ron(11495) | 10 Years Ago: Wolfgang Van Halen Joins Van Halen
By Jeff Giles
December 12, 2016 10:07 AM More than two decades after David Lee Roth left the band, long-suffering Van Halen fans finally got the full-time reunion they’d been waiting for. But Roth’s return came with another unexpected change in the lineup: the departure of bassist Michael Anthony, who was replaced by Eddie Van Halen’s 15-year-old son Wolfgang. The group’s new addition might have been young, but he was already very familiar to fans — both as a musical inspiration for his dad, who named the 1991 instrumental “316″ after Wolfgang’s birthday, and as an increasingly frequent presence in Van Halen’s music: When the band toured with former singer Sammy Hagar in 2004, Wolfgang contributed rhythm guitar. The group had always been a family band first and foremost, uniting Eddie and his brother, drummer Alex Van Halen, so adding another member made sense. Bringing Wolfang in at Anthony’s expense, however, forced fans to choose sides in yet another of the schisms that had come to overshadow’s Van Halen musical activity. A major part of the band’s trademark sound, Anthony was reportedly shown his walking papers because of his continued friendship (and musical collaborations) with Hagar — although in vintage Van Halen fashion, his exit was publicly treated as essentially a non-event. “Wolfgang breathes new life into what we’re doing,” Eddie told Guitar World in December 2006. “He brings youthfulness to something that’s inherently youthful. He’s only been playing bass for three months, but it’s spooky. He’s locked tight and puts an incredible spin on our s–. The kid is kicking my ass! He’s spanking me now, even though I never spanked him. To have my son follow in my footsteps on his own, without me pushing him into it, is the greatest feeling in the world.” Van Halen’s paternal pride was echoed by photographer Ross Halfin, who posted a Dec. 13, 2006, journal entry describing watching the new lineup rehearse. “It was jaw-droppingly amazing,” he wrote. “It was as exciting as the first time I saw them. They will come back and destroy the world. One of the tightest, freshest sounding groups ever. I want to go and play the first album as soon as I get home. Had a blast listening to them, it made me remember why I liked music in the first place. Having Edward’s son on bass has rejuvenated them.” Wolfgang’s arrival was officially confirmed Feb. 3, 2007, as part of a press release announcing the band’s summer tour — their first with Roth on vocals since 1984 — accompanied by a statement from Eddie saying he was “very excited to get back to the core of what made Van Halen.” Although plenty of fans were thrilled to welcome Roth’s return, many were unhappy about Anthony’s absence, particularly when he was temporarily airbrushed out of archival album artwork. Read More…
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evhua(1610) | …well, let’s see what happens next… in 2017…maybe something will happen… I saw Wolfie live in 2007… he did a good job ! in 2012..the record, was kind cool…in 2015..the tour was a blast…so…let’s wait, and see… 
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1986(17) | I am not a fan of Wolfgang in Van Halen. He is a talented young man and I know his Dad loves playing music with him, but it’s just such a mismatch on stage. They are old men and he is young man who needs to be charting his own course. Michael Anthony belongs in Van Halen.
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jroundy(1418) | 1986: I am not a fan of Wolfgang in Van Halen.He is a talented young man and I know his Dad loves playing music with him, but it’s just such a mismatch on stage.They are old men and he is young man who needs to be charting his own course.Michael Anthony belongs in Van Halen.
Maybe…. but I don’t think Ed will play if Wolfgang isn’t playing with him. No Wolfgang… probably no Van Halen.
The poor folks play for keeps down here…They’re the living dead. Nobody rules these streets at night like Van Halen!!
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Dave(2283) | ” When the band toured with former singer Sammy Hagar in 2004, Wolfgang contributed rhythm guitar.” Huh?
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guitard(7354) | Dave: ” When the band toured with former singer Sammy Hagar in 2004, Wolfgang contributed rhythm guitar.”
Huh?
Technically speaking … yeah. But it’s a definitely a stretch since all he did was come out and play a few minutes with Ed during the middle of the show.
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1986(17) | jroundy: Maybe…. but I don’t think Ed will play if Wolfgang isn’t playing with him.No Wolfgang… probably no Van Halen.
For me, that’s okay. I really don’t care to see Van Halen without Sammy and Mikey. I went in 2007 and Roth was a trooper, Wolfgang was out of place, and Ed was still teetering. I went in 2012 and the band was on fire, but Dave was horrific. Still Wolfgang seemed out of place. He has no stage presence. I went in 2015 and Dave was close to horrific and Wolfgang still had no stage presence. I’m just not a fan of VH IV. I am glad Eddie is healthy and playing well and I wish Wolfgang well, but Wolfie is no Mikey.
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VAiN(2777) | I wish 2007 Dave could tour with 2015 VH… it’s a shame they never got on the same page at the same time. The brief post-rehab 2008 run was probably about as good as we’ll get. I do give dave credit for actually learning some lyrics in 2015. But back to Wolf – he’s the real deal as far as talent goes. He has zero stage presence and that’s annoying all considering he’s in VH.
Resident dickhead. I will hurt your delicate feelings.
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Gilligan(1518) | I’m in the “who really cares who the bass player is in Van Halen” camp. I go to see Ed and the singer – preferably Dave. Mike would be cool for nostalgia and Wolf is cool because he’s family, but in the end I don’t really care. To my ear, the bass has never really been prominent in the VH catalog and the vocal harmonies argument is interesting, but not on my radar. I still contend his solo album will never see the light of day. If it does, he’d better call it The Chinese Democracy Vol. 2. 
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VAiN(2777) | Gilligan: I’m in the “who really cares who the bass player is in Van Halen” camp.I go to see Ed and the singer – preferably Dave.Mike would be cool for nostalgia and Wolf is cool because he’s family, but in the end I don’t really care.To my ear, the bass has never really been prominent in the VH catalog and the vocal harmonies argument is interesting, but not on my radar. I still contend his solo album will never see the light of day. If it does, he’d better call it The Chinese Democracy Vol. 2.
Agreed 100%. Once the show starts I forget who is playing bass and focus on Dave & Eddie.. I also think his solo album won’t come out on anything major.
Resident dickhead. I will hurt your delicate feelings.
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unchainedheart(1925) | The dynamic is way better live with Mikey,Wolfgang plays great but like Vain is saying he’s
) got no stage presence
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