Dave Navarro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dave Navarro
Navarro in 2010
Background information
Birth name	David Michael Navarro
Born	(1967-06-07) June 7, 1967 (age 58) Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative rock hard rock
Occupation(s)	Guitarist
Instruments	Guitar, vocals, bass
Years active	1985–present

David Michael Navarro (born June 7, 1967) is an American guitarist. He is famous for being a member of the rock band Jane's Addiction. With them, he has recorded four studio albums. From 1993 to 1998, Navarro was also the guitarist for the band Red Hot Chili Peppers. He recorded one studio album with them, One Hot Minute (1995).

Navarro has also released a solo album called Trust No One (2001). He was also part of other bands linked to Jane's Addiction, like Deconstruction and the Panic Channel.

Music experts say Dave Navarro is "one of alternative rock's first true guitar heroes." His guitar playing style mixes different sounds, including heavy metal, psychedelia, and modern rock. Henry Rollins, a singer from the band Black Flag, once said, "He's one of the last great guitarists."

Besides music, Navarro is also a host and judge on Ink Master. This is a TV show where people compete to create the best tattoos. It aired on Paramount Network (and before that, Spike) from 2012 to 2020, and then on Paramount+ starting in 2022.

Early Life and Guitar Journey

Growing Up in California

David Michael Navarro was born on June 7, 1967. His hometown was Santa Monica, California. He was the only child of James Raul Navarro and Constance Colleen Hopkins. His grandparents on his father's side came from Mexico. His grandfather, Gabriel Navarro, was good friends with Ramón Novarro. Ramón was a Mexican silent film actor who used a similar last name for his stage name.

Learning to Play Guitar

Navarro started playing the guitar when he was seven years old. His cousin, a singer and songwriter named Dan Navarro, inspired him. Dave said that when he was very young, he loved Jimi Hendrix. He also liked Yngwie Malmsteen for a short time. Navarro learned a lot from Robert Smith of the Cure and Daniel Ash of Bauhaus. He also admired the guitarists from Siouxsie and the Banshees. He believes that Hendrix and Jimmy Page are the greatest innovators. The first album by Van Halen also made him want to play guitar. Today, he enjoys many different guitarists. These include skilled players like Steve Vai and Al Di Meola, and blues players like Junior Kimbrough.

He went to Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, California) in Sherman Oaks, California. There, he was in the marching band with Stephen Perkins. Stephen later became his bandmate in Jane's Addiction.

Music Career Highlights

Navarro performing in 2010

Joining Jane's Addiction (1986–1993)

In 1986, Dave Navarro joined Jane's Addiction as the lead guitarist. His childhood friend, drummer Stephen Perkins, suggested him to the band's singer, Perry Farrell. The band quickly became popular in the alternative rock music scene.

Over five years, Jane's Addiction released three albums: Jane's Addiction (1987), Nothing's Shocking (1988), and Ritual de lo Habitual (1990). The band decided to go their separate ways in 1991. Perry Farrell then created the Lollapalooza festival as a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction.

In 1991, Axl Rose from Guns N' Roses wanted Navarro to join his band. However, Navarro never showed up to play with them. Later, in 1999, he did play guitar on the Guns N' Roses song "Oh My God." This song was on the End of Days movie soundtrack. In 1993, Navarro started a band called Deconstruction. He formed it with Eric Avery from Jane's Addiction and drummer Michael Murphy. They released one album in 1994.

Time with Red Hot Chili Peppers (1993–1998)

Navarro joined Red Hot Chili Peppers in September 1993. His first big show with them was at Woodstock '94. The only album he recorded with the Red Hot Chili Peppers was One Hot Minute, released in 1995. The band also recorded a cover song, "Love Rollercoaster," for the Beavis and Butthead Do America movie soundtrack. They also contributed the song "I Found Out" to a tribute album for John Lennon.

