Billy Sheehan explains why David Lee Roth’s Skyscraper ended his time in the band

David Lee Roth’s early solo career produced one of rock’s most celebrated lineups, featuring guitarist Steve Vai, bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Gregg Bissonette. Together, they delivered the Platinum-selling Eat ‘Em and Smile, an album praised for its explosive chemistry and musicianship.

But by the time work began on Roth’s second solo album, Skyscraper, that chemistry had begun to fade. Looking back, Sheehan says the creative atmosphere changed so dramatically that he knew it was time to leave.

A dream lineup after Van Halen

After departing Van Halen in 1985, Roth assembled an elite group of musicians to launch his solo career.

Alongside virtuoso guitarist Steve Vai, he recruited acclaimed bassist Billy Sheehan and drummer Gregg Bissonette, creating one of the strongest backing bands in rock. Their debut album, Eat ‘Em and Smile, arrived in 1986 and quickly became both a commercial and critical success, fueled by singles such as “Yankee Rose.”

The album eventually earned Platinum certification in the United States and established Roth as a successful solo artist.

Why Eat ‘Em and Smile felt special

According to Sheehan, the band’s first album worked because it was built on genuine friendship and collaboration.

“We were hanging out, having fun, playing in one room, and we wrote the stuff together,” he recalled during an interview with Rock Interview Series.

The musicians rehearsed together, exchanged ideas freely and often spent time together after sessions, creating an environment that naturally translated into the music.

“It was for fun,” Sheehan said. “We had a riot—it was a great hang.”

Everything changed during Skyscraper

When Roth began work on Skyscraper in 1988, the recording process became much more structured.

Keyboardist Brett Tuggle joined the project as Roth pursued a more polished, radio-friendly sound, and the collaborative atmosphere Sheehan had enjoyed largely disappeared.

“When we recorded it, we recorded one guy at a time,” Sheehan explained.

Instead of performing together as a band, each musician recorded separately.

“I’d go into the studio, and there’d be nobody there but me and the producer,” he said.

The bassist felt the change affected both the music and the overall experience.

“It seemed kind of stiff to me.”

Billy Sheehan knew it was time to move on

Although Skyscraper performed well commercially reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and eventually selling more than two million copies Sheehan no longer felt connected to the project.

“Something happened, and the whole atmosphere changed,” he said.

“That’s why, at the end of that, I was out of the band because it was not my thing.”

For Sheehan, the decision had little to do with record sales or chart positions. Instead, he believed the enjoyment that fueled the band’s debut album had disappeared.

Soon after leaving Roth’s group, Sheehan went on to co-found Mr. Big, where he enjoyed another highly successful chapter of his career.

Steve Vai stayed committed to Roth’s vision

Unlike Sheehan, Steve Vai remained with Roth through the Skyscraper era and its supporting tour.

Speaking to Guitar World at the time, Vai said he wanted to help build Roth’s band rather than pursue outside session work.

“I don’t want to be looked at as a studio musician,” he explained.

Vai also addressed Sheehan’s departure diplomatically, saying that when musicians want different things creatively, moving on can be the best solution for everyone involved.

He eventually left Roth’s band in 1989 to join Whitesnake, with Jason Becker succeeding him for Roth’s next studio album, A Little Ain’t Enough.

A defining chapter in David Lee Roth’s solo career

Although Roth never matched the commercial heights he reached with Van Halen, his first two solo albums remain among the most celebrated releases of his career.

Eat ‘Em and Smile showcased an extraordinary collection of musicians working together with enthusiasm and creative freedom, while Skyscraper demonstrated a shift toward a more polished sound that divided some members of the band.

For Billy Sheehan, the experience reinforced one simple lesson: technical excellence alone wasn’t enough. Once the excitement and camaraderie disappeared, he knew it was time to begin a new musical journey.

Featured Image: instagram.com/BillySheehanOnBass, instagram.com/davidleeroth