In a recent bombshell interview with I’m Music Magazine, legendary bassist Billy Sheehan dropped a major revelation about his time working with iconic frontman David Lee Roth. Sheehan, known for his incredible talent and dedication to the craft, shared his disdain for artists who use pre-recorded vocals in live performances. He exposed the dark secret behind Roth’s Skyscraper tour and ultimately explained why he had to part ways with the singer.
Billy Sheehan and Diamond Dave have a storied history together, having collaborated on Roth’s first two solo albums, ‘Eat ‘Em and Smile’ and ‘Skyscraper.’ Their partnership was a powerful force in the world of rock, but as Sheehan revealed, it wasn’t without its challenges.
According to Sheehan, his final moments with Roth took place in the studio during the preparation for the Skyscraper tour. There, they recorded all the background vocals, which were then sampled for use in live performances. Sheehan expressed his deep disapproval of this approach, as it went against his personal values and commitment to authentic live music.
He further elaborated on his preference for genuine, unaltered performances, making a point to emphasize that his current band, the Winery Dogs, doesn’t use any pitch correction on their records. Sheehan likened the use of fake vocals to professional wrestling, stating that true satisfaction and authenticity come from hard work and dedication to one’s craft.
The bassist also shared his love for improvisation and jamming with his current bandmates, highlighting the excitement and spontaneity that comes from a live performance where anything can happen. This unique aspect of the Winery Dogs’ shows creates unforgettable experiences for the audience, something that can never be replicated with pre-recorded vocals.
Sheehan’s statements on DLR’s use of fake vocals:
“My last moments with David Lee Roth was in the studio. We sang all the background vocals for the Skyscraper tour to be on samples for them to use live, which went against my grain to start with. And later that day, I had the meeting which ended my relationship with Dave. Fortunately, I did not go out on that tour with fake vocals. I did sing on that tour, but I did it digitally.
I’m very, very much against faking it. Richie really sings. There isn’t a note of pitch correction on our record. It becomes professional wrestling at some point. I hate to see it because all it takes is work. I’ve never had any talent; I just worked my a** off and figured out the notes, figured out how to do it, and got up on stage and did it live.
But once you get it, you got it, and it’s satisfying, and it’s real, and I prefer that over anything else. With the Winery Dogs, we improvise a lot. We do a lot of jamming, and we don’t know what’s going to happen. Somebody turns left or turns right, and we decide to follow him. It makes it fun and alive, and people are enjoying a spontaneous moment where something happened that will never happen again.”
So, the musician’s eye-opening revelation about Roth’s use of fake vocals on stage underscores the growing divide between artists who value authentic live performances and those who opt for the manufactured perfection of pre-recorded tracks. Sheehan’s dedication to keeping it real serves as an inspiration for musicians and fans alike, reminding us all that the true essence of rock lies in raw, unadulterated talent and the powerful, unpredictable energy of live music.
