Van Halen’s David Lee Roth Announces Retirement

Rock band Van Halen‘s frontman, David Lee Roth, has announced that he is retiring from performing. Roth has five shows scheduled in Las Vegas’s House of Blues, but after the shows, he will be “throwing in the shoes.”

Roth founded the band in 1972 with members guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen and was joined by bassist/vocalist Michael Anthony to form the classic lineup. At the time, Roth was known as Diamond Dave, a flamboyant frontman and rockstar. With the recent passing of Eddie Van Halen, Roth’s decision to retire seems to be a reflection of his age and mortality.

“I am encouraged and compelled to really come to grips with how short time is, and my time is probably even shorter,” Roth said. “It’s been an amazing, great run, no regrets, nothing to say about anybody. I’ll miss you all. Stay frosty.”