From the latest Van Halen newsletter:
VAN HALEN ROCK RENO, CONTINUE ACCLAIMED TOUR
(Las Vegas, NV) April 23, 2008 – “We are here to listen to one of the greatest bands in history. It is my honor to introduce you to VAN HALEN!”
These words came courtesy of golf legend Tiger Woods as he announced the band at Tiger Jam XI, a fundraising event April 19 at Mandalay Bay Events Center that helped raise more than $1.5 million for the Tiger Woods Foundation.
Seconds later, the trademark hard rock eruption that’s VAN HALEN was in full swing. And for two hours, Eddie, Dave, Alex and Wolfgang kept the event’s energy and vigor at maximum velocity.
“In all, VAN HALEN offered a great evening..,” reported Rolling Stone. “Everybody won – which in Vegas is normally an impossibility.”
Woods, a longtime VAN HALEN fan, selected the supergroup to headline the show. Although his recent knee surgery kept him from dancing the night away, Woods caught the performance alongside a star-studded audience.
Before the set, celebrity guests gathered for a special dinner and reception with its stage decked out in Eddie Van Halen’s striped Frankenstein design. This year’s Tiger Jam logo had another nod to VAN HALEN with the a “T” and “J” styled to look like the band’s classic “VH” insignia.
VIPs included sports greats Scott Hamilton and Julius “Dr. J” Erving, “Dancing With The Stars” performers Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas, NBA superstars Dwyane Wade and Alonzo Mourning of the Miami Heat, and celebrity auctioneer Vivica Paulin Ferrell.
Live and silent auctions had amazing items up for grabs including a 2008 Buick Enclave, autographed by Woods. Eddie Van Halen picked up the pen, too, and autographed an EVH Brand Frankenstein replica guitar donated by Fender.
VAN HALEN reached into their pockets and aided the fundraising drive with cash donations. Both David Lee Roth and the Van Halens – Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang – each contributed $100,000 in support of the Tiger Woods Foundation and its programs.
“Playing Tiger Jam XI has certainly been one of the highlights of the tour so far,” VAN HALEN said in a joint statement. “It was an honor to be involved and a pleasure to rock for a cause.”
TOUR DATES
Thu-Apr 24 – American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Sat-Apr 26 – Scottrade Center, St Louis, MO
Mon-Apr 28 – Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI
Wed-Apr 30 – Mellon Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Fri-May 02 – John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA
Mon-May 05 – RBC Center, Raleigh, NC
Wed-May 07 – Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
Fri-May 09 – Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ
Sun-May 11 – Gwinnett Arena, Duluth, GA
Tue-May 13 – Izod Center, East Rutherford, NJ
Thu-May 15 – 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD
Sun-May 18 – Giant Center, Hershey, PA
Tue-May 20 – Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT
Fri-May 23 – Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Sun-May 25 – Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence, RI
Wed-May 28 – Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, NH
Fri-May 30 – Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
Mon-June 2 – Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, MI