Stop Calling it a VAN HALEN REUNION !
If you have been reading The Daily Rock for a while, you know I’m not one for details. Little things like apostrophes get missed, I use dashes like they are punctuation,  and sometimes I may accidently leave a typo in a story. (Hell, I’m pretty sure that last sentence was supposed to have a semicolon)
One detail that I DO pay attention to is the meaning of basic words. For example: When I think reunion, I think words like “original” and “getting back together”. I certainly don’t think of phrases like “everyone except that guy”.
Van Halen is about to go touring, and everyone seems pumped as hell. Typical news places that wouldn’t give them a second look are basically falling over themselves to hype this shit up. Headlines like:
“PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT VAN HALEN REUNION TOUR TOMORROW!”
“DAVID LEE ROTH ‘EXCITED’ ABOUT REUNION”
Ok wait, I thought Van Halen originally was David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony. The band going on tour is: David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Wolfgang Van Halen. This kid was born in 1991, and I’m all for giving chances ,but in my mind being a teenager removes all possibilities that you can be part of a reunion for a band founded in the 1970s! You can be the new member, but it is automatically NOT a reunion. He could be the most amazing bass player ever - fine - but NOT a reunion.
If they had decided to tour with Sammy Hagar, I’m not sure what my stance would be. Both him and Roth contributed a lot to the band in different ways. Hagar pulled off the impossible - making us almost forget about David Lee Roth.
Neither of them can say anything like this: To this day, Michael Anthony is the only bassist to have EVER toured with Van Halen.
No. This is not a reunion. David Lee Roth kicks ass, and Im glad he is touring with them, but he himself does not make a reunion. Oh, and what happens when they get tired of Roth and kick him out again? Eddie doesnt have any kids that sing does he?
Coming Soon! The *ALL VAN HALEN* - Van Halen tour!
August 15th, 2007 at 3:31pm
Come on Dave, Eddie & Alex: Gimme a break! No Mike, No Halen! Check out my blog devoted to the man himself and to the legacy of the REAL Van Halen!
August 15th, 2007 at 3:58pm
No, it’s NOT a reunion!! Eddie is a jealous prick, and Alex is his lapdog. The reason Micheal Anthony is not a part of this is simple: Eddie. Mikey, who’s from Chicago, was on the radio last year discussing this whole thing. According to him, Eddie called him into the office to ask him to take a pay-cut on his residuals for something like the first 6 albums. For everyone who’s ever sang along with Runnin’ with the Devil, Jamies Cryin’, or Dance the Night Away, I’d like to point out that the voice that you’re hearing is Mikey’s. Mikey contributed just as much to the sound of the band as Eddies solo’s, Alex’s shuffles, or David’s wails. One last time: Eddie is a jealous prick.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:03pm
wtf?
his kid…….
no.
just straight up no!
August 15th, 2007 at 4:04pm
reuninon for van halen no
a reuninon for dave and eddie yes
michael anthony was huge part of van halens harmonys.
no i won’t being going to school this fall i am on tour——that would be cool to say
August 15th, 2007 at 4:04pm
I agree… a reunion it aint! The simple fact that the prefix “re-” means “again”, when this is “Wolfies” first time in the band, settles that.
Personally, I think its all much ado(sp?) about nothing. History has been much too kind to VH, in my opinion. I, and pretty much everyone I knew as a youngster, hated them cause they were a bunch of smiling cheesy crap. Eddie could wail, no doubt and he’s definitely got his place in guitar history… but no other member had any ability worth noting… other than DLR’s flexibility haha. The myth that he was “the greatest frontman ever” is exactly that… a myth, and not even a believable one. In fact, it was probably started by DLR.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:28pm
Yep I do believe you are right technically speaking. I am just glad the tour starts in NC, so hopefully I get a chance to see them before, tempers flare and they stop the tour.LOL!!!
August 15th, 2007 at 4:31pm
This is NOT a Reunion! It would be, if they had the original Bassist Back. Not, this…Kid. Seriously, I doubt he will do any good. In order to be a Reunion you must have original members, people that played in the band, not a kid who never has before, until now.
August 15th, 2007 at 4:52pm
WOLFGANG is the chosen one …
August 15th, 2007 at 5:10pm
No, not a reunion…Remember the show, “Eddie’s Father?” Well, how about “Eddie’s Son.” I can understand Eddie giving him fatherly advice and help with starting a band, his own band, not having him join one of the most notable bands in rock history. I’m sure he’s capable of playing the stuff or he wouldn’t be going on tour with them, but does this mean that 20 years from now we will be subjected to Eddie’s grandson playing after Eddie finally retires??? What is this, the family business??
August 15th, 2007 at 5:13pm
Is that Rosie O’Donnell on bass? Righteous…
August 15th, 2007 at 5:34pm
Rosie O’Donnell that’s funny.
Even though it isn’t Michael (and we all wish it was) He is a Van Halen, so I will not question his ability.
I feel they are calling it a ‘reunion” tour mostly because David is back.
