David Lee Roth, the iconic frontman of Van Halen, made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles last week. On June 26, the 70-year-old rock legend was spotted leaving a building, dressed casually in brown Carhartt overalls, a brown work jacket, and cowboy boots.
Roth, who was once famous for his wild stage persona, complete with long hair and shirtless performances, kept a low profile for the outing, adding a tan baseball cap and a colorful bandana around his neck.
This rare appearance in L.A. comes nearly two months after Roth’s return to the stage for his first solo performance in five years. On May 3, he performed at the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland, exclusively featuring Van Halen classics.
The performance was a major event, marking his return after announcing his retirement from music in October 2021.
Roth’s Surprising Summer Tour Announcement
On the same day as his Maryland performance, Roth shocked fans by announcing a summer tour that will kick off on July 22 in Paso Robles, California, and wrap up on September 14 in Napa, California. The tour will include stops in states like Florida, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Oklahoma.
Despite announcing his retirement in 2021, Roth quickly returned to the spotlight. In January 2022, he had planned to retire with a final five-show stint at the House of Blues in Las Vegas, where he officially declared, “I’m throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring.”
Roth, who rejoined Van Halen in 2006 after more than 20 years, reflected on his time with the band and how short time is, stating, “I’ve given you all I’ve got to give.”
Roth’s Return to Music
In spite of his retirement declaration, Roth soon released a series of newly recorded versions of several Van Halen hits in 2022. During his May 3 concert, he teased his “retirement” with a playful remark referencing the classic movie “Rocky”, saying, “We’ve reached the end of my first retirement. How many retirements did Rocky have, nine?”
Fans seem excited to see Roth back on the road, as he continues his remarkable musical journey, despite his retirement announcement just a couple of years ago.
