Two popular theories abound regarding what exactly happened with the recently aborted Van Halen reunion: There’s the “David’s an ass to work with” hypothesis–which is based on the singer’s history of being just a wee bit show-offy–and the “Eddie’s an out-of-sorts dickwad” hypothesis, which has been given credence by this Page Six entry:
According to Rolling Stone magazine, it wasn’t just “ego clashes” between Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth – it was because of Eddie’s alleged “alcohol problems.” The magazine says group members at first “were thrilled about Roth’s first shows with Van Halen since 1984.” Former bandmate Sammy Hagar said Eddie “was drinking 24/7″ during the band’s 2004 tour. He’s not expected to attend when the group is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday.
This jibes with what we’d been hearing for years now, but still: Ooof. Could somebody please get this guy some help? He’s far too talented a finger-tapper to be lost to the booze.
BEHIND A BREAKDOWN [Page Six]
Yeah, I’m not even kidding. Hold an intervention or whatever necessary to get the man clean. Even if VH never tours or records again, I’d feel a lot better just knowing the guy’s somewhere out there doing okay.
The obvious solution would be to invite Michael Anthony back — he will definitely bring a bottle of Jack Daniels. And plenty of “Mad Anthony” Hot Sauce to go around.
This can’t be a surprise to you, Idolators. You’re the ones who tipped me to that trade-show video where Eddie was shilling the new Fender version of his Franken-guitar. He was so obviously shit-faced for that, and it was a morning event, if I remember right…
Geez, imagine if his son had gone on the road with him in that condition. The therapy bills would use up most of the poor kid’s take.
It’s pretty obvious that Eddie is a hardcore alkie — he’s aged 50 years in the past 20.
looks like a drunk hobo that jerks off on the subway in that photo….
I’m honestly no EVH fan, but to see such a talented guy go downhill like that is pretty sad. As is evidenced by the NAMM show he can still play, but one wonders for how long?
What a talent. I hope he gets better. Right now, Eddie will do almost anything for money. Assuming they paid him in money for this job.
Eddie needs to get help. He has is now doing this kind of job.
Yeah, they should get Clapton or some other influential sober dude to try to talk to him. He obviously doesn’t listen to anyone close to him.
He’s said several times that Clapton is his personal guitar hero as well, so maybe someone should give EC a call.
i have his IM, i’ll see what i can do.
http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/celebrity/la-et-…