David Lee Roth - Skyscraper 12" Vinyl LP Album

- with Steve Vai

David Lee Roth clings to a steep, jagged mountain face in full climbing gear, with 'Skyscraper' in giant red text running vertically along the left side. He wears a red top, blue pants, a black beret, and neon climbing shoes, with dramatic rocky peaks stretching far into the background under a blue sky. https://vinyl-records.nl

In 1988, David Lee Roth surprised fans with his third solo album, "Skyscraper." This experimental 12" vinyl LP deviated from his hard rock roots, incorporating funk, pop, and even hints of world music. Guitar virtuoso Steve Vai's contributions were pivotal in shaping the album's unique sound. "Skyscraper" sparked controversy among fans due to its musical departure but was praised for its adventurous spirit. Tracks like "Just Like Paradise" and "Damn Good" showcased Roth's willingness to embrace new sounds, while the title track's eye-catching music video captured the album's playful energy.

"Skyscraper" Album Description:

In the summer of 1988, David Lee Roth, the flamboyant former frontman of Van Halen, unveiled his third solo album, "Skyscraper." This 12" vinyl LP marked a departure from his previous hard rock sound, venturing into a more experimental and eclectic musical landscape.

The album, released amidst a backdrop of evolving musical trends and shifting tastes, showcased Roth's willingness to take risks and push boundaries. While "Skyscraper" retained elements of his signature rock 'n' roll swagger, it also incorporated funk, pop, and even hints of world music.

Steve Vai, the guitar virtuoso renowned for his innovative playing and technical mastery, played a pivotal role in shaping the album's sound. His contributions added a layer of complexity and sophistication, elevating the music beyond traditional rock tropes.

"Skyscraper" sparked controversy among some fans who yearned for the straightforward hard rock of Roth's earlier work. However, others praised the album's adventurous spirit and sonic diversity. Tracks like the funky "Just Like Paradise," the synth-laden "Damn Good," and the introspective "Hina" demonstrated Roth's willingness to embrace new sounds and textures.

The album's title track, "Skyscraper," became a moderate hit, thanks in part to its eye-catching music video featuring Roth performing acrobatic stunts atop a towering skyscraper. The video's bold visuals and playful humor perfectly captured the album's adventurous spirit.

Music Genre:

Hard Rock Music

Album Production:

Produced by David Lee Roth and Steve Vai

Sound Engineer: Magic Moreno

Mastered by Bernie Grundman

Album Cover Design: Angelus / Roth

Art Direction by: Vigon Seireeni, Los Angeles , Gina Vivona

Album Photography by: Galen Rowell

 

Record Label & Catalognr:

Warner Bros (WB) Records - 925 671 WX 140

Album Packaging:

This album includes the original custom inner sleeve with album details, complete lyrics of all songs by David Lee Roth. 

Media Format:

12" Vinyl LP Gramophone

Year & Country:

1988 Manufactured in Germany
Personnel/Band Members and Musicians on: Skyscraper
    Band-members, Musicians and Performers
  • David Lee Roth - vocals
  • Steve Vai - guitar, horn (alto)
  • Billy Sheehan - bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Gregg Bissonette - drums, percussion, backing vocals
  • John Batdorf - backing vocals
  • Gary Falcone - backing vocals
  • Tommy Funderburk - backing vocals
  • Tom Kelly - backing vocals
  • Joe Pizzulo - backing vocals
  • Dr. Funk PhD - bass guitar
  • Brett Tuggle - keyboards, programming, backing vocals
  • Todd Grace - programming, keyboard programming
  • Richie Raposa - programming, keyboard programming
Complete Track Listing of: David Lee Roth Skyscraper
    Side One:
  1. Knucklebones
  2. Just Like Paradise
  3. The Bottom Line
  4. Skyscraper
  5. Damn Good
    Side Two:
  1. Hot Dog and a Shake
  2. Stand Up
  3. Hina
  4. Perfect Timing
  5. Two Fools a Minute

Front Cover Photo Of DAVID LEE ROTH - Skyscraper with Steve Vai 12" Vinyl LP Album

Description

David Lee Roth clings to a steep, jagged mountain face in full climbing gear, with 'Skyscraper' in giant red text running vertically along the left side. He wears a red top, blue pants, a black beret, and neon climbing shoes, with dramatic rocky peaks stretching far into the background under a blue sky.

