This page contains Van Halen news bytes from the first half of 2007. These are items that aren't current news, but are still interesting stories about the band, or its members. Here you will find articles about tour plans, who's in, who's out, what the individual band members are doing, and what's going on with Eddie, Michael, Sammy, Alex, Wolfgang, and David.

8-10-07 - Announcement details Monday

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - David Lee Roth and his former bandmates in Van Halen will officially announce their reunion during a news conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles next Monday, according to their representatives.

"Come witness rock history as Van Halen makes an announcement of monumental proportions," said a media alert e-mailed on Wednesday by concert promoter Live Nation. Roth will be present at the 11 a.m. PDT announcement, along with Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen and his older brother, Alex Van Halen, the band's drummer.

It will not exactly be a reunion of the classic lineup famed for such hits as "Panama" and "Running with the Devil," because bassist Michael Anthony has been replaced by Eddie's 16-year-old son, Wolfgang. http://www.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idUSN0746408220070808

8-6-07 - Concert Update !

Rolling Stone announced today that they have confirmed that the tour is ON. They report that an announcement will be made at a Los Angeles press conference next week. See the story at http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/08/06/confirmed-van-halen-reunion-tour-with-david-lee-roth-is-on/.

Billboard has the same story, confirming that a Hollywood press conference will announce a 50-city tour beginning in early October. See the Billboard story: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003622049

7-5-07 - VanHalen.com confirms concert rumors!

VANHALEN.COM EXCLUSIVE: We have independently confirmed that the new concert tour is on again. A VanHalen.com exclusive source who is the director for a large stadium/arena in the midwest has confirmed to us that the tour is "back on". He received word yesterday (July 4) that the tour is back on and was instructed to get ready to book the dates. He doesn't have dates yet but as soon as he does we will post them here.

7-3-07 - New Rumors of a September 2007 Arena Tour!

Ray Waddell at Billboard Magazine is reporting that the 2007 reunion tour is back in the planning stage for the fall. Several arena holds are in place in major markets for potential Van Halen tour dates. The tour will feature David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen, and Eddie's teenage son Wolfgang on bass guitar. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003606613

Rolling Stone is also reporting that "There’s some truth to the speculation that Van Halen is going to finally launch their reunion tour with David Lee Roth this fall, a source familiar with the situation tells Rolling Stone." http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/07/03/van-halen-reunion-get-fooled-again/

6-29-07 - Van Halen vs. The Other Half

Scott Bernstein at the Hidden Track blog speculates that the new Sammy Hagar / Michael Anthony tour will spur Eddie and Alex to get that David Lee Roth tour back on track - soon. Let's hope he's right! See the full story at http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/?p=768

6-29-07 - Announcement from the Band

Breaking news: the Official Van Halen website (http://www.Van-Halen.com ) has placed the following entry on its splash page:

"In an effort to keep you more informed about Van Halen, we have begun the construction of a new database for newsletter/press release recipients. If you are interested in receiving newsletters and press releases issued by the band, please click the link below to submit your e-mail address and first and last names.

If you have registered for our newsletters in the past, please re-register your information, as Microsoft has deleted our database. Please be patient. At the moment there is nothing new with the band to report and it will take some time to collaborate and design the new newsletter format.

Thank you and more to come!"

Maybe there is something newsworthy in the works? Let's hope so! As soon as we have more news we'll post it here, of course!

6-22-07 - Sammy Announces Major U.S. Tour Plans

From Blabbermouth.net 6/22/07: Forget birthday candles, Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famer and former VAN HALEN frontman Sammy Hagar will celebrate his birthday in unique rock 'n' roll fashion. Hagar has announced plans to launch an upcoming cross-country tour to include 60 stops starting at his annual birthday bash at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Hagar's 60-stop tour will conclude in St. Louis at Busch Stadium on July 12, 2008, and will include performances by a number of special celebrity friends. Hagar will also release a single on Cabo Wabo Music called "Open", which will be released to rock and classic rock radio stations on July 2 and will also be available to fans for download via iTunes.

