A planned Van Halen reunion has been called off after lead singer David Lee Roth refused to pay tribute to late guitarist Eddie Van Halen on stage, according to Eddie’s brother Alex. The reunion had made it as far as rehearsals before Alex broached the subject with Roth, leading to an argument that derailed the potential tour. Eddie passed away in 2020 due to complications from throat cancer, leaving behind son Wolfgang Van Halen, whom he shared with ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli.
The argument between Alex and Roth centered around the acknowledgment of Eddie during the tour, with Alex suggesting a tribute similar to how Queen honors their late singer, Freddie Mercury. Roth’s strong reaction to the idea and refusal to pay tribute to Eddie ultimately led to the cancellation of the reunion tour. Alex expressed his disappointment in Roth’s behavior and highlighted the importance of working as a community in the band rather than as individuals.
At the time of the argument, Alex’s health issues, particularly peripheral neuropathy causing numbness in his feet, were already jeopardizing the tour. He sees this as potentially being a sign from above not to move forward with the reunion. While Roth declined to comment on the situation, Alex mentioned that they are still in touch and have historically gotten along well. When Eddie passed away, Roth was the first person Alex contacted.
Despite the disappointment of the reunion falling through, Alex has come to terms with it. He believes that playing the old songs as a tribute to Eddie wouldn’t truly honor him and that finding a replacement for Eddie would not be the same. Four years after Eddie’s death, Alex still feels his brother’s spirit with him and misses his physical presence greatly. He reflects on their arguments and how he lives with the loss every day, unable to bring Eddie back or make things right.