Front cover of the 1988 David Lee Roth album "Skyscraper." The image is a high-impact, adrenaline-charged photograph showing Roth mid-ascent on a near-vertical rock face, likely Half Dome in Yosemite National Park. Clad in bright climbing gear, he sports a red long-sleeved shirt, blue climbing pants with reinforced knees, fluorescent green-and-purple climbing shoes, and a black beret—because of course he does. His blonde hair flows out from under the beret, and he’s rocking red-tinted sunglasses like he’s about to break into a guitar solo... while dangling thousands of feet in the air.

Roth is clinging with his right hand to a handhold on the lichen-speckled granite wall, with a determined yet oddly casual expression, like climbing sheer cliffs is just another Tuesday. His left hand braces against the wall while a rack of carabiners and climbing gear dangles from his harness. Below him, the dramatic granite curves of Yosemite stretch into the distance, with pine trees far below and rugged peaks on the horizon under a deep blue sky dotted with light clouds.

Along the left side of the image, the album’s title "SKYSCRAPER" is displayed in massive, bold red vertical text, with "DAVID LEE ROTH" in a slightly smaller red font across the top. The combination of epic natural scenery, climbing danger, and rockstar flair makes this one of the more memorable (and ridiculous) album covers of the 1980s.

Photo Of The Back Cover DAVID LEE ROTH - Skyscraper with Steve Vai 12" Vinyl LP Album

Description

Back cover of David Lee Roth's Skyscraper album featuring a vertical cliff with Roth rock climbing in red gear on the right, and a vivid mountain landscape at sunset on the left, with track listing in bold white text on a red background.

Back cover of the 1988 David Lee Roth album "Skyscraper." The image is split in two halves: the left side is a bold, solid red background featuring the album’s tracklist in stacked white text, while the right side shows an awe-inspiring photograph of Roth once again defying gravity on a sheer vertical rock wall.

Roth is perched high on the cliff face, decked out in the same red shirt, blue pants, and black climbing harness from the front cover. He's gripping a small rock hold with his right hand and appears calm—almost too calm—given the thousand-foot drop below. The lighting suggests early evening, casting warm golden hues across the vast, rugged mountain range in the background. Puffy clouds drift across a deep blue sky as the sun sets, painting the landscape in a soft orange glow.

The tracklist includes 11 songs, with titles like “Knucklebones,” “Just Like Paradise,” “Damn Good,” and “Two Fools a Minute.” At the bottom, production credits are listed in smaller font, naming David Lee Roth as producer and Steve Vai as co-producer. The whole aesthetic screams late-'80s adventure rock with a heavy dose of theatrical flair—like if Eddie Van Halen and a National Geographic cameraman had a love child.

First Photo Of Custom Inner Sleeve DAVID LEE ROTH - Skyscraper with Steve Vai 12" Vinyl LP Album

 

Inner sleeve of David Lee Roth's Skyscraper album featuring repeated bold 'SKYSCRAPER' text layered in red, black, gray, and white, with jagged, mountain-like black shapes slicing through the typography.

Custom inner sleeve of the 1988 David Lee Roth album "Skyscraper." This graphic-heavy design ditches the mountain photo realism for a full-on typographic assault. The word "SKYSCRAPER" is plastered across the entire sleeve in all caps, repeated over and over in various sizes, orientations, and shades of red, gray, black, and white.

The background forms a dizzying collage of layered text, while a series of jagged black shapes slice across the design like stylized mountain peaks—or giant shards of glass if you squint hard enough. These sharp, angular forms punch through the repeated typography like the music itself: loud, aggressive, and unapologetically over-the-top.

The chaotic layout screams late-'80s design: bold sans-serif fonts, clashing colors, and no concept of minimalism whatsoever. It’s graphic, edgy, and deliberately in-your-face—exactly what you'd expect from a rock album where the frontman climbs mountains for fun and still has time to throw a guitar solo off a cliff.

Second Photo Of Custom Inner Sleeve DAVID LEE ROTH - Skyscraper with Steve Vai 12" Vinyl LP Album

 

Lyrics and credits printed on a pale background for David Lee Roth's Skyscraper album inner sleeve. Text columns list all songs with full lyrics and production notes in black, sans-serif font.

