David Lee Roth has revealed that he quietly sold his music publishing catalog last year, joining a growing list of legendary artists cashing in on their songwriting rights.
The former VAN HALEN frontman shared the news during a backstage conversation with the Associated Press on April 10 at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California. Roth was on site for a special appearance alongside Teddy Swims, joining him for a performance of the VAN HALEN classic “Jump.”
During the interview, Roth confirmed the deal in his typically playful fashion. “I sold my publishing eight months ago,” he said, before prompting the interviewer to ask how he felt about it. After a brief pause, he responded: “[I feel] rich. [Laughs] For the first time in my life I can rub two coins together and create a little interest. No, really.”
Roth is credited with writing the majority of the lyrics across VAN HALEN’s first six albums, and has often claimed he was responsible for every word, syllable and melody during his tenure with the band.
His decision reflects a broader trend in the music industry, where legacy artists and rights holders are increasingly selling off their catalogs—often for massive payouts. Over the past few years, icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Stevie Nicks and Neil Young have all entered into lucrative catalog deals.
Investors, major labels and private equity firms have poured billions into acquiring song rights, betting on the long-term value driven by streaming growth and the ability to monetize music for decades—often up to 70 years after an artist’s death. For musicians, these deals offer a guaranteed lump sum upfront instead of relying on unpredictable future royalties.
Among the biggest recent deals, KISS sold its catalog, brand name and intellectual property to Pophouse Entertainment Group in April 2024 in a deal reportedly worth over $300 million. Meanwhile, QUEEN finalized a landmark agreement with Sony Music in June 2024, with the company acquiring the band’s catalog and additional assets for a staggering $1.27 billion—making it the largest deal of its kind to date.
While reflecting on a major financial milestone, Roth is also staying active on the road. Earlier this year, he announced an extensive 30-date North American solo tour, which kicked off earlier this month in Airway Heights, Washington. The trek will see him perform across multiple states throughout April, May and June, before wrapping up with an appearance at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip in South Dakota this August.
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.