After an extensive run in the music industry both fronting Van Halen and with his own solo career, vocalist David Lee Roth has announced his retirement. Roth made the brief announcement in an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
"I am throwing in the shoes. I'm retiring. This is the first, and only, official announcement," he said. "You've got the news. Share it with the world."
Roth's final shows will take place at the House of Blues at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, NV on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and then January 5, 7, and 8. When asked about the shows and his retirement, Roth responded "I'm not going to explain the statement. The explanation is in a safe. These are my last five shows."
Roth also touched on the passing of Eddie Van Halen, saying he's been thinking about "the departure of my beloved classmate recently"
"I am encouraged and compelled to really come to grips with how short time is, and my time is probably even shorter," he added. "I thought I might have been the first, 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 closed the interview, and possibly his career, by saying "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."
