# Yngwie Malmsteen turned down David Lee Roth's band

> Yngwie Malmsteen refused David Lee Roth's solo band offer in 1985, choosing his own path instead.
- Title: Yngwie Malmsteen turned down David Lee Roth's band | Shortify
- Summary: Yngwie Malmsteen refused David Lee Roth's solo band offer in 1985, choosing his own path instead. Yngwie Malmsteen declined David Lee Roth's solo band…
- Keywords: yngwie malmsteen, david lee roth, steve vai, talas, billy sheehan, van halen, Yngwie, Malmsteen, turned, David, Lee, Roth's
- Source: Guitar World — https://guitarworld.com/artists/guitarists/yngwie-malmsteen-turning-down-david-lee-roth
- Published: 2026-10-15T12:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: yngwie malmsteen, david lee roth, steve vai, talas, billy sheehan, van halen
## Yngwie Malmsteen's decision
Yngwie Malmsteen turned down David Lee Roth's solo band offer in 1985.
## Roth's band search
David Lee Roth sought a guitar player after leaving Van Halen in 1985.
## Steve Vai got the role
Steve Vai joined David Lee Roth's solo band in 1985.
## Malmsteen's reason
Malmsteen said he was 'on a roll' with his solo band and Talas.
## Billy Sheehan's role
Billy Sheehan connected Malmsteen and Vai through Relativity Records.
## Malmsteen's response
Malmsteen declined Roth's offer, saying he was 'honored but really on a roll now'.
## Key takeaway

Yngwie Malmsteen declined David Lee Roth's solo band invitation in 1985 to join his own group.