(antiMusic) The worst kept secret in rock n' roll is now official with the announcement that David Lee Roth is back at the helm of Van Halen and the band are getting ready to embark on a North American tour. The band held a news conference today in Los Angeles to announce the reunion.This will be the first time that Roth will tour with Van Halen in 22 years (The 1984 tour). The group revealed that they have been rehearsing together for the past four months. The first 25 dates were announced today for the tour which will kick off on September 27th in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for select dates on the tour go on sale beginning this Saturday, (August 18th) through LiveNation.com.
Roth also addressed what fans may expect as far as the setlist and took the opportunity to poke a little fun at his short-lived radio career. "We decided to do everything you’d expect, but make it high speed, low drag. Everything that got me fired from radio."
This will not be a full blown reunion since bassist Michael Anthony will not take part, but the band will live up to the Van Halen name even more so because Eddie's son Wolfgang will be playing bass, joining his father and uncle Alex. “Michael Anthony is part of this band’s history,” Roth said during the press conference. “This band has many alumni. I am one of them.”
It also looks like the long running feuds between the members are a thing of the past (at least for now) as Eddie proclaimed during the press conference that "We’re getting along better than we ever have before."
They also addressed the delay in this tour which was expected for this summer but was postponed when Eddie went into rehab. “None of us wanted to give you less than our best,” Eddie said. “We are at our best.” Roth added and then took a swipe at another big reunion tour, “This is not like the Police. The idea is that this will go on and on and on. This is like a brotherhood like it never was before.”
Also of note according to a press release we were sent "Individuals who have the Citi® / AAdvantage® card, the official credit card of the tour, will be offered access to purchase preferred seats to all U.S. shows." and an all access site will offer fans "the ultimate Van Halen experience including concert pre-show parties, backstage access, premium seating and more." Details on that are available at http://www.iloveallaccess.com.
We know you want the dates and here they are (some more are expected later):
Sep. 27 Charlotte, NC Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Sep. 29 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
Oct. 01 Philadelphia, PA Wachovia Center
Oct. 07 Toronto, ON Air Canada Centre
Oct. 10 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
Oct. 14 Indianapolis, IN Conseco Field House
Oct. 16 Chicago, IL Allstate Arena
Oct. 18 Chicago, IL United Center
Oct. 22 Auburn Hills, MI Palace of Auburn Hills
Oct. 24 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
Oct. 26 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
Oct. 28 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
Oct. 30 Boston, MA TD Banknorth Garden
Nov. 03 E. Rutherford, NJ Continental Airlines Arena
Nov. 13 New York, NY Madison Square Garden
Nov. 20 Los Angeles, CA Staples Center
Nov. 23 Glendale, AZ Jobing.Com Arena
Nov. 25 San Diego, CA Cox Arena
Nov. 27 Sacramento, CA Arco Arena
Nov. 29 San Jose, CA HP Pavilion at San Jose
Dec. 01 Portland, OR Rose Garden
Dec. 03 Seattle, WA Key Arena
Dec. 05 Vancouver, BC General Motors Place
Dec. 09 Edmonton, AB Rexall Place
Dec. 11 Calgary, AB Pengrowth Saddledome