Van Halen Reunites with David Lee Roth; Fall 2007 Tour Planned

It must be the end of western civilization as we know it or something. After a 20+ long year separation, American rock band Van Halen is reuniting with ex-original vocalist David Lee Roth. As many people, Roth left the band in1985 under less-than-friendly circumstances. Van Halen went on with Sammy Hagar, while Roth went on to a slight-checkered solo career.

The two parties have attempted reunions twice over the years. First, at the 1996 MTV VMA awards. Secondly a more covert attempt in 2001. But the more recent rumors this year have proven to be true.

On August 13^th 2007, Van Halen with Roth announced a fall tour during a press conference in Los Angeles. Conspicuously absent was original bassist Michael Anthony. Anthony has been dropped from the band in favor of Eddie Van Halen's 16-yr-old son Wolfgang. This decision has many up in arms; as it is seen as a political maneuver. It has now come to light that Anthony has been slowly phased out of the band starting in 1998 with the ill-fated Van Halen III album. In order to take part in the 2004 VH Reunion with Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony had to sign on as an "employee" rather than a "member" of the band, which means he had to agree to less money in the venture.

So at any rate, many fans were glad to see Eddie and David Lee Roth share the same space. They actually behaved nicely at the press conference. The two were very enthusiastic about this new venture, Roth saying "this is a new band...meet us in the future not the pasture!" All indications are that the band has been rejuvenated, and is looking to tour and record new material beyond this year. Insiders say that Wolfgang is a great fit, Eddie is in as good of shape as ever, and that Roth is singing better than he has in 15 years.

So dust off your old copies of "Van Halen", "1984", "Fair Warning". We shall see how it goes and whether Roth and Eddie can truly co-exist for more than a few days.

END NOTE: It would seem as the powers-that-be are trying to eliminate or otherwise minimize Michael Anthony's contributions to the band. On Van Halen's newly-revamped website, the original album cover art had replaced Anthony's pictures with Wolfgang. Needless to say, that within a few days, fan complaints had necessitated the return of the original graphics. Also, it has been mentioned in the press, that Van Halen's song "Panama" is featured in the new film Superbad. In the credits and the RIAA (Recording Institute of America) listings, Michael Anthony's name has been removed from the credits of the song and the "1984" album on which it originally appeared.