(Credits: Abby Gillardi)
Thu 23 April 2026 16:46, UK
Former Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth has confirmed that he has sold the rights to his publishing catalogue.
Roth has become the latest rock veteran to cash in on their pension, which he has said has given him financial security like never before.
The singer made the revelation during a recent interview with the Associated Press at Coachella, where he performed on the main stage as a special guest of Teddy Swims for a cover of the Van Halen classic ‘Jump’.
In the conversation, which took place backstage at the Californian festival, Roth was all smiles when he said, “When I sold my publishing eight months ago, ask me how I feel?”
In response to being asked the question, he proudly replied, “Rich!”
The singer continued, “For the first time in my life, I can rub two coins together and create a little interest.”
Roth didn’t reveal how much his publishing costs were sold for, or who purchased them, for that matter, but judging by the delighted look on his face, they didn’t go on the cheap.
To provide an insight into how much these rights can be sold for, Rod Stewart reached a deal worth close to $100 million in 2024, although that did also include a stake of the singer’s likeness and image rights.
Additionally, Sting sold his rights to Universal in 2022 for a reported $300 million figure, as did Bob Dylan for a similar fee in 2020.
Even artists who remain in their creative prime, such as Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker and Zach Bryan, have also sold their publishing catalogues for hefty sums.
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