Wolfgang Van Halen Discusses His Relationship With Van Halen Bandmembers

Wolfgang Van Halen is keeping the family name alive with his debut single “Distance,” which has topped the iTunes Top 100 Songs chart. Wolfgang who replaced Michael Anthony in Van Halen on 2007 for their reunion tour with David Lee Roth, shed light on the proposed “kitchen sink” tour, which along with Roth, would have reunited Eddie and Alex Van Halen with former bandmates Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony. Due to Eddie's failing health, the trek never moved beyond the conceptual stage.

Wolfgang was asked by Rolling Stone if he ever had a chance to discuss taking over the bass duties with Michael Anthony: “Never had too much of an opportunity. That’s kind of what that whole tour was supposed to be. And then it never panned out. I was really looking forward to speaking with him, and that hasn’t happened yet. I’m looking forward to the opportunity that I have in the future to speak with him. . . I’ve seen things he’s said (about me). He’s always been an amazing guy.”

When asked about what, if any, relationship he has with David Lee Roth, Wolfgang admitted, “Not too much. We’re cordial. But it was very business-related. Y'know, we were always cool, but we really only ever saw each other on stage.”

He spoke candidly about urging Eddie to enter rehab before launching the 2007 reunion tour with David Lee Roth: “I mean, that’s why I was there in the band in the first place. It was all for Dad’s health and his well-being. Obviously I wanted him to be as healthy as possible, so when the opportunity came, he actually was okay with going. He was like, 'F*** yeah, whatever we got to do.' I experienced a lot of life really fast. I think that might be a reason why you might get that vibe of me being older beyond my years, because I had to mature very quickly in order to handle everything. Everything that was being thrown at me early on in my life.”

Wolfgang was asked how his Uncle Alex is dealing with the loss of his father: “About as you’d expect. We talk every day, ever since Dad passed. Just checking on each other. 'I love you. Call me if you need anything.' Some days are better than others. He’s just got to go through it. . . He’s proud of (my music). Just like Dad.”

Back in the day, Eddie Van Halen told us that the last thing he would ever do is pressure Wolfgang into becoming a musician: “Of course, I'm just gonna expose him to everything, y'know, to all the music imaginable, and it's up to him whether he gets into it or not. I'm not gonna force him into anything. But who knows? Hey, he might become an attorney. I hope to God not, but (laughs) — well, actually, the world needs a good one, an honest one (laughs).”