Former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar has shared positive sentiments regarding the recent return of original Van Halen singer David Lee Roth to the live stage, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the band’s iconic song catalog. Roth performed his first full concert in over five years on May 3, 2025, at the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland.
In an Instagram post following Roth‘s M3 performance, Hagar, who replaced Roth in Van Halen in 1985 and fronted the band during a highly successful era, focused on their shared musical heritage.
“If I may add my two cents here, comparing us today or comparing us in the old days really is not what it’s all about,” Hagar wrote. “It’s all about Van Halen, one of the greatest bands, some of the greatest songs in rock history. We were both involved and both had pluses and minuses.”
He continued, expressing support for Roth performing the classic material: “I am happy that Dave is out there doing it like Mikey [former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony] and I. Supporting some of the greatest rock songs in history, like I said. The fans deserve it, good or bad. I believe we’re both doing our best and I’m actually happy. Dave is supporting his era and I will support mine as well as my solo career and side projects for the rest of my life. Everyone should enjoy what we’re both trying to do. Keeping the music alive [and] his legacy is important and so is the music both Dave and I wrote with Eddie [Van Halen].”
David Lee Roth‘s 75-minute set at the M3 Rock Festival saw the 70-year-old showman deliver a string of Van Halen classics, including “Panama,” “You Really Got Me,” “Dance The Night Away,” “Runnin’ With The Devil,” and “Jump.” He was accompanied by a band featuring guitarist Al Estrada and four backing vocalists. During the show, Roth humorously referred to the performance as “the end of my first retirement,” alluding to his late 2021 announcement that he was calling it quits, and quipped, “How many retirements did Rocky have? Nine?”
Hagar‘s recent supportive tone marks a notable contrast to some of his more critical comments about Roth in the past. In a June 2021 interview with Brazil’s “Inside With Paulo Baron,” Hagar had stated that Roth‘s voice “hasn’t aged well” and described his stage persona as “totally bullsh*t,” adding: “I don’t think he cares about anything like that… I have no idea who that guy is.”
Following his M3 Festival appearance, David Lee Roth announced nearly two dozen solo tour dates for the summer of 2025. The 21-date trek is scheduled to launch on July 22 in Paso Robles, California, and conclude on September 14 in Napa.
David Lee Roth Summer 2025 Tour Dates:
July 2025
- July 22 – Paso Robles, CA – California Mid-State Fair
- July 31 – Davie, FL – Hard Rock Live
August 2025
- Aug. 03 – Tampa, FL – Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center
- Aug. 06 – Bristol, VA – Hard Rock Live Bristol
- Aug. 08 – Atlantic City, NJ – Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
- Aug. 10 – Huntington, NY – The Paramount
- Aug. 13 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
- Aug. 15 – Verona, NY – Turning Stone Resort Casino
- Aug. 17 – Bethlehem, PA – The Wind Creek Event Center
- Aug. 18 – Gary, IN – Hard Rock Live Northern India
- Aug. 21 – Cincinnati, OH – Hard Rock Outdoor Arena
- Aug. 23 – Du Quoin, IL – Duquoin State Fairgrounds
- Aug. 25 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory
- Aug. 27 – Kansas City, MO – Grinders KC
- Aug. 29 – Thackerville, OK – Lucas Oil Live At WinStar World Casino And Resort
- Aug. 31 – Catoosa, OK – Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Tulsa
September 2025
- Sep. 04 – Chandler, AZ – Gila River Resorts & Casinos – Wild Horse Pass
- Sep. 08 – San Diego, CA – Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay
- Sep. 10 – Temecula, CA – Pechanga Resort & Casino
- Sep. 12 – Saratoga, CA – Mountain Winery
- Sep. 14 – Napa, CA – Blue Note Summer Sessions