See the rest of the article at http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=75322

6-17-07 - Sammy Hagar Interview

In a recent interview with the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Hagar talked about living it up in Saint Louis, his new DVD, the new $80 million dollar deal, the Hall of Fame, and, of course, the band and its unfortunate reputation for squandering great opportunities. See the STLToday interview here .

6-15-07 - New Van Halen book due in August

GuitarWorld.com has a story about a new Van Halen tell-all book entitled "Everybody Wants Some: The Van Halen Saga", by Wiley Publishing. It is scheduled to hit bookstore shelves late August. Written by noted metal journalist and radio host Ian Christe, the book recounts the life and times of our favorite band, including a full account from the early days in 1978 up through today. The book also recounts the discord between Eddie and his frontmen, his drinking, his relationship with Valerie Bertinelli, and the secrets behind his guitars.

"Everybody Wants Some" will be released August 31. The 320-page hardcover book includes a 16-page color photo insert and will sell in the U.S. for $25.95. See the Guitar World story at

http://www.guitarworld.com/article/new_van_halen_tell_all_due_this_august

5-24-07 - Eddie Van Halen: New Photo

From Guitar World Magazine:

"Eddie Van Halen emerges from rehab with a new outlook on life—not to mention a brand-new amp: the EVH 5150 III. In his first post-rehab interview, presented in the September 2007 issue of Guitar World, Van Halen discusses the new three-channel amp from his EVH brand of guitars, amps and musical products, and thanks his fans for their support during his time in the facility."

More from the Guitar World article: http://www.guitarworld.com/article/eddie_van_halen_new_photo_and_news

5-24-07 - Article on Wolfgang

Glide Magazine has written an article about what they call the "B List: Second Generation Rockers". In this article, they list several sons of famous rockers who are going on to make a name for themselves in the industry. They quote Eddie as saying "“Wolfgang breathes life into what we’re doing,” says Ed. “He brings youthfullness to something that’s inherently youthful. He’s only been playing bass for 3 months, but it’s spooky. He’s locked tight and puts an incredible spin on our dookie. The kid is kicking my ass!"

Read the article in its entirety at Glide Magazine: http://www.glidemagazine.com/hiddentrack/?p=645/

5-24-07 - New Statement from Eddie

Eddie has posted the following statement on the official Van Halen website:

"I want to say thank you to all the Van Halen fans for the tons of emails and all the support they provided when I was in rehab earlier this year. It was an intensely personal thing that I'm not really comfortable talking about right now, but I want everyone to know that their support has and always will mean the world to me. I want everyone to know that I am truly grateful."

5-7-07 - Sammy sells majority interest in Cabo Wabo Tequila

Sammy has sold a majority interest in his Cabo Wabo line of premium tequila to Skyy Spirits, a subsidiary of Gruppo Campari of Milan, Italy, effective January 2008. He will retain a 20% ownership stake in the Cabo Wabo line and was reportedly paid $80 million for his 80% interest. See the press release at http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070507006478&newsLang=en

From the Marin Independent Journal: "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." See the entire story at http://www.marinij.com/ci_5845793?source=most_viewed

5-4-07 - Sammy Hagar honored

Metallica frontman James Hetfield honored Sammy Hagar at the Recording Academy Honors at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco, California Sunday night (April 29). A two-minute video clip of Hetfield's speech has been posted at YouTube .

See the entire 93x article here - http://93x.com/blog.asp?id=402040&SBID=4444

5-4-07 - Hagar reschedules concerts

Sammy has postponed his planned three-night series in Lake Tahoe this weekend due to an unspecified illness. The May 4-6 shows were scheduled as indoor performances to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo weekend as well as the third anniversary of his Tahoe Wabo nightclub. The shows have been rescheduled and will instead take place on Sunday, June 17 at Harvey's Outdoor Arena in Stateline, NV, according to RedRocker.com.

4-21-07 - New pictures of Eddie

Good news! There are a number of new pictures in from the Subway event, and Eddie is looking like a new man! We have a few sneak previews here, and will add new ones tomorrow from the race event.

Getty Images
See larger images here at our page Eddie at the event - more coming soon!

4/20/07 - Eddie out of rehab

From People.com: Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen is getting out of rehab after a month-long stay. The rocker, 52, is due at the Phoenix International Speedway on Friday to unveil two limited-edition guitars – his first public appearance since he entered rehab in early March.

