DAVE NAVARRO
With his six-string skills best described as a merger between heavy metal, psychedelic and modern rock, Dave Navarro became one of alternative's first true guitar heroes (with such notorious bands as Jane's Addiction and The Red Hot Chili Peppers).
Born in California, Navarro became mesmerized by the guitar as a teenager, due to his discovery of the incomparable Jimi Hendrix. This led to an appreciation of a wide variety of musical styles. When he first met singer Perry Farrell, he was in a speed metal band (along with drummer Stephen Perkins). Navarro, Perkins, Farrell, and bassist Eric Avery formed Jane's Addiction in the mid 1980s-- alternative rock has never been the same.
Navarro's style was virtually unheard of in the 1980s. His technique on such landmark Jane's Addiction albums as 1988's "Nothing's Shocking" and 1990's "Ritual De Lo Habitual" was a breath of fresh air to the music industry and fans alike. He was one of the first rock guitarists to not confine his style--something that had become commonplace in the 1990s. Navarro knew when to shred away, and when to lay low and add textures to the compositions. Unfortunately, the band split up in 1991 Navarro and Avery resurfaced with the experimental band Deconstruction, who issued a self-titled debut in 1994, but broke up soon afterwards.
Navarro then did session work with Nine Inch Nails' "Further Down the Spiral," Alanis Morissette's mega-seller "Jagged Little Pill," Porno For Pyros' "Good God's Urge," and others.
In 1994, Navarro joined The Red Hot Chili Peppers--his live debut with them being Woodstock. Their studio debut, 1995's "One Hot Minute," was a hit, but proved to be lackluster. After a lengthy worldwide tour of arenas, Navarro re-joined Jane's Addiction for a brief U.S. tour in 1997, recording a few new tracks with the band (issued on the compilation Kettle Whistle).
Navarro left The Red Hot Chili Peppers soon after the Jane's Addiction reunion tour wrapped up. He immediately threw himself into his next musical project, entitled "Spread," and started work on a biographical account of a year in his life. "Trust No One" marked his solo debut in summer 2001.
In 2002, Jane's Addiction reformed and started work on a new album. The band entered the studio with veteran rock producer, Bob Ezrin, and toured with Lollapalooza, 2003, in support of the album. At the same time that Jane's Addiction was in the studio, Navarro was also working with Camp Freddy. Camp Freddy is a large rock jam comprised of rock musicians (Matt Sorum, Donovan Leitch, Billy Morrison, and Dave Navarro, and recent addition Chris Chaney). They played select shows throughout 2003-2004, with the likes of Ron Wood, Steven Tyler, and many other talented musicians.
Shortly after Lollapalooza ended, Navarro and his fiancée, actress Carmen Electra, agreed to have their wedding preparations filmed for MTV's, "Til Death Do Us Part." In addition, Navarro's book, "Don't Try This At Home," was released on October 5, 2004.
Navarro is working on a new band, The Panic Channel, with Stephen Perkins, Chris Chaney, and new singer, Steve Isaacs. The Panic Channel is currently recording an album for Capitol Records.
Navarro's birth date is June 7, 1967.