For any musician who grew up during the golden era of arena rock, the music of Van Halen is sacred ground. For veteran bassist Sean McNabb, that music has suddenly become his nightly setlist.
In a recent interview with Mike Gaube and Shaggy on Idaho Falls radio station 94.9/104.5 The Pick, McNabb shared his unbridled enthusiasm for his latest high-profile gig: handling bass duties for the one and only Diamond Dave. For McNabb—whose extensive resume includes rock-solid stints with hard rock royalty like Quiet Riot, Dokken, Lynch Mob, Great White, and House of Lords—stepping onto the stage with David Lee Roth is a profound full-circle moment.
“The Greatest Frontman to Ever Do It”
McNabb did not hold back his admiration when asked what it is like to share the spotlight with the legendary Van Halen vocalist.
“Oh, dude, it’s incredible,” McNabb gushed. “And I was the biggest Van Halen fan growing up. I mean, those records changed all of our lives. In ’78, my life changed, when I heard that. And to be able to hit the stage with probably the greatest frontman to ever do it, pretty much wrote the book on rock and roll fronting, it’s incredible. And, yeah, my boss is awesome.”
With a sprawling master list of 24 to 25 timeless anthems at their disposal, the band keeps the energy fresh by regularly altering the setlist. Even after numerous stops on the road, the historical weight of the catalog still hits McNabb every time the house lights go down.
“Man, there’s so many [favorite songs],” McNabb admitted. “And we’ve got a list of 24, 25 songs, and we switch it up. But I think ‘I’m The One’ is one of my favorites to play. And ‘Beautiful Girls’. I mean, come on. How can you go wrong with that? And just to get to play this catalog with the guy, I still get goosebumps every night.”
Honoring the Legacy of Michael Anthony
Taking on the bass parts originally laid down by Michael Anthony is no small feat. Anthony’s thumping, driving basslines and signature background vocals formed the engine room of Van Halen’s classic sound. McNabb approached the challenge with immense respect for his predecessor.
“Well, they’re amazing,” McNabb said regarding the complexity of the material. “And, obviously, Michael Anthony, amazing and one of the coolest guys. So for me to get to dive into that… I feel like I’m always learning something from watching old live versions from the ’80s and things like that, and I’ll always pick up something new. But, yeah, some of them are a handful, but that’s what I live for. I’m a bass player that wants to always keep learning. And, yeah, it’s amazing to be able to play that catalog. It’s just unbelievable.”
The 2026 “Don’t Love Me, Rent Me” Tour Lineup
The 71-year-old Roth kicked off his current solo venture on April 16, 2026, at Spokane Live! at the Spokane Tribe Casino in Airway Heights, Washington. Touring under the characteristically eccentric banner “Don’t Love Me, Rent Me,” Roth’s shows focus heavily on the immortal Van Halen classics alongside standout cuts from his solo career.
To pull off the massive, record-accurate sound he desires, Roth assembled a powerhouse backing band. McNabb was brought into the fold to replace previous bassist Ryan Wheeler. He joins a lineup consisting of Al Estrada on guitar, Francis Valentino on drums, Danny Wagner on keyboards, and a dedicated group of backing singers. Roth recently extended the trek, adding several spring and summer dates that keep the band on the road through early September 2026.
The Retirement That Wasn’t
This current run of successful shows represents a triumphant, unexpected chapter in Roth’s career. In early 2021, the iconic singer shocked the rock world by firmly declaring his permanent retirement ahead of a planned 2022 Las Vegas residency at the House of Blues.
At the time, Roth stated explicitly, “I am throwing in the shoes. I’m retiring. This is the first, and only, official announcement. You’ve got the news. Share it with the world… These are my last five shows.“
However, after those farewell Las Vegas dates were ultimately canceled due to complications surrounding COVID-19, Roth found himself missing the stage. He officially reversed his retirement decision last year, storming back onto the touring circuit for a highly successful summer 2025 tour that wrapped up in Napa, California.
Now, well into his 2026 tour, Diamond Dave is proving that retirement simply cannot stick when you have one of the greatest back catalogs in rock history—and a band, led by a revitalized Sean McNabb, who is thrilled to blast it out every single night.
