In a news conference held on Monday morning in Los Angeles, Van Halen announced
will tour again with David Lee Roth, who left the band 22 years ago.
"This is the press conference you never thought you'd
see -- especially while we were still young, skinny and good-looking,"
Roth said.
Van Halen and Roth have not performed or recorded together
since 1984's classic multi-platinum album 1984 and subsequent tour.
The new Van Halen formula is David Lee Roth, Eddie Van
Halen, Alex Van Halen and Eddie’s 16-year-old son Wolfgang, who replaced bass
player Michael Anthony. Wolfgang Van Halen was officially introduced as the
bass player in September 2006.
"We decided to do everything you'd expect, but make it
high speed, low drag. Everything that got me fired from radio." said Roth during
the news conference.
The 25-date tour is set to begin on September 27 in Charlotte, N.C. and will
end in December 11 in Calgary,
Alberta at Pengrowth Saddledome. Amongst
dates and locations announced are: October 18, Chicago (United Center), October
28, St. Louis (Scottrade Center), November 13, New York (Madison Square Garden),
November 20, Los Angeles (Staples Center) and December 3, Seattle (Key Arena).
Van Halen and Roth’s replacement, Sammy Hagar, gained 40
milion dollars in the last 2004 tour, but the fans still missed the
eccentricity that Roth used to prove.
After Roth left the band in April 1985, he started a solo
career. Though it seemed successful in the beginning, after several other tries
like being a radio shock jock talk show host, it proved that he couldn’t gain
so many fans as he would have wanted.
The founder of the band, Eddie Van Halen, had been scheduled
a huge summer tour, but his stay at a rehab in March cancelled it suddenly. The
motifs weren’t disclosed, but he was seen a few months after looking healthy
and fit.
Asked about his rehab session, Eddie responded: "I'm at
my best now. We are a band and we're gonna continue." "None of us
wanted to give you less than our best. We are at our best.” he added
During his speech, Roth spoke also about The Police reunion
and he hinted about a new Van Hales’ album.
"We're already plotting and planning," Roth said.
"This is not like The Police. The idea is that it will continue on and
on."
Van Halen were inducted in the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in
March of this year.
