VAN HALEN

[muthagoose]

VAN HALEN To Tour With DAVID LEE ROTH IN 2007?

MelodicRock.com is reporting that VAN HALEN will likely tour in 2007 with David Lee Roth as frontman. Citing "information from a highly placed source," the site states that negotiations are currently underway to reunite VAN HALEN with their original frontman for a tour in 2007 that will take in America and possibly other territories.

It is not presently clear if VAN HALEN's upcoming touring plans will include bassist Michael Anthony, who has apparently had a falling out with guitarist Eddie Van Halen. In a recent appearance on "The Howard Stern Show", Eddie hinted that the bassist slot would be filled by his son Wolfgang, although this has not yet been officially confirmed.

VAN HALEN last toured in 2004 with Sammy Hagar, but the tour ended on a sour note and Hagar has not talked to Eddie Van Halen since.

[muthagoose]

EDDIE VAN HALEN's Son WOLFGANG Named New VAN HALEN Bassist

TMZ.com reports that VAN HALEN has officially hired 15-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen — the son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and estranged wife Valerie Bertinelli, and nephew of drummer Alex Van Halen — as the new bassist for the band.

Wolfgang replaces longtime bassist Michael Anthony, who left the band earlier this year. VAN HALEN spokesperson Janie Liszewski tells TMZ.com that Wolfgang, known as "Wolfie," has already joined his dad and uncle for rehearsals in the studio. Wolfie played dates with his father during the band's 2004 tour, and the song "316" on 1991's "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" was named for Wolfie's birth date that same year.

According to TMZ.com, the band is still without a lead singer, despite rumors that David Lee Roth might rejoin.

[muthagoose]

EDDIE VAN HALEN: The Ball Is In DAVE LEE ROTH's Court

Eddie Van Halen spoke to Guitar World magazine about the current status of VAN HALEN following the departures of vocalist Sammy Hagar and bassist Michael Anthony.

Rumors continue to swirl that original singer David Lee Roth, who was replaced by Hagar in the mid-1980s, will return to the fold, despite years of enmity. Roth, who has recently worked as a radio DJ and a paramedic, told Billboard.com in May that he saw it "absolutely as an inevitability."

"I'm telling Dave, 'Dude, get your ass up here and sing, bitch! Come on!'" Eddie told Guitar World. "As it stands right now, the ball is in Dave's court. Whether he wants to rise to the ocassion is entirely up to him, but we're ready to go."

Eddie has brought his 15-year-old son, Wolfgang, into VAN HALEN as the veteran rock band's new bass player. Father and son, along with Eddie's drummer brother Alex, have been rehearsing for a 2007 tour.

"Wolfgang breathes new life into what we're doing," said Eddie. "He brings youthfulness to something that's inherently youthful. He's only been playing bass for three months, but it's spooky. He's locked tight and puts an incredible spin on our shit. The kid is kicking my ass! He's spanking me now, even though I never spanked him. To have my son follow in my footsteps on his own, without me pushing him into it, is the greatest feeling in the world."



Above: Was this ever necessary?[/color]

Muthagoose says: Should this tour take flight... it is bound to be one of the biggest disasters of all time.

[muthagoose]

It's Official: VAN HALEN To Be Inducted Into ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME

Jonathan Cohen of Billboard.com reports that VAN HALEN, R.E.M., PATTI SMITH, THE RONETTES and GRANDMASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 12 during a ceremony at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. To be eligible for induction, this year's class had to release their first single no later than 1981.

VAN HALEN faces the decision of whether to perform at the ceremony with ex-members. The group is without a lead singer, although rumors are swirling that original frontman David Lee Roth will tour with the outfit this summer. In addition, Eddie Van Halen's teenage son recently replaced longtime bassist Michael Anthony in the band.

In a recent interview with The Plain Dealer, former VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar expressed doubt VAN HALEN's members can put aside their differences long enough to get through the Rock Hall ceremony.

