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Given Van Halen's lack of activity in the years before Eddie Van Halen's death in 2020, it's little surprise that the surviving members of the band haven't got back together for the much-anticipated tribute to the band.
In a new interview with Rolling Stone, Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen addressed the hold-up with the tribute, suggesting that the idea lost steam this past winter due to one person in particular.
Wolfie refused to name names, but strongly suggested that both himself and his uncle, drummer Alex Van Halen, "would really like to do something" to celebrating Eddie's legacy.
"I would love to just sit here and say everything and say the truth," Wolf said. "There are plenty of interviews my dad did, where he straight up just said everything. And people hated him for it and thought he was lying. So I could just say s--t, but people have already decided how they feel about things, facts or not. So I can say the facts. But that may not align with how certain people feel. I know how Van Halen fans get. They are very motivated by which specific people they like in the band. And it's just not worth it. Just, we made an attempt, and some people can be hard to work with, and made it not happen."
Asked what he would say if people were to assume the problem was a certain singer, Wolf replied, "I would say, 'Do your research on the history of Van Halen, and come to your conclusions."
He added that it's a miracle that Van Halen pulled off three tours and a studio album while he was in the band, despite the personalities at play.
His experience as a member of Van Halen has had a major impact on how he does not want his own band Mammoth WVH to run.
While in Van Halen "there are some people that make it very difficult to do anything..." in Mammoth, Wolf says "there is no walking on eggshells and there is no personality that you have to deal with. It's just guys having fun making music and just having a good time. But, you know, from my time in Van Halen, there was always some stuff that gets in the way from just making music and having a good time. And, I think, that's what happened [with the tribute]."
David Lee Roth retired last winter after canceling his farewell concert residency in Las Vegas due to COVID concerns. While Roth has since suggested that his "first" retirement might not stick, he also suggested in one statement on the tribute concert front that P!NK is the only artist capable to delivering a classic Roth-like performance these days.
Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony and singer Sammy Hagar have insisted that they would happily take part in a tribute to Eddie, if they are invited.
Anthony told the Jeremy White and Mitch Lafon Show that he discussed the tribute last year with Alex Van Halen and Roth. He was unsure, however, on the current status of the project.