Dave Spitz | |
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Birth name | David Spitz |
Also known as | The Beast |
Born |
Forest Hills, New York, U.S. |
February 22, 1958
Genres | Rock, hard rock, heavy metal |
Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, lawyer |
Instruments | Bass, guitar |
Years active | 1979–present |
Associated acts | Black Sabbath, Impellitteri, Great White, White Lion |
Dave "The Beast" Spitz (born February 22, 1958) is an American musician best known for having played bass guitar for the heavy metal group Black Sabbath from 1985 to 1987, appearing on the albums Seventh Star and being credited for (but not playing on) The Eternal Idol. Dave also helped discover Ray Gillen, the vocalist who joined Black Sabbath mid-tour in 1986, following the sudden exit of Glenn Hughes.
Spitz was born in the Forest Hills neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City. He is the older brother of musician Dan Spitz, former lead guitarist of the American thrash metal band Anthrax.
Spitz has also been a member of Great White, having recorded the albums Psycho City and Let it Rock with the Californian hard rock band during the 1990s. He played on albums by White Lion, Americade, Slamnation, Insomnia, Nuclear Assault, Purple Heart, Kuni, Deepset, War Pigs and others. He is also a member of McBrain Damage, featuring Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain and tours with this band when Nicko has time off.
Dave Spitz graduated from SUNY Geneseo in upstate New York in 1979, and during his college years he played in bands around that area, including Freeway and Buzzoleo.