Van Halen Reunion Tour Dates Announced: "This Is Like a Brotherhood Like It Never Was Before"

(Click here for photos of David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen at today's press conference.)

One of rock & roll's longest lasting feuds came to an end today as Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth took the stage at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles, warmly embraced each other and announced the details of the long-rumored Van Halen reunion tour. Alex Van Halen and the group's new bass player Wolfgang Van Halen (Ed's sixteen-year-old son) were also on hand to announce the outing, which kicks off September 27th in Charlotte, North Carolina and runs through December 11th in Calgary, Alberta. More dates are expected to be forthcoming.

Fans and journalists hoping for Dave and Ed to get into some sort of tussle left disappointed. The two were all smiles throughout the fifteen-minute press conference. "We're getting along better than we ever have before," Ed said. Why was founding bassist Michael Anthony given the boot? "Michael Anthony is part of this band's history," Roth said. "This band has many alumni. I am one of them." New bassist Wolfie -- looking at tad uncomfortable under the media glare -- said he's a big fan of AC/DC, Tool and the White Stripes. "I can describe Wolfie in two words," Alex said. "DNA."

The group has been rehearing steadily for the past four months. When asked about the setlist Roth said, "We decided to do everything you'd expect, but make it high speed, low drag. Everything that got me fired from radio." The group nearly went out this summer, but decided to postpone it so Ed could head to rehab. "None of us wanted to give you less than our best," Eddie said. "We are at our best." Added Roth, "This is not like the Police. The idea is that this will go on and on and on. This is like a brotherhood like it never was before." Tickets go on sale this Saturday.

9/27 - Charlotte, NC (Charlotte Bobcats Arena)
9/29 - Greensboro, NC (Greensboro Coliseum)
10/1 - Philadelphia, PA (The Wachovia Centre)
10/7 - Toronto, ON (Air Canada Centre)
10/10 - Cleveland, OH (Quicken Loans Arena)
10/14 - Indianapolis, IN (Conseco Fieldhouse)
10/16 - Rosemont, IL (Allstate Arena)
10/18 - Chicago, IL (United Center)
10/22 - Auburn Hills, MI (The Palace of Auburn Hills)
10/24 - Minneapolis, MN (Target Center)
10/26 - Kansas City, MO (Sprint Center)
10/28 - St. Louis, MO (Scottrade Center)
10/30 - Boston, MA (TD Banknorth Garden)
11/3 - East Rutherford, NJ (Continental Airlines Arena)
11/13 - New York, NY (Madison Square Garden)
11/20 - Los Angeles, CA (Staples Center)
11/23 - Glendale, AZ (Jobing.com Arena)
11/25 - San Diego, CA (Cox Arena)
11/27 - Sacramento, CA (ARCO Arena)
11/29 - San Jose, CA (HP Pavilion at San Jose)
12/1 - Portland, OR (Rose Garden Arena)
12/3 - Seattle, WA (KeyArena at Seattle Center)
12/5 - Vancouver, BC (General Motors Place)
12/9 - Edmonton, AB (Rexall Palace)
12/11 - Calgary, AB (Pengrowth Saddledome)

• 
  MUSIC 100 Greatest Debut Albums
• 
  MOVIES 'Star Trek' Is Crazy Good
• 
  TV 10 Shows to Watch This Summer
• 
  POLITICS No Price Big Banks Can't Fix

Song Stories

“Tonight's the Night”

The Shirelles | 1960

The lead cut and title track from this girl group's debut album, "Tonight's the Night" was written by 19-year-old bandmember Shirley Owens, who sings lead, and producer Luther Dixon. The band from Passaic, New Jersey met in high school, first calling themselves the Pequellos. The song's frank thoughts about sexual and emotional surrender was racy for the time, but that didn't stop the Chiffons from cutting a similar version immediately after the original came out. "We were the first female group to write some of our own material," band member Beverly Lee recalls. "We did have some say-so in our writing."

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter