While his work on bass isn't anything special, Anthony's background harmony vocals are a distinctive part of the Van Halen sound. Then again Roth's voice is not even close to what it used to be...so I guess it doesn't matter.

Yeah, without MA is it really Van Halen? Berate his bass playing all you want, but all those background vocals will sound pretty hollow without him.

I will, however, be catching Sammy and Mike when they roll through Houston as The Other Half.

EVH has been making the cover of a number of guitar magazines recently (the new endorsement deal with Fender is probably the reason) and I've slowly come to the conclusion that, substance abuse issues notwithstanding, the guy is simply a nutjob. He continues to smoke even after losing part of his tongue to throat cancer (he blames the cancer on magnetic waves, not smoking) and his behavior vis a vis other members of the band is really disturbing. I've never understood why guitar players worship him, since he's always seemed like a one trick pony to me, but I really think the best thing for everybody would be if he was roundly ignored, and went off to live (and probably die) in peace and quiet.

I heard that they may be sampling Michael Anthony's vocals for the live thing.

Of course Eddie is a nut job. He's a musician. They all are.

You realize that's verging on personal attack territory, don't you?

Oh stop it.

lol- good point. I'll also be surprised if it happens. If it DOES happen, I'll be more surprised if the tour runs its full course and isn't cancelled half way through it (for poor ticket sales or the "family" not being able to get along with DLR).

ha ha... no. And it's only an "attack" if it's meant as a bad thing.

I know and have met many musicians as aquaintences (sp) and friends from bands that are both big (platinum sellers) and small (garage bands that break up within a month). They all have the same characteristics. They're all completely egotistical and more than a little "nuttier" than the average person. Some are more insane/sociopathic/egotistical/nuttier than others.

But you almost have to be if you're a musician! Especially if you're a singer/songwriter. You're taking your innermost feelings and writing songs about them, then jumping up onstage to let the whole world know!

I've worked in and around the music biz as everything from a guitarist to a soundman to a roadie to a manager/handler to a graphic designer for over 30 years, and what you say is absolutely true about all of us being, basically, fucked in the head.

It's not a personal attack; it's a statement of truth.

Not to mention that a generalization is the exact opposite of a personal attack...

from the AP:

Van Halen to Tour With Roth, Report Says
AP - Wed, 8 Aug 2007 23:05:30 -0400 (EDT)
Van Halen fans, get ready to "Jump." The rockers have re-formed with original frontman David Lee Roth and will set out on a national tour beginning in October, according to a report posted Wednesday on Billboard Magazine's Web site.

In its report, the music industry trade publication said Van Halen will play 50 dates in arenas across North America.

The report coincides with a news release issued Tuesday by touring company Live Nation and Van Halen saying the band will be making "an announcement of monumental proportions" during a news conference Monday in Los Angeles.

Representatives of the band and Live Nation would not confirm the band will announce a reunion tour.

Reports surfaced this year that three of the band's original members -- Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen -- would tour along with Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang, in place of original bassist Michael Anthony. That tour never materialized.

In March, Eddie Van Halen entered rehab for unspecified reasons. Later that month, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Roth left the group for a solo career after the release of the band's "1984" album, which featured the hits "Jump," "Hot For Teacher" and "Panama."

The band carried on into the 1990s with new lead singer Sammy Hagar. Later, former Extreme frontman Gary Cherone joined the band for one album.

Van Halen hasn't toured with Roth in more than 20 years.

I can believe this much more than a claim that Eddie Van Halen is no more important to VH than their bassist.

Yeah...VH without...uh...VH equals this...

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after being disappointed with the Police tour, I dunno if I'll get a ticket to see this or not. Michael Anthony not being involved is very disappointing and we already know that Roth isn't what he used to be

And the Police are all healthy seasoned musicians who can still play. I'm sorry but Van Halen are about 20 years past their prime. I find it hard to believe after all this time they could put on a decent show. Especially with a 15 year old bassist who's never done a rock tour before.

It's a long way from this:



to this:

Yup, they're going back on tour

Disappointed by Police? Man, guess the Dodger Stadium show was one of the best ones

I saw the Louisville show, Sting's voice was shot when I saw them. Stewart and Andy were both phenomenal but I was disappointed with Sting. Plus, the seats I had weren't the best and I hated the people I was surrounded by

Well, I'm probably going to go see this, just to say I saw them with Roth.

Same here as I remember passing on a chance to see them on the 1984 tour. I was in 7th grade at the time and $7 for a ticket ate up too much of my allowance

VAN HALEN TOUR
North American Dates

Sep. 27 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Sep. 29 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
Oct. 01 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
Oct. 07 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Oct. 10 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
Oct. 14 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Field House
Oct. 16 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
Oct. 18 Chicago, IL United Center
Oct. 22 Auburn Hills, MI Palace of Auburn Hills
Oct. 24 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
Oct. 26 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
Oct. 28 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Oct. 30 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
Nov. 03 E. Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines Arena
Nov. 13 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Nov. 20 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
Nov. 23 Glendale, AZ Jobing.Com Arena
Nov. 25 San Diego, CA Cox Arena
Nov. 27 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena
Nov. 29 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion at San Jose
Dec. 01 Portland, OR Rose Garden
Dec. 03 Seattle, WA Key Arena
Dec. 05 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
Dec. 09 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
Dec. 11 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome



Beginning this September, in what promises to be the most exciting live tour this year, Van Halen will embark on a national concert tour throughout the U.S. and Canada with its original lead singer David Lee Roth for the first time in 22 years.

Considered by fans and media alike as one of the most highly anticipated tours in rock and roll history, Roth, guitarist Eddie Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen will perform with Eddie's son, Wolfgang who joins the line-up as the band's bass player. Van Halen and Roth have not performed or recorded together since 1984's classic multi-platinum album "1984" and subsequent tour, making this tour truly a historic event.

25 dates in all were announced today for the tour which is slated for a
September 27th kick-off in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for select
dates on the tour go on sale beginning on Saturday, August 18th and are
available on http://www.LiveNation.com. A complete list of confirmed dates
is attached. The Van Halen tour is being produced by Live Nation.
Individuals who have the Citi(R) / AAdvantage(R) card, the official credit
card of the tour, will be offered access to purchase preferred seats to all
U.S. shows.

Fans can enjoy the ultimate Van Halen experience including concert pre-
show parties, backstage access, premium seating and more. For additional
details go to http://www.iloveallaccess.com. Fans are encouraged to also check in at http://www.van-halen.com or http://www.davidleeroth.com for additional information.

Is this going to earn you some special status with you friends or something?

No, it's just for my peace of mind. I have a mental checklist of all the bands I should see before they die.

no ticket prices yet.

I would probably go to this, but not if the tix end up being $200 like the Police.

Never mind that sarcastic post, I run into conversations where peole would talk about concerts they had seen in the past.

You know the ... "I saw so-and-so when they where in a club, or opened up for ----." It's fun for conversation. Nobody was better than the other, just sharing memories really.