"I think it could be ugly," he said. "This might be the best one ever! It's what everybody wants. They want to see blows thrown and yelling and screaming and people making fools of themselves and trying to outshine each other.

"This could be a real comedy, man. This could be a reality series right here.

"I don't think it's gonna be a real friendly, beautiful scene. . . .I could go there and jam with them. Ed, Mike, Al and I probably could pull it off, 'cause we just did it [in 2004]. We were professional when we went onstage.

"But you throw Dave in that mix, and I just don't see it working. Dave's gonna want it to be all about him. Ed's gonna want it to be all about him. And that's a tough one right there. I'll probably just be sitting over in the corner, cracking up."



"THE DEAD WALK!"

[Southeast Jerome]

SWEET JESUS!

[Chick-O-Stick]

hoss said:

SWEET JESUS!

No doubt, when I saw that it reminded me of the old witch from "Stone Soup" a book I had as a kid. Although this is kinda close too-

[Southeast Jerome]

Is that Eddie Van Halen or David Lee Roth? I can't even tell, that picture is so horrific.

[muthagoose]

It is good ol' Eddie Van Halen. The years haven't been kind.

I find it hard to think that I will be able to part with my loot should him, his son and the rest of the band take the show on the road this summer. But who knows!

[muthagoose]

DAVID LEE ROTH Issues Low-Key Statement On VAN HALEN ROCK HALL Induction

Launch Radio Networks reports: The normally outrageous David Lee Roth is staying decidedly low-key regarding this week's announcement that VAN HALEN will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Instead of some classic "Diamond Dave" quotes, Roth has issued a very simple statement that reads, "It is an honor and a privilege to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame." The singer did tell Launch a few years back that the band's musical legacy had earned them a spot in the Hall. "That music is a part of American culture, beyond just a stack of tunes," he said. "It represents a whole lot to a lot of people, and I'd be one of the very first to sign up (to appear at the band's Rock Hall induction)."



There have been a lot of rumors that Roth is back in VAN HALEN for a summer tour, though nothing's been confirmed yet.

[muthagoose]

David Lee Roth back as Van Halen singer
Band, minus bassist Michael Anthony, announces 40-city tour

LOS ANGELES - The rumors were true. Van Halen will reunite with original singer David Lee Roth for a summer tour of North America.

"I am very excited to get back to the core of what made Van Halen," guitarist Eddie Van Halen said in a statement posted Friday on the band's Web site announcing a 40-city tour. No specific dates have been named.

It will be the first time that Roth performs live with the band since 1984, when he was replaced by Sammy Hagar. A brief reunion with Roth in 1996 resulted in two new songs but no tour.

Original bassist Michael Anthony will not be a part of the reunion. Late last year he was replaced by Eddie Van Halen's 15-year-old son Wolfgang.

On March 12, Van Halen will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at a ceremony in New York.

[muthagoose]

DAVID LEE ROTH Talks To Rolling Stone Magazine About VAN HALEN Reunion

RollingStone.com has posted a couple of short excerpts from an exclusive interview it conducted with VAN HALEN singer David Lee Roth about burying the ax with Eddie Van Halen, playing the old favorites with a different attitude and the possibility of a permanent VH reunion. The interview will appear in its fully-realized form in the next issue of Rolling Stone, which hits stands everywhere February 23.

On his first post-reunion jam with Eddie:

Roth: Eddie and I wrote the songs, every note, every syllable, as if we invented a language that only we can speak. It was an easy, natural thing… When you speak a language that you both created, it's natural to go, "I know you." So it was very easy. There wasn't any stumble at all. I just showed up, and twenty minutes later, it was the usual, "How's the wife, how's the kids, let's play." When you're born to do that language, you speak it naturally. I never forgot it.

