Van Halen: Dave Lee Roth forced to retire 'Doctors warned me my time is even shorter'
VAN HALEN LEGEND Dave Lee Roth just announced his retirement in a dramatic interview, confirming five farewell shows. The rock star revealed his doctors had warned him, "Every time I go on stage, I endanger my life. Goodbye, I'm going to miss you all."
Van Halen’s David Lee Roth cuts his nose during performance in 2015
The rock world mourned last year when Eddie Van Halen passed away from throat cancer. Referring to the loss, his bandmate Roth gave a shock interview this weekend, announcing he was calling it quits on his long career in the industry. "I thought I might have been the first, frankly … And my doctors, my handlers, compelled me to really address that every time I go onstage, I endanger that future." The singer had been recovering from a spinal operation as well as battling illness during his last tour in 202O before the global pandemic hit. SCROLL DOWN TO LISTEN TO THE FULL STATEMENT
Vocalist Roth was one of the founders of Van Halen in 1974, alongside brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen, and drummer Michael Anthony. After leaving the band to go solo in 1985, Roth returned briefly in 1986 and then permanently in 2006.
In the shock interview yesterday, he confirmed he had discussed his retirement with Alex Van Halen, but added "I can't speak for him yet." Eddie's son Wolfgang announced Van Halen was disbanded a month after his father's death.
Roth used the rest of the interview to discuss his incredible career and own mortality.
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Roth spoke to Las Vegas Review-Journal, but didn't allow the interviewer to ask any questions, saying: "I ask that you bear with me here. Please try not to interrupt. I’m going to close my eyes and take you on a ride."
As he approaches his 67th birthday on October 10, he added: "I am encouraged and compelled to really come to grips with how short time is, and my time is probably even shorter. I might have though the Marlborough Man (cigarettes) might have got me."
The star had most recently gone through lower back surgery, which he previously described: “It was a spinal fusion where they take a chip from somebody else."
In his latest interview he acknowledged the loss of Eddie Van halen last October, calling him "my beloved classmate" before he went on to detail his own grand farewell plans.
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Roth announced five shows at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, followed by January 5, 7 and 8.
He will be supported by his regular band at House of Blues: "I’ve got a band that is doing what Al and I used to call a ‘block,’ that means 75 rehearsals for one show.
"We are bringing it in classic VH (Van Halen) style. Alex and I are the only version, that was his message. There is no other variation. There is no torch being passed. There is no other side to this coin. This is classic, in-your-face Van Halen."
LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW BELOW: RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM 4.15
The House of Blues branch in Mandalay Bay is part of the hotel complex of the same name on the Las Vegas Strip. Roth promised he will go out in style: "I know that when I am in the audience, whether you come out with a ukulele or a marching band, all I ask you give me everything you’ve got to give. That’s what I did for the last 50 years. And I'm throwing in the shoes. I'm retiring... There is no other variation, there is no torch being passed."
Roth confirmed that long and successful career is now coming to an end: "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."
The star will have no problem staying busy, having launched a successful skincare range to protect tattooed skin in 2018. He is also a painter as well as a full-qualified ambulance EMT in New York State.