It's Official - Michael's out and Wolfgang is in

[I Stumble In]

What a serious mistake in judgement. So much for the Harmonies - unless of course Wolfgang can pull it off. But I doubt it. I have seen Van Halen with Roth 2 times - and with Sammy 2 times. I am going to stay away from this show like the plague. I don't want to ruin the great memories I have of this one time great band.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Family bliss

All in the family? Looks that way for the rock band Van Halen. It has finally found its new bassist: TMZ reports it's 15-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen -- the son of guitarist Eddie Van Halen and estranged wife Valerie Bertinelli, and nephew of drummer Alex Van Halen.

Wolfie replaces longtime bassist Michael Anthony, who left the band earlier this year. Van Halen spokeswoman Janie Liszewski says the 15-year-old has already joined rehearsals in the studio. Wolfie played dates with his father during the band's 2004 tour.

Note: The band is still without a lead singer, despite rumors that David Lee Roth might rejoin.

[RockInDetroit]

At this point does anyone really care. Van Halen has alienated there fans to the point of apathy.

[Red13JoePa]

HARDLY "official."


I still think the bean counters who will signing the band's checks will insist on the 1984 lineup or nothing.

[The Ghost Rider]

HARDLY "official."


I still think the bean counters who will signing the band's checks will insist on the 1984 lineup or nothing.

That's my feeling, also. I think Mikey will be there, IF this thing happens. As off his rocker as Eddie is these days, though...it's hard to tell what's going to happen.

And I like how they state that Mike "left the band earlier this year". I don't recall him quitting. And really, WHAT band? It's not like Van Halen has been real busy the last few years.

[Andrew]

Not official at all as of yet. TMZ is a celeb gossip rag. No idea why they are even mentioning VH.

[Paul_UK]

I will only believe any rumours concerning VH if/when we heare official word and see the guys on stage together!...remember the MTV awards and it STILL never happened!!!

It would be a crying shame that after all the years of red tape, egos and lawyers to get Roth back in the VH camp that Michael wont be a part of it. Ironically with Roth back it STILL won't be Van Halen!

[Andrew]

Mike will not be involved. Confirmed that today...

[JrnySuxBalls]

Mike will not be involved. Confirmed that today...

Uh oh.

[ddregs]

Tks Andrew for the inside news.
Though very curious to see if son's as talented as dad and uncle, I'm very looking forward to Roth's rejoining.
Without him there won't be that magic air that surrounded Van Halen for their splendor time.
I don't care at all if he's an asshole, I'd really love to see him once again at Van Halen's helm
When will they announce any official news?

[NealIsGod]

Looks like it is official. Andrew posted this on the front page today:

WOLFGANG JOINS HIS DAD IN VAN HALEN:
A lot of speculation and a lot of new updates are now appearing in relation to the Van Halen alive again in 2007 news started here a couple of weeks back.
Late last week celeb gossip site TMZ.com posted news of the band and who would play bass. Today G4TV ran a quote from band publicist Janie Liszewski confirming that news.
I called Liszewski for a confirmation of these comments. She happily obliged, stating that yes, Wolfgang Van Halen was the band's new bassist, suggesting that this wasn't news, as it was stated as such on Howard Stern by Eddie Van Halen in September.
She also confirmed that the Van Halen trio - Eddie, Alex and Wolfgang were 'busy in the studio, rehearsing and writing'. The rehearsing of course is for the aforementioned 2007 tour that the band's management are currently shopping to prospective promoters.
No confirmation as yet of the vocalist for next year's Van Halen tour - but as stated in my original report, David Lee Roth is the singer that is being included in the package offered to concert promoters. I'm told Roth has not yet visited the Van Halen's in the studio.

I won't be wasting my money. Will any of you?

[JrnySuxBalls]

I think I'd rather see the Genesis reunion in 2007 than VH.

[ddregs]

The only Genesis version I'm interested in has Hackett on guitars. But he hasn't been involved from the beginning.
Regarding Gabriel, well he always puts out the best shows. So having him as a solo artist PLUS Genesis with that lineup is the prog-mind dream come true.
But Genesis with Collins/Rutherford/Banks is nothing more than good pop. No proggy at all. I'd much rather prefer seeing Spock's Beard live than this Genesis lineup.

Cheers

[The Ghost Rider]

The only Genesis version I'm interested in has Hackett on guitars. But he hasn't been involved from the beginning.
Regarding Gabriel, well he always puts out the best shows. So having him as a solo artist PLUS Genesis with that lineup is the prog-mind dream come true.
But Genesis with Collins/Rutherford/Banks is nothing more than good pop. No proggy at all. I'd much rather prefer seeing Spock's Beard live than this Genesis lineup.

Cheers

Amen to that. I have no desire at all to see the Collins fronted Genesis run through "the hits". Get Hackett and Gabriel involved...and I'm there.


Regarding Van Halen? Stupidity, plain and simple. If they want to go into the studio and record with this line-up, I'd listen. But, hiring your 15 year-old kid to play on a so-called "re-union" tour is bullshit. Count me out.

I think I mentioned this before, but...how are Eddie (and Wolfie) going to react to the nighly yells for "We want Mike"? I don't care if the kid can blow away Billy Sheehan on bass...there are still going to be a LOT of people screaming for Mike.

[VH101]

I don't care if the kid can blow away Billy Sheehan on bass...there are still going to be a LOT of people screaming for Mike.

Amen to that!

Edited to add: Well, it would be kinda wicked if the kid could blow away Sheehan on bass!