In 1995, Navarro played guitar for Alanis Morissette's song "You Oughta Know." This song was on her very successful album, Jagged Little Pill.

One Hot Minute sold over eight million copies worldwide and had three hit singles. Navarro toured with Jane's Addiction again in 1997. After two years of touring with Red Hot Chili Peppers, Navarro left the band in 1998. During this time, Navarro also remixed Janet Jackson's song "What'll I Do" for her album Janet Remixed.

Solo Work and Reunions (2001–2005)

In 2001, Navarro released his first solo album, Trust No One. He then toured the U.S. with his band. In 2002, Jane's Addiction got back together with bass player Chris Chaney. They recorded a new album called Strays. They also went on the Lollapalooza 2003 tour. In 2002, Navarro played guitar for Michael Jackson's song "Black or White" at the Apollo Theater. He also appeared in Mariah Carey's music video for "Bringin' On the Heartbreak".

Navarro also started working with a group called Camp Freddy. In 2003, he and his fiancée, Carmen Electra, had their wedding plans filmed for an MTV show. It was called Til Death Do Us Part. The show was popular and later released on DVD. Navarro also wrote a book, Don't Try This at Home, which became a bestseller.

He appeared on Celebrity Poker Showdown in 2004. He won his first game and played in the championship round.

Recent Projects and Tours (2006–Present)

Navarro co-hosted two seasons of the TV show Rock Star. He hosted Rock Star: INXS and Rock Star: Supernova with Brooke Burke. In 2006, Navarro's band, the Panic Channel, released their album One. They toured in 2007. Navarro also had his own internet radio station and a talk show called Dave Navarro's SPREAD TV. This show talked about art and human experiences.

Jane's Addiction reunited again in 2008 with all the original members. They performed at an award ceremony in Los Angeles. After this, Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails worked with them. They recorded two songs for the NINJA 2009 Tour Sampler. This led to a worldwide tour in 2009 with Nine Inch Nails and Jane's Addiction.

In 2010, Navarro posed for PETA's "Ink Not Mink" campaign against fur. He also posed for their anti-animal testing campaign in 2013. In 2011, he appeared in a commercial for Citibank. Navarro also played on the song "Girls/Fast Cars" by the band the Wombats.

In 2012, the Red Hot Chili Peppers were added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Navarro was happy for them but did not attend the ceremony.

Navarro appeared in four episodes of the TV show Sons of Anarchy in 2012. He also appeared on Talking Dead and had a guest role in Law and Order: SVU in 2013. In January 2012, Navarro became a host and judge on the show Ink Master.

In 2018, Navarro's assistant, Kelsey Gunn, started an online series called "Assisting Navarro." It showed funny parts of her life working for him. This led to a short film in 2020. In 2019, Navarro started an art group called Duel Diagnosis. They focus on art and clothing that talks about mental health.

In 2020, Navarro, Chris Chaney, and Taylor Hawkins formed a "supergroup" called NHC. They played their first show in 2021 and released some songs and an EP. Sadly, Taylor Hawkins passed away in 2022.

In 2020, Navarro performed with Jane's Addiction at a memorial show. He was photographed with his former Red Hot Chili Peppers bandmates for the first time in 23 years. John Frusciante, who replaced Navarro in the Chili Peppers, also played with Jane's Addiction at this event.

In 2021, Navarro and Billy Morrison held their third "Above Ground" benefit concert. Anthony Kiedis from Red Hot Chili Peppers joined them on stage. This was the first time Kiedis and Navarro performed together in 24 years.

Navarro missed some Jane's Addiction tours in 2022 and 2023 because of long COVID. Other guitarists filled in for him. In 2023, Jane's Addiction went back to the studio to record new music. Navarro could not join them due to his health.

Navarro returned to Jane's Addiction in May 2024. The classic lineup performed their first show together in 14 years. They played two new songs, their first new music in 34 years. They then started a tour in Europe and the U.S.

