Sean McNabb, the new bassist for rock legend David Lee Roth, has opened up about what it’s like to work alongside the iconic Van Halen frontman. He shared his thoughts in an interview with The Pick radio station in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
McNabb spoke candidly about the experience of joining Roth’s camp. He expressed both his lifelong admiration for Van Halen and his excitement about sharing the stage with one of rock’s most celebrated frontmen.
“Oh, dude, it’s incredible. 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,” McNabb said. “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.”
McNabb also addressed the challenge of stepping into the role previously held by Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony. He noted his deep familiarity with the catalog and his ongoing dedication to mastering it.
“Well, the songs are amazing. And, obviously, [former Van Halen bassist] Michael Anthony, amazing and one of the coolest guys. So for me to get to dive into that. And we had this other thing called BROWN M&Ms, which was an homage to early Van Halen. So I’ve been playing these songs for a good number of years and have done the deep dive on it,” he continued. “But 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.”
McNabb joined Roth’s touring band in early 2026, replacing Ryan Wheeler on bass duties. His arrival came just as Roth launched his “Don’t Love Me, Rent Me” Worldwide Tour, a 27-date North American run that kicked off on April 16 in Airway Heights, Washington. The tour is scheduled to run through early September 2026 and has since been expanded with five additional dates, reflecting strong demand from fans eager to see the legendary frontman back on the road.
McNabb is no stranger to the upper echelons of rock. Before joining Roth’s band, he built an extensive career as a bassist for some of the genre’s most recognizable acts, including Lynch Mob, Quiet Riot, Dokken, Great White, and House of Lords. Beyond music, he is also a TV and film actor, show host, writer, singer, and composer with a notable record of charitable work — a multi-dimensional career that speaks to his versatility and longevity in the entertainment industry.
His preparation for the role was far from rushed. McNabb had already spent years playing Van Halen material through BROWN M&Ms, a tribute project dedicated to early Van Halen. That gave him a deep and practiced command of the catalog long before he stepped into Roth’s touring band. That foundation has clearly paid off, as the two have already shared the stage at high-profile events, including a performance at Summerfest in Milwaukee on June 20, 2026.
At 71 years old, Roth is showing no signs of slowing down. He has been described as being in good health and fully committed to delivering a high-energy live experience. The tour features a full backing band that includes guitarist Al Estrada, drummer Francis Valentino, keyboardist K.C. Knight, and five backing vocalists. The setlist draws heavily from the Van Halen catalog alongside Roth’s solo material, giving longtime fans exactly what they came for.
For McNabb, the opportunity represents the culmination of a lifelong connection to the music that shaped him. His enthusiasm is genuine, his credentials are undeniable, and his dedication to the craft is evident in every word he has shared about the role. If his early performances alongside Roth are any indication, the “Don’t Love Me, Rent Me” tour is delivering on every promise.
