The first two shows of David Lee Roth‘s previously announced Las Vegas residency have been canceled. As Metal Sludge, one of the musicians in Roth‘s backing band contracted COVID-19, forcing the concerts to be called off.
Roth‘s camp says in a statement: “Due to unforeseen circumstances related to COVID and out of an abundance of caution for those working and attending the shows, the David Lee Roth performances schedule for Dec. 31, 2021 and Jan. 1, 2022 have been cancelled. Refunds will be automatically processed, and ticketholders will be notified directly.”
Roth is still scheduled to perform at Mandalay Bay’s House Of Blues on January 5, 7 and 8, January 14-15 and January 21-22.
When Roth extended his residency earlier this month, he explained: “I had no idea how many people wanted to see me go. Okay, that sounded wrong. [Laughs] All right. Don’t turn it off. David Lee here, for the second time. I had no idea how many of you wanted to pay to see me go. [Laughs]
“So I’m putting more tickets on sale, instead of doing the wrong thing and pissing more people off,” VAN HALEN singer explains. “I have industry professionals now ringing in, telling me, ‘Dave, at your age, you should be in the middle of your third retirement. Did you watch ‘Rocky’ movies? He’s on his seventh. Same guy, ‘Rambo’ — fifth. He’s about 14 retirements ahead of you.’ Just when I get out, they drag me back in.
“Look, I’m vulnerable. I feel sensitive. If I sound that way to you, I’m in the middle of my first retirement. And I’m gonna extend my world goodbye tour of Las Vegas at the House Of Blues for two more weekends — like any good f*cking barbecue. Just like you would, if you could.”