I still wish that Michael was still with them.
August 15th, 2007 at 5:37pm
Oh and to add something. When I saw them in 1984, in Greensboro NC, fifth row from the front. It was awesome, and David lit up the stage as a frontman. I have been to hundreds of shows since and noone has ever come close to the show or energy that he brought.
Let’s see what he has now.
August 15th, 2007 at 6:45pm
I think Van Halen is amazing…so what if Wolfgang is playing bass? Its the fact that Eddie, David, and Alex are there…the key parts of VH…im a big VH fan, but untill a month ago, i didnt know who michael anthony was….i will be seeing them…VH FOREVER!
August 15th, 2007 at 6:57pm
ok how can u be a fan and not know who the first bass player was?
August 15th, 2007 at 7:59pm
Its a fucking outrage!!!! I can’t believe, after all that waiting, this is the “Reunion” we get!
August 15th, 2007 at 8:04pm
It’ll be very interesting to see how this reunion with Dave turns out and just how long Dave will stay in the band(especially since they’re talking about Dave being in the band for permanent[with a new album following along the way],and knowing what immensive egos both Dave and Eddie separately have),for I sure hope that Wolfie(Wolfgang Van Halen)can sing as good as he(reportedly can)play bass(and,I’m openly giving Wolfie a chance,since Eddie trained him in just about every musical instrument,and Wolfie reportedly knows all of the VH tunes really well).
August 15th, 2007 at 8:38pm
this FUCKEN SUCKS ALL OR NOTHING PLEase
FUCK ALL THIS MARKET STRATEGIES
BRING THE ORIGINAL LINE UP BACK
OR MAKE MONEY OF SOME ONE ELSE NOT ME
ORIGINAL =ORIGINAL
COME BACK TO EARTH
I LOVE A GOOD COMEBACK
I HATE A STRATEGY DESING TO CASH IN AT MY EXPENSE
THERE IS NO NEW RECORD
THIS SUCKS
THERE IS A REAL BASS PLAYER SOME WHERE IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW
WHO HAS THE BACKGROUND AND THE SKILL AT
VAN HALEN S LEVEL WHO
WE WON T SEE
THANKS TO THIS NEW MONOPOLY MARKET STRATEGY CALL;;;;;
WOLF-GANG HALEN GREAT
ALL THIS TIME WAITING 4 A REAL COME BACK
AND NOW
YOUR NOT TAKING ME BACK
THE REAL WAY
HIT ME UP WHEN THE ORIGINAL LINE UP IS BACK
THIS NEW BAND IS NOT
VAN HALEN
THIS IS THE VAN WOLF-GANG HALEN PROJECT
I CAN BELIVE ROTH WENT ALONG WITH THIS
IS DISAPPOINTING
ALL THE BEST AND GOOD LUCK PEACE
August 16th, 2007 at 12:17am
This is hilarious. First off if David Lee Roth was so freakin’ great why the hell is the only time we hear about him is when there’s talk of reuniting with VH? Come on the guy sucks…the only time I took VH seriously was with Hagar. I actually bought that stuff. The earlier stuff was crap other than the band which was great. But David Lee is another freakin’ Axle Rose. NOTHING and washed up. There are way too many great bands out there right now who deserve more attention.
My opinion so please don’t rip me a new asshole. LOL>
Later,
Les
August 16th, 2007 at 11:26pm
Matt (#13 above) says that the key parts are there. Ok, first off, do any of you people here play bass????? If not,then maybe you should pay attention to the bass lines that Mike layed down. The dude is a master and I don’t give a ass-rat if WOLFIE was taught by dad. There’s more to playing than notes, it’s called feel and I doubt that Wolfie has it. And secondly, those high harmonies are Mike. Does anyone think that some punk ass kid is giong to be able to hit those!!!!! I THINK NOT. I’m not going becaus it’s a “reunion”. I’m going because I want to hear the old shit, not So This Is Love.
August 23rd, 2007 at 11:32am
[...] to all the discussion of the current Van Halen non-reunion tour Anthony had the following to say: “First of all, I hope all of you are having a great [...]
September 4th, 2007 at 7:03pm
[...] the differences is that in the US we looove reunion tours (or bullshit not really reunion tours.. van halen, Im looking at you.). These reunion tours keep our musicians living the rock and roll lifestyle for way longer. That [...]
September 20th, 2007 at 10:33pm
i ain’t paying to see them without michael anthony on bass. period. wolfgang is a kid, has no right to even be onstage with the greatness they were no matter how good his over-inflated fat ass is. the kid might be good but this is NO re-union. i’m surprised roth is going for this… van halen is and always be the original 4. period. without michael it’s tired.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:01am
It truly is amazing with all of these jurassic rock shows that are in the news. Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, none of them are true reunions, even the Rolling Stones do reunion tours but they never do capture the glory that once was. It is just to fill their wallets once again. The Glory was back in the hey day of the original tours. Even Queen wont call it a ReUnion with Paul Rodgers singing… Man it is sad to hear old Queen songs made famous by Freddie and have someone “cover” them that was not a part of the real thing. I feel sorry for Wolfgang though next his mother may be the lead singer of the band… Then it truly will be a Van Halen Family Reunion…
October 28th, 2007 at 9:29am
Who cares? in the end it’s all about the music.
