Dave Sabo
Encyclopedia
David Michael Sabo, nicknamed "The Snake," is a rock guitarist who plays in the heavy metal band Skid Row. He is co-guitarist with guitarist Scotti Hill
.
. He grew up in Sayreville
, down the street from Jon Bon Jovi
. His mother, Dorothy, or "Mama Snake" as she is known, raised him and his brothers on her own. Influenced heavily by the rock n' roll music of the era, including some Motown, he found himself listening to the likes of Kiss
, Aerosmith
, Judas Priest
, Black Sabbath
, The Rolling Stones
, and Van Halen
. His mother had bought his brother a $40 guitar which he soon lost interest in, paving the way for Dave to take up the instrument at the age of 14.
Dave was also the first guitarist to join Jon Bon Jovi when he was forming his first band to showcase the song "Runaway
" after it was released on a compilation record, only to be replaced by Richie Sambora
.
He is also the uncle of former ATP
Tennis professional Matt Sabo.
A chance meeting with local bass player Rachel Bolan
in the Garden State Music Store where he was employed set him in the direction of forming the band that would earn him fame. Their partnership would not only prove to be the right step with their songwriting, but for friendship as well, as they still consider themselves to be best friends.
's first band, Skid Row.
Skid Row was formed in New Jersey in 1986 by Bolan and Sabo. The pair added guitarist Scotti Hill, drummer Rob Affuso, and vocalist Matt Fallon
who was later replaced by Sebastian Bach in 1987. The band began playing shows in clubs throughout the eastern United States.
With the assistance of friend Jon Bon Jovi, Sabo secured a record deal for Skid Row with Atlantic
. In 1989, the band released their first album, Skid Row
, which was an instant success, mainly due to power ballads. The record went multi-platinum and produced the hit singles "18 and Life
", "I Remember You" and "Youth Gone Wild
". Skid Row turned in a heavier direction on its future albums. Sabo has worked as assistant producer on many of the band's songs.
Sabo recently composed music for the film score The Still Life, set to be released in 2007 with Dizzy Reed
, Guns N' Roses
; Adrian Young
, No Doubt
; Peter Finestone, Bad Religion
; Eddie Money
; Darius Rucker
, Hootie and the Blowfish; Vince Neil
, Mötley Crüe
; Delaney Bramlett
, Bonnie and Delaney and Friends; Eddie Hedges, Blessid Union of Souls
; Dean Dinning, Toad the Wet Sprocket
; Ace Frehley
, KISS
; Louise Post
, Veruca Salt
and Sonny Mone, Crazy Horse
.
, New York Jets
and New York Knicks
— video games (baseball), junk food (burritos, tacos, Doritos, chili dogs), and the number "13" . He stands 5' 9", has green eyes and dark brown hair that has been dyed many colors over the years.
He is described in his own words thus: "It is tough to be objective when you are talking about yourself, but I am definitely the most level-headed. I can say that honestly, when it comes to people going in completely opposite directions, I am the guy who can maybe bring it together. Who finds the common ground. That is maybe my strong point. The bad point is that I'm the worrier." When asked where his nickname comes from, years ago he said that it came about as a result of a fantasy he had at 14 about an encounter with two porno queens who were "so enamored at my girth that they called me 'The Snake'". The truth is actually very different from the fantasy. The nickname, in fact, came about from childhood friend, Mike Thompson, who was poking fun at a single hair that grew "snake-like" from Dave's chest, when he was about twelve.
Scotti Hill
Scotti Hill , is a guitarist of the band Skid Row. He is co-guitarist in Skid Row with guitarist Dave "The Snake" Sabo....
.
Biography
Sabo was born on September 16, 1964, in Perth Amboy, New JerseyPerth Amboy, New Jersey
Perth Amboy is a city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. The City of Perth Amboy is part of the New York metropolitan area. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 50,814. Perth Amboy is known as the "City by the Bay", referring to Raritan Bay.-Name:The Lenape...
. He grew up in Sayreville
Sayreville, New Jersey
Sayreville is a borough located on the Raritan River, near Raritan Bay in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 42,704....
