STEWART COPELAND

May be THE POLICE inspired them...No Mike Anthony on bass Ed,s 16 year old son Wolfgang...

August 6th, 2007


From: 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.

A proposed summer amphitheater tour by the group, first tipped here in late January, never got off the ground, with Eddie Van Halen entering a rehabilitation facility for undisclosed reasons in March.

In the months since, the artist has been seen publicly looking healthy and fit, and Billboard.com reported a month ago that several arena holds were in place in major markets for potential Van Halen dates.

Van Halen last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. Roth has not fronted the band on tour in more than 20 years.

This will not be anywhere near as exciting as The Police. David Lee Roth cannot carry a tune these days to save his life. And without Michael Anthony to back him up, forget it. Eddie Van Halen, as great as he once was, is washed up. To put a 16yo out on the road on a major tour is moronic. I don't think a 16yo has the ability to handle the rigors of the road. I'm sure Valerie is NOT happy. As much as I loved the "old" VH, Sammy Hagar is a much better singer. I saw the Sam & Dave show a few years back, and the difference was extremely apparent. Dave seemed very tired on stage, whereas Sammy came on and it was one big fun party! I was delightfully surprised. We'll see where this goes. But to reply to your question, I seriously doubt VH getting back together had anything to do with The Police. Apple and oranges here. VH is driven by the almighty dollar, plain and simple.

EVERYONE is jumping on the "band"wagon. all of the old bands are back.

i can't believe it's going to happen with VH this time.... they've tried so many times before. unfortunately, i would probably go only because this is another band that i never got to see live before dave left (it's not VH without dave) although i'm sure that it would not even be close to the quality of music we are hearing from the police. it would be simply out of curiosity that i would go. no expectations at all.

[color=blue]Are you being sarcastic with the term inspired, as in those who accused the Police of touring for the money despite the fact that they "hadn't gotten along since the lead singer chose to end the band? I don't believe that the Police are only doing it for the money or that they currently still can't stand each other. I do however believe that Eddie is only using Dave so that he can find a way to resurrect his music career. He apparently refuses to use Michael Anthony because he has continued to befriend Sammy and has toured with him. I really think that Eddie's alcohol problems messed with his head. As well as I think Wolfgang has benifitted from his bloodlines, he cannot be expected to really replace Michael on bass or vocally. [/color]

[quote="PT5150"]May be THE POLICE inspired them...No Mike Anthony on bass Ed,s 16 year old son Wolfgang...

August 6th, 2007


From: 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.

A proposed summer amphitheater tour by the group, first tipped here in late January, never got off the ground, with Eddie Van Halen entering a rehabilitation facility for undisclosed reasons in March.

In the months since, the artist has been seen publicly looking healthy and fit, and Billboard.com reported a month ago that several arena holds were in place in major markets for potential Van Halen dates.

Van Halen last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million, according to Billboard Boxscore. Roth has not fronted the band on tour in more than 20 years.[/quote]

This tour will be interesing from the pure trainwreck standpoint.

But man, are we seriously talking about a band that has Alex Van Halen as the drummer on this forum?

It's kinda strange that the only two who showed up for the R&R induction are the two that aren't gonna be in the band...I understand Eddie's troubles and why he wasn't there but I felt bad for Sammy and Michael trying to hold down the fort for VH for the induction, the two of them being the best of sports for that whole awkward situation...And ya, I'll hold my breath, but then again, ya I'll catch a show if it happens <grin>

It is a shame that they'll try to tour without Michael Anthony. While Eddie has the chops, Mike is a lot of stage presence AND his backing vocals are going to be very hard to replace. Alex?....well....He's Alex...

I thought at the R&R induction Michael Anthony looked the best. Sammy looked liked he put on a lot of weight. Not like our boys who got in top shape before hitting the road.
I have never been a huge VH fan but have enjoyed their music over the years. I think the tour is kinda of a joke though. Can you imagine the Police announcing the tour but with one of their kids in the band? I'm not going to pay top dollar to see a teenager play.
I agree with TheEqualizer, it's gonna be a train wreck.

Ya, well it's not unheard of...Jason Bonham's name was floating around the apocryphal Zeppelin reunion for a while...and ya it'd be a shame without Michael, but I'd be going to see Eddie play, honestly <grin>

Well, if it comes to fruition and doesn't conflict with any shows (of the boys) I have a ticket for I'll probably go. I heard Diamond Dave last September. He was sounding pretty good. Still had some of the jumps and the showman thing. Little bald patch on the top, though

I am actually willing to give Wolfgang a pass until I have a chance to actually hear him. Just because he's a teenager doesn't mean he's not really good (Julie and Eric Slick come to mind). Also, it's not like Michael's bass parts are rocket science. However, it will be tough to replace Michael's backing vocals.

EVERYONE's trying to capitalize on the "reunion" hysteria our Police have created. Even cheesey 80's bands are trying to do it. It's the thing to do now. But I'm sorry, if all original members are not there, then it's NOT A FUCKING REUNION!. Especially if a member is still alive and able to play.

Ya, I'd like to see Eddie play, too. But calling it a reunion without Anthony there insults my intelligence, so I won't pay $ to attend.

Bonzo is gone, so there can never be a Zep reunion.

But IMO even if bands swallow thier pride and genuinely reunite they still won't have the success our boys are currently enjoying!

[quote="GinaSuperCat"]Ya, well it's not unheard of...Jason Bonham's name was floating around the apocryphal Zeppelin reunion for a while...and ya it'd be a shame without Michael, but I'd be going to see Eddie play, honestly <grin>[/quote]

I'd go too. How about Anthony Michael Hall on bass

Disappointingly, I find I am extremely uninterested in seeing this VH tour.

I saw Van Halen first in 1981, when they were touring for "Fair Warning". Saw them again at the US Festival in 1983. And, I did actually see them again in 1985 with Sammy, during the first non-Roth tour.

In the course of my business dealings, I had the pleasure of meeting Eddie before, and he was truly a nice and warm guy. But my feeling (and please, take this only as one guy's opinion) is that the drugs and alcohol have destroyed the part of the guy that I liked. I no longer have much respect for his playing; he seems to have lost his innovative edge around 1984 or so.

As a result of that, combined with the absence of Michael Anthony, I realized that I don't have any interest in seeing them as a nostalgia act. I will be surprised if Roth can sing his way through an entire song. I will be amazed if the tour continues without ridiculous drama between the VH family and Roth. I don't intend on paying money to watch that circus.

And yes... I 100% do feel that the success of the Police tour is what brought this VH tour back together. There is no reason other than money that the VH tour is happening, which I do NOT think is the Police's situation at all.

So: count me out. It's sad, because under other circumstances, I'd be into it.

Don't know that I'd go... I'm curious, though... From what I heard, Eddie was at the FC show on 5/27, so I certainly would be hesitant to discount any influence the Police reunion tour and its success is having on Eddie and the guys to try to do something for their fans... who knows...

Laz