Inspired by the sounds of Jimi Hendrix, Dave began playing guitar in his early teens. By junior high, he had joined his first band, South Dakota Railroad. He formed his next band, Dizaztre, while attending Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California. In 1986 Dave played guitar for Jane's Addiction, along with band mates Eric Avery and Stephen Perkins, whom he met in junior high and high school. Dave’s virtuoso guitar skills were described as a fusion of metal, psychedelia, and modern rock. After a successful five-year run, Jane's Addiction broke up in 1991, reportedly due to drug problems within the group. Dave battled an addiction to heroin around this time.
Following the break-up of Jane's Addiction, Dave formed the band Deconstruction with Eric Avery; however, the band only released one self-titled album before calling it quits. Next, Dave joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers in 1993, filling the shoes of the band’s former guitarist, John Frusciante. The Woodstock ‘94 concert marked Dave’s first live performance with the band. He recorded just one album with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, One Hot Minute, before leaving in 1998.
In 2002 Jane's Addiction reunited to record the album Strays. Two years later, the band once again went their separate ways. Dave then formed the band The Panic Channel, featuring former Jane’s Addiction band mates, Stephen Perkins and Chris Chaney; as well as vocalist Steve Isaacs, formerly of Skycycle.
During his career, Dave has also collaborated with Shock-Rocker Marilyn Manson, pop singer Michelle Branch; and appears in the video for Moby’s song "We Are All Made of Stars."
On the big screen, Dave has appeared in such films as Floundering in 1994 and Uptown Girls in 2003, with Brittany Murphy. He has also written for various magazines, including Details, Nylon, Ray Gun, and Us Weekly; as well as a photo book, Don't Try This at Home.
In recent years, Dave has found success in the reality-TV circuit. In 2004, Navarro starred with then wife, Carmen Electra in ‘Til Death Do Us Part, an MTV series about their relationship. In 2005, he co-hosted reality TV show Rock Star: INXS. One year later, Navarro became executive producer for the show Rock Star: Supernova, in which he, Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted, and former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke judge contestants to determine who will become the next member of their new band, Supernova. Dave has also appeared on reality-TV shows Celebrity Poker Showdown and Ashton Kutcher’s celebrity prank show, Punk’d.
Dave has been married three times. His first marriage was to Tanja in 1990, and his second was to Rhian in 1994. His most recent marriage was to actress and model Carmen Electra in 2003. The couple filed for divorce on August 8, 2006. Following their breakup, Dave has recently been romantically linked to porn star, Jenna Jameson.
YUDDY
