David Lee Roth is the guy who famously said he was throwing in the shoes back in 2021. He told us he was retiring. He told us his time was short. And yet, if you’ve been watching the headlines throughout 2024, you’ve probably noticed that "Diamond Dave" has a very strange definition of the word "finished."
He's back. Well, sort of.
Honestly, 2024 has been one of the most polarizing years for Roth fans in recent memory. It wasn't about a massive world tour or a new record—though he did keep dropping those "Roth Studio Live" recordings on YouTube. Instead, 2024 became the year where the private drama of Van Halen finally spilled out into the public eye in a way that felt raw, uncomfortable, and deeply human.
📖 Related: Why the lyrics He's Going the Distance still get stuck in your head 30 years later
The Alex Van Halen Bombshell
The biggest story involving david lee roth 2024 actually came from a book. When Alex Van Halen released his memoir Brothers in October 2024, it pulled back the curtain on a failed attempt at a Van Halen tribute tour. This wasn't just a "scheduling conflict" or "creative differences." According to Alex, the two had actually started rehearsing. They were in a room together. They had Joe Satriani on deck.
Then it all went south.
Alex claimed that he wanted to include an "overt acknowledgment" of Eddie Van Halen during the shows—think old footage or a dedicated moment of silence, similar to how Queen honors Freddie Mercury. He says Roth "popped a fuse." The vitriol was so intense that the tour was scrapped then and there. Roth’s camp called the story "nonsense," but the damage to the "Vanucci" dream was done. It left fans wondering: why wouldn't Dave want to honor Eddie? Or was there a deeper, more complicated ego battle we’ll never truly understand?
The 2025 Comeback Trail
While 2024 was defined by book reveals and podcast episodes of The Roth Show, it served as the literal runway for his 2025 return. You've probably seen the news by now: David Lee Roth officially ended his "first retirement" with a massive announcement.
- The M3 Festival Catalyst: In May 2025, Roth played his first full show in five years at the M3 Rock Festival in Maryland.
- The Setlist: He leaned 100% into the Van Halen catalog. No "California Girls." No solo fluff. Just the hits.
- The New Band: He ditched the standard four-piece rock setup for an eight-piece powerhouse, including four backing vocalists. It was a smart move; it filled the sonic gaps that his 70-year-old voice sometimes leaves open.
He's currently prepping for a 30-date tour across the U.S. and Canada, kicking off in April 2026. If you thought the "retirement" was permanent, you haven't been paying attention to the David Lee Roth playbook. He thrives on the "gotcha" moment.
Health and the Sumi-e Lifestyle
People worry about Dave. They have since he canceled those Vegas residency shows in 2022. During 2024, he remained relatively reclusive in his New York and Tokyo homes, focusing on his Sumi-e (Japanese ink painting).
It's easy to forget that beneath the spandex and the "Hey-hey-hey!" yells, there’s a guy who is genuinely obsessed with high art. His social media in 2024 was a fever dream of original paintings, social commentary, and cryptic audio clips. He’s healthy enough to tour, clearly, but he’s also 71 now. He talks about his "handlers" and "doctors" more than he used to. He acknowledges that the clock is ticking, which is probably why he's choosing to spend 2025 and 2026 on the road rather than in a studio.
🔗 Read more: Why the Star Ledger Crossword Puzzle Still Dominates New Jersey Mornings
Why 2024 Was the Turning Point
For years, the Van Halen camp was silent. 2024 changed that. Between Wolfgang Van Halen’s rising success with Mammoth WVH and Alex’s book, Roth was forced out of his self-imposed shell.
He didn't always come across as the hero. His public jabs at Wolfgang earlier in the year were weird. They felt petty to some, while others saw it as "just Dave being Dave." But that’s the thing about Roth—he’s never been interested in being the "sweet old man" of rock and roll. He wants to be the center of the storm.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Don't wait for a reunion: The Alex Van Halen memoir made it crystal clear that a full VH reunion (even a tribute) is likely dead in the water.
- Watch the YouTube uploads: Roth is still sitting on a mountain of unreleased "solo versions" of Van Halen classics recorded with John 5. He drops these sporadically without warning.
- Get tickets early: His 2025/2026 tour dates are selling out fast because, let's be real, this might actually be the "last" one this time. Or the ninth "last" one. With Dave, you never know.
The 2024 era of David Lee Roth proved one thing: he’s not going into that "good night" quietly. He’s going in screaming, painting, and probably doing a split.
Check his official site for the 2026 pre-sale codes. If history is any indication, the "First Retirement" is over, but the "Second Retirement" is probably just a few years away.