By Jin Moon
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| Van Halen |
After being inducted in March of 2007 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Van Halen decided to go forth on a reunion tour with original frontman David Lee Roth and the rest of the Van Halens, including Eddie's son Wolfgang, who replaced Michael Anthony on bass.
Looking at the set lists of the reunion concerts, you will see a long list of hits, including "Runnin' With the Devil," "Hot For Teacher," "Panama" and "Jump." Diamond Dave's showy kicks and Eddie Van Halen swift guitar licks were in perfect form, while Alex Van Halen sported his signature white headband and pounded on the drums. Eddie Van Halen's son, Wolfgang, replaced Michael Anthony on bass, and the combination has been electrifying their sold-out reunion tour crowds in the fall and winter of 2007.
Though Michael Anthony may not be touring with Van Halen anymore, he has continued to perform with former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar. "I just want to have fun, be able to go out onstage and play and have a good time," he recently told Rolling Stone.
The California rock band first made their mark in rock history with their self-titled debut album in 1978. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen's innovative and speedy fingering brought playing the electric guitar to a new level that wowed critics and fans alike. Paired with the ironic showmanship of David Lee Roth, Van Halen quickly won a huge following that made them one of America's most popular rock acts of the late 70s and early 80s. This formation of the band climaxed with their album, 1984, which spawned the number one hit, "Jump," and other charting songs like "Panama" and "Hot For Teacher."
Seventies arena rock pioneer Sammy Hagar joined the band in 1985, following Roth's exit. Hagar's stint with the band lasted until the mid-90s through which they churned out hits like "Why Can't This Be Love," "Dreams," "Love Walks In," "When It's Love," "Finish What You Started" and "Right Now."
After Hagar left, Roth came on board again to record two new tracks on a greatest hits album. Van Halen then opted to record and tour with Gary Cherone, formerly of Extreme, for the Van Halen III album.
After years of rumors, hope and speculation, Van Halen's new re-formation is thrilling fans old and new as the band's legacy continues. "Wolfgang brings youthfulness to something that's inherently youthful," Eddie told Guitar World magazine. "To have my son follow in my footsteps on his own, without me pushing him into it, is the greatest feeling in the world."