On how rehearsals are going:

Roth: The chemistry is combustible. There's an explosive sound there that is, I think, perhaps… unless you were there, which most folks weren't, than you may have forgotten. This is really sophisticated, smart stuff. Everybody's at the top of their game in terms of… it's not just intangible things. My voice is arguably better than it was when I left the band back when. I love what I do, perhaps for some different reasons now than I did, more so than I did. It's a privilege to do what I do for a living.

On whether or not the reunion will be permanent:

Roth: God willin', and the creek don't run dry, just like Grandma Roth used to say. Barring any act of God or Ferrari…yeah. I have hope and faith, and that's more than just the name of a couple of strippers from Albuquerque.



Star Wars was a totally different movie when alternate casting was chosen for C3PO.

[muthagoose]

In what is becoming one of the front runners to replace "Chinese Democracy" as a top news topic worldwide...

VAN HALEN: First Official Photo Of New Lineup Posted Online

RollingStone.com has uploaded the first official photo of the new VAN HALEN lineup, featuring the group's new bassist Wolfgang Van Halen (son of VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen).



Viva La Van Halen IV!

[muthagoose]

VAN HALEN Tour 'Postponed Indefinitely'

In the "oh well. it was fun while it lasted" category!

According to Pollstar.com, the VAN HALEN tour that was never officially announced is now officially postponed indefinitely. The rumored tour took on an air of reality after a trade magazine announced that original singer David Lee Roth was about to sign on the dotted line, and that was soon followed by a press release via Eddie Van Halen's spokeswoman-slash-girlfriend. Unfortunately, the worldwide frenzy of a VH reunion was too good to be true, at least for the present day. However, there was a lot of paper getting inked and Pollstar states that a tour announcement might not have been far off.

[muthagoose]

Italian Company To Buy 80% Of SAMMY HAGAR's Cabo Wabo Tequila For $80 Million

Hemscott.com reports that Davide Campari-Milano SpA, the Italian beverage group, said that it has signed an agreement to buy an 80 percent stake in Cabo Wabo Tequila for $80 million.

Cabo Wabo was founded in 1996 by Sammy Hagar, former lead singer of the band VAN HALEN, who is also a major shareholder, it said.

The deal, which is expected to be closed in Jan 2008, values Cabo Wabo 11.8 times expected EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) for 2007, it said.

Official Site:
www.cabowabo.com



The "ultra premium" brand sells about 70,000 nine-litre cases a year, mainly in the U.S., and is one of the fastest growing brands in the U.S. spirits market, Campari said.

The company said it can purchase the remaining 20 percent in two tranches. A 15 percent stake can be bought in 2012 and a 5 percent stake in 2015.

[muthagoose]

SAMMY HAGAR Comments On Tequila Deal

Joe Wolfcale and Paul Liberatore of the Marin Independent Journal report:

Mill Valley musician Sammy Hagar was on cloud nine Monday, hours after it was announced he had sold 80 percent of his interest in Cabo Wabo Tequila to one of the world's top spirits company for $80 million.

Hagar, the former front man for VAN HALEN, likened the deal to the music industry when a performer has a hit record on a small label and then a major company picks it up and takes it globally.

"It's awesome, it's really cool, I'm high and I'm happy," said Hagar, by telephone from his Mill Valley home where he celebrated the deal. "I was in over my head. I just want the tequila to be available everywhere. I'm really a Campari and soda kind of guy anyway."

Hagar, 59, said he has been working on the deal with Gruppo Campari of Milan, Italy, for nine months. Skyy Spirits of San Francisco, a subsidiary of Gruppo Campari, will continue to market Cabo Wabo globally with Hagar retaining a 20 percent interest in the business.

"I'm still going to be involved, we're just going to do it globally now," Hagar said.



Sammy says: "One shot! HEY!!! Mas Tequila!!!"

