David Lee Roth returns to touring, with Paramount gig set for this summer

"I heard ya missed us, WE’RE BACK!" David Lee Roth howled on the 1984 Van Halen hit, "Hot for Teacher" and the former VH lead singer’s words could not be more apropos in 2025. Roth, now 70, is going back out on the road this summer after a five-year absence, with 21 dates including an Aug. 10 gig at The Paramount in Huntington. His most recent Long Island show was 10 years ago with Van Halen at Jones Beach Theater in the summer of 2015.

Roth’s last tour dates were in 2020, before the pandemic. He did a short residency at the House of Blues in Las Vegas followed by serving as a special guest opening act on KISS’ "End of the Road Tour" before everything shut down.

On Oct. 6, 2020, Roth’s former bandmate, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, died. The musician's passing caused Roth to go silent except for a social media post featuring a black-and-white photo of the two men smiling and shaking hands backstage with the caption: "What a long great trip it’s been." He even released a solo single in EVH’s honor called, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bar and Grill" with a message on the cover, which Roth designed himself, that says: "Hey Ed, I’m gonna miss ya. See you on the other side."

In 2021, Roth posted an audio statement on YouTube expressing his departure from the rock scene.

"My doctors, my handlers compel me to really address that every time I go on that stage, I endanger that future," he said. "I’m throwing in the shoes, I’m retiring. This is the first and only official announcement."

Roth's comeback began over the weekend, when he headlined Day Two of the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland, closing out a bill that included Accept, Winger, Slaughter and Steven Adler.

Looking fresh-faced with slicked-back blond hair and a clown-like grin, Roth took the stage in black leather with his signature swagger intact. He opened with the Van Halen anthem "Panama," then proceeded to play a 75-minute set of VH material.

"I’m coming to the end of my first retirement," Roth told the crowd during the breakdown of "Hot for Teacher." "How many retirements did Rocky have? Like ... nine?"

Darren Paltrowitz of Long Beach, who wrote "DLR Book: How David Lee Roth Changed the World" and is podcast co-host of "The DLR Cast," was in attendance and pleased by Roth’s performance.

"The energy and vibe in the room was amazing, and unlike any show I have seen since the COVID-19 pandemic," says Paltrowitz, 43. "Dave clearly put in the work, as did his top-notch band. Based on how electrifying that night was at M3, I hope to see Diamond Dave live again soon."

General-public tickets for The Paramount show go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. via livenation.com.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.