZ Top. By the early 1970s, he was fronting local bands like the Red Ball Jets in Pasadena, where he crossed paths with another up-and-coming act, Mammoth—later known as Van Halen. Roth joined Van Halen in 1973, bringing his acrobatic stage presence and surfer-dude persona to the band’s hard rock sound. His larger-than-life style, complete with spandex and high kicks, helped Van Halen dominate the late 70s and early 80s, with albums like Van Halen (1978) and 1984 cementing their global fame.

After splitting from Van Halen in 1985 over creative differences, Roth launched his solo career with the surprise-hit EP Crazy from the Heat, covering lounge standards like “California Girls.” This led to Eat 'Em and Smile, where he assembled a supergroup with Vai, Sheehan, and drummer Gregg Bissonette to rival his former band. Roth’s career has since spanned music, acting, writing, and even a stint as a radio host, with a 1997 memoir, Crazy from the Heat, and a 2012 Van Halen reunion album, A Different Kind of Truth. His relentless showmanship and refusal to play it safe have kept him a rock icon for decades.

You can keep up with David Lee Roth on his official website, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Fans also gather at sites like David Lee Roth Wiki and the David Lee Roth Fan Group on Facebook, where Zoo Freaks can connect and share their love for Diamond Dave’s wild legacy.