[muthagoose]

SAMMY HAGAR To Launch 'Livin' It Up! In St. Louis' Live DVD

Next Tuesday and Wednesday, June 19 and 20, 2007, Sammy Hagar will spend two days in St. Louis rockin' the town for the launch of his live DVD, "Livin' It Up! In St. Louis". Hagar will be a special guest at the St. Louis Cardinals home game at Busch Stadium on the day of the release. The following night (June 20), Hagar will host a rockin' red-carpet fiesta and DVD screening at the Pageant Night Club in St. Louis where fans will have the opportunity to view his newly released live DVD and enjoy a very special performance of SAMMY HAGAR AND THE WABOS unplugged. The red-carpet event will have the trademark Cabo Wabo-style that Hagar is known for with Mariachi bands aplenty, tasty Mexican food and the Cabo Wabo tequila flowing. The performance will be simulcast to St.Louis' KSHE radio and XM radio will broadcast the show the week of June 25 four separate times on its "Boneyard" program.

On "Livin' It Up! In St. Louis" SAMMY HAGAR AND THE WABOS bring down the house on their sold-out tour in 2006 with songs from their new album, "Livin' It Up!", as well as some of Sammy's famed solo work. Joined on stage for the second half of the show by legendary VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony, the band rips through some of rock radio's classic tunes.

Songs:

Mas Tequila
Mexico
There's Only One Way to Rock
Rainy Day Women (#12/#35)
The Girl Gets Around
Rock Candy
I'll Fall in Love Again
I'll Take You There
Sam I Am
Little White Lie
I Can't Drive 55
Heavy Metal
Good Enough
Summer Nights
Right Now
Finish What You Started
Best of Both Worlds
Fight for Your Right
Cabo Wabo

Special Features:

The DVD's special features include interviews with Sammy Hagar, as well as each of THE WABOS — Vic Johnson, Mona Gnader, and David Lauser — in addition to Michael Anthony. Also included is the "Sam I Am" music video, the making of "Sam I Am", the "Tropic of Capricorn" music video, a "Got Cabo?" video tour of Cabo San Lucas and a "Tequila Made Me Do It" tour video.

[muthagoose]

'Arenas On Hold' For Fall VAN HALEN Tour

Ray Waddell of Billboard.com reports that a proposed summer amphitheater tour by a reunited VAN HALEN that was derailed when guitarist Eddie Van Halen checked into rehab now looks like it may be resurrected as a fall arena run. Several arena holds are in place in major markets for potential VAN HALEN dates, Billboard.com has learned.

The tour would feature David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen's teenage son Wolfgang on bass.

Wheels had been in motion for a 40-date, Live Nation-produced amphitheater tour, with original frontman Roth back in the fold for the first time in more than 20 years. VAN HALEN last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million, according to Billboard Boxscore.

Wolfgang Van Halen, the projected replacement for VH bassist Michael Anthony, told People magazine in April 2007 that he wasn't disappointed there wasn’t' going to be a VAN HALEN tour this summer following his father's decision to check himself into rehab. "My dad's taking care of himself," he said. "I also think I'm too young for the experience, because I know there are a lot of bad things out there."

Eddie Van Halen issued a statement addressed to fans in early March announcing that he was seeking treatment because "at the moment I do not feel that I can give you my best.

"That's why I have decided to enter a rehabilitation facility to work on myself, so that in the future I can deliver the 110 percent that I feel I owe you and want to give you," the statement said.

Back in January, Eddie Van Halen told Rolling Stone magazine about Wolfgang, "Wait until you hear this kid play. 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 [Van Halen, drums], so I get to weave in and out."

VAN HALEN was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in March.

[muthagoose]

SAMMY HAGAR: New Single Posted Online

Sammy Hagar's new single, entitled "Open" (Cabo Wabo Music), has been posted on his MySpace page.

www.myspace.com/sammyhagarandthewabos

The track was recently released to rock and classic rock radio stations and will also be available to fans for download via iTunes.

Sammy Hagar announced his U.S. tour dates, which will include opener — and ex-VAN HALEN bandmate and undisputed rock god title holder — Michael Anthony's MAD ANTHONY EXPRESS.

