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David Lee Roth cancels all Las Vegas ‘retirement’ shows due to COVID-19

He’s “throwing in the shoes” early.

David Lee Roth announced Monday that he has canceled all of his remaining Las Vegas “retirement” shows, citing the COVID-19 surge, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

His final shows at House of Blues at Mandalay Bay were slated for Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this week as well as four additional days in January and two in February.

The 67-year-old did not formally announce the cancellation, the Review-Journal reported, nor did Live Nation.

It’s unclear if the House of Blues shows, which were mostly sold out, will be rescheduled or postponed.

In a statement emailed to The Post, Roth confirmed the shows are canceled and hinted the world hasn’t seen the last of him.

“Las Vegas is Covid Cancelled. When you have a Central Park benefit for New York hospital workers, call me. Short distance from me to you,” he wrote, signing the email “Dave.”

When pressed if he is still retiring, as he first announced in October, he sent a photo of himself inside a road case with the words “To be continued…”

David Lee Roth sent The Post this image, which says "to be continued.." when asked if he will reschedule his retirement shows.
David Lee Roth sent The Post this image, which says “to be continued..” when asked if he will reschedule his retirement shows. Photo by Maarten De Boer, courtesy of David Lee Roth

The Post has also reached out to Live Nation for comment.

Roth previously postponed two shows, the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day performances to Feb. 11 and Feb. 12, “due to unforeseen circumstances related to COVID and out of an abundance of caution for those working and attending the shows.”

The former Van Halen frontman spoke of retiring in October, telling the Review-Journal he was quitting rock ‘n’ roll for health concerns.

David Lee Roth was in Van Halen from from 1974 to 1985 as well as 1996 and again from 2006.
David Lee Roth was in Van Halen from 1974 to 1985 as well as 1996 and again from 2006. Redferns

“I am throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring,” he told the newspaper. “This is the first, and only, official announcement. My doctors, my handlers, compelled me to really address that every time I go onstage, I endanger (my) future.”

Roth, known for his high-energy stage presence, also told the outlet that they “try not to interrupt” as he was “going to close my eyes and take you on a ride.”

The rocker also told the publication that the passing of his former bandmate Eddie Van Halen — which he referred to as the “departure of my beloved classmate” — rocked him.

“I am encouraged and compelled to really come to grips with how short time is, and my time is probably even shorter,” Roth said, noting he thought he would be “the first” member of Van Halen to pass away.

“ ‘Hey Ed, objects in the rear-view mirror are probably me,’ ” he added.

When asked for further details regarding his retirement, Roth added: “I’m not going to explain the statement. The explanation is in a safe. These are my last five shows.”