On Saturday, he'll serve as an honorary race official for the Subway Fresh Fit 500 Nextel Cup Series race at the Phoenix track, where he will greet drivers before they start their engines.

See the entire article on People.com: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20036007,00.html

David Livingston/Getty Images

4/17/07: Eddie to serve as Honorary Race Official at SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500

Van Halen to Unveil Limited Edition Fender® Stratocaster® Guitar Presented to Race Winner

Phoenix International Raceway President Bryan R. Sperber has announced that rock superstar Eddie Van Halen will serve as an Honorary Race Official for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ NEXTEL Cup Series race at PIR on Saturday, April 21. As an Honorary Race Official, Van Halen will be part of pre-race activities and will join Sperber on the pre-race stage greeting drivers as they are introduced prior to the start of the race.

In addition to his duties as an Honorary Race Official, Van Halen will help to unveil a limited edition Fender Stratocaster Guitar as well as a limited edition EVH® brand Frankenstein™ replica guitar at PIR on Friday, April 20. The Fender guitar, with its unique designs, will be presented to the winner of the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500™ on Saturday, April 21. The one-of-a-kind PIR Fender Stratocaster Guitar was built by Chris Fleming, Senior Master Builder, in Fender's Custom Shop.

See the whole story at http://www.phoenixraceway.com/535059.html

4/16/07 -Eddie Van Halen tribute by Paul Gilbert

WOW I picked up Paul Gilbert's instrumental CD, and stumbled across a song called "Three E's for Edward". Gilbert is one of the greatest guitar players in the world, and he was heavily influenced by Eddie Van Halen. In the liner notes for the CD, there is a wonderful paragraph about Eddie's influence on his work, his admiration of Eddie's virtuosity and unspeakable joy, and his hope that Eddie will find his way back to a better place so that he can show us his beautiful joy and passion again. That was really nice, especially considering Eddie's recent struggles. Further, Paul uses only three strings on his guitar - each tuned to the letter "E" (for Eddie), in octaves. Let me tell you, this song is amazing. The harmonics and medodic shredding on this song will leave you speechless. And it's done with only 3 strings - incredible. By special permission from Paul himself, you can hear this remarkable song here, in its entirety - Three E's for Edward

B000H0M51U.01._AA_SCMZZZZZZZ_V45931829_.jpg

3/30/07: Video Retrospective from Induction

There was a great Van Halen retrospective video before the Hall of Fame induction ceremony - there were short segments with Eddie, Michael, Sammy, and Dave about their history together. The segment with Eddie was especially candid and sincere; it was really touching. If you haven't seen this piece yet, please check it out here on YouTube !

3/12/07: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

The only two members of Van Halen to attend the ceremony, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony basked in the spotlight backstage. See the whole story at the AOL website here: http://spinner.aol.com/rockhall/2007-induction-ceremony . Here, you can see the following clips, on the right side of the page:

Velvet Revolver Inducts Van Halen
Velvet Revolver, 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love/Best of Both Worlds'
Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony & Paul Shaffer, 'Why Can't This Be Love'
Sammy Hagar on Reuniting With Van Halen
Sammy Hagar on the Wonders of Cabo Wabo
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Show, Part 2 (Van Halen montage)

Rock Hall of Fame news

Sammy and Michael in favor of all-star Van Halen Reunion tour - Monday, March 19, 2007

In an interview after the Rock Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Sammy and Michael both expressed support for an all-star reunion tour with David and the band, after the induction and once Eddie is fully recovered. See the story here (with video), from Artisan News Service.

http://www.artisannews.com/ans101/templates/?a=3489&z=10

Comments from Sammy after the induction - Wednesday, March 14, 2007

In Billboard today, Sammy and Michael shared some comments about the induction. They said that there are no hard feelings about not being included in the planned summer tour with David Lee Roth:

"I totally encourage the thing with Dave," Hagar said. "If Van Halen has any move they should do for the fans right now, it's to do a reunion with Dave." Added Anthony of the absent Roth, "I was waiting for him to come busting through at some point during the speech." "If we all grew up, including me, maybe all of us could do it together," Hagar said of future Van Halen touring. "I'm down with that." He added, "I planned on taking this year off and just hanging with my family. I haven't done that for a long time. [But] I will tour from my birthday in October through next year."

