Van Halen Recording First Album Since Clinton Administration

[HAMILROCK]

The news that Van Halen is recording its first studio album in twelve years with original lead singer David Lee Roth may have fans wanting to, well, jump. It has certainly been a long wait since 1998's "Van Halen III." Speculation of a recorded reunion has been thrown around since 2008, when Van Halen completed a successful reunion tour that featured original frontman David Lee Roth with the band for the first time since the 1984 Tour (plus a brief appearance at the 1996 MTV Music Awards)..

That much-anticipated new album has now been confirmed: Guitarist Eddie Van Halen and his brother, drummer Alex Van Halen, released a statement saying, "[Van Halen] is currently in the studio recording an album with Roth that is due for release in 2011.".

If that wasn't enough good news for VH fans, the new album is expected to be accompanied by a world tour..

Some fans, however, may still be disappointed considering that a full reunion of the original lineup remains so elusive. .

It's been a tumultuous partnership, to say the least, for Van Halen and Roth over the years. It's a relationship that has left fans with a sense of frustration that continues today. The history of the band plays out almost as a bad soap opera. It started in 1985 when, after 13 years, clashing egos led to the departure of Roth -- who went on to a semi-successful solo career -- and the beginning of a new era for Van Halen: new lead singer Sammy Hagar..

The band continued to flourish with Hagar as the lead - a rare feat for a band to lose such a key member and retain its relevance -- with some fans even preferring the more rocking style of Hagar over the flamboyant glam act of David Lee Roth. In 1996, Roth returned to record two songs with Van Halen for a greatest hits compilation. He was soon replaced (again), this time by former Extreme lead singer Gary Cherone, who lasted all of one album, Van Halen's last. (The band did reunite with Hagar for a 2003 tour.).

When David Lee Roth returned to Van Halen for his first full tour since the "1984" album, fans were joyous to finally see a reunion of the four original members. Well, like pretty much everything else involving the band, nothing's ever easy - the full reunion never happened. As David Lee Roth returned, longtime bassist Michael Anthony was passed over in favor of Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang. Wolfgang will be the bassist on the new album as well. Anthony is currently the bassist for Chickenfoot, whose lead singer is, of course, Sammy Hagar.

[FalconFreak]

I saw them three times on the last tour. Eddie can smoke
Roth is Roth but can in no way do those vocals but they were pretty dam good just a different show.

[Dr. Jack]

This is excellent news.

[Classic Rock]

Album should be good ,not so sure the tour would be good. Some groups do not perform well live or don't put enough into there show to do a good job. Aerosmith and ZZ top are 2 of my favorite bands but suck in concert. Never forget people booing zz top wanting grand funk to come back on. Rumor has it that Bob Seger will tour next year . I seen the last one and you don't want to miss it

[FalconFreak]

they were really good in 08, eddie blows it out. Roth cant do the same vocals but puts on a show. I would go see Eddie Van Halen if he was by him self

[Sweetleaf22]

[mikkii10]

Originally Posted by Classic Rock

Album should be good ,not so sure the tour would be good. Some groups do not perform well live or don't put enough into there show to do a good job. Aerosmith and ZZ top are 2 of my favorite bands but suck in concert. Never forget people booing zz top wanting grand funk to come back on. Rumor has it that Bob Seger will tour next year . I seen the last one and you don't want to miss it

seen him back in the 80"s it was great

[LadyDawn]

Cool i'm fan of Van Halen lots of great songs they had .Ice cream man , Hot For Teacher are two of favs !

[guzzi]

drop dead leggz...

[LadyDawn]

yes guzzi that one also old R & R is best this garabge out today the screamo it's called is just noise !

I can sing better than these bands today even if im drunk !

scream groan arghhhhhhhhhhh grrrrrrrrrrrr ahhhhhhhhhhhggggggggg wtf is that shit ?

[Steel]

this brings back memories. can't wait !!!

[The Nac]

Van Halen rocks. Can't wait!

[LadyDawn]

wonder if they go on tour again ?

I'm there pronto !

[HAMILROCK]

Reformed Van Halen performs intimate NYC gig

AP Music Writer
NEW YORK (AP) - They'll be playing arenas when they tour next month, but on Thursday night, a regrouped Van Halen provided thrills in a tiny club where a VIP crowd stood elbow to elbow as the storied band played some of their greatest hits including "Jump" and "Panama."

"Welcome to Occupy Van Halen, ladies and gentleman!" frontman David Lee Roth yelled just before the band launched into "You Really Got Me," the first in an approximately hour-long, high energy set.

The show was at the famed Cafe Wha? in New York's West Village- a club owned by Manny Roth, the uncle of Roth.

David Lee Roth noted some of the greats that played in the club- including Bob Dylan- and told the crowd, "I'm more nervous about this gig than I would ever be in the Garden," referring to Madison Square Garden.

The band will soon be playing the Garden and other venues like it, as they kick off a nationwide tour next month. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers start the tour in Louisville, Ky., on Feb. 16, and will tour through June, hitting cities like Boston, Atlanta and Chicago. They'll also be promoting a new album: The group announced Wednesday that they'll release "A Different Kind of Truth" on Feb. 7, the group's first album with Roth since their celebrated album "1984," released that same year.

Van Halen has gone through plenty of changes since then. Roth left the band for a solo career and was replaced with Sammy Hagar in a messy breakup; he later returned to the band as Hagar exited in a split that had just as much discord. There would be more turmoil as bassist Michael Anthony was replaced a few years ago with Wolfgang Van Halen, the son of guitar great Eddie Van Halen.

But it was all smiles on Wednesday, as father and son, along with Eddie's brother and drummer Alex were all on hand as the reconstituted group played a warm-up of sorts before their nationwide tour, their first together in almost four years.

"This has been a really long time coming," Roth told the audience.

The band hardly seemed rusty. Though his mic was weak, Roth's voice wasn't, as his signature screech was in top form, as was Eddie Van Halen's scorching guitar play on songs like "Hot for Teacher" and "Dance the Night Away."

Roth joked about the small size of the club: "The last time I stood on a stage this low, I had to get the car home by midnight."

Later, he talked about how he used to wander through the club as a kid, dreaming of a chance to play on its stage.

"It took us 50 years to get this gig. It was easier to get in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame than to get this gig," he said.

Roth's uncle Manny, now 92, was in the audience, sitting next to John McEnroe, one of several luminaries in the crowd.

"It's come full circle," said a beaming David Lee Roth amid the audience's cheers.