Dana Strum (born Dana Strumwasser on December 13, 1957) is an American musician whose career spans over 45 years. He is best known as a co-founder, bass player, and one of the two primary songwriters of the US-based hard rock band Slaughter, an American Music Awards winner, formed in 1988. He first achieved fame as a member of an ex-Kiss guitarist act, Vinnie Vincent Invasion, along with his future Slaughter bandmate Mark Slaughter. Strum, who was in Los Angeles at the time, developed a reputation for finding new talented musicians, claiming responsibility for introducing the legendary guitarist Randy Rhoads to Ozzy Osbourne, as well as bringing Jake E. Lee to Ozzy's solo band following Rhoads's tragic death. Throughout his career, from mid-80s to the present day, Dana Strum has worked with a number of artists and groups, playing bass, co-writing, and/or producing songs, such as The Beach Boys, Détente, Sweet Savage, Ace Frehley, Kik Tracee, Dennis Bono, Vince Neil, and Ozzy Osbourne, among others. Early life Strum, whose family came from Trinidad, British West Indies, was born in Washington, D.C. He spent his childhood in Pasadena, California. His father was a scientist, a pioneer in the field of neurobiology as well as a professor and researcher of psychiatry and neuroscience. His findings continue to be cited today. Strum's mother was instrumental in creating cling-free nylon. Dana Strum began playing bass guitar at the age of eight despite his parents' disapproval. Growing up in Los Angeles during his teenage years, his playing was influenced by rock performers such as Black Sabbath and Grand Funk Railroad. His first concert was a Black Sabbath/Captain Beyond gig in Hollywood, California. Strum has been professionally playing bass and used to perform on the Los Angeles Club Circuit since the age of sixteen. Music career 1976–1979: BadAxe Dana Strum began his career in the late 1970s as a member of the progressive hard rock band BadAxe in Los Angeles, California. The band performed on the LA Circuit Scene alongside future successful acts such as Van Halen and Quiet Riot. BadAxe gained attention for their sound, which was similar to that of bands like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. In November 1976, BadAxe recorded an album at Stronghold Studios with Strum also serving as producer. A limited number of test pressings of the album were released by Earth Breeze Productions. The following year, the band recorded the