(Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Paramount Network )

A very Happy Dave Navarro Birthday to all who celebrate. We’re going to take some time to celebrate rock’s ageless wonder right now.

 

It’s been a rough few years as of late for Dave. For the better part of the last two years, he’s been dealing with the effects of long COVID, something the medical community has only begun to research and understand. That, of course, left him on the sidelines for Jane’s Addiction’s 2022 tour dates. Funny enough, Perry Farrell broke that news during my interview with him last year.

 

For the short term, alternative rock’s favorite plug-in guitarist–Josh Klinghoffer–has been filling in when Jane’s plays live. For the long term, Perry has hinted that any new music that Jane’s Addiction makes could include Dave and other guitar players as well. I loved seeing Jane’s open for Smashing Pumpkins at the Garden in 2022, but it wasn’t the same without Dave. I hope he’s back soon.

 

A Dave Navarro Birthday Six-Pack

While the man is on the mend, we’ll celebrate his birthday. And along with that the fact that he’s actually celebrating a birthday! Given the havoc wreaked on the world at large as well as the world of rock during the pandemic, the fact that Dave’s still up and about is a blessing. And he’s still creating, too. Here’s an Instagram post of Dave making a bit of art.

 

So let’s crack our Dave Navarro six-pack, shall we? Or, rather, MY Dave Navarro six-pack. Below are a half-dozen of my fave Dave songs, from Jane’s and beyond. Because of course he not only spent an album as a Red Hot Chili Pepper, but he’s also logged hours as a solo artist and contributor to other musical endeavors as well. Happy Birthday, Mr. Navarro. Hope to see you soon.

  • Jane's Addiction "Stop"

    That opening riff. That damn opening riff. Instantly recognizable. An alt-rock all-timer.

  • Red Hot Chili Peppers "Warped"

    Another masterful Navarro riff. I know it’s not a popular take, but I loved Dave in RHCP and I think One Hot Minute is a top album.

  • Nine Inch Nails "Piggy (Nothing Can Stop Me Now)"

    Navarro was busy in ’95. He was a Chili Pepper, and he popped up on NIN’s Further Down the Spiral remix album. He plays lead guitar on this one.

  • Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know"

    Oh, and Dave plays lead guitar on this one, too. Maybe you’ve heard it before.

  • Dave Navarro "Rexall"

    Dave Navarro’s solo album Trust No One dropped in 2001. “Rexall” was the lead single.

  • Jane's Addiction "Just Because"

    I love Dave and his many talents, but I love him most when he’s cranking out maximum riffage for Jane’s Addiction.