Inner sleeve of the 1988 David Lee Roth album "Skyscraper," featuring complete lyrics and production credits. This side of the custom inner sleeve tones down the wild design for something more utilitarian but no less essential to any vinyl nerd or die-hard fan.

The entire surface is covered in dense black text laid out in six clean columns over a pale gray or off-white background. Each song title appears in bold, followed by its full set of lyrics—yes, even for wonderfully ridiculous titles like “Hot Dog and a Shake” and “Two Fools a Minute.” Every word Roth yelps, wails, or belts is here, including songwriting credits for each track (Steve Vai shows up a lot, naturally).

At the bottom right, you’ll find the production details: Produced by David Lee Roth, Co-Produced by Steve Vai, Engineered by Magic Moreno. There’s also a long list of engineers, assistants, photographers, and crew—basically everyone who helped make this neon-soaked mountain-climbing rock adventure a reality.

This side of the sleeve is all about giving fans the goods—whether you’re studying the lyrics, marveling at the sheer word count, or just reminiscing about a time when liner notes were practically sacred texts.

Close up of Side One record's label DAVID LEE ROTH - Skyscraper with Steve Vai 12" Vinyl LP Album

"Skyscraper" Record Label Details: Red Warner Bros (WB) Records 925 671 WX 140

David Lee Roth's Skyscraper vinyl record label design featuring a repeat of the album title in grayscale and red, with jagged black mountain-like shapes cutting across the circular label.

Custom vinyl label from the 1988 David Lee Roth album "Skyscraper." This label art sticks to the album’s core visual identity—bold, angular, and chaotic in the best kind of way. The circular center label design repeats the word "SKYSCRAPER" in layers of red, white, and gray across the entire surface, forming a dense text pattern that mirrors the inner sleeve artwork.

Cutting sharply across this typographic backdrop are jagged black shapes resembling stylized mountain peaks or claw marks—depending on your mood or caffeine level. These aggressive forms radiate inward toward the record’s center hole, creating a high-energy, almost dangerous vibe that totally fits the album's extreme rock-climbing aesthetic.

Notably absent is any traditional text info like track names, side numbers, or label logos—this side of the label is all about pure visual impact. The record catalog number (925 671 / WX 140) and Warner Bros. label affiliation are only referenced externally, not on this art-centric design.

Side Two Close up of record's label DAVID LEE ROTH - Skyscraper with Steve Vai 12" Vinyl LP Album

 

Red vinyl label for David Lee Roth's Skyscraper album showing tracklist for both sides A and B, production credits, catalog numbers, and logos including Warner Bros. and GEMA/BIEM.

Standard text label on the vinyl record of David Lee Roth’s 1988 album "Skyscraper." This side of the record ditches the stylized design and goes old-school with a classic red Warner Bros. label that’s all business. Clean and legible, the label features black text arranged in concentric formatting around the center hole.

Across the top, in all caps: DAVID LEE ROTH – SKYSCRAPER, with production credits below stating it was produced by Roth himself and co-produced by guitar wizard Steve Vai. The left and right sides list the tracks for both sides of the album—Side A is labeled "Other Side" and includes bangers like “Knucklebones” and “Damn Good,” while Side B (labeled "This Side") includes “Hot Dog and a Shake,” “Hina,” and others.

Catalog numbers are printed clearly: 925 671-1 and WX 140. The playback speed, 33⅓ RPM, is prominently displayed. You’ll also spot the Warner Bros. shield logo on the right and legal/licensing info circling the bottom edge, including GEMA/BIEM rights society stamps and copyright details. This is the kind of label that gets you right to the point—music first, no frills, no distractions (well, unless you're distracted by “Hot Dog and a Shake,” which is fair).

Index of DAVID LEE ROTH Vinyl Album Discography and Album Cover Gallery

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DAVID LEE ROTH - Skyscraper 12" Vinyl LP
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The album, released amidst a backdrop of evolving musical trends and shifting tastes, showcased Roth's willingness to take risks and push boundaries. While "Skyscraper" retained elements of his signature rock 'n' roll swagger, it also incorporated funk, pop, and even hints of world music.

Learn more