The highly anticipated Van Halen reunion tour has been canceled, and according to Alex Van Halen, it’s because lead singer David Lee Roth refused to honor the late Eddie Van Halen during performances. Speaking with Rolling Stone, Alex Van Halen, the band’s co-founder and drummer, opened up about the internal conflict that unfolded after his brother’s death in October 2020. Eddie Van Halen, a rock icon and guitar virtuoso, passed away after battling cancer, leaving a legacy that fans hoped would be celebrated on tour. However, Roth’s resistance to a tribute became a deal-breaker.
During early rehearsals for the tour, Alex approached Roth about including a heartfelt acknowledgment of Eddie’s legacy, suggesting it could be similar to how Queen pays homage to Freddie Mercury. However, Roth’s reaction was explosive. Alex recalls, “The moment I said we gotta acknowledge Ed, Dave just… lost it. The vitriol was beyond anything I’d seen.” Disheartened, Alex sought advice from Queen’s Brian May on how his band balances performing while honoring a lost member, yet Roth remained firmly opposed.
Despite decades of collaboration, the disagreement left Alex feeling disconnected from Roth. “It’s like I didn’t know him anymore,” Alex shared, expressing disappointment in Roth’s unwillingness to support a tribute. “You gotta work as a community,” he remarked, reflecting on how the tour had ultimately become untenable without mutual respect and collaboration.
Reflecting on the tour’s cancellation, Alex has come to terms with the decision, explaining that replaying old hits would feel empty without Eddie. “Replacing Ed? It’s just not the same,” he said. Alex has since been processing his grief, sharing that his brother’s loss led to “oceanic grief” and a diagnosis of PTSD. Yet, he remains connected to Eddie’s memory, revealing that he occasionally feels his brother’s presence.
Alex Van Halen’s upcoming memoir, Brothers, set for release on October 22, will delve deeper into his life with Eddie, their music journey, and the bond they shared. Reflecting on his brother’s enduring legacy, Alex believes they accomplished what they set out to do together, concluding, “Wherever he is — he’s fine.”
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