[Red13JoePa]

Mike will not be involved. Confirmed that today...

Then the "reunion" is still-born.

[Just Mindy]

Mike will not be involved. Confirmed that today...

Then the "reunion" is still-born.

Not good

[I Stumble In]

Not going to waste my time and money on this junk. Eddie has officially lost it. I fell bad for Wolfgang though - the kids 15 and he is going to get fucking crushed while in concert - you know it will happen. VH isn't VH without Mike - his chorus vocals are as much of the VH sound as Eddie's guitar is. IMHO

[NealIsGod]

Not going to waste my time and money on this junk. Eddie has officially lost it. I fell bad for Wolfgang though - the kids 15 and he is going to get fucking crushed while in concert - you know it will happen. VH isn't VH without Mike - his chorus vocals are as much of the VH sound as Eddie's guitar is. IMHO

Yeah, it is Van Halen or the fucking Partridge Family?

[Paul_UK]

Not going to waste my time and money on this junk. Eddie has officially lost it. I fell bad for Wolfgang though - the kids 15 and he is going to get fucking crushed while in concert - you know it will happen. VH isn't VH without Mike - his chorus vocals are as much of the VH sound as Eddie's guitar is. IMHO

I totally agree, i was about to post regarding the backing vocals cos Roth will deffo need them.

Could always draft in a couple of hot backing singers, but then on second thoughts....!

[radiogrrl]

Yeah, it is Van Halen or the fucking Partridge Family?

ROTFL!!

"Hello world there's a song that we're singin...EVERYBODY WANTS SOME!"

[ChicagoSTYX]

Not going to waste my time and money on this junk. Eddie has officially lost it. I fell bad for Wolfgang though - the kids 15 and he is going to get fucking crushed while in concert - you know it will happen. VH isn't VH without Mike - his chorus vocals are as much of the VH sound as Eddie's guitar is. IMHO

Yeah, it is Van Halen or the fucking Partridge Family?

This Just In.......David Cassidy has signed on as the lead singer for the tour!!!

[Squidward24]

This Just In.......David Cassidy has signed on as the lead singer for the tour!!!

And he's donating his sperm to all the ladies that want a piece of DLR, cause he's no longer got the mojo.

[Dirq Van]

They probably gonna use Steve Augeri to do the backing vocals
Serious it sucks Mike is not there

[Voyager]

Mike will not be involved. Confirmed that today...

Then it is not classic Van Halen anymore than Van Hagar is. I won't be attending. Like someone else said, Mikey's high tenor backing vocals are a major part of the VH sound, and there's no way EVH Junior will be able to pull them off. This will be a fucking joke. Eddie is fucking wasted, and DLR has lost his voice. Plus, classic VH was bad in concert in the 80's. DLR couldn't remember half the lyrics. What makes anyone think they will be worth a shit now?

Do yourself a favor and go see the Atomic Punks if you need a classic Van Halen fix. You will be much more satisfied, and save yourself some money to boot.

[NealIsGod]

Mike will not be involved. Confirmed that today...

Then it is not classic Van Halen anymore than Van Hagar is. I won't be attending. Like someone else said, Mikey's high tenor backing vocals are a major part of the VH sound, and there's no way EVH Junior will be able to pull them off. This will be a fucking joke. Eddie is fucking wasted, and DLR has lost his voice. Plus, classic VH was bad in concert in the 80's. DLR couldn't remember half the lyrics. What makes anyone think they will be worth a shit now?

Yup. This is just not right.

[Red13JoePa]

There's still a LONG time....even though "it's official" the VanNepotism threat could STILL just be VanPosturing to make MA grovel.

I can't believe it gets out of the gates w/ out Mike.

Prediction: the 1984 lineup comes up kicking ass with Wolgang on rythm guitar.

[NealIsGod]

There's still a LONG time....even though "it's official" the VanNepotism threat could STILL just be VanPosturing to make MA grovel.

I can't believe it gets out of the gates w/ out Mike.

Prediction: the 1984 lineup comes up kicking ass with Wolgang on rythm guitar.

Or they start the tour with Wollfie and ticket sales quickly hit the skids, forcing Ed to double MA's salary to come save them.

[The Ghost Rider]

There's still a LONG time....even though "it's official" the VanNepotism threat could STILL just be VanPosturing to make MA grovel.

I can't believe it gets out of the gates w/ out Mike.

Prediction: the 1984 lineup comes up kicking ass with Wolgang on rythm guitar.

You could very well be right. With Eddie "I've lost my fucking mind" Van Halen, anything is possible.

[Voyager]

This may be the closest thing to Mikey playing in classic Van Halen that you will ever see again:

MICHAEL JAMS WITH THE ATOMIC PUNKS
POSTED: 11/07/06

Mike got up on stage with the Atomic Punks at a private party for the fine folks at Yahoo! recently. The fearsome foursome ripped through a bevy of VH tunes including "Panama," "Hot For Teacher," "Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love," "Dance The Night Away," "Everybody Wants Some!!" "Feel Your Love Tonight," "You Really Got Me," "Jamie's Cryin'," "Runnin' With The Devil" and "Unchained."

See Mikey's website for pics: http://www.madanthonycafe.com/news.html

Also, here's a link to an Atomic Punks video - check these guys out (if you haven't already):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmVjGotIP5Y

I'd rather see these guys with Michael Anthony than I would classic Van Halen without him.

[shaka]

The Atomic Punks are ridiculous awesome. Ralph has DLR nailed. I do kinda miss Russ Parish on guitar.

Eric