Hagar's headlining show will consist of three hours of the Cabo Wabo Village vibe that was so successful on last summer's Livin'It Up! tour. MAD ANTHONY EXPRESS will perform both early VAN HALEN songs and various early rock classics; the support act, LOS TRES GUSANOS will play early Sammy Hagar songs; and, finally, Hagar and Anthony will perform as THE OTHER HALF — as in "the other half of VAN HALEN" — to perform Hagar-era VAN HALEN tunes.



"Woooooooooooo! Cabo Wabo, baby!!!"

[muthagoose]

EDDIE VAN HALEN's Ex-Wife To Pen Tell-All Book

According to The Associated Press, actress Valerie Bertinelli is revealing all about her battle with depression and weight gain and failed marriage to Eddie Van Halen in her forthcoming memoirs. The former "One Day At A Time" star, 47, has signed a deal with Simon & Schuster imprint Free Press to write "Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time", which is set to released next April.

Bertinelli enthuses, "Writing a book is an exciting new adventure for me. I've grown up in and out of the public eye, survived some tough times, learned some important lessons, and come out — as has my entire family — in a great place. I think it's a recipe for a good book. Ironically, as there's less of me, I have more to say."

[muthagoose]

VAN HALEN Tour To Be Announced Next Week

According to Ray Waddell of Billboard.com, sources say a Hollywood press conference in one week will announce a 50-date American arena tour by VAN HALEN to begin in early October. The tour will feature founding VAN HALEN members David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen, with Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass.

VAN HALEN last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million, according to Billboard Boxscore.

Wolfgang Van Halen, the projected replacement for VH bassist Michael Anthony, told People magazine in April 2007 that he wasn't disappointed there wasn’t' going to be a VAN HALEN tour this summer following his father's decision to check himself into rehab. "My dad's taking care of himself," he said. "I also think I'm too young for the experience, because I know there are a lot of bad things out there."

Eddie Van Halen issued a statement addressed to fans in early March announcing that he was seeking treatment because "at the moment I do not feel that I can give you my best.

"That's why I have decided to enter a rehabilitation facility to work on myself, so that in the future I can deliver the 110 percent that I feel I owe you and want to give you," the statement said.

Back in January, Eddie Van Halen told Rolling Stone magazine about Wolfgang, "Wait until you hear this kid play. 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 [Van Halen, drums], so I get to weave in and out."

[muthagoose]

Ex-VAN HALEN Bassist Looking Forward To Hitting The Road In October

Former VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony has issued the following update:

"The fall is coming, and as most of you know, Sammy [Hagar] and I will be hitting the road in October. I'm looking forward to getting out there and partying it up with everybody!

"I've put a little thing together with Sammy's guitarist Vic, and J.D. on drums. We call it the MAD ANTHONY EXPRESS and we'll be opening up the show with some EARLY VAN HALEN stuff. I'm doing the lead singing, and we've been having a blast with this!! I'm also having a contest on my web site, with people sending in their HOTTEST recipes using my hot sauce, hot lava mustard and barbeque sauces. I'm choosing a weekly winner, and after Labor Day weekend I'll be picking a grand prize winner and some runner-ups who will get some cool Mad Anthony stuff!! I am personally trying out the recipes I like and WHOA!!, I'm running out of Asbestos underwear!!!

"I'll be checking in with all of you soon with more info on the tour. I'll also be posting up the dates for all of you on my website.

"I can't wait to see all of you in the fall!!"

