| 24th January 2007 11:25 PM |
|
|
| Nellcote |
1/24/07, 5:30 pm EST
Van Halen Plot Reunion: David Lee Roth Plans to Join Eddie and Alex for Major Summer Tour
The reunion that Van Halen fans have been awaiting for twenty-two years began in December, when David Lee Roth walked into Eddie Van Halen’s Hollywood home studio. There he rejoined the band for a rehearsal, singing fourteen Van Halen classics. “They totally got along on a personal level,” a source close to the reunion says. “And it sounded great.” At press time, Roth and the band were negotiating a deal for a major summer tour, which would be Van Halen’s first Roth-fronted tour since 1984. Along with a possible Police reunion, it would likely be among the year’s biggest box-office draws.
“Everything is up in the air,” Eddie Van Halen tells Rolling Stone. “We don’t want to say anything prematurely.” He suggested that the band is waiting on Roth: “People know where we are and that we’re making music. Whoever wants to come up can join us — they’re welcome.” But the famously contentious group may already be having communication problems. The source replies, “Dave is ready. He’s been ready.”
Meanwhile, Van Halen will be inducted on March 12th into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — and it could prove to be an awkward night. Both Roth and his successor, Sammy Hagar, will be inducted, as will founding bassist Michael Anthony, who was recently replaced by Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie’s fifteen-year-old son. “It’s a privilege and an honor,” Eddie says. “And outside of that, we don’t know what the hell is going on. . . . Hey, Sammy might not show up on time — because he can’t drive fifty-five. Sorry, bad joke.”
For his part, Hagar — who split with the band in 1996 and clashed with Eddie on a 2004 reunion tour — says he will be there. “Everyone wants to see a good train wreck, but I’d rather see a beautiful flight,” he says. “I’d have no problem sharing a stage with David.”
The last decade has been tumultuous for Eddie Van Halen and the band. After Hagar’s exit, a brief reunion with Roth flamed out, and they ended up releasing 1998’s Van Halen III with a third singer, Gary Cherone, formerly of Extreme. The album flopped, as did an accompanying tour. In 2002, Eddie got divorced, and he was later diagnosed with tongue cancer. He told Howard Stern in 2006 that he beat cancer “in a way that’s not exactly legal in this country.” In the fall, Eddie released two solo songs for the soundtrack of a porn movie called Sacred Sin.
Eddie, Wolfgang and drummer Alex Van Halen have been regularly rehearsing without Roth, and they’re working up songs for a new album. Eddie says that Michael Anthony is no longer in the group because of his decision to tour with Hagar as the Other Half. “Anthony and Hagar started their own band,” says Eddie. “You can’t be in two bands.”
The Van Halen brothers say they’ve been inspired by Wolfgang’s youth and energy — and that he’s changed the sound of the band. “Wait until you hear this kid play,” says Eddie. “I pick him up from school every day and we jam. We’ve got a shredding bass player now that’s laying down the law for Alex, so I get to weave in and out.” Alex says the situation reminds him of the days when he and Eddie would jam with their dad, a jazz musician, when they were kids. “Our father would look at us and say, ‘As long as you guys can hold your own, there is no age difference,’ ” says Alex.
Eddie says that the band is determined to tour this summer, whether Roth is on board or not. “There’s not just one person on this planet that can sing,” he says. “We’re not waiting on nothing.”
Adds Alex, “Whoever the singer is, they’ll be surrounded by Van Halens.”
*********************************
Exclusive: Van Halen Reuniting With Roth For Tour
Van Halen's original lineup in the early 1980s
January 24, 2007, 4:20 PM ET
Ray Waddell, Nashville
Sources tell Billboard.com a contract could be signed as soon as today for Live Nation to produce a 40-date amphitheatre tour by Van Halen this summer, with original frontman David Lee Roth back in the fold for the first time in more than 20 years.
As previously reported, guitarist Eddie Van Halen's 15-year-old son Wolfgang has stepped in for original bassist Michael Anthony in the new incarnation of the group, which also features drummer Alex Van Halen.
Van Halen last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. Hagar refused to collaborate further with Eddie and Alex Van Halen after the tour's completion ("I don't get along with Eddie anymore, and that's all there is to it," he told Billboard.com in August 2005), although he has consistently played live with Anthony in recent years. The warring factions may wind up meeting in public in March when Van Halen is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
"I see it absolutely as an inevitability," Roth told Billboard.com last May of a potential reunion with his ex-bandmates. "To me, it's not rocket surgery. It's very simple to put together. And as far as hurt feelings and water under the dam, like what's-her-name says to what's-her-name at the end of the movie 'Chicago' -- 'So what? It's showbiz!' So I definitely see it happening."
Hagar recently told Billboard.com he was concerned Eddie Van Halen was asking too much of his son to have him join the band and promptly perform in front of thousands of people every night.
