The website Hitfix.com is speculating that VAN HALEN will be the band rumored to make a “special live announcement” at the November 30th Grammy Nominations Concert in Los Angeles!
From Hitfix.com [VHND’s emphasis is in bold]:
Ludacris and Sugarland join Lady Gaga and Jason Aldean at Grammy Nominations Concert
“So is it Van Halen? That’s our guess. A very cryptic message from The Recording Academy, the folks who bring you the Grammys, came out today, announcing more acts for the line-up for The Grammy Nominations Concert Live. The hour-long program airs Nov. 30, live from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater, and, in addition to announcing nominations for the Feb. 12 Grammy Awards, the special will feature appearances by a number of acts.
Added to the previously named Lady Gaga and Jason Aldean are Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco and Sugarland (we wonder if we’re in for a reprise of Ludacris joining Aldean for the rap on “Dirt Road Anthem?”)
Toward the end of the announcement, the Recording Academy slipped in that the TV show will “feature a special live announcement from a truly iconic group regarding their historic band reunion set to take place” at the Grammys.
Here’s why we think it’s Van Halen: the band — i.e. the David Lee Roth-fronted version — has recorded new material with John Shanks, although when we asked the producer about it a few months ago, he buttoned up tight, but he smiled big. Plus, other outlets, like The Hollywood Reporter, assert that the group has already inked with Columbia Records for the new set, although the label isn’t talking. So… if there’s a finished album, or nearly finished album, in the can, the Grammys would be the perfect place to debut the first single.
My mind instantly assumed it was a rock band, but it could be some other genre.”
This was followed up by a tweet from the official Grammy’s twitter account later that day:
Who do u predict the reuniting band will be @ #GRAMMYnoms? grm.my/vH7p3Y Does this hint make u wanna “Jump” & “Dance the Night Away”?
To summarize, “The iconic group” will make a live ANNOUNCEMENT during the Grammys Nomination Concert (Nov. 30th) about their reunion. The Grammy’s tweet pretty much leaves NO doubt that the mystery band is indeed VAN HALEN. Is this just dishonest hype? Or will Van Halen really appear at the Grammy Nominations Concert on Nov. 30th?
So unless the Grammys are lying (hard to imagine!), November 30th is the date that Van Halen will publicly announce their NEW ALBUM AND TOUR!