Lisa Scarlett of Classic Rock Magazine reports:
Wolfgang Van Halen has opened up about the possibility of a Van Halen reunion in Classic Rock magazine, and says that he’s no longer interested in the idea after experiencing “closure” performing his late father’s songs at the recent Taylor Hawkins tribute concerts…
…When asked by Classic Rock‘s Dave Ling asked about the reunion’s yo-yo-ing likelihood (WVH previously said he didn’t “see it happening” but later machinations were detailed involving the guitarist in the press, suggesting that he was going to be involved) he replies, “I think I already did it with the Taylor Hawkins tributes. I feel a lot of closure because my part of the show was a tribute to my father…”
…Wolfgang goes on to say that the Van Halen camp is “dysfunctional,” and therefore difficult to organize any large projects.
“When it comes to Van Halen and entities surrounding the band it’s unfortunate, certainly compared to Foo Fighters who have their sh-t together with inter-personal relationships” he says.
“I don’t know what it is with some bands, but certain personalities just can’t get over themselves to work collectively for one purpose – that’s been the curse of Van Halen for its entire career. So my playing at the Taylor shows delivered that catharsis without the stresses of dealing with the Van Halen camp, and the players involved. Their camp is very dysfunctional – everyone! – hell, it was difficult to make plans even when the band was active.”
Dave Ling also asks Wolfgang about Hagar’s recent comments in the aforementioned Rolling Stone interview, in which he admits that he’d “love to play those songs again.”
“He said that, but he also said he wouldn’t” says Van Halen. “Sammy said two different things. No… I feel that I’ve said my piece, and if the Taylor concerts are all that happens then I’m happy with that.”
Read more at Classic Rock.
To see Wolfgang performing Van Halen’s Panama and Hot For Teacher at the recent Taylor Hawkins tribute concert in Los Angeles, please click here.
14 Responses
It would be nice to see a proper tribute to the greatest guitarist of all time, but that will probably never happen! KI⚡⚡, GN’R, Aerosmith, I agree with Wolfie, NOBODY is more dysfunctional than Van Halen!
If that the only tribute to Eddie is Wolfe’s performance at the Hawkins tribute, and he has closure with that, then I’ll accept it. All the rest of the dysfunction can just keep squabbling.
I wish someone would get Wolfies back and get this tribute going for him . If you follow his social media his dads death is as fresh today as it was 2 years ago and rightly so . I think it`s just too emotional for him to get this going and needs someone close to him to just take the reigns and organize something . It`s pretty sad in many ways .
Ray,
I think I recall in past interviews, that Wolfie stated, that while many people believe his Dad was boss of the band, it is really Alex who is the decision maker. So, it should be Alex helping Wolfie, but he may be part of the said dysfunction.
Wolf is handling both his success and the constant social media attacks from idiotic Van Halen “fans” like an absolute professional. He tweeted yesterday that Classic Rock is using this tiny portion of his interview with them as click bait, and sure enough, it’s getting all the attention.
As for his actual comments on VH, for once, someone in the band’s camp is being forthright and objective about their dysfunctions. What I got out of the Hagar RS interview is that Alex keeps (and always has kept) a tight rein on what goes out to the public – the PR, any news, any remasters, etc. So while it’s easy for fans to point the finger at Wolf or Dave – or even Ed, none of us really know anything for sure. Most of what the public hears is some “source’s” conjecture.
Passing observation: It’s been insinuated by everyone – including Wolf – that the stick in the spoke preventing the tribute show from happening is Dave…and yet Alex has apparently made no effort to contact Sam instead.
Again, I think there’s a lot more to the story than any of us realize…
Dana,
I agree that Alex is part of the dysfunction, but I say Sammy, DRL and Micheal Anthony, are part of it, as well.
Like some family arguments where the adults are arguing and the kids are staring at it, scratching their heads. It’s a shame considering the second anniversary of his passing is Thursday.
Charles,
I am sure the dysfunction comes from every corner, but as usual, some are to blame more than others.
I agree, it’s a shame, that Eddie could not be honored the proper way.
Considering the band couldn’t even acknowledge and celebrate their achievements without dysfunction at their own Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, is it really any wonder that they can’t get past the same dysfunctions to honor the central figure in their band now?