Rockers set for 40-date tour
Van Halen have reunited with original frontman David Lee Roth for the first time in 20 years.
The band are set to announce details of a 40-date tour this summer.
The reunited group will feature Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang on bass, replacing original bassist Michael Anthony, plus drummer Alex Van Halen.
Speaking last May, when asked about a reunion Roth said: "I see it absolutely as an inevitability. 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."
The band last toured in 2004 with Sammy Hagar as frontman.
However, Hagar refused to collaborate with Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen after the tour's completion.
He told Billboard: "I don't get along with Eddie anymore, and that's all there is to it."
Dates have yet to be confirmed.
Could be interesting, though. They hate eachother; Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, they never played as sharp as during the gigs where the hate was so omnipresent it was tangible.
<b><font color = "crimson"> ThomasQuinn wrote: Could be interesting, though. They hate eachother; Deep Purple, Pink Floyd, they never played as sharp as during the gigs where the hate was so omnipresent it was tangible.
Don't forget The Who. Often their anger at each other was channeled into their live performances, creating thrilling and unexpected moments onstage. The only thing worse than a band becoming "friendly" is when they just stop caring; again, take The Who during the 1982 tour. Good musicianship all around, but an apathetic Townshend and a relatively stiff Kenney Jones made the performances sound sterile and uninspired.
As for the original post... cool. Wonder why they didn't invite Michael Anthony back?
Anthony is cozy with Hagar these days and has been playing in his band for several years now. My guess is that his disappearance from Van Halen is a result of the feud between Eddie and Sammy.
<font color=red><b>Mr Mercury</b> wrote: This is definetely the year for reformations. I heard the Police are to reform coz its 30 years since they started playing together.
And the three-man Genesis.
Zeni wrote: Anthony is cozy with Hagar these days and has been playing in his band for several years now. My guess is that his disappearance from Van Halen is a result of the feud between Eddie and Sammy.
My, how fickle of Dave, Eddie, and Alex. Although I did read that Michael only played bass on three songs on the last Van Halen record with Gary Cherone, and didn't play on any of the new tracks on the latest compilation, so I would imagine that this was a long-time in the works. Wasn't Van Halen III released back in 1997 or 1998?
Well if Pink Floyd hated each other at Live 8, it didn't show. I still love that performance - it was very good of them to put down the knives for 20 minutes.
Van Halen reunion... I've been-a-waiting! Is there any point now though? I thought Eddie Van Halen was in hip replacement... well anyway. Should be interesting.
Dr. Perry Cox wrote:
My, how fickle of Dave, Eddie, and Alex. Although I did read that Michael only played bass on three songs on the last Van Halen record with Gary Cherone, and didn't play on any of the new tracks on the latest compilation, so I would imagine that this was a long-time in the works. Wasn't Van Halen III released back in 1997 or 1998?
VH III was released in early-1998 I believe, Coxy.
Perhaps Anthony's falling out with the band does go back that far; I wasn't aware that he only played bass on three tracks. Whatever the reason, Eddie's replaced him with his 15 year old son Wolfgang. No clue if Wolfie plays the opening bass line to Running With the Devil with his teeth like Anthony did in the video.