Those who were hoping to catch one more show of legendary musician David Lee Roth before 2022 were out of luck.
The rocker, 66 – who recently announced his retirement – canceled his New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day performances at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Cancelled: Legendary musician David Lee Roth, 66, canceled a string of his farewell shows due to COVID concerns; Pictured at 2021 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City
Fortunately, the musician still has a few last shows scheduled throughout January, which appear to be on as of right now.
The iconic rocker was supposed to finish his last set on January 8th, but he announced additional show dates on his website in December.
The new dates are scheduled for January 14, 15, 21 and 22.
Last chance to see him! Fortunately, the iconic rocker still has a few last shows scheduled throughout January, which appear to be on as of right now
Roth has recently announced his retirement from rock and roll.
The Van Halen frontman surprised all when he announced he’ll be done performing after his previously scheduled January 8th show at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
‘I am throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring,’ Roth told the Las Vegas Review Journal.
Farewell: Legendary rocker David Lee Roth has announced his retirement from rock and roll
Icon: David seen performing with Val Halen in 1978
He didn’t dive into details with the paper, going on to say: ‘I’m not going to explain the statement. The explanation is in a safe. These are my last five shows.’
David plans on going out with a bang, set to rock at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, January 5th, January 7th and finally on the 8th.
Tickets for those shows go on sale 10am PST on Saturday morning.
The announcement comes nearly a year after Van Halen had disbanded following the death of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen.
Sad: The announcement comes nearly a year after Van Halen had disbanded following the death of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen, David and Eddie are seen performing in Chula Vista, California back in September 2015
Trailblazer: Eddie (seen in May 2015) died from cancer just 10 days after original Van Halen bassist Mark Stone also died from cancer
Eddie died from cancer just 10 days after original Van Halen bassist Mark Stone also died from cancer.
Eddie’s son Wolfgang Van Halen made the announcement that the iconic band had disbanded during a November 2020 appearance on The Howard Stern Show as he explained: ‘You can’t have Van Halen without Eddie Van Halen.’
David grew up in Indiana before moving to Pasadena, California in his teens where he began his music career by singing solo in addition to an R&B inspired rock group called Red Ball Jets.
Humble beginnings: Roth officially joined the band Mammoth – which featured members Alex Van Halen on drums and Eddie Van Halen singing and playing lead guitar – as lead singer before they changed their name to Van Halen in 1974, he is seen with Michael Anthony and Eddie Van Halen at the Palladium in New York in March 1978
Meanwhile another Los Angeles band named Mammoth – with – occasionally rented the Red Ball Jets’ PA system for $10 a night.
After a few failed auditions, Roth officially joined Mammoth as lead singer before they changed their name to Van Halen in 1974.
Roth claimed the moniker as his brainchild as he felt like it offered long-term identity, aesthetic, and marketing advantages much like Santana.
The band made their name in the Los Angeles area by performing original and cover songs before KISS frontman Gene Simmons took note and assisted them in producing a 29-track demo tape which created the framework for their first three LPs.
Legends: They released their self-titled debut album in 1978 and earned significant national attention and radio airplay with singles including You Really Got Me and Runnin’ With The Devil. The album hit number 19 on the Billboard 200 and eventually sold more than 12million copies by 2014 and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA, seen in London in October 1978
In early 1977, the band got their big break as Warner Bros. executive Mo Ostin and producer Ted Templeman signed them to a two album contract after seeing them during their four month stint at The Starwood.
They released their self-titled debut album in 1978 and earned significant national attention and radio airplay with singles including You Really Got Me and Runnin’ With The Devil. The album hit number 19 on the Billboard 200 and eventually sold more than 12million copies by 2014 and has been certified Diamond by the RIAA.
Van Halen went on to record four more platinum albums over the next five years in addition to several world tours.
Despite all of the success there was a creative rift between David and Eddie which all came to ahead when Roth left the band in August 1985 and brought along several employees who worked for the band.
Rock legends: Van Halen went on to record four more platinum albums over the next five years in addition to several world tours, as David is pictured in Osaka back in September 1979
Sad: Despite all of the success there was a creative rift between David and Eddie which all came to ahead when Roth left the band in August 1985 and brought along several employees who worked for the band, the dynamic duo are seen in San Diego back in May 1984
Roth went on to focus entirely on his solo career after releasing EP Crazy From The Heat and accompanying film.
He then assembled a virtuoso supergroup consisting of guitarist Steve Vai (previously of Frank Zappa’s band), bassist Billy Sheehan (previously of Talas), and drummer Gregg Bissonette (previously of Maynard Ferguson’s big band) before releasing solo LP Eat ‘Em And Smile in July 1986.
The album has plenty of success as it charted No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 as it sold over 2million copies in the US alone and Roth hit the road on an arena tour in support.
Roth went on to release four more studio albums before reuniting with Van Halen in 1996 where he recorded two new songs for Van Halen’s Best Of – Volume I album.
They’re back: The band went on to release their final album together – titled A Different Kind Of Truth – on February 7, 2012, as they are seen on the supporting tour for that release on March 2012
However the reunion was short lived as Roth and Eddie reportedly threatened each other during an infamous appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 1996. Van Halen ultimately opted to bring in Gary Cherone for the vocalist job.
Then over a decade later, Roth returned to Van Halen in January 2007 as they embarked on a 40-date arena and amphitheater tour.
The band went on to release their final album together – titled A Different Kind Of Truth – on February 7, 2012.
They remained an active band until Eddie Van Halen’s death in October 2020.
Icon: David is seen at the MTV Video Music Awards last month