Korn drummer Ray Luzier recently opened up about his eight-year tenure with David Lee Roth. He discussed both the positive experiences and career challenges he faced during that period in an interview with Evan Drumheads.
Luzier reflected on his time with the Van Halen frontman. He shared insights about the performance lessons he learned and the professional frustrations that eventually led to his departure.
“I got the David Lee Roth gig ’97, now I’m playing Sweden Rock Fest, and I’m playing these big places with Diamond Dave,” Luzier said. “You know, for eight straight years, there wasn’t one time that I didn’t look out and say, ‘That’s David Lee Roth.'”
The drummer praised Roth’s mentorship and eccentric personality. He credited him with valuable performance advice.
“What an experience! There’s not enough days for me to tell you the stories, but one of the most eccentric, interesting human beings on the planet,” he continued. “He taught me to be a performer. He’s like, ‘Luzier, people are paying to see you back there. Don’t look like you’re waiting for the bus.’ I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ And he’s right, you know, that just ’cause he’s David Lee Roth, people were paying the money to see the band.”
However, Luzier also addressed the career limitations he experienced while working with such a high-profile artist.
“Towards the end of my years with Diamond Dave, as amazing as it was, I felt like I wasn’t growing musically,” he explained. “A lot of people were, like, ‘Wait, you played? I saw that Sammy and Dave tour, that was you?’ And I’m like, ‘Man, no one knows who I am, and I’m playing these big decks.’ And it was kind of frustrating for me, as a musician, trying to get out there and get seen more.”
Luzier’s journey with Roth began through a series of connections in the music industry. These connections would shape his career trajectory for nearly a decade.
Modern Drummer reported that Luzier’s opportunity came about through a session with guitarist Mike Hartman. Hartman had connected with Roth for a new record and tour. Roth heard Luzier’s playing on those sessions and was impressed enough to invite him to join his solo band in 1997. This marked the beginning of what would become a significant chapter in both musicians’ careers.
During his tenure with Roth, Luzier contributed to two important solo albums that helped define the singer’s post-Van Halen era. Ultimate Classic Rock noted that he played on DLR Band (1998) and Diamond Dave (2003). His contributions marked his important role during Roth’s transition from his Van Halen years to his solo career. These albums showcased a different side of Roth’s musical identity. They allowed Luzier to demonstrate his versatility as a drummer.
The experience provided Luzier with invaluable lessons about stage presence and connecting with audiences. Rich Redmond’s podcast revealed that Luzier learned crucial performance techniques from Roth. These techniques would later benefit his work with other major acts. The frontman’s emphasis on engaging the audience and treating every performance as a complete show became fundamental principles. Luzier carried these principles forward in his career.
Despite the valuable experience and high-profile exposure, Luzier’s frustration with being overshadowed by Roth’s larger-than-life persona ultimately led him to seek new opportunities. His decision to leave the band in 2005 paved the way for his eventual joining of Korn in 2007. There he found the musical growth and recognition he had been seeking.
Luzier eventually left Roth’s band and joined Korn in 2007. He has remained the band’s drummer ever since.