Velvet Revolver explains why DLR wouldn't participate - Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Billboard reports the following explanation for why David Lee Roth didn't perform:

Velvet Revolver performed in place of Van Halen and without Roth. Frontman Scott Weiland explained the ensuing controversy: "We were asked to perform. Kinda what happened was, he wanted to sing the song 'Jump.' We felt from an artistic standpoint, and I'm being totally honest with you, that it wasn't a song we felt comfortable with. We don't have keyboards. To bring a keyboard on stage wouldn't work for us. We said we'd do "Jamie's Cryin'" or "You Really Got Me," and he was adamant that wasn't okay."

Rock Hall of Fame denies it snubbed Van Halen's Roth - Saturday, March 10, 2007

Joel Peresman, the Hall's president and CEO, said in a Saturday e-mail to The Times that Roth has told only part of the backstage story.

"The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is sorry that David Lee Roth will not attend this year's induction of Van Halen. We offered him opportunities to play and sing a Van Halen song of his choice with our House band, including his own guitar player or a song with Velvet Revolver and he refused those opportunities."

Peresman concluded the e-mail with a curt denial that the Hall is somehow the bad guy in all this: "We made every effort and the decision not to come was solely his, not ours." See the whole story at the LA Times (free registration required)

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-roth10mar10,1,4079600.story

David Lee Roth not coming to Induction if he can't sing - Friday, March 09, 2007

He says he won't attend a Hall of Fame gala in New York if he can't sing Van Halen songs. See the attached story (LA Times free registration required)

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/music/la-et-vanhalen9mar09,1,5958403.story

2007 Tour news archive

Eddie in alcohol rehab - Thursday, March 08, 2007

Eddie has checked himself into alcohol rehab - see the Rolling Stone note to his fans. We are sad to hear the news that Eddie's health has deteriorated again to the point that this is necessary, but are very proud for him that he has taken this important step to resolve the problem. We're all pulling for you to get healthy again, Eddie!

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/03/08/from-eddie-to-his-fans-an-explanation/

2007 tour postponed - Thursday, February 22, 2007

The announced Van Halen 2007 tour has been postponed and is reportedly in serious trouble. Various sites report that the planned 2007 reunion tour with David Lee Roth, has been postponed, if not cancelled. No details are available as to the reasons why or when another announcement will be made. Check out this Rolling Stone story here. Check back here for an update when it is available.

http://www.rollingstone.com/rockdaily/index.php/2007/02/21/the-official-word-van-halen-tour-kaput/

2007 reunion tour - Sunday, February 04, 2007

Van Halen is reuniting with David Lee Roth for a 2007 tour! It's official- this summer Van Halen will be reuniting with former lead man David Lee Roth, for a whirlwind 2007 tour. Disappointingly, longtime Van Halen bassist and backup singer Michael Anthony will reportedly be replaced by Eddie's 15-year-old son Wolfgang. The newly remixed band is planning a 40-city amphitheatre tour. The tour details are not yet announced, and it is also uncertain whether the tour will feature the band's early pre-Hagar songs. Stay tuned here, for more details, as they are available!

Sammy on Wolfgang joining the band - Monday, January 08, 2007

Sammy is a bit concerned about Wolfgang being brought in to replace Michael and himself. In January, he told Billboard Magazine: "Wolfie's a great guy; I love Wolfie. But I don't think Van Halen should bring a 15-year-old kid to replace Sam, Dave and Michael Anthony," Hagar says. "That's a lot of pressure for Wolfie. Just 'cause he's Eddie's son doesn't mean he can go out and play in arenas and perform and entertain an audience for two hours" ... "Van Halen's got way too much history to have that put on him."

http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003529286

Revealing new Sammy Hagar interview - Sunday, August 06, 2006

September 8,2006: Make sure to check out this link for a new exclusive interview with Sammy Hagar, where he talks about the 2004 tour, his relationships with Eddie and Dave, what he is doing now, and what he plans for the future. It's a great new interview - check it out!

http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/sammyhagar.html

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