Eddie Van Halen replaces Michael Anthony

[BUTT 0]

NEW YORK (Billboard) -- Eddie Van Halen has brought his 15-year-old son, Wolfgang, into Van Halen as the veteran rock band's new bass player, a spokesperson told Billboard.com.

 

Father and son, along with Eddie's drummer brother Alex, have been rehearsing for a 2007 tour, but it is unknown who will serve as the band's vocalist. (Wolfgang's substitution for original bass player Michael Anthony was first reported by news Web site TMZ.com a week ago.)

 

Rumors continue to swirl that original singer David Lee Roth, who was replaced by Sammy Hagar in the mid-1980s, will return to the fold, despite years of enmity. Roth, who has recently worked as a radio DJ and a paramedic, told Billboard.com in May that he saw it "absolutely as an inevitability."

 

No details have been provided about the departure of Anthony, a fan favorite who generally kept out of the internecine warfare in the band.

 

As for the musical acumen of Wolfgang, Eddie Van Halen enthused to Howard Stern in September, "If I excel at the speed of sound, he excels at the speed of light. This kid is just a natural."

 

Van Halen is one of nine acts on the ballot for the 2007 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Music/11/1...reut/index.html

 

I'm sure this will go over quite well with the band's fanbase.

[snuffbox 0]

Yeah, the mullet bloc cant be impressed by this kind of thing.

[Darthtiki 0]

Funny, I thought Eddie had given up music to finish his cure for cancer, except for scoring porn.

 

My god he has to be one of the most batshit people in music, yet still a guitar genius.

[C Dubya 04 0]

Remember when Van Halen was relevant?

[snuffbox 0]

No.

[MrRant 0]

That's because you're only 23.

[snuffbox 0]

And they havent done anything at all in like 15 years.

[Gary Floyd 0]

I would say "How the mighty have fallen", but after having the singer from Extreme in his band, it's more like "how the once relevent have fallen."

[tominator89 0]

I'd pay to see Van Halen with DLR. I don't care if it's a nostalgia trip or not.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

Have you listened to Van Halen's bass lines? A 15 year old who grew up listening to them should be able to cover it with ease.

[Sideburnious 0]

Yeah, I'm sure he learned the bass for running with the devil at 8.

 

It still sort of sucks that they kick him out for his son.

 

On a positive note, if DLR is back, i'm so there.

[River City Rocker 0]

Van Halen's bass lines were always ridiculously simple. Michael Anthony's real talent was always backing vocals.

 

I wonder if Wolfgang can sing like the guy he's replacing.

[razazteca 0]

Remember when Van Halen was relevant?

Right Now music video?

[Darthtiki 0]

Remember when Van Halen was relevant?

Right Now music video?

 

Two things I think of when I hear that song: Crystal Pepsi and High School Football games (Ced can back me up on the latter)

[CanadianGuitarist 0]

Two things I think of when I hear that song: Crystal Pepsi

 

You're not alone.

[Epic Reine 0]

I always thought Sammy was the better singer, Dave was the better performer though. I wouldn't pay to see Van Halen today just like how I wouldn't pay to see Guns N' Roses today despite that fact that they're one of my favorite bands.

 

And a 15-year-old kid in a legendary rock band won't be good for him. He's gonna end up like a lot of child stars and ruin his life.

[Red Baron 0]

Why did Michael Anthony get replaced in the first place?

[Vern Gagne 0]

Does Alex have any kids to take over lead singing duties?

[Darthtiki 0]

Why did Michael Anthony get replaced in the first place?

 

I think it was because Michael has been collaborating with Sammy and Eddie and Sammy have a ton of friction again.