David Lee Roth’s Las Vegas “Retirement” Residency Has Been Canceled Due to COVID-19 Concerns

David Lee Roth was to kick off a run of “retirement party” concerts at the House of Blues Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve, but after that send-off to 2020 was canceled due to rising COVID-19 concerns (once again), the entire residency has since been scrapped.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal confirmed the news on Monday afternoon, noting that the longtime Van Halen singer was to perform Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and again Jan. 14-15, Jan. 21-22 and Feb. 11-12.

The Review-Journal added that in his initial announcement of the Vegas farewell shows, Roth remained customarily elusive and enigmatic regarding just why he was hanging up his shoes — though he did mention the passing of his colleague and guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, as potentially part of his decision:

“I am encouraged and compelled to really come to grips with how short time is, and my time is probably even shorter,” Roth said.

“I thought I might have been the first, frankly. I might have thought the Marlboro Man would’ve got me. ‘Hey Ed, objects in the rear-view mirror are probably me,’” Roth allowed. “And my doctors, my handlers, compelled me to really address that every time I go onstage, I endanger that future.”

With no upcoming “retirement” concerts in the near future, it remains to be seen whether David Lee Roth re-engages with Vegas for a run of gigs when it is deemed safe to do so.

For what it’s worth, Roth said this to FOX Digital when asked about potentially making up these farewell shows in the future:

“It’s not about me anymore. When the benefits for Kentucky, Colorado, and Farm Aid kick in; Call me.”