[muthagoose]

VAN HALEN: First Reunion Tour Dates Announced

VAN HALEN has announced the details of their much-anticipated reunion tour with David Lee Roth today at a Los Angeles press conference. The arena tour kicks off September 27 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and continues through December 11 in Calgary, Alberta. Tickets go on sale this Saturday. The first confirmed dates are as follows:

Sep. 27 - Charlotte, N.C. @ Bobcats Arena
Sep. 29 - Greensboro, N.C. @ Coliseum
Oct. 01 - Philadelphia @ Wachovia Center
Oct. 07 - Toronto @ Air Canada Centre
Oct. 10 - Cleveland @ Quicken Loans Arena
Oct. 14 - Indianapolis @ Conseco Fieldhouse
Oct. 16 - Chicago @ Allstate Arena
Oct. 18 - Chicago @ United Center
Oct. 22 - Auburn Hills, Mich. @ Palace of Auburn Hills
Oct. 24 - Minneapolis @ Target Center
Oct. 26 - Kansas City, Mo. @ Sprint Center
Oct. 28 - St. Louis @ Scottrade Center
Oct. 30 - Boston @ TD Banknorth Garden
Nov. 03 - East Rutherford, N.J. @ Continental Airline Arena
Nov. 13 - New York @ Madison Square Garden
Nov. 20 - Los Angeles @ Staples Center
Nov. 23 - Glendale, Ariz. @ Jobing.com Arena
Nov. 25 - San Diego @ Cox Arena
Nov. 27 - Sacramento, Calif. @ Arco Arena
Nov. 29 - San Jose, Calif. @ HP Pavilion
Dec. 01 - Portland, Ore. @ Rose Garden
Dec. 03 - Seattle @ Key Arena
Dec. 05 - Vancouver @ GM Place
Dec. 09 - Edmonton, Alberta @ Rexall Palace
Dec. 11 - Calgary, Alberta @ Pengrowth Saddledome

The trek will feature founding VAN HALEN members David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen, with Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass.

[muthagoose]

Did Van Halen Remove Michael Anthony
From Album Art on Their Web Site?

Over the past twenty-four hours, Van Halen fans have been mulling over the latest development in the band’s reunion saga: A poster on a music-industry message board pointed out that in the wake of the band’s tour announcement, the Van Halens seemed to have airbrushed original bassist Michael Anthony out of older album covers on their official Web site and replaced him with their newest member: Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang. The swap was evident on the lower right of the cover of the band’s self-titled debut (which came out thirteen years before Wolfgang was born), and the group shot for Women and Children First had been removed entirely.

A visit to the tour section of Van Halen’s site today reveals that the album covers in question have been replaced with the original artwork. However, another message board commenter pointed out there were no images of David Lee Roth in 2004’s career-spanning The Best of Both Worlds, as the frontman and Eddie Van Halen were on the outs during that time. (The pair made a point of embracing at Monday’s reunion tour press conference to demonstrate all is well). As of now, the band hasn’t issued any statements regarding the artwork incident.

[muthagoose]

VAN HALEN Adds More Tour Dates After First Handful of Shows Sell Out

Tickets for the first VAN HALEN tour in more than 22 years with David Lee Roth as lead vocalist went on sale this weekend and resulted in immediate sellouts in multiple markets around the country, including Charlotte, Detroit (Palace), two shows in Toronto, two in Chicago and one in Philadelphia. Tour producer Live Nation immediately added additional shows in Philadelphia (WachoviaCenter on October 3) and Detroit (Joe Louis Arena on October 20) which will go on sale this Saturday, August 25. An additional stop was also scheduled for Washington, D.C.'s VerizonCenter (November 1), extending VAN HALEN's historic trek to 29 dates in all. Tickets for the Washington date will go on sale this Friday, August 24. In addition, tickets for the band's October 30 show at Boston's TD Banknorth Garden go on sale this Saturday, August 25.

[muthagoose]

'Live Shots' Book Coming In October

A new Sammy Hagar book called "Sammy Hagar & Friends: Live Shots Captured By Duane Sycz 1988 – 2006" is scheduled for release in October.

According to a posting on Hagar's web site, the book will include over 90 never-before-seen live concert photos and handwritten notes by the Sammy himself.

More information will be made available soon.

Fukkin' A right.