Dave Navarro

David Michael Navarro was born on June 7, 1967, in Santa Monica, California. He is an American musician and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Jane's Addiction, performing on all four of their studio albums. Navarro was also a member of the Red Hot Chili Peppers during the 1990s and has released solo material. Outside of his music career, he served for many years as a host and judge on the tattoo competition reality series Ink Master.

Navarro is the son of James Raul Navarro and Constance Colleen Hopkins. His paternal grandfather was a Mexican immigrant. He began playing guitar at age seven, inspired by his cousin, singer-songwriter Dan Navarro. His early musical influences included Jimi Hendrix, Yngwie Malmsteen, Robert Smith, Daniel Ash, and Van Halen. While attending Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, he participated in the marching band with future bandmate Stephen Perkins.

In 1986, Navarro joined Jane's Addiction. The group released three albums—Jane's Addiction, Nothing's Shocking, and Ritual de lo Habitual—before breaking up in 1991. Navarro then formed the band Deconstruction with bassist Eric Avery, releasing a self-titled album in 1994. In September 1993, Navarro joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers, making his first major appearance at Woodstock '94. He played on the band's 1995 album One Hot Minute before departing in 1998. During this period, he also recorded guitar for Alanis Morissette's 1995 track "You Oughta Know."

Navarro released his debut solo album, Trust No One, in 2001. He rejoined Jane's Addiction for their 2003 album Strays, and later formed the Panic Channel, releasing the album One in 2006. During the mid-2000s, he co-hosted the television series Rock Star: INXS and Rock Star: Supernova, and hosted the internet talk show Dave Navarro's SPREAD TV.

In 2012, Navarro became a host and judge on Ink Master, remaining with the series through 2022. He also made guest acting appearances on television shows such as Sons of Anarchy and Law and Order: SVU. His creative ventures expanded into visual arts and supergroups, including forming the art collective Duel Diagnosis in 2019 and the band NHC in 2020 alongside Chris Chaney and Taylor Hawkins.

Navarro has participated in several Jane's Addiction reunions, including a joint 2009 tour with Nine Inch Nails. After stepping back from touring in 2022 and 2023 due to long COVID, he returned to perform with the original lineup in May 2024. In late 2024, Navarro announced the fourth Above Ground benefit concert, set for January 2025 in Hollywood, California.