Roth accuses Wolfgang of complaining about lack of attention onstage
The tension within the Van Halen family continues to escalate as David Lee Roth, former lead vocalist of the iconic rock band, unleashed a fiery rant directed at Wolfgang Van Halen, his former bandmate Eddie Van Halen’s son. In a clip that has since gone viral, Roth can be seen expressing his frustration with Wolfgang’s alleged complaints about not receiving enough attention during their performances.
Throwing out “two great dames” who were actually Wolfgang’s colleagues
During the spoof interview, Roth mocks the idea of nepotism in the band and accuses Wolfgang of complaining to everyone around him about not getting enough attention onstage. He then goes on to share an incident in which Wolfgang had two guests, who happened to work for his accounting firm, thrown out of a show in New York City. Roth emphasizes that these guests were not his girlfriends, as Wolfgang mistakenly believed, but rather individuals responsible for handling the paychecks and cash bonuses of the entire road crew.
Similar incident during the band’s last show with Eddie
Roth also recounts a similar incident that occurred during their final show with Eddie Van Halen at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. According to Roth, Wolfgang had one of his guests escorted out of the building, unaware that she was once again a financial representative for the band, carrying the paychecks and cash bonuses for everyone involved. Roth reflects on this incident as the memory of his last show with Eddie, highlighting the strained relationship between the band members.
A history of infighting within Van Halen
The tension and infighting within Van Halen have been well-documented throughout the band’s history. From creative differences to personal disagreements, the band has experienced its fair share of turmoil. Roth’s departure in the mid-1980s led to the introduction of Sammy Hagar as his replacement, but the animosity between Roth and Eddie persisted.
Reunion and subsequent controversies
Although Van Halen reunited in 2007 with Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, taking over as the bassist, tensions remained high. The band’s reunion sparked controversy, with original bassist Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar forming their own band called “The Other Half,” causing Eddie to dismiss them as a mere cover band. Roth and Eddie’s relationship never fully healed, as they struggled to find common ground.
The end of an era
Following Eddie Van Halen’s passing in 2020, Wolfgang officially declared the end of Van Halen, stating that the band could not continue without his father. Wolfgang has since embarked on his own musical career with his band, Mammoth WVH, releasing their debut album in 2021. Meanwhile, David Lee Roth reminisces about his time with Eddie, expressing his admiration for their musical partnership.
The Van Halen saga continues to captivate fans, as the legacy of the band remains a testament to both their musical brilliance and the internal conflicts that plagued them.
