Eddie ‘somewhere between Axl Rose and Michael Jackson’
The most insightful article about “The Reunion Tour That Almost Was” comes from L.A. Times reporter Greg Boucher.
Highlights:
The Van Halen tour has been “shut down,” according to a top official at Live Nation, the huge concert promoter that finally surrendered in the face of the chaos surrounding guitar hero Eddie Van Halen. Roth, meanwhile, says he is unsure whether the mercurial guitarist will even travel to New York for the Hall of Fame induction on March 12.
Eddie Van Halen declined interviews through his publicist and girlfriend, Janie Liszewski. Conversations with the business team behind the tour paint a picture of a rock star who is somewhere between Axl Rose and Michael Jackson on the music industry scale of eccentric recluses. The result is that the Van Halen venture imploded before takeoff, even as the Police, the Eagles and Genesis have efficiently geared up for lucrative reunion tours.
“I cannot tell you how frustrating and completely nuts this has been,” one key business figure in the tour said while asking not to be identified on the outside chance that the reunion might be salvaged. “Right now, I have to say, I don’t see that happening.” …
Wolfgang, a precocious musician, was “the maestro” at the reconstituted band’s lone rehearsal, picking the set list and using his iPod to remind his father of the nuances of his solos on the old albums. Wolfgang was tapped by his father to play bass on the tour too, replacing founding member Michael Anthony, a jolting choice considering the child’s age and Anthony’s status as one of rock’s best backup singers and most relentlessly cheerful presences.
Eddie Van Halen remains, by all accounts, a gifted guitarist and rock auteur, but the decision to jettison Anthony in favor of a teenager may have been the first sign that the new enterprise was guided by creaky logic.
Click here to read the rest. There’s lots more good stuff, including some additional quotes from Diamond Dave—who, bizarrely enough, seems to have become the calm and steady voice of reason.
Filed under: Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen
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February 23rd, 2007 at 7:35 pm
What is the matter with them. They should go and seek reunion therapy from the therapist on the Sopranos. Thet are killin me. I was ready to hear them jam again. I was there on Memorial Day US 83 about two rows form them. Hope they can iron this out.
February 24th, 2007 at 10:47 am
For god’s sake, go lay down and die already eddie. You already are dead to your fans. You guys are a disgrace. I’ll never buy another cd again, especially another rip off compilation of stuff from 10 years ago. Go crawl back into your bottle fool, stop giving us a bone and yanking it back. Grow up, act like a man. van halen? These days its more like van has been………….just crawl in a hole and pull the dirt over yerself. I hope you DONT attend the induction, youll only bring Michael and Samuel down.
February 24th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Okay that was really harsh from “sammy rules.” Some of us understand that Eddie has had some problems. Alcoholism has been proven to have a genetic link and alcohol is an accepted social passtime that can get out of hand. Nobody knows what he has been going through over the years. All I know is Eddie is seriously talented and hasn’t lost it. Speaking for myself and many others we would love to hear the old VH songs live with Dave because it kicks ass! I hope there will be a reunion someday with ALL the original band members. Yeah, I’m seriously disappointed that the tour is canceled, but I will wait as long as it takes and continue to show my support.
February 24th, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Eddie is gone. It’s a shame he surrounds himself with “yes” men and keeps up his bad habits. Check into rehab Ed before it’s too late(which it may well be). What a nice memory to leave your son,brother and the countless millions that admire you. But what do you expect from a guy who thinks he got cancer from his guitar picks! I won’t support you any more.
Hope you get help. Dave,I have a new-found respect for you. I was looking forward to seeing front the band again. Oh well. Good luck in the future Mr. Roth-I’ll support whatever you do. And thanks for the great music.
February 25th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
*watches live wout a net*
dam ed, we love ya bro, but think of your FANS and the folks that want classic vh, not a half strung drunk rendition thats “run out of gas”. We want the Ed we know and love! I’d pay 350-500.00 a ticket for a concert with michael and sammy!
February 25th, 2007 at 9:17 pm
Lets review the timeline
1985-Dave’s the problem-he leaves the group
1996-Sammy’s the problem he leaves/is fired from the group
1996- Dave is back
1996 Dave is the problem again- he’s out
1998-2004 No problems- no music . Please dont bring up VHIII
2004- Sam’s back and is a problem- out again
2005/6 ? Now Mike is the problem because he wants to actually play music…..he’s out.
Now class what do you think the problem really is?