Alex Van Halen Reveals David Lee Roth To Blame For The Death Of Reunion Tour

In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Alex Van Halen confirmed the much-discussed rumors of a Van Halen tribute tour following the passing of his brother, Eddie Van Halen. The drummer didn’t stop explaining what led to the tour’s collapse, blaming singer David Lee Roth.

Rumors first surfaced in April 2022 when former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted revealed he had been invited to jam with Alex and guitarist Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony, the original Van Halen bassist, was reportedly also in the mix. However, according to Alex, Roth’s reaction to a key part of the tribute idea was the final straw.

“The thing that broke the camel’s back,” Alex revealed to Rolling Stone, “was when I said, ‘Dave, at some point, we need a very overt — not a bowing down, but an acknowledgment of Ed during the show.’ I used Queen as an example, saying, ‘They show old footage.’ The moment I said that, Dave lost it. He just popped a fuse… the vitriol that came out was unbelievable.”

A Fallout Over Eddie’s Tribute

Alex was taken aback by Roth’s refusal to honor Eddie during the tour. “I’m from the street,” Alex said bluntly. “You talk to me like that, and I’m gonna beat your fucking brains out. And I mean that. That’s how it ended.”

Despite the tension, Alex admitted he still stays in touch with Roth, but he’s left puzzled by the whole situation. Alex said:

“It’s like I didn’t know him anymore.
“I have the utmost respect for his work ethic, but come on, Dave, you gotta work as a community. It’s not just about you anymore.”

Spinal Injury Forced Alex Van Halen to Step Away From Drumming

Even without the drama, Alex wouldn’t have been able to participate in the tribute tour due to a spinal injury he sustained during a 2022 trip to a shooting range. He explained:

“The rifle kicked me on my ass and broke my back instantly.
“I spent a year on the floor, just staring at the ceiling.”

While the tour fell apart, Alex reflected with no regrets.

“On one hand, it’s too bad, but on the other, I’m okay with it. Playing the old songs isn’t really paying tribute to anyone. It feels like a jukebox. To replace Ed? It’s just not the same.”

Alex Van Halen’s Memoir ‘Brothers’ Arrives Soon

Fans of Van Halen will have a chance to hear more from Alex when his memoir Brothers hits shelves on Oct. 22. The book is a heartfelt tribute to his late brother, detailing their personal and musical bond. The audio version will even feature unreleased music from the legendary duo.

In Brothers, Alex makes it clear which version of Van Halen he considers the ultimate lineup, writing:

“The heart and soul, the creativity and magic, was always Dave, Ed, Mike, and me.”