Wolfgang Van Halen has shot down a rumor that a new version of VAN HALEN could be assembled featuring him on guitar in place of his late father.
Last October, a rumor started to make the rounds via a Wolfgang Van Halen private group on Facebook that the VAN HALEN “camp” was discussing the possibility of the band carrying with a revamped lineup that would consist of Sammy Hagar on vocals, Michael Anthony on bass, Alex Van Halen on drums and Wolfgang on guitar.
In a new interview with “Terry Boyd’s World,” Wolfgang addressed the rumor, saying: “I think it’s rude of people to assume that. People view bands or actors or musicians as not really people like them, but just kind of a thing that gives them stuff they like. And I think if people sat back and realized that this is really…
“I just lost my father, and now they’re expecting me to take his job and continue to play in the band instead of being my own person, I think it’s really rude of people to assume something like that. I think it’s kind of selfish. If I have to deal with losing my father, I think other people can deal with losing a band that they really like… Some things just suck, and this is one of them. And I think if I can learn to figure out how to deal with it, I think other people should do the same.”
In last November’s appearance on “The Howard Stern Show,” Wolfgang said that “you can’t have VAN HALEN without Eddie Van Halen. I’m not my dad. I’m not going to replace him. I’ve spent my life making sure I’m not like him; I’m my own person.
“My dad, he’d be pissed off. He’d be, like, ‘What the f*ck are you doing? Go do your own sh*t.’ You can’t have VAN HALEN without Eddie Van Halen, in my opinion. Outside of maybe a tribute show at some point down the line, and archival releases further down the line, it’s done. You can’t have that without him.”
