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Yeeeee-haaaaw!!!!!

Anyone that knows me knows I’ve been waiting my whole life for this to happen, so image my excitement when I got the invite to today’s Van Halen press conference to shoot and take photos as the mighty Van Halen announce their looooon-awaited reunion tour with original frontman “Diamond” David Lee Roth.

And when Dave, Eddie, brother Alex and son Wolfgang strutted onto the Four Seasons ballroom stage to announce they are indeed back together and hitting the road, I had to pinch myself to make sure it was real. But it was very much real, and the guys seemed quite enthused to be sharing the stage for the first time in years together.

The Diamond One hosted the event and had the press in the palm of his hand, assuring us we won't believe how Van Halen sounds these days with Wolfgang in the band, replacing bassist Michael Anthony.

“Wolf brings a young energy and spirit to this that’ll knock you out of your socks,” Dave beamed proudly.

“He’s kicking all of our asses,” Eddie agreed.

“It’s all intact,” Dave assured us. “The same sh*tty attitude with an all new look. Stereo sound in high-fi style.”

Yup, they confirmed the band will do more than just a one-off tour, and talked of playing around the world and recording new albums. They described the group as a new band with old, familiar hits. Best of all, Dave and Eddie hugged and joked around like old pals, with Eddie calling Dave his “new brother” and Dave telling stories of loading gear into Eddie and Alex’s father’s car so they could back him at jazz gigs as teens. 

But it ain't all about old times and war stories...

"Meet us in the future, not the pasture," Dave cackled.

Twenty-five dates in all were announced today for the tour which is slated for a September 27th kick-off in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tickets for select dates on the tour go on sale beginning on Saturday, August 18th and are available on www.LiveNation.com.  

Fans can enjoy the ultimate Van Halen experience including concert pre-show parties, backstage access, premium seating and more.  For additional details go to www.iloveallaccess.com.

Fans are encouraged to also check in at www.van-halen.com or www.davidleeroth.com for additional information.

Above is the entire press conference, top to bottom. Below are the tour dates. Make sure to check out our photo gallery too!

Rock on, and see ya at the show!

North American Dates

Sep. 27                      Charlotte, NC                        Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Sep. 29                      Greensboro, NC                   Greensboro Coliseum
Oct.  01                       Philadelphia, PA                  WachoviaCenter
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                   TargetCenter
Oct.  26                       Kansas City, MO                   SprintCenter
Oct.  28                       St. Louis, MO                         ScottradeCenter
Oct.  30                       Boston, MA                            TD BanknorthGarden
Nov.  03                      E. Rutherford, NJ                   Continental Airlines Arena
Nov.  13                      New York, NY                         MadisonSquareGarden
Nov.  20                      Los Angeles, CA                   StaplesCenter
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