David Lee Roth Announces His Retirement From Music

In a new interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal, former Van Halen singer David Lee Roth claims he’s retiring from music following an upcoming five-show residency at House of Blues at the Mandalay Bay.

Says Roth:

“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 later adds:

“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.”

Roth further suggests that Eddie Van Halen’s death last year may have played a part in his decision:

“I am encouraged and compelled to really come to grips with how short time is, and my time is probably even shorter… I thought I might have been the first [member of Van Halen to die], frankly … ‘Hey Ed, objects in the rear-view mirror are probably me.’ And my doctors, my handlers, compelled me to really address that every time I go onstage, I endanger that future.”

Roth also says he’s been in touch with Alex Van Halen quite a bit as of late:

“Al and I have been talking, and I can’t speak for him just yet, but he knows what I am about to say. We speak to each other constantly, two or three times a day. We laugh like pirates.”

You can read the entire interview here.

Tickets for Roth’s final five shows are now on sale here.