David Lee Roth Reunites with Van Halen
It's official. David Lee Roth is going to be touring with Van Halen this summer. This will be the first time Van Halen has played with it's original lead singer since 1984 when he was replaced by Sammy Hagar.
Most rock fans consider the early years with Roth to be the peak of Van Halen's career and many long time Van Halen fans have been waiting for this reunion.
Van Halen's self titled first album in 1978 is considered by many rock fans to be absolutely essential. It featured hits like "Runnin' With the Devil", "Jamie's Cryin'" and the Kinks cover "You Really Got Me." It also featured the guitar solo freakout "Eruption" often cited as one of the most impressive guitar solos in history.
Van Halen recorded five more albums with David Lee Roth on vocals most notably the last one to date "1984" which was suitably released in January of 1984. This album included the band's only #1 single "Jump" and other classics like "Hot For Teacher" and "Panama."
This summer will be the first chance for Van Halen fans to hear these classic hits sung by the original singer David Lee Roth but it will not be the same band altogether. I don't just mean that they are all much older now but long time bassist Michael Anthony has been replaced by Eddie Van Halen's 15 year old son Wolfgang. This means the band now consists of three Van Halens (Eddie on Guitar, Eddie's brother on drums, Eddie's son on bass) and one David Lee Roth.
Many long time Van Halen fans are quite upset about Michael Anthony being kicked out of the band to make room for Eddie's son. There has been long reported tension between Eddie Van Halen and Michael Anthony due to Anthony's friendship with Sammy Hagar who Eddie does not get along with.
Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth also have a bit of a spotty past. Roth left the group in 1985 because of disagreements with Eddie over the direction of the band and a conflict between David Lee Roth's over the top persona and Eddie's technical wizardry.
Regardless of the soap opera type underpinnings to the whole situation the news of David Lee Roth's return to Van Halen is is great news for rock fans around the world who want to see the original combo of David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen one more time.
Published by Johnny Moon
Full time online marketer working from home since spring 2005. Writer? Novel. View profile
- Van Halen Turns it Up Past 11 at Charlotte Concert StopA fan travels to Charlotte to see Van Halen with David Lee Roth for the first time in 22 years.
Rock Hall of Fame Inductee: Van HalenVan Halen will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2007. Forget the drama, the music is what matters.- Van Halen Extends Reunion Tour into 2008, Announces 28 Additional DatesVan Halen has been touring the country this fall with a lineup that features both Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth for the first time in 22 years. The tour has been so successful that they have added 28 additional d...
- Remainder of Van Halen Tour Canceled or Not?The first tour of Van Halen featuring David Lee Roth in over 20 years might have hit a road bump. Yet, then again maybe it hasn't. Controversy is nothing new to this hard rock band.
Reunited Van Halen to Appear at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia on O...With Roth at the helm, Van Halen last performed in Philadelphia on March 21, 1984, at the Spectrum.
- Eddie Van Halen Weds Janie Liszewski; Plans New Music
- Van Halen Reunites with David Lee Roth; Fall 2007 Tour Planned
- Eddie Van Halen to Enter Rehab
- Rehab for Eddie Van Halen
- David Lee Roth Makes Another Plea to Rejoin Van Halen
- Van Halen Tours with David Lee Roth for the First Time in 22 Years
- Van Halen Reunion Tour Unlikely as Eddie Heads to Rehab
- Download Van Halen To Your iPod
2 Comments
Post a Commentwow man! im glad that they finally got the feud thing worked out! this is gonna be a great tour!
I hope they'll sound as good as they used to. Great article!