, down the street from Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
. His mother, Dorothy, or "Mama Snake" as she is known, raised him and his brothers on her own. Influenced heavily by the rock n' roll music of the era, including some Motown, he found himself listening to the likes of Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, Judas Priest
Judas Priest
Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band from Birmingham, England, formed in 1969. The current line-up consists of lead vocalist Rob Halford, guitarists Glenn Tipton and Richie Faulkner, bassist Ian Hill, and drummer Scott Travis. The band has gone through several drummers over the years,...
, Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, and Van Halen
Van Halen
Van Halen is an American hard rock band formed in Pasadena, California, in 1972. The band has enjoyed success since the release of its debut album, Van Halen, . As of 2007 Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and has had the most #1 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart...
. His mother had bought his brother a $40 guitar which he soon lost interest in, paving the way for Dave to take up the instrument at the age of 14.
Dave was also the first guitarist to join Jon Bon Jovi when he was forming his first band to showcase the song "Runaway
Runaway (Bon Jovi song)
"Runaway" is a Bon Jovi song, written in 1980 and originally recorded in 1981 for the so called "Power Station Demos". The recordings were primarily done by an ensemble simply known as Jon Bongiovi & The Rest. Lead guitar on the original 1980's track was Bon Jovi's neighbour, Dave Sabo , who would...
" after it was released on a compilation record, only to be replaced by Richie Sambora
Richie Sambora
Richard Stephen "Richie" Sambora is an American rock guitarist, producer, musician, singer, and songwriter who is the longtime lead guitarist of the rock band, Bon Jovi. He and frontman Jon Bon Jovi form the primary songwriting unit of the band...
.
He is also the uncle of former ATP
Association of Tennis Professionals
The Association of Tennis Professionals or ATP was formed in 1972 by Donald Dell, Jack Kramer, and Cliff Drysdale to protect the interests of male professional tennis players. Since 1990, the association has organized the worldwide tennis tour for men and linked the title of the tour with the...
Tennis professional Matt Sabo.
A chance meeting with local bass player Rachel Bolan
Rachel Bolan
Rachel Bolan is the bass guitar player and main songwriter of the metal band, Skid Row. He was born in Point Pleasant, New Jersey, USA, where he founded the band in 1986 with the guitarist Dave "The Snake" Sabo. Bolan has appeared as a vocalist on two of the Kiss guitarist Ace Frehley's solo...
in the Garden State Music Store where he was employed set him in the direction of forming the band that would earn him fame. Their partnership would not only prove to be the right step with their songwriting, but for friendship as well, as they still consider themselves to be best friends.
Skid Row
Skid Row is an American heavy metal band which became one of the flagship bands of the late 1980s metal scene. They were reasonably successful until they were eclipsed by the Seattle grunge-type bands in 1992. The band was named after Gary MooreGary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
's first band, Skid Row.
Skid Row was formed in New Jersey in 1986 by Bolan and Sabo. The pair added guitarist Scotti Hill, drummer Rob Affuso, and vocalist Matt Fallon
Matt Fallon
Matt Fallon is a heavy metal singer best known for his work with Skid Row and Anthrax.- Early life :...
who was later replaced by Sebastian Bach in 1987. The band began playing shows in clubs throughout the eastern United States.
With the assistance of friend Jon Bon Jovi, Sabo secured a record deal for Skid Row with Atlantic
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. In 1989, the band released their first album, Skid Row
Skid Row (album)
-Personnel:*Sebastian Bach – lead vocals*Scotti Hill – lead and rhythm guitar*Dave "The Snake" Sabo – rhythm and lead guitar, backing vocals*Rachel Bolan – bass guitar, backing vocals*Rob Affuso – drums and percussion*David Kent – engineer...
, which was an instant success, mainly due to power ballads. The record went multi-platinum and produced the hit singles "18 and Life
18 and Life
"18 and Life" is the second single from Skid Row's 1989 eponymous debut album.The song was to be the band's biggest hit, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, but only reaching No. 11 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, which was previously their biggest market. It was named the 60th...
