David Lee Roth made his long-awaited return to the stage on Saturday night (May 3), performing his first full solo concert in over five years at the 2025 M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, Maryland.
The former Van Halen frontman delivered a 16-song set loaded with classics like “Jump,” “Hot for Teacher,” and “Runnin’ With the Devil.” But while the crowd celebrated his comeback, online reaction quickly turned to one controversial topic: his voice.
“His voice is so destroyed he can’t hold a note for more than a second,” one fan commented under a fan-filmed video of the performance. “Sammy’s 7 years older and has toured longer and more concerts and still sounds decent, this is embarrassing.”
That blunt assessment reflects a growing sentiment among longtime fans. Roth’s stage presence and charisma were still very much alive, but vocally, the performance left many disappointed. For some, it felt like watching a rock legend wrestle with the limits of age and legacy.
Still, not everyone joined the criticism. Another fan offered a more compassionate take, pointing to the broader emotional connection fans have with Van Halen’s music:
“One thing for all of the DLR critics: Just like with Sammy, we Van Halen fans took what we could get. My hero Ed is not with us anymore and there is no more VH. But if DLR and Sammy are still making the rounds on tour (separately, of course…), then catch them if you loved the music. Do this now if you can and I hope you love the experience as much as I would.”
There was also praise for Roth’s band — especially guitarist Al Estrada, a well-known figure in the Van Halen tribute scene, who many said helped carry the show musically.
“Al Estrada is a great player, nails all the EVH stuff. Satriani has been touring with a VH show for a year and still sounds nothing like Ed, it’s so odd.”
Whether fans walked away inspired or disappointed, one thing is clear: David Lee Roth remains a symbol of an era that refuses to fade quietly. At 69 years old, he’s still strutting across the stage, still bringing the Van Halen spirit to life — and still sparking heated debate among rock loyalists.
