Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth of Van Halen almost came to blows before canceling their reunion tour
Alex Van Halen claimed that an argument between himself and David Lee Roth had almost turned violent and ended Van Halen's plans for a reunion tour after Eddie Van Halen's death.
During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the 71-year-old drummer, who is Eddie's brother, recalled that he and the 70-year-old singer began rehearsing for a tour after Eddie Died in October 2020 After a massive stroke after a battle with throat cancer.
After discussing with Queen's Brian May about how the band honored their late frontman Freddie Mercury during their tour, Alex approached Roth about recognizing the late guitarist at their show.
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“That thing broke the camel's back, and I can be honest about it now,” Alex said. “I said, 'Dave, at some point, we have to have a very public – not a bow – but an acknowledgment of Ed at the gig. If you look at how Queen does it, they show old footage.' And the moment I said we had to admit Ed, Dave f—-' popped a fuse.…”
Alex Van Halen has claimed that a heated dispute between himself and David Lee Roth led to the cancellation of their reunion tour. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
“The vitriol that came out was unbelievable,” he added.
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The drummer claimed that Roth rejected the idea outright, finding it “offensive”.
A representative for Roth did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Alex recalled that he had a strong reaction to his disagreement with Roth.
“I'm from the street,” she said. “'You talk to me like that, Mom, I'll blow your brains out. You understand?' And I mean and that's how it ended.”
“It's just, my God. It's like I don't know him anymore,” he told Rolling Stone. “I have nothing but the utmost respect for his work ethic and all that. But, Dave, you've got to work as a community, ma——. You're not alone anymore.”
Alex recalls that Roth rejected the idea of honoring Eddie Van Halen during their tour performance. (Finn Costello/Redferns/Getty Images)
Before the fight, Alex said the two planned to enlist guitarist Joe Satriani and possibly original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony for a reunion tour.
However, Alex told Rolling Stone that he would not be able to tour in 2022 as a spinal injury limited his mobility.
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“It's very bad on the one hand, but on the other hand it's good,” Alex said. “Because now, in retrospect, playing old songs doesn't really pay tribute to anybody. It's like a jukebox, in my opinion.… To find a replacement for Ed? It's just not the same.”
“The vitriol that came out was unbelievable.”
“The heart and soul and creativity and magic was Dave, Ed, Mike and I,” he added.
Van Halen last toured in 2015. (Steve Granitz/WireImage)
Van Halen's last tour was in 2015, with the band featuring Alex, Eddie, Roth and Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen, who replaced Anthony on bass in 2006 after the latter's departure in 2004.
In 2021, Roth announced that he was retiring from his music career but has since teased a possible comeback.
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During his interview with Rolling Stone, Alex said that he was always the band member who was closest to Roth. She told the outlet that she called Roth first after Eddie's death and maintained that the two “still keep in touch.”
Alex said he and Roth are “still in touch.” (Finn Costello/Redferns)
During a January episode of Roth's podcast “The Roth Show,” the singer went on a tirade against Wolfgang, whom he repeatedly referred to as “this f—– kid.”
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Speaking to Rolling Stone, Alex took a lighter stance on the Chariot bashing against his nephew, explaining that it should be seen as a compliment.
“To me, it's a badge of honor,” Alex said. “He actually thinks that Wolfie is on the same level as old Master Dave, right? The other thing is that Wolfie can easily take care of himself. It's not a problem.”
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