Roth to become a paramedic

Former Van Halen rocker Dave Lee Roth has quit music to become a paramedic.

The 48-year-old singer started out in the medical profession before finding fame as a rock superstar - and now he's made his millions he wants to return to his roots.

Roth tells American news site the Daily Dish, "I used to be a surgical orderly in South Central LA. I started that when I got out of junior college in the early '70s, and that led to a variety of things in the outdoor medical fire force and training with the green berets.

"My father was a surgeon and uncles and my cousins were also in the medical community, so I come by it natural."

Roth has moved from California to New York, and is living in a small apartment while he trains as an emergency medical technician.

He adds, "I want to be working in the outer boroughs. This city promises great colour and insight in each and every neighbourhood.

"On the upper East Side, it's gonna be heart attacks and stomach aches. But in other neighbourhoods, it's all trauma."