Recently, radio personality Eddie Trunk hinted on his SiriusXM show that legendary rock band Van Halen would be embarking on a 2019 stadium tour featuring their original lineup. These rumors picked up steam on the back of Van Halen vocalist David Lee Roth’s comments from an interview with Vulture earlier this year. During this interview, Roth was quoted as saying that the band would “come back through town in the summertime and do the original thing, maybe somewhere sportin', maybe with somebody famous….”
Trunk elaborated that he had been hearing “rumblings” throughout the industry that original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony would be joining the band on this supposed stadium tour. While Trunk continually reminded listeners that these were simply rumors, something the world of Van Halen has never been short of, many fans were overjoyed at the thought of the original lineup coming back to play in 2019.
Unfortunately for these fans, Michael Anthony himself seemed to shut down these rumors on Wednesday, December 26th. Anthony said to Premiere Radio Networks, “The only comment I have is that I haven't spoken to any of the guys since we last played together back in 2004.”
While there is still potential that Anthony is simply trying to throw the scent off of his trail and he will indeed be rejoining the iconic rock band that he helped bring to worldwide superstardom, it is growing increasingly unlikely that he will be returning. Anthony has not played with Van Halen since 2004, after which he was replaced by guitarist Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang Van Halen.
While nothing has been confirmed, fans can continue to hold out hope for more opportunities to see the classic rock band in their element and to pick up a new Van Halen concert t-shirt, whether Michael Anthony is there or not.