Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth announced his retirement, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal
“I am throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring. This is the first, and only, official announcement … You’ve got the news. Share it with the world.” Roth, 66, declined to elaborate why he wanted to retire, adding, “I’m not going to explain the statement. The explanation is in a safe. These are my last five shows.” His farewell residency will be at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, with concerts starting on New Year’s Eve and continuing on January 1, 5, 7 and 8. Tickets went on sale Saturday, October 2.
Roth met Alex and Eddie Van Halen in the 1970s at Pasadena City College in California, and went on to start the legendary rock band. Roth left the band in 1985 before a brief return in 1996 at the MTV Music Awards. Since then, Roth has been a solo performer.
Roth said that he expected to be the first member of Van Halen to die, so when Eddie was first to pass in October 2020 amid his battle with throat cancer, it was shocking. Roth did not reveal the status of his own health currently, but noted, “My doctors, my handlers, compelled me to really address that every time I go onstage, I endanger that future. I’ve given you all I’ve got to give. It’s been an amazing, great run, no regrets, nothing to say about anybody. I’ll miss you all. Stay frosty.”
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