Alex Van Halen Says David Lee Roth 'Popped a Fuse' at Idea of Eddie Van Halen Tribute, Ending Future Tour Plans

Mar. 15, 2025

David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen performing in 2015.Photo:John Medina/WireImage

John Medina/WireImage

Van Halen was all set for a reunion tour following the death of guitarist Eddie Van Halen — but singerDavid Lee Rothsabotaged the plans, according to drummer Alex Van Halen.

Alex, 71, toldRolling Stonein a new interview that plans for a tour fell apart after Roth, 70, balked at the idea of paying tribute each show to Eddie, whodied in 2020at age 65.

“The thing that broke the camel’s back, and I can be honest about this now, was I said, ‘Dave, at some point, we have to have a very overt — not a bowing — but an acknowledgement of Ed in the gig. If you look at howQueendoes it, they show old footage,'” he said. “And the moment I said we gotta acknowledge Ed, Dave f—in’ popped a fuse… The vitriol that came out was unbelievable.”

The drummer added that Roth’s offense at the idea of honoring the late Eddie, the group’s founding guitarist, upset him. A fight ultimately ensued, and the tour never moved forward, though Alex toldRolling Stonethat it couldn’t have anyway, as he was unable to play after he broke his back in 2022.

“I’m from the street. ‘You talk to me like that, motherf—er, I’m gonna beat your f—ing brains out. You got it,'” he said. “And I mean that. And that’s how it ended. It’s just, my God. It’s like I didn’t know him anymore. I have nothing but the utmost respect for his work ethic and all that. But, Dave, you gotta work as a community, motherf—er. It’s not you alone anymore.”

Eddie and Alex Van Halen in the backseat of a car in 1978.Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty

Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty

Alex — whosenew bookBrothers, which honors Eddie, is out Oct. 22 — said he and Roth had begun rehearsals for the doomed tour, and had thought about bringing in Joe Satriani on guitar and possibly longtime Van Halen bassistMichael Anthony.

The rocker said he’d even talked to Queen’sBrian Mayabout how to tour after the loss of a beloved band member, as they did the same afterFreddie Mercury’s death.

“It’s too bad on one hand, but it’s fine on the other,” Alex toldRSabout aborting the tour. “Because now, in retrospect, playing the old songs is not really paying tribute to anybody. That’s just like a jukebox, in my opinion… To find a replacement for Ed? It’s just not the same. The heart and the soul and the creativity and the magic was Dave, Ed, Mike and me.”

Van Halen last toured in 2015 with a lineup of Alex, Roth, Eddie and Eddie’s son,Wolfgang Van Halen, on bass. They hit nearly 40 cities in North America over several months of touring.

Rothannounced his retirementin 2021.

source: people.com