Yngwie Malmsteen recently revealed why he turned down an opportunity to join David Lee Roth’s band during the guitarist’s transition away from Van Halen. He shared details in an interview with Guitar Player Magazine.
The Swedish guitarist was asked about offers he had received to join major bands throughout his career. This prompted him to discuss the David Lee Roth opportunity. He explained the circumstances that led to the offer and his connection with other musicians involved.
“I was asked to join David Lee Roth’s band,” Malmsteen said. “What happened was that he was leaving or left already Van Halen and I was doing a big American tour, AC/DC.”
He explained the circumstances that led to the offer and his connection with other musicians involved. Malmsteen acknowledged the significance of the opportunity. He explained his decision to decline.
“And right after that I did my own tour of America with a band called Talas opening up, which was Billy Sheehan’s band, and they would come to the shows all the time,” he said. “We would hang out too back in the party days.”
“I mean it would have been a great thing but… I mean he obviously asked Billy Sheehan too,” he said. “So Billy took it. I mean it wasn’t officially on a paper or something like that. But it was it was very obvious what Dave was thinking about. And at the time, I was thinking, ‘Oh no, I’m doing great,’ you know whatever.”
This revelation sheds light on the competitive landscape of rock music during the mid-1980s. Several high-profile musicians were being courted for major projects following significant band changes.
Malmsteen’s decision to decline Roth’s offer was part of a pattern of the guitarist maintaining his independence throughout his career
