Concert Performers Van Halen
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Rumors of a David Lee Roth reunion re-emerged (as they did whenever the band lacked a singer) and on January 3, 2006, Roth explained during an interview that he spoke to Alex Van Halen the previous week and a reunion was "inevitable". However, he also said that Eddie Van Halen was "off in his own little world" recently. When asked if any problems occurred with Sammy Hagar during the 2004 tour Eddie Van Halen answered, "Sammy is Sammy, and for the most part that's just fine". Roth persisted with suggestions of a reunion, saying "People want the reunion." and "No one will pay respect to what any of us do [musically] until we get the reunion out of the way". In May 2006, he Billboard.com, "There's contact between the two camps". On June 3rd, Michael Anthony began a successful tour with Hagar billed as "The Other Half" (a reference to them being half of Van Halen with the other half being Eddie/Alex), with Anthony singing lead vocals sometimes. Meanwihle, On June 19 the Van Halen brothers jumped onstage with Kenny Chesney at The Home Depot Center performing "Jump" and "You Really Got Me". This unusual performance was their first onstage since the 2004 tour. This was followed by another Eddie Van Halen performance in July 19, 2006, at the House of Petals in Los Angeles, playing new material. He followed this with an announcement on July 27, 2006, that some of his new music would be released on the soundtrack for the pornography film Sacred Sin. In March 2006, Michael Anthony spoke to Japanese rock magazine Burrn!, claiming the brothers did not want him on the 2004 reunion - Hagar did (and would not play without Anthony), but he had to agree to reduced royalties and end absolutely all association with the band after the tour in terms of rights to using the name to promote himself. It was in this same interview he admitted he was not involved in the new songs on Best of Both Worlds and only recorded three tracks for III. On September 8, 2006, Howard Stern's Eddie Van Halen live interview broke the band's long silence. Eddie said he was willing to reunite with Roth and revealed a solo album in the works. Michael Anthony's departure was confirmed with Eddie's son, Wolfgang, taking his role. Wolfgang had played guitar alongside his father on some 2004 concerts. When queried about The Other Half tour, Eddie said Anthony could "do what he wants" now. This shocked and offended many fans. On October 30, 2006, Van Halen and R.E.M. led the ballot for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Despite having been eligible for several years, the band had yet to be balloted. In November, Eddie's spokesperson, Janie Liszewski, claimed the Van Halen family was writing/rehearsing for a Summer 2007 tour, which Billboard magazine's website shortly confirmed. However, the Van Halen website remained in the state it had been in since the Hagar reunion. On December 11, 2006, Eddie Van Halen stated to Guitar World magazine that David Lee Roth had been directly invited to rejoin the band. However, on December 28, Roth announced that he had not talked to Eddie in two years, and a reunion with Van Halen could result in a "NASCAR-style wreck," or "Jerry Springer style fight". He did not mention whether or not he would rejoin the band. News from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame finally slipped out on January 8, 2007, confirming that Van Halen would be inducted. Along with the Van Halen brothers, Anthony, Hagar, and Roth were to be inducted. Billboard announced on January 24, 2007, that Van Halen would reunite with David Lee Roth for a US tour . This was confirmed shortly after on the official Van Halen website. The Van-Halen-News-Desk announced on February 15, 2007, that a Van Halen "Best Of (1978-1984)", a single-disc compilation of Van Halen's David Lee Roth era, would be released by April 3. In late February 2007, a flood of updates arrived. Various sources claimed the tour was shut down as was the new "Best Of" CD. On March 8, 2007 Eddie announced via the Van Halen website that he was in rehabilitation. Along with the announcement, a change was made to the Van Halen website. The logo at the top of the page changed to the Roth-era logo. As the band's Hall of Fame induction drew nearer, media focus shifted to that. Velvet Revolver would induct the band and speak on their behalf because no one knew who from Van Halen would appear. On March 12, 2007, the band was inducted at a ceremony held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. Anthony and Hagar were the only inductees in attendance (ironically, both ex-members), and Anthony made a point of thanking the band's third singer, Gary Cherone, who was not inducted. Velvet Revolver played "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love", which was followed by Anthony and Hagar performing "Why Can't This Be Love" with Paul Schaffer. At the post-induction press conference, Hagar said he would love to work with Van Halen again. He also said that the Van Halens would do work with Roth first. On April 21, 2007, Eddie Van Halen served as an Honorary Race Official for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway. He looked fit and well, better than he had on the last tour, and on May 24 posted a note to the Van Halen website confirming that he had exited rehab successfully. After nearly 10 months of speculation and numerous rumours, on Monday, August 13th, 2007, Van Halen (and David Lee Roth separately via his own website) announced that the band will be going on a tour of North America beginning on September 27.. Roth claimed in the press release that, "the idea is that this will continue on and on and on" and also that a world tour and new album were in the works. Though the press reaction to the reunion was largely warm, the newly re-designed website sparked controversy when Michael Anthony was removed from the album artwork on the Van Halen album (replaced by an image of Wolfgang), and the group photo from the Women and Children First album was taken off entirely. The following day, the album covers were reverted to their original state without a word. The tour was originally 25 dates, but sell-outs and popularity has raised it to more than 65, extending into 2008 with a second leg. Van Halen started their first tour with David Lee Roth in 23 years on September 27, 2007 in Charlotte, North Carolina. They played to a sell out crowd and generated enthusiastic reviews, especially in the main media markets. CBS Morning Show host, Hannah Storm, for example, wrote an enthusiastic review of the band's show at MSG in NYC as a lead on the CBS web page. |
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