by Grant Fisher

Bart Walsh is best known to fans of this site as David Lee Roth's guitarist for the DLR Band 1999 world tour. Before that gig he was the founding guitarist for the Atomic Punks, a band known as arguably the finest Van Halen tribute in the world.

After the DLR Band tour ended it was rumoured that Bart would resume his role in the Atomic Punks. The reunion didn't eventuate, and Bart hasn't spoken on the record since the last DLR Band gig in early January.

I managed to track Bart down in early March, and he agreed to do an interview for the VHND. The interview was conducted by email. Bart sent his answers to me on June 27, 2000. If you wish to quote parts of the interview on your web site, magazine, mailing list or newsgroup, all I ask is that you post the URL of this page - http://www.vhnd.com/old/interviews/000627bartwalsh.shtml - as a reference. Thanks.

VHND: What have you been up to this year?

Dave & Bart - Nov 19, 1999

Bart Walsh: I had knee surgery in January for a torn cartilage in my knee. Since then I've been recuperating, traveling, writing, producing and recording material for my new publishing company, Belews Creek Music. Ray Luzier (DLR Band) played on some of the tracks. It's very diverse stuff ranging from blues, rock, latin, country and pop. I've also been teaching and doing sessions in Nashville and L.A.

VHND: Are you still composing new songs?

Bart Walsh: Yes.

VHND: How did you get the David Lee Roth gig?

Bart Walsh: On a whim I sent Dave a video when he was playing Bally's in Las Vegas with a note saying to call me if he ever needed a guitar player. Three years later I'm standing in my kitchen and the phone rings and it's Dave. He's going "hey kid, loved your tape, you wanna tour?" I said "cool" and Todd, Ray and I went into rehearsals. So I never really auditioned and never had even met Dave until 2 weeks into the gig. That's how much confidence he had in us.

VHND: What do your remember most about the first time you met David Lee Roth?

Bart Walsh: I was at the Rainbow in Hollywood on my birthday when Dave and Kieren McCLelland (Dave's right-hand man) came down and helped celebrate with mucho libations in for which he graciously picked up the tab. He was very cool and we got along great right from the start.

VHND: When was the last time you heard from Dave? Do you guys keep in touch?

Bart Walsh: We basically communicate through his office - that's his protocol. I was close to the band and crew and we still talk and hang out. It was a bummer for me when it ended because everyone got along so well which is unusual in this business. It was a blast and I miss everbody.

Bart Walsh - Nov 15, 1999

VHND: What is your favourite Van Halen album?

Bart Walsh: VH 1. It changed everything.

VHND: When did you start playing the guitar?

Bart Walsh: Seven.

VHND: Did you have lessons, or were you self-taught?

Bart Walsh: Both. I took a few lessons and I had a great uncle who was an early pioneer in country music, he was in some of the Gene Autry movies and he taught me early on. So I basically started out playing country and rural blues which is par being that I'm from North Carolina. I also played gospel in church. Then I discovered rock'n'roll! So then I started teaching myself, scraping records w/ the needle over and over, which really helped develop my ear. I copped from Clapton, Hendrix, Page, Blackmore, Rhoades, Van Halen etc. From there I took some more lessons from different teachers. I think it's really important to find a good teacher. I still take lessons, you can never know it all or ever be too good. Also I started playing out at 16 and have played over 700 gigs. Nothing beats live experience.

VHND: Was it always an ambition of yours to work with Dave?

Bart Walsh: Dave was always one of my favorite singers. He has a totally unique timbre, phrasing and tons of attitude that always blew me away. Not to mention that he's the greatest frontman in rock history. So I guess it was an ambition but it happened very naturally and I would do it again.

VHND: Did you write any songs with Dave on the road?

Bart Walsh: Not on the road, but I did write and demo a ton of stuff on the breaks for a record that was supposed to happen but never materialised. It ranged from old school to heavy new school, even a jazz blues. Dave really loved some of it and I hope we get to release it someday.

VHND: Do you still teach guitar?

Bart Walsh: Yes, in L.A. You can call my voice mail @818-841-4175 if you're interested. I'm also available for sessions, gigs, recording and producing others. My e-mail is bartfife@earthlink.net. Anyone interested in sending music to my publishing company for artist, film and television placement should send it to: Belews Creek Music
1833 11th Street Suite #5
Santa Monica C.A. 90404

VHND: Who are your favourite guitar players?

Bart Walsh: Man there are so many! I just got back from Nashville and saw Brent Mason play with the Nashville A-team and that guy is sick. My friend Dave Marshall is great. Let's see, Clapton, Rhoades, Vaughan, Van Halen, Gilmour, Zakk Wylde is a bad-ass. Steve Gaines from Lynyrd Skynyrd I think was one of the all time greats. Steve Morse has got to be the best all around cat. We played in Sweden with Deep Purple in front of 30,000 people and Morse was smoking! Paul Gilbert and Bruce Bouillet from Racer-X are amazing and of course king daddy Chuck Berry and the almighty Hendrix.

DLR Band: Ray, Todd, Dave and Bart - Dec 17, 1999

VHND: Do you play any other instruments?

Bart Walsh: Bass.

VHND: Do you ever check out the Dave sites on the Internet? If so, which ones stand out in your mind?

Bart Walsh: DLR Army and DLRND.

VHND: Which Van Halen tours have you seen live? Which of these was the best in your opinion?

Bart Walsh: I saw every tour with Dave except 1984 and they were all cool.

VHND: Which DLR solo tours have you seen live?

Bart Walsh: Only the one I did.

VHND: Did you see Van Halen on tour in 1998 with Gary Cherone? What did you think?

Bart Walsh: Yeah - I thought they were great!

VHND: Have you ever met Eddie Van Halen?

Bart Walsh: Yes, several times. He's a really cool guy. I'd like to end by saying thanks to everyone for coming to see the band this last year and making it a blast. Hope to see ya again soon!

Photos by John Maxwell, M. Hodge, Rick Barrett and BENJ (SPORTATORIUM).