Album of the Day

After an E.P. of amiable covers showed David Lee Roth kept his sense of humor when he left Van Halen, EAT 'EM AND SMILE showed he still had his ear for hard rock. For his first full-length solo album, Diamond Dave recruited three of the best players on the scene – former Zappa guitarist Steve Vai, future Mr. Big bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Gregg Bissonette – and got down to business. With VH vet Ted Templeman producing, the set gets off to a scorching start with “Yankee Rose” (which became an MTV staple, along with “Goin' Crazy”) and rarely lets up until Dave's closing take on the Sinatra classic “That's Life.” Released 30 years ago today, EAT 'EM AND SMILE has both the spirit and the chops of Roth's former band, and will put a smile on the face of any headbanger.