", "I Remember You" and "Youth Gone Wild
Youth Gone Wild
"Youth Gone Wild" is the debut single by Skid Row and the lead single from their 1989 eponymous debut album.Its music video received heavy airplay on MTV; however, while the album itself was a major hit and went multi-platinum in the U.S...
". Skid Row turned in a heavier direction on its future albums. Sabo has worked as assistant producer on many of the band's songs.
Sabo recently composed music for the film score The Still Life, set to be released in 2007 with Dizzy Reed
Dizzy Reed
Dizzy Reed is a contemporary rock musician, and occasional actor. He is best known for his tenure as the keyboardist & pianist for the rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he has played, toured and recorded since 1990...
, Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses
Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band, formed in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, in 1985. The band has released six studio albums, three EPs, and one live album...
; Adrian Young
Adrian Young
Adrian Samuel Young is the drummer for the rock band No Doubt.-Biography:Young's parents were hippies. He has four brothers: Alex, Damian, Jeff and Aaron. His father is a teacher in Cypress CA and his stepmother, Jeanne, is currently suffering from ALS...
, No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
; Peter Finestone, Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
; Eddie Money
Eddie Money
Eddie Money is an American rock guitarist, saxophonist and singer-songwriter who found success in the 1970s and 1980s with a string of Top 40 hits and platinum albums...
; Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker
Darius Rucker is an American musician. He first gained fame as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in 1986 at the University of South Carolina along with Mark Bryan, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld and Dean Felber...
, Hootie and the Blowfish; Vince Neil
Vince Neil
Vincent Neil Wharton is an American vocalist and musician, best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Mötley Crüe.-Early life:Neil was born in Hollywood, California to Odie and Shirley Wharton...
, Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe
Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1981. The group was founded by bass guitarist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were later joined by lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil...
; Delaney Bramlett
Delaney Bramlett
Delaney Bramlett was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. Bramlett's five decade career reached peaks in creativity, performance, and notoriety in partnership with his then wife Bonnie Bramlett, in a revolving troupe of professional musicians and Rock superstars dubbed Delaney...
, Bonnie and Delaney and Friends; Eddie Hedges, Blessid Union of Souls
Blessid Union of Souls
Blessid Union of Souls is an American rock band from Morrow, Ohio that was formed in 1990 by friends Jeff Pence and Eliot Sloan....
; Dean Dinning, Toad the Wet Sprocket
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Toad the Wet Sprocket is an American alternative rock band formed in 1986. The band consists of singer/guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss. The band enjoyed chart success in the 1990s with the singles "Walk on the Ocean," "All I Want,"...
; Ace Frehley
Ace Frehley
Paul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics...
, KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
; Louise Post
Louise Post
Louise Lightner Post is the lead vocalist and guitarist for alternative rock group Veruca Salt. She is a graduate of Barnard College, holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.-Musical career:...
, Veruca Salt
Veruca Salt (band)
Veruca Salt is an alternative rock band founded in 1993 in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included vocalist-guitarist Louise Post. Guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick has been with the band since 1999 and drummer Kellii Scott has worked with the group on and off since 1999...
and Sonny Mone, Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse (band)
Crazy Horse is an American rock band best known for its association with Neil Young. It has been co-credited on a number of albums throughout Young's career and has released five albums of its own.-Early years:...
.
Personal life
He loves sports — he's a fan of the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
— video games (baseball), junk food (burritos, tacos, Doritos, chili dogs), and the number "13" . He stands 5' 9", has green eyes and dark brown hair that has been dyed many colors over the years.
He is described in his own words thus: "It is tough to be objective when you are talking about yourself, but I am definitely the most level-headed. I can say that honestly, when it comes to people going in completely opposite directions, I am the guy who can maybe bring it together. Who finds the common ground. That is maybe my strong point. The bad point is that I'm the worrier." When asked where his nickname comes from, years ago he said that it came about as a result of a fantasy he had at 14 about an encounter with two porno queens who were "so enamored at my girth that they called me 'The Snake'". The truth is actually very different from the fantasy. The nickname, in fact, came about from childhood friend, Mike Thompson, who was poking fun at a single hair that grew "snake-like" from Dave's chest, when he was about twelve.