CRAIG GOLDY: How I Ended Up Co-Writing 'Lady Luck' With DAVID LEE ROTH

Former DIO guitarist Craig Goldy spoke to Australia’s The Rockpit about the experience of co-writing the song “Lady Luck” with David Lee Roth on the VAN HALEN singer’s 1991 album “A Little Ain’t Enough”. Asked how the collaboration came about, Goldy said: “Well, I was a songwriter for Warner Brothers for about six years. I would submit my songs to be considered by other famous musicians to be utilized on their albums. Then, one day the phone rings and my girlfriend answers it. Well, you’d think it was the president of the United States on the other end, judging by the look on her face. So I pick it up and a voice on the other end says, ‘Hey, man, Dave Lee Roth here. Love your shit, man. Can we get together and write some stuff? Here’s my producer.’ And at the time, it was Bob Ezrin, who had worked with the likes of PINK FLOYD. So I’m, like, hang on — Dave Lee Roth and Bob Ezrin want me to write some tunes with them.’ So they give me an address and I get there and I’m playing them ideas, and Dave‘s, like, ‘That’s badass, man,’ and he’s grabbing my arm and patting my back. [Laughs]”

He continued: “So [Dave] invited me to his home every day for three months — and he’s such a nice guy. He would always ask how you were doing today and pat your back like a brother would to another brother and ask if you needed anything. Then we’d head down into the basement and he had all the VAN HALEN road cases down there, which were just so cool. So, the studio was also the rehearsal room, so he’d get the band to learn the ideas we had put together — and, lucky for me, ‘Lady Luck’ made it through the sifter and on to the album.”

Goldy added: “You know, Dave is a real smart guy too. After every writing session, it would just be us two out on the patio watching the sunset and talking. On the second level, he had a pool with all those rock-climbing grip things all around it, and he’d get me to try climb all around the pool, but there was this one bit that was tilted too much and I would always fall off [laughs], but he could do it. He was such a funny guy, but there is so much more to him as well.”

Goldy joined DIO during the “Sacred Heart” tour in 1986 after original guitarist Vivian Campbell was fired from the band following a contentious business disagreement with the singer and Ronnie‘s management.

Goldy‘s new band, DREAM CHILD, released its debut album, “Until Death Do We Meet Again”, on September 14 via Frontiers Music Srl. Joining the guitarist in the group are Wayne Findlay (MSG) on guitar and keyboards, Simon Wright (AC/DC, DIO, OPERATION: MINDCRIME) on drums, Rudy Sarzo (QUIET RIOT, OZZY OSBOURNE, WHITESNAKE, DIO) on bass, and Diego Valdez (HELKER) on vocals.