Van Halen Concert and Tour News
David Lee Roth Is In For 2012 Van Halen Tour
For thirteen years, the original members of Van Halen drank their weight in booze, fought almost incessantly amongst themselves and made some pretty damn good music. Perhaps to prevent winding up in early graves, the other guys booted David Lee Roth in 1985 and brought in Sammy Hagar. The switcheroo should have failed miserably, but somehow, the end result wasn't half bad. Van Halen turned out some decent Roth-less LPs for more than a decade, but even with all that success, many fans never stopped rooting for the original lead singer to return. They almost got their chance in 1996 and sort of got their chance a few years back when a tour was started until Eddie Van Halen checked into rehab, but now it seems enthusiasts will get their first opportunity to see Roth and company on a grand scale in some time.
According to The Los Angeles Times, an exhaustive tour featuring Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen has been planned for 2012. Van Halen tickets are on sale now and can be found on this website.
A lot of these reunion tours lack purpose because they happen so frequently. If a band gets back together to play one hundred dates every three years, fans can feel comfortable waiting until the next time around to see the act live. That's not the case with Van Halen. In fact, I'm not even confident they'll make it through this entire tour without someone being fired, arrested or stabbed. If you're someone who has always hoped to see the original line-up play live, you're shit out of luck. Bassist Michael Anthony isn't going to be around for this. But if you're someone who's always wanted to see David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen play together, don't assume you'll have a dozen more chances. (From Cinema Blend - M. Rawden)
Van Halen unveils new tour with Roth aboard
Veteran rockers Van Halen unveiled plans on Monday for a tour with original lead singer David Lee Roth returning to the stage.
In a video posted on the band's website, Eddie Van Halen, brother Alex and son Wolfgang play the hit "Panama" while Roth runs around on stage. Underneath reads "Van Halen On Tour 2012" with tickets on sale now.
No other details were announced, but the video confirms music industry buzz that the band is together again with Roth. An album is said to be in the works, too, after Van Halen signed a record deal in November.
A separate posting on the Van Halen News Desk website said the video was shot at the Roxy Theatre along Los Angeles' Sunset Strip while the band performed "a brand-new song."
The news site speculated about a possible February release date for a new song or album, and said the record was produced by Ross Hogarth. It is the band's first full album with Roth since the CD "1984," which was released on December 31, 1983.
Van Halen's relationship with Roth has been a stormy one over the years. Roth left the band in a bitter breakup in 1985, only to rejoin for a performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996, then quickly depart in another bitter split. He returned to Van Halen for a tour in 2007-2008.
The band, whose early hits include "Runnin' With the Devil" and "Dance the Night Away," was among the leading rock acts of the late 1970s, 1980s and into the 1990s when Sammy Hagar replaced Roth as singer.
Michael Anthony was the original bassist, but alongside Hagar he has joined another band, Chickenfoot. Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie's son, took over on bass. (From Reuters - B. Tourtellotte)
Van Halen concert dates announced for 2012 tour
Following an intimate performance at Café Wha? last evening, January 5, Van Halen released the official schedule for its 2012 North American tour.
The legendary rock crew and original frontman David Lee Roth performed for press and invited guests at the 250-capacity venue in Greenwich Village as a tour warm-up. The band's itinerary kicks off February 18 at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY, and concludes June 26 at New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA.
Over the course of the tour's four months, Van Halen will perform 45 shows across the United States and Canada. While most markets will host the American rock icons for just one night, Van Halen will return to New York City for a February 28 and March 1 stand at Madison Square Garden.
In late December, Van Halen teased its upcoming tour with a series of video montages on the band's official Web site.
Highlights on the U.S. itinerary include February 24 at United Center in Chicago, IL; March 11 at TD Garden in Boston, MA; April 19 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA; April 27 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN; June 1 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA; and June 20 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.
Seven of Van Halen's 45 concerts will take place north of the boarder. Some of those dates include March 15 at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC; March 17 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, ON; May 7 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC; and May 11 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, AB.
Kool & The Gang will appear as a special guest on select tour dates.
The 2012 North American tour is Van Halen's first outing since 2007-2008. The upcoming outing is expected to feature hits from the band's decade-spanning career, as well as cuts from the new album "A Different Kind of Truth," which is slated for release on February 7. (From Ticket News - A. Reitz)
