From Eddie Van Halen being "falling down drunk" on stage, to David Lee Roth's stated reason for leaving the band (Eddie performing with artists not in the band) Van Halen has distinguished itself over the years by being one of the most dysfunctional (albeit commercially and critically successful) rock bands around.
Secret recording sessions, surprise impromptu public appearances, and wildly differing stories on a possible reunion are part of the FUN that Van Halen puts in dysFUNctional.
How Van Halen Got Its Name
They started out as a band called Mammoth. Oops! They hadn't noticed that another local Pasadena band was already using that name. David Lee Roth liked the way Carlos Santana used his last name as his band's name, and suggested Van Halen. That suited everybody except the Van Halen brothers, but when nobody came up with anything better, the name stuck by default.Why David Lee Roth Left
David Lee Roth was the band's lead vocalist from 1978 until 1985. During that period, the band produced several MTV music video hits, had its only #1 US single ("Jump") and saw its album 1984 peak at #2, second only to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Not coincidentally, Eddie Van Halen performed on Jackson's album, playing the guitar solo on "Beat It." Roth didn't like the idea of Eddie venturing outside the band, and decided to leave. That was fine with Eddie, who was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with what he considered to be Roth's "over the top" onstage antics. Why Sammy Hagar Left
First choice to replace Roth was Scandal's Patty Smyth, who promptly turned down the offer. Second choice, Sammy Hagar, lead singer for Montrose, fronted the band from 1985 until 1996. Although the band had its greatest commercial success during what is often called the "Van Hagar" era, many fans never got over Roth's departure. There was tension and conflict between band members, which culminated in Hagar's abrupt departure. He said he was fired. Eddie said he quit. No worries. The resulting furor set the stage for Roth to return, Hagar resumed his solo career. The Rise and Fall of Gary Cherone
Gary Cherone, who had fronted the band Extreme, was the fourth choice to replace Hagar. Roth had briefly rejoined the band in 1996, but the rocky reunion lasted just a few months. Mitch Malloy, a virtually unknown singer, was offered the top spot. He decided that nobody could succeed as the band's lead vocalist, and declined. The spot was then offered to Toby Jepson, who had fronted Little Angels. Declined. Fourth choice Cherone had the dubious distinction of performing on one original studio album, the band's last, in 1998. Secret Sessions
You'd think VH would have learned something after falling out twice with David Lee Roth. Not so much. In 2000 the band had several highly secret studio sessions with Roth. They recorded several new tracks. Surprise! They had yet another falling out, and none of that material was released. Eddie's Antics
One of the most talented and innovative rock guitarists ever, Eddie Van Halen is also among the most eccentric. In 1982, weary of constant conflicts with Roth, he approached Gene Simmons about the possibility of joining KISS. He has been a virtual recluse since the band's last reunion tour in 2004. Since then, his wife of 24 years, actress Valerie Bertinelli, filed for divorce, and he has recorded two songs to be used in a porno film. He has performed in public sporadically in the Los Angeles area: once with country singer Kenny Chesney at California State University, and once at a floral studio in West Hollywood. Eddie's Health
He has waged a nearly constant battle with alcoholism, had a hip replaced, and had part of his tongue removed due to cancer. He claims that a combination of "electromagnetic waves" in his recording studio and the effects of holding a metal guitar pick in his mouth caused the cancer. Thus, in a September 2006 interview with Howard Stern, he proclaimed that cigarettes did not cause his cancer, so he continues to smoke them, in close proximity to the remaining two-thirds of his tongue. Who's In? Who's Out?
Bassist Michael Anthony, a founding member of the band, said in an interview with Burrn! magazine that the Van Halens really didn't want him on their 2004 tour, and paid him less than the rest of the band. Anthony has toured frequently with Sammy Hagar, while repeatedly denying that he was being sacked by the Van Halens. In December 2006, Eddie announced that his son, Wolfgang, would replace Anthony as Van Halen's bassist. Conflicting Reunion Rumors
In September 2006, Eddie said he was considering yet another reunion with Roth. In November, Eddie's spokesperson/girlfriend announced that the band was preparing for a 2007 tour. Tour dates were scheduled, but the tour never materialized. In December 2006, Roth told TMZ.com that he hadn't talked to Eddie in two years, and suggested that a reunion would, most likely, result in "a NASCAR-style wreck or a Jerry Springer-like brawl." Earlier in the year, he said he had spoken with both Alex and Eddie "recently" and reported that a reunion was "inevitable." A reunion tour, without Michael Anthony or Sammy Hagar, finally materialized in summer/fall 2007. No Singer, No Label
All of the band's albums between 1978 and 2002 were released by Warner Brothers. In 2002, citing the lack of a lead singer, Warner Brothers dumped Van Halen from their roster. In 2005 there were rampant rumors that the band would find a new lead singer by way of a reality TV show like Rock Star: INXS. It never happened.