In September 2024, there were some disagreements during their New York City shows. At a show in Boston, Perry Farrell pushed Navarro. Farrell's wife said he was having ear problems and felt his voice was being covered by the band. She also said that Eric Avery had attacked Perry. Jane's Addiction later apologized and canceled a show.

In November 2024, Navarro and Billy Morrison announced their fourth "Above Ground" benefit concert for January 2025. This event will celebrate vinyl records as an art form.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Navarro has been married three times. His first marriage was to makeup artist Tania Goddard-Saylor (1990–1992). He then married Rhian Gittins (1994), but it was later canceled. His third marriage was to model and actress Carmen Electra (2003–2007).

Political Views

Navarro has been invited to perform at events for both major political parties in the U.S. In 2002, he performed at a fundraiser for the Democratic Party. In 2012, he performed at the Republican National Convention. In 2016, he shared on social media that he considers himself a "Libertarian." This means he believes in personal freedom and limited government. He supported Marianne Williamson and later Tulsi Gabbard in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries.

Musical Gear

Navarro started using PRS Guitars during the Lollapalooza tour in 1991. His special PRS guitar, which is white with gold parts, is now his main guitar for shows. He has several PRS models for his stage and studio work. He was one of the first PRS artists to have both a Maryland-made and a more affordable SE version of his signature guitar.

Since 2008, he has also used a custom white Ibanez RG guitar. This guitar has a similar setup to his PRS Signature Model. In 2010, Epiphone Guitars released the Dave Navarro Artist Acoustic guitar. This guitar is based on the classic Gibson "Hummingbird" design. Navarro has used this new acoustic guitar in the studio while recording with Jane's Addiction.

Discography

Solo Albums

Solo EPs

• Rhimorse (1995)

Solo Singles

With Deconstruction

• Deconstruction (1994)

With Red Hot Chili Peppers

• 1995 One Hot Minute
• 1995 Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon ("I Found Out" only)
• 1996 Beavis and Butt-head Do America ("Love Rollercoaster" only)

With NHC (Navarro, Hawkins, Chaney)

• 2021 Navarro Hawkins Chaney (2 singles)
• 2021 Devil That You Know / Lazy Eyes (2 singles)
• 2022 Intakes & Outakes (EP)

Guest Appearances (Selected)

• With Janet Jackson
  • 1995 Janet Remixed – lead guitar and remix on "What'll I Do" (Dave Navarro Mix)
  • 2008 Rock Witchu Tour – lead guitar and video appearance on "Black Cat" (Live version)
• With Nine Inch Nails
  • 1995 Further Down the Spiral – lead guitar on "Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)"
  • 2016 Not the Actual Events – lead guitar on "Burning Bright (Field on Fire)"
• With Alanis Morissette
  • 1995 Jagged Little Pill – lead guitar on "You Oughta Know"
• With 4 Non Blondes
  • 1995 Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin – lead guitar on "Misty Mountain Hop"
• With Guns N' Roses
  • 1999 End of Days OST – lead guitar on "Oh My God"
• With Perry Farrell
  • 2001 Song Yet to Be Sung – guitar and percussion on "Song Yet to Be Sung"
• With P.Diddy
  • 2001 The Saga Continues... – lead guitar on "Bad Boy for Life"
• With Christina Aguilera
  • 2002 Stripped – lead guitar on "Fighter"
• With David J
  • 2002 Guitar Man - guitar on "Guitar Man"
• With Glenn Hughes
  • 2005 Soul Mover
• With Tommy Lee
  • 2005 Tommyland: The Ride – guitar solo on "Tired"
• With the Panic Channel
  • 2006 (ONe)
• With Dead Celebrity Status
  • 2006 Blood Music – guitar solo on "We Fall, We Fall"
• With Grey Daze
  • 2022 The Phoenix – guitar solo on "Holding You"

Film and TV Appearances

Images for kids

• 

  Navarro in 2010

See also

In Spanish: Dave Navarro para niños