DLR July 31, 2025 – Hollywood, FL

https://rockcelebrities.net/david-lee-roth-faces-criticism-over-live-performance-its-painful-to-hear/

David Lee Roth Faces Criticism Over Live Performance, ‘It’s Painful to Hear!’
Editorial TeamAugust 3, 20253 mins read
Photo Credit: Daniel Knighton/Getty Images

David Lee Roth performed the third concert of his new tour at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida. Fans harshly criticized Roth’s vocal performance, as captured in a fan’s video of the performance.

The criticism focused on Roth’s vocal abilities and overall stage performance during the show. Fans expressed their disappointment through various comments about the legendary frontman’s current state.

“Dave’s voice is all over the place,” one fan wrote. “It’s painful to hear. Everybody else on stage sounds fantastic.”

The criticism became more pointed as other fans weighed in on the performance.

“Come on, Dave. Give us all a break,” another fan wrote. “This is embarrassing. Your voice is shot to hell, you’re forgetting the words every other line, and now you can’t even sing in time anymore, let alone in tune. In your prime, you were the greatest frontman of all time, and Van Halen I to A Little Ain’t Enough is one of the greatest ever run of albums. But you should’ve retired from music 30 years ago and focussed on film making and other projects.”

Additional fans expressed concern about the impact on Roth’s musical legacy.

“He’s not doing his legacy any favors,” another fan said. “He hasn’t been able to sing this song for 15 years, it’s inexplicable he keeps playing it.”

The performance took place on July 31, 2025, as part of Roth’s ongoing tour schedule.

The current criticism comes amid Roth’s unexpected return to the stage after what many believed would be his final retirement from performing.

AXS TV reported that this tour marked Roth’s return to live performances after a five-year hiatus. He had announced retirement in late 2021 but reconsidered due to changing circumstances and pandemic disruptions. The 70-year-old rock legend had initially stepped away from touring, leading many fans to believe his performing days were over.

His comeback began earlier in 2025 at the M3 Rock Festival in Maryland. Los Angeles Times noted that he joked with the audience about his return to performing. The former Van Halen frontman addressed his previous retirement announcement with characteristic humor during that performance.

“We’ve reached the end of my first retirement,” Roth told the crowd at his comeback show.

Parade observed that fans have noted that Roth looks and sounds different from his heyday in the 1970s and 1980s. He continues to perform with his characteristic energy despite his age and shifting vocal ability. The current tour spans more than a dozen cities, including renowned venues such as Hard Rock Live and The Factory. This promises extended exposure despite the mixed reactions from audiences.