Van Halen Announces United States Tour Dates
Van Halen has announced 39 dates for their 2015 United States tour. The highly anticipated tour will begin on July 5 at the White River Amphitheatre in Seattle, Washington, and conclude on October 2 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California. Representatives confirmed original singer David Lee Roth will be fronting the band.
As reported by USA Today, the iconic band will also perform on Hollywood Boulevard on March 30 and 31. Both shows will be broadcast during Jimmy Kimmel Live!
.@vanhalen announced their 2015 Summer/Fall North American Tour w/ @KWShepherd! More Info: http://t.co/JKii1BQ7jH pic.twitter.com/196iDo1Xek
— Live Nation (@LiveNation) March 24, 2015
In 2012, Van Halen attempted a similar tour. Unfortunately, the Different Kind of Truth tour was cancelled after the first leg. The cancellation sparked rumors about continued animosity between guitarist Eddie Van Halen and singer David Lee Roth. However, Van Halen said he and his band mates simply “bit off more than [they] could chew.”
“… we went on tour earlier than we wanted to so we could play Madison Square Garden… and that threw the schedule out of whack… Dave’s the same as he’s always been, funny, witty… Sometimes I can only take that in small doses, because he just goes on and on… But Dave always lands on his feet.”
The remainder of the tour was never re-scheduled, as Eddie Van Halen was forced to undergo emergency surgery for acute diverticulitis. Three years later, the members of Van Halen are set to return to the stage.
Ive got it bad, so bad… Classic video for “Hot For Teacher”! #TokyoDomeInConcert 3/31 http://t.co/3XKqJivo2Z #TBT https://t.co/MlDwoHy0dr
— Van Halen (@VanHalen) March 19, 2015
The three-month tour includes stops in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C. The iconic band will also appear in Ontario and Toronto, Canada.
Van Halen originally formed in 1974, and included guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, bassist Michael Anthony, and singer David Lee Roth.
The hard rock band became a worldwide sensation with the release of their self-titled album in 1978. With hits like “Runnin’ With the Devil” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” Van Halen’s first album sold more than ten million copies.
As reported by the Rock and R0ll Hall of Fame, Van Halen released more than 11 albums over the next 30 years. However, their first album remains their most successful.
Citing creative differences, David Lee Roth left Van Halen in 1985. Although the band replaced Roth with Sammy Hagar, they continued to enjoy great success.
Over the next three decades, the band changed members several times. However, Roth has returned to front the 2015 tour.
In addition to Alex Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, and David Lee Roth, the band’s current lineup includes Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, on bass.
Tickets for Van Halen’s 2015 summer tour will go on sale April 4.
[Image via David Becker/Getty Images]