LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Despite a wobbly start and fears of
imminent implosion, Van Halen said on Thursday its first tour
with singer David Lee Roth in two decades grossed more than $93
million, a record for the rock band.
Van Halen played to nearly one million people during 74
arena shows throughout the United States and Canada, beginning
September 27 in Charlotte, N.C. and wrapping Tuesday in Grand
Rapids, Mich.
"We send our thanks to the countless new and longtime fans
that helped make this tour our most successful," Van Halen said
in a statement.
Roth, who left the band in 1985, rejoined guitarist Eddie
Van Halen and drummer Alex Van Halen. But it was not a reunion
of the classic lineup, as the brothers replaced bass player
Michael Anthony with Eddie's son Wolfgang, now 17.
The reunion was initially envisaged as a summer
amphitheater tour, but the trek was put off when Eddie Van
Halen entered rehab. Given the historic bad blood between Roth
and the Van Halen brothers, and concerns about Eddie's health,
there was plenty of skepticism about the tour's prospects.
But Eddie Van Halen, displaying a buff physique, appeared
to have lost of his prowess, while Roth was in fine voice. The
reviews were positive.
During a news conference last August, Roth said he expected
the band to embark on a new life as a recording and touring
entity. The band's immediate plans are uncertain, but the
statement said "exciting developments" were on the way.
(Reporting by Dean Goodman)
