Legendary rock band Van Halen’s reunion tour has been canceled after the group’s lead singer, David Lee Roth, refused to pay tribute to the late Eddie Van Halen, his brother Alex Van Halen said. This was revealed in a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
Alex Van Halen, who co-founded the band with his brother, has opened up to the magazine for the first time since his brother’s death, revealing the infighting within the band that recently led to the collapse of a planned tour.
Eddie Van Halen, the virtuosic and respected guitarist, passed away in October 2020 at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer.
Alex Van Halen says in an article published Tuesday that the rumors that a tour is being planned after Eddie Van Halen’s death are true and that in early rehearsals original lead vocalist David – He admitted to the magazine that he even played drums with Lee Roth. However, the plan fell through after a heated argument over paying tribute to the band’s late co-founder.
“I can honestly say now that I broke the camel’s back,” Alex Van Halen revealed. I recognized Ed at the gig. If you look at how Queen is doing, you’ll see old footage. ”And the moment I said I had to acknowledge Ed, Dave blew a fuse…The vitriol that came out was unbelievable. ”
Alex Van Halen said he had several phone calls with Queen’s Brian May to discuss how the band would perform while honoring the group’s late Freddie Mercury. But he said Ross allegedly simply refused to pay his respects to his brother. “It’s just, God, I don’t know him anymore. I have nothing but the utmost respect for his work ethic and all of that. But Dave, you have to work as a community. No, mom, you’re not alone anymore,” Alex Van Halen said. The magazine noted that Ross declined to comment on the matter.
In the end, he said he feels okay with the tour being canceled and is still in touch with Ross.
“On the one hand it’s disappointing, but on the other hand it’s okay,” he said. “Because in retrospect, playing old songs is not really paying homage to anyone. In my opinion, it’s just like a jukebox. … To find a replacement for Ed. Huh? It’s just not the same.”
Alex Van Halen said he suffered an “ocean of grief” after his brother’s death and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. On October 22nd, he plans to publish his memoir “Brothers,” which chronicles his childhood with Eddie Van Halen and the original band lineup. “I just miss him,” he says. “I miss arguing. I live with it every day. And I can’t bring him back. I can’t make things right.”
He said he sometimes feels his brother’s spirit.
“Ed has been here a few times,” he told Rolling Stone. “He was there this morning.”
He said he believes he and his brother accomplished “what we came here for.” “He’ll be fine wherever he is,” Alex Van Halen said of his brother.
