Former Black Sabbath bass player turned lawyer David Spitz ’79 toured the world, but traded it in for his first love. By Eric Butterman
PHOTO BY RICK GOULD
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ave Spitz ’79 holding court, his hair long, the audience’s eyes on him. That could describe the shows in which he’s played bass as a member of three well-known bands of the last 30 years. Or it could just be another day representing a client for his solo law practice: As Spitz says, he’s let long locks return. Known today and in college as “The Beast,” he was once an undergrad at Geneseo, planning on a legal career, playing music with friends like Buzzo and taking in the college experience. “My parents always emphasized education and I believed in it, too,” says Spitz. “My father was a lawyer, my mother was a teacher, and they taught me to have a plan. The classes gave me a great liberal arts education. It helped my writing, and having a strength in communication can only help you as a lawyer.” With degree in hand, his love for music made him try to make playing bass his full-time living. “My parents were on board because I received my degree, showing I knew that I needed options,” he says. It took a few years, but he landed with a promising band called White Lion — one that went on to sell more than 2 million albums, thanks to hits such as “Wait.” But he would leave before their success. Still, don’t feel too sorry. He departed because rock royalty Black Sabbath came calling. Spitz played on founding
class of ’79 Dave Spitz David Spitz ’79, “the Beast” was in Black Sabbath and other bands before choosing a law career.
Sabbath member Tony Iommi’s solo album, thanks to a producer’s recommendation. Spitz then got a call. “They asked me if I wanted to join Black Sabbath!” he says. “I grew up living and breathing and playing Sabbath, but I was also deeply involved with White Lion. It was a tough decision, but my gut told me to go with Sabbath.” He was a member of Sabbath from 1985 to 1987, playing all over the world.
He graduated from Nova Southeastern University and has been practicing personal injury law for more than 15 years in Boca Raton, Fla. “I’ve said it many times, but law is what makes civilization work, and that’s a big reason I’m a part of it,” says Spitz. “Without the law, it would be like how it was for the caveman.” As much as he enjoys arguing in front of the one who holds the gavel, he still holds on to the axe. “How many tribute bands have someone who was a member of the actual band?” he says. “I’m in a band called War Pigs, and it’s a blast to still play Black Sabbath through it. “I’ve enjoyed all the other things that have come with this, but to just play, to have people respond to what I do, I hope I’ve let them know just how much it means to me,” says Spitz. “Like I said, I’ve been lucky.”
Eventually, he joined Great White (“Once Bitten Twice Shy,” “Rock Me”), which also sold millions of albums. “That’s some good luck there,” he says. “Don’t get me wrong — I believe in my talent — but you also need to have some good fortune to be in successful bands like those.” Then, in the mid-90s, the legal profession called him: “I could have just kept on in music, but I was in my later 30s, and I felt if I was ever going to do this, it was time.” Winter 2017
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