David Lee Roth’s summer comeback has hit an unexpected roadblock.
Several of the former Van Halen frontman’s scheduled tour dates were abruptly canceled, prompting fans to wonder what caused the shake-up.
As news of the cancellations spread, Sammy Hagar wasted no time reaching out publicly to his longtime Van Halen counterpart with an emotional message of support.
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“Hey Dave, Sammy here. I just got a call from Michael Anthony as I’m sitting down having my favorite cocktail, and I don’t have to tell you what this is,” Hagar said, smiling as he held up his signature margarita, “about your tour getting canceled.”
“And I want to say from the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry. I hope you’re well. I hope there’s not a physical problem.”
Shows in Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky and Illinois have all been canceled. No reason has been announced.
Only Roth’s July dates have been scrapped. His five shows scheduled for August and September are currently still available for purchase through Ticketmaster, while his Aug. 7 performance in Sturgis, South Dakota, remains listed on his official website.
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“Honestly, Mike and I love the fact that you’ve been out there doing it, supporting the greatest band in the world that we were both part of,” Hagar said. “And, yeah, I’m really sorry. That’s f—ed up. Supporting what we did in this band to keep this music alive.”
He also reflected on the chemistry that made Van Halen one of rock’s defining acts.
“You and I, Mikey, Al, Ed, cannot be replaced.”
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Hagar then encouraged Roth to return whenever he’s ready.
“So, when you’re ready to carry on, you go, brother. Mike and I support you.”
Hagar extended an open invitation for Roth to join him and Michael Anthony during their Las Vegas residency this September.
“Come to Vegas for the residency in September. Come on, join us. Sing a couple songs, MC the damn show. Come out and just do what the f— you do, which is pretty damn entertaining.”
He closed the video with a heartfelt sendoff.
“Anyway, hope you’re well. I really do. God bless, brother.”
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Hagar doubled down on the sentiment in the caption accompanying the video, writing:
“I’m looking rough, but who cares I’m serious with this post. I hope the news about Dave is not AI!!!!! if it is, my post is still coming from my heart and soul. It is so important that this music carry on especially with the AI music out there. those of us that can still go out and play. should do it as long as they can physically and emotionally carry that torch. @vanhalen was, should be, and hopefully always will be real live music, not just for our fans, but for the future fans of real rock music.”
The public support marked a notable turn for the two rock icons, whose relationship has long been defined by competition.
After Roth exited Van Halen in 1985, Hagar stepped in as the band’s new frontman alongside Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony. Hagar remained with the group until 1996 and later returned from 2003 to 2005. Roth reclaimed the mic full-time in 2006, remaining with Van Halen until the band’s final chapter in 2020.
Though they each defined different eras of Van Halen, Hagar and Roth spent decades trading public jabs. They briefly joined forces for the 2002 “Song for Song, The Heavyweight Champs of Rock and Roll” tour, but the truce was short-lived as their rivalry quickly reignited.
The canceled dates mark another twist in Roth’s return to live performance after he stunned fans by announcing his retirement in 2021.
“I am throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring,” he told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “This is the first, and only, official announcement.”
His planned farewell Las Vegas residency was later scrapped amid COVID-19-related circumstances, but Roth ultimately returned to the stage in 2025 and continued to perform into 2026.
He has not publicly addressed the canceled dates or responded to Hagar’s invitation.
Fox News Digital reached out to Roth and Hagar for comment.