October 28th, 2007 at 9:53am
Im a musician and I can tell you from my point of view, Michael Anthony was key for Halen. Even though I never really took to the new Haggar Halen much, they did make some good music and made a new legacy. Even though I idolize eddie and think he is one of the best of all time, he being a total asshole excluding Michael Anthony. Im a major fan of teh original Van Halen, but I doubt Roth can still pull off the screaming stylings and athletic showmanship he did back the day. You just cant go back. Its all history now.
October 28th, 2007 at 10:27am
Who cares? Why do you even bother writing about such a non-story? Who doesn’t know that this is not the original Halen? It’s as close to the original as you are going to get. If you don’t like it, don’t go to their concert.
October 28th, 2007 at 10:34am
Michael Anthony contributed more to the VH ’sound’
than most folks will ever know!
You are correct, sir.
NOT a reunion.
October 28th, 2007 at 10:39am
Any old bass player can play here - nobody listens to Van Halen for the bass playing - nobody goes to a concert for the bass playing - If he is so great, how does he get replaced by a kid? Are you in love with wassiz face?
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October 28th, 2007 at 10:40am
[...] it REALLY a Van Halen reunion? hmmmm.read more | digg [...]
October 28th, 2007 at 10:46am
” It’s as close to the original as you are going to get.”
No, it’d get a lot closer if they’d just pick up the phone and ask Michael Anthony to join the tour. He’s not dead, y’know.
October 28th, 2007 at 11:47am
I saw VH the other night, Wolfgang is great. He brings something inspiring to the band can can nail all of MA’s vocal harmonys. Go wolfie
October 28th, 2007 at 6:04pm
Yes, I too seen them a few weeks back and Wolfy nailed all the harmony parts.It is still not the original Van Halen but it was a hell of a show. Quit bitching about it and go see the show. Micheal is having fun right now out with the Cabo Giant anyways. :o)
October 31st, 2007 at 5:27pm
You guys can say what you want. I saw them lat night and they were incredible. And Wolfgang was pretty good.
November 8th, 2007 at 3:36am
Mike left VH to join the other half.IN doing so he created a conflict of interest.It was Sammy who lead mike away and that was his master plan.They are both traitors to us all! Mike is the cause and effect of us not getting the full re-union.Thanks Mike! You all got it backwards.
March 8th, 2008 at 2:39pm
Ok well technically you say the original bassist was Micheal Anthony well im sorry but you are incorrect The original bassist was mark stone he almsot did nothing but was still the original and that wat count im only 14 and i know that
March 21st, 2008 at 11:50pm
to the stupid 14 year old… mark stone wasn’t even on the DEBUT. so, he was there during formation of the group but michael was the ‘original’ bassist on tour and on the FIRST record… so kid you keep trying to manipulate the facts…
are you’re parents “liberals” by any chance? liberals re-write
history to suit themselves is all i’m saying…
March 25th, 2008 at 10:39pm
Yes I relize he wasnt on the Debut tour but that’s not even the point right now the point is talknig about the ORIGINAL van halen when you start to be famous doesnt mean it acctually starts the band
July 16th, 2008 at 2:46pm
to the moron ranking on the 14 yr old kid. You are the one re-writing Van Halen history. The typical brain dead American playing tough guy on the internet. You told all your pathetic cyber tough guy friends you stepped up like a man to insult a kid didn’t you. Thank you for helping me finally understand why americuntz let bush cheney and the other 2-bit crooks take 1/2 your wages then give it to businesses that share profits with them. LOOK UP THE WORD ORIGINAL, VH1 WAS RELEASED IN 78, 7 YEARS AFTER THEY FORMED. i laugh at people who get their info from websites for dummies. WIKIPEDIA IS EDITED BY MORONS LIKE YOU, AND MOST OF ITS WRONG. YOU BELIEVE ROTH ALMOST DIED IN CANADA DONT YOU. BENDING THE DEFINITION OF ORIGINAL TO AVOID LOOKING LIKE THE DOPE YOU ARE, THEN GENE SIMMONS IS PART OF THE ORIGINAL VH ALSO. YOU FIGURE OUT WHY. YOURE AMERICAN AND ITS NOT ON WIKIPEDIA SO YOU WONT KNOW THE REASON. BUT AMERICANS ARENT EXPECTED TO BE AWARE OF TRUTH. YOU ALL BELIEVE BUSHS ECONOMIC ADVISORS THAT SAY YOUR ECONOMY IS STRONG. THE EXPERTS FROM MOST OTHER COUNTRIES SAY AMERICA WILL FALL INTO A LARGE DEPRESSION BY JULY 2009.