VAN HALEN

New VAN HALEN Tell-All Due This August





At the end of August, Everybody Wants Some: The VAN HALEN Saga (Wiley Publishing) hits bookstore shelves. Written by noted metal journalist and radio host Ian Christe, the book recounts the life and times of the L.A. group that rose to hard rock dominance in the late seventies. The book begins with an account of Van Halen’s explosive arrival on the California hard rock scene in 1978, revealing the powers of lead singer David Lee Roth, wunderkind guitarist Eddie Van Halen, good-natured bassist Michael Anthony and complex drummer Alex Van Halen. The story follows the band’s development and success, throughSAMMY HAGAR’s replacement of Roth in 1985, and his own replacement by former-EXTREME singer Gary Cherone in the late Nineties.

Along the way, appearances are made by prominent supporting players, including Eddie Van Halen’s wife Valerie Bertinelli, musical collaborator Michael Jackson and business partner Gene Simmons of KISS.

In addition to the band’s history, the book recounts the discord between Eddie and his frontmen, his drinking, his relationship with Bertinelli, and the secrets behind his guitars.

Christe is the author of Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging Story of Heavy Metal and host of the popular Bloody Roots program on Sirius satellite radio’s Hard Attack station.

Everybody Wants Some will be released August 31. The 320-page hardcover book includes a 16-page color photo insert and will sell in the U.S. for $25.95. To pre-order, visit wiley.com or amazon.com.

(Thanks Guitarworld.com)

Arenas On Hold" For Fall VAN HALEN Tour

According to Ray Waddell from Billboard.biz, a proposed summer amphitheater tour by a reunited VAN HALEN that was derailed when guitarist Eddie Van Halen checked into rehab now looks like it may be resurrected as a fall arena run.

Several arena holds are in place in major markets for potential Van Halen dates, Billboard.com has learned.

The tour, negotiations for which were first tipped here on Jan. 24, will feature David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen and Eddie Van Halen's teenage son Wolfgang on bass.

Wheels had been in motion for a 40-date, Live Nation-produced amphitheater tour, with original frontman Roth back in the fold for the first time in more than 20 years. Van Halen last toured in 2004 with vocalist Sammy Hagar, grossing nearly $40 million, according to Billboard Boxscore.

But the reunion never got off the ground, and Eddie Van Halen entered a rehabilitation facility for undisclosed reasons in March. In the months since, the artist has been seen publicly looking healthy and fit.

The buzz surrounding the prospect of a Van Halen tour with Roth seems to point toward a successful trek. "I see it absolutely as an inevitability," Roth told Billboard.com more than a year ago regarding a tour with his
ex-bandmates. "To me, it's not rocket surgery. It's very simple to put together. And as far as hurt feelings and water under the dam, like what's-her-name says to what's-her-name at the end of the movie 'Chicago' -- 'So what? It's showbiz!'"

VAN HALEN Tour To Be Announced Next Week


www.Billboard.com has issued the following report from Ray Waddell:

Sources say a Hollywood press conference in one week will announce a 50-date American arena tour by VAN HALEN to begin in early October. The tour will feature founding Van Halen members DAVID LEE ROTH, Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen, with Eddie's son Wolfgang on bass.

A proposed summer amphitheater tour by the group, first tipped here in late January, never got off the ground, with Eddie Van Halen entering a rehabilitation facility for undisclosed reasons in March.

Read the full story at Billboard.com.

VAN HALEN Tour To Be Announced Monday

www.Billboard.com has issued the following report from Jonathan Cohen:

VAN HALEN will announce its reunion tour with DAVID LEE ROTH on Monday morning (August 13th) during a media event at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. The tour is expected to begin in October and encompass 50 dates in North American arenas.

A proposed summer amphitheater tour by the group, first tipped in late January, never got off the ground, with guitarist EDDIE VAN HALEN entering a rehabilitation facility for undisclosed reasons in March. Roth has not toured with the act in more than two decades.