"That's a lot of pressure for Wolfie. Just 'cause he's Eddie's son doesn't mean he can go out and play in arenas and perform and entertain an audience for two hours," he said. "I would love to see Eddie and Alex get behind Wolfie, with a kid of his age singing, and produce the record for him and help him launch a career. I'd rather see it go that way than come out and say 'Wolfie's the bass player in Van Halen and maybe singing, too.' Van Halen's got way too much history to have that put on him."
|
| 25th January 2007 09:25 AM |
|
|
| Some Guy |
Thanks G, still awaiting official word I guess. I hope these asshats can get it together. Dave or the grave.
Colts by 7. |
| 25th January 2007 09:39 AM |
|
|
| Nellcote |
Yes, I am remaining in the AFC camp.
Grossman has too many distractions
Coach Smith's last SB appearance was 36, with Rams, we cleaned his clock... |
| 25th January 2007 12:33 PM |
|
|
| Some Guy |
Will they win Gross. |
| 25th January 2007 12:36 PM |
|
|
| Nellcote |
The tour of the year, tater. |
| 25th January 2007 12:46 PM |
|
|
| Some Guy |
Dudes are old. |
| 25th January 2007 12:53 PM |
|
|
| Nellcote |
Dudes will rock.
They will want the bling.
They will have something to prove.
Cream, Stones, WHO are old.
Halen is only AARP |
| 25th January 2007 12:56 PM |
|
|
| Some Guy |
OK you have swayed me. It will be bigger than Star Wars.
I saw them in 82 and 84. |
| 25th January 2007 01:08 PM |
|
|
| Nellcote |
Again, it will be the reality show of the year tour.
What subplots!
Will Sammy show?
Will Michael show?
Valerie along to check out Wolfie sobriety, virginity?
Infinity Broadcasting for Dave's dialog?
Porn stars for Eddie, Alex, Wolfie?
American Cancer Society for Eddie?
He can play golf with Alice Cooper?
Action figures?
Power drinks?
New samuari hairdos?
Preview @ Rock Hall of Fame Show.....
This is going to be good.... |
| 25th January 2007 01:10 PM |
|
|
| rasputin56 |
Looks like it'll be a shed tour. Could be a tough ticket.
I've seen them every tour since 1981. The last one was a train wreck. Horrible. Unless Eddie stays sober, this could be worse...much worse. In other words, I'm in! |
| 25th January 2007 01:58 PM |
|
|
| Some Guy |
Rock and Roll babies!! |
| 25th January 2007 01:59 PM |
|
|
| pdog |
dudes are lame! |
| 25th January 2007 02:57 PM |
|
|
| sirmoonie |
 |
| 25th January 2007 03:15 PM |
|
|
| Some Guy |
Damn bro I was laughing at that!!! |
| 26th January 2007 07:40 PM |
|
|
| Nellcote |
Jan. 26, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal
NORM: Roth set to rejoin Van Halen for tour
A Van Halen reunion tour, with David Lee Roth back in the fold after 22 years, is in the works, with a Las Vegas launch looking good.
A late April date at the Palms' new venue, The Pearl, is "99 percent" likely, a source said.
It would be the latest coup for Palms owner George Maloof, who will open the 2,500-seat venue with a lineup that includes Tool, Evanescence, Gwen Stefani and possibly Van Halen, all in the first month.
A 40-date tour is being discussed.
Roth fronted the band from 1974 to 1985 before going solo. He was close to rejoining about 11 years ago, but a blowup caused another rift.
Van Halen's last tour, in 2004, grossed about $40 million, with Sammy Hagar as the lead.
|
| 26th January 2007 08:43 PM |
|
|
| mojoman |
some guys have all the luck |
| 2nd February 2007 08:37 PM |
|
|
| Nellcote |
It's Official! Roth to Rejoin Van Halen
Posted Feb 2nd 2007 5:25PM by TMZ Staff
Filed under: Music
Break out your spandex pants, start practicing your karate kicks; David Lee Roth is officially returning as the front man for Van Halen.
Founding band member Eddie Van Halen made the first official announcement to TMZ, saying "It feels like a whole new beginning to be back with Dave and to be playing with my brother and my son. We look forward to going on tour."
Roth, an original member of Van Halen, quit the group in 1985. He rejoined the band briefly in 1996, only to quit again a few months later. Roth hasn't performed live with the group since 1984.
As TMZ first reported, Eddie's son, Wolfgang Van Halen, will be playing bass with the supergroup on their upcoming tour. According to the band's rep, Janie Liszewski, the tour will cover most major U.S. cities, including L.A. and New York.
|
| 3rd February 2007 02:03 PM |
|
|
| fireontheplatter |
van halen gives me a headache to be honest.
it is cool they are getting back together and it should be a blast of a show. sorry, but i will not be in attendence.
good luck to them...no i mean it |
| 3rd February 2007 03:28 PM |
|
|
| gimmekeef |
Hopefully they will tape the rehearsals....That might be all that happens....This has LAME written all over it... |
| 3rd February 2007 03:39 PM |
|
|
| mojoman |
who has more spandex mick or david lee oswald |
| 3rd February 2007 06:06 PM |
|
|
| fireontheplatter |
quote:
mojoman wrote:
who has more spandex mick or david lee oswald
i'd have to say david on this one |
|
