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Alex Van Halen: Roth Was First Call After Eddie's Death
4 Aug
Summary
- Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth reunited publicly for the first time since 2015.
- Roth reportedly clashed with Alex over plans to acknowledge Eddie Van Halen.
- Alex identified Roth as his first call following Eddie's death.
Drummer Alex Van Halen shared that David Lee Roth was the first person he contacted following the death of his brother, Eddie Van Halen. This revelation comes as the former bandmates made their first public appearance together since 2015 at a TEDxFargo event on July 30. The conversation, focusing on art and creativity, will be released on YouTube soon.
The pair's appearance marked their first joint stage event since Van Halen's final concert in October 2015. Alex recounted how reunion tour discussions after Eddie's 2020 death disintegrated when Roth objected to the idea of a tribute to the guitarist during shows.
Alex expressed frustration over Roth's strong negative reaction to acknowledging Eddie, stating it led to a significant argument. He also reflected on Roth's 1985 departure from the band, which he described in his 2024 book 'Brothers' as feeling like "treason," though he emphasized his respect for Roth's work ethic and the band's collective strength.
Roth, who had announced retirement in 2021 but returned to performing, has had a fluctuating performance schedule, canceling several recent dates. This public appearance with Alex suggests a potential shift in their relationship following years of distance.
