True, there were some false starts and setbacks along the way, but the just-wrapped Van Halen reunion tour ended up a huge success, with a total gross of more than $93 million and close to one million in attendance from 74 shows.
The tour featured founding members David Lee Roth, Eddie and Alex Van Halen, along with Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen. Although initially conceived as an amphitheater tour for the summer of 2007, the reunion temporarily halted when Eddie entered rehab. But it was resurrected as a fall arena run that stretched into 2008.
The tour was delayed again in March because of unspecified health issues for Eddie, then returned to the road in April to finish with a big bang. The shows marked the first time Roth had performed with the band in more than 23 years.
"We send our thanks to the countless new and lifetime fans that helped make this tour our most successful," says Van Halen in a joint statement. "We also send special gratitude to the tireless efforts of the Van Halen touring crew, Live Nation and the media, as well as opening acts Ky Mani Marley and Ryan Shaw."
By Joe Bosso
