When I was in high school, Van Halen was the hot new band, destined to save us all from disco. The young good-looking guitarist, Eddie Van Halen, shared the spotlight with lead singer David Lee Roth. In the next 20 years, Van Halen would release 11 studio albums, all of which broke into the Top 20 of the Billboard charts. Overall, they have sold more than 75 million albums. The Guinness Book of World Records lists them as the band with the most number one hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock List.
Despite all their success, things have not always been easy for the band. The original lineup included guitarist Eddie Van Halen, his brother Alex Van Halen on drums, bassist Michael Anthony, and flamboyant lead singer David Lee Roth. However, after seven years with the band, Roth left in 1985. What happened? David was upset because Eddie had begun playing outside the band with other artists (most notably appearing on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It” single). Eddie was upset with David because of his flamboyant stage presence and off stage antics. And so began one of the best-known feuds in rock-n-roll.
After David left, Sammy Hagar, who had had his own successful solo career prior to joining the band, replaced him. David had a flourishing, if brief, solo career himself after leaving the band. Before the breakup, I liked Sammy and I liked Van Halen. After the breakup, I didn’t like any of them. David’s stage persona, which had once seemed exciting, seems foolish and Van Halen, with Sammy as the singer, seemed less rock and roll than ever.
Over the years, there were constant rumors of David rejoining the band, but it seemed like the bad blood between David and Eddie would never let that happen. After eleven years with the band, Sammy left in 1996, once again leaving the band without a lead singer. Gary Cherone, former Little Angels front man, did a two-year stint with Van Halen, but left in 1999.
Then Van Halen’s reign over rock-n-roll seemed to end. There were more important things than music going on. In 1999, Eddie had hip replacement surgery. He also underwent cancer treatment the same year. In 2001, he announced that he and wife of 21 years, actress Valerie Bertinelli, were divorcing. By 2002, Warner Brothers, who had released all their albums since 1978, dropped them from their label. With no lead singer and rumors of Michael Anthony’s departure, the regrouping of Van Halen seemed impossible…until now.
Eddie just announced that his son, 15-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen, will be replacing Michael Anthony on the bass. And Eddie told Howard Stern that he is open to a reunion with David Lee Roth. Van Halen spokesperson Janie Liszewski said that the band is currently writing and rehearsing. They plan to tour next summer. Hum…wonder who will be singing?