Meanwhile, Eddie Van Halen was spotted at last weekend's Widespread Panic show in Berkeley, California.
Eddie was spotted by a site regular hanging with Lars Ulrich of Metallica!

And if that isn't enough Van Halen for one day - checkout this page for a good laugh: VH & Mr. T?

UPDATE:
I contacted Warner Bros. this morning, who were unable to offer any information or news on the apparent dropping of Van Halen.
However, I was able to make brief contact with Don Engel's office, who would make absolutely no comment, but did say that Don is not representing the band.

UPDATE:
The VHND has just received confirmation from Brad Starks, webmaster of the official Van Halen site, that the split with Warner Bros. is true and confirmed.
With Engel and Warner Bros. confirmed as now out of the Van Halen picture, there is one more big VH related story brewing. I hope to have details of this extra story confirmed in the next few days.

VAN HALEN LOSE ANOTHER PART OF THE MACHINE:
Yes, Van Halen have sacked another of their inner circle. As it stands right now, there aren't many left to let go.
Van Halen's long time tour manager Scotty Ross was given notice last Thursday.
Rod Poplin, friend of Scotty Ross confirmed Scotty informed him he is no longer employed with Van Halen. Scotty is happy and actively seeking employment.
Scotty seemed to be one fellow still remaining within the band's circle that was held in high regard. In fact, it was Scotty who kindly called me from LA back in February 2000, while I was dealing with my Van Halen hoax story.
All the best Scotty.
Van Halen now have no label, no singer, no tour manager, no management and an AWOL bass player.
As Grant Fisher at the essential VHND.com so aptly stated, "...it's no longer fun being a Van Halen fan any more..."
When will Eddie Van Halen go on record with news of what's to follow for the band?

Updated news from Michael Anthony on the project. From his website:
March 8, 2002
Things are getting pretty exciting these days. I thought you'd like to hear a little bit about two of the kick ass songs we've been working on, so strap in and check this out!
Vertigo has a slow, heavy groove and has Sammy's killer pipes all over it. Watch out for Neal Schon too, 'cuz this fucker be-a-shreddin'!
Peeping Through A Hole is a high energy song that will almost leave you pissed off by the time you're done listening to it because it's so intense.
I especially dig the killer drum work on this song, compliments of my man Deen Castronovo.
We're currently bashing out some more tunes and I can't wait to open this baby up full throttle. Ow!
Stay tuned for more, Michael

The hottest tip out of L.A. for this position is none other than Sammy's former band mate - Van Halen's own Michael Anthony.
Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have maintained their friendship over the years, despite Hagar's acrimonious split with the band he fronted for over a decade.
The only individual that has recently commented on anything related to the band's activities - Brad Starks, Van Halen's webmaster, was contacted for a comment, but had not replied at time of printing this.
It is understood that a legendary rock n roll manager is behind the super group's plans and is shopping a Studio Album and US Tour package to various companies.

The other rumour associated with this super group project is the possible inclusion of a second guitarist.
If so, the hottest tip from LA based sources is that the position was offered to and accepted by former Guns N Roses guitarist Slash.
Planning is still in it's early stages and there is as yet, no suggestions on the board for a name to the project.

Until a formal Press Release is made available, consider this group a work in progress. No one yet seems sure about the time line involved here either. But I hope full confirmation of the band's line up, plus plans for the album and tour will be announced soon.

Schon and Hagar have previously recorded and toured together, with the 80's supergroup HSAS, which was rounded out by Michael Shrieve (drums) and Kenny Aaronson (bass).
Interestingly, Hagar has also shared the stage with Schon and Castronovo on at least one previous occasion - as a special guest of Hardline, live in Marin County, California in 1992. As a show finale, they jammed on the HSAS track Top Of The Rock.

Neal Schon jammed with Slash as recently as last night in Los Angeles as guests of Bad Company vocalist Paul Rodgers. Slash and Schon both previously appeared as guests on Rodgers' Muddy Water Blues album.
Yet another odd connection between this group of musicians was the recent appearance of Slash performing Eddie Van Halen's famous guitar parts on Michael Jackson's latest TV special.
Neal is again scheduled to guest on stage this weekend - with Sammy Hagar live (February 2 & 3) at Konocti Harbor, Kelseyville, California. Tickets are available from the venue.

One big question is whether or not another guest - Michael Anthony - might also join the guys onstage?

As for Van Halen - speculation of their future has again been rife after news of the band's amicable split with Warner Bros.
Unfortunately, everything I have been told suggests another year void of activity for the band in 2002.
Despite the passionate fan base holding out for a re-union with David Lee Roth, it appears hopes of that happening are slim.
There are current rumours of a David Lee Roth solo summer tour, plus he is busy currently working on his own DVD release.

Van Halen's webmaster Brad Starks has gone on record saying the split from Warner is a good thing. That might be so, but in the short term it means that there will be little band activity.
If Van Halen - the band did indeed have material with Roth recorded, there is no way that Warner would let the band walk away, or refuse to release whatever was on offer.
Despite a short re-union with Roth in 2000, the band are yet to provide any proof that any music was even recorded. Had the opportunity been there to release a Best Of Volume 2, my personal view is that option would have been taken already.

Industry sources say that Warner Bros. and future perspective labels will not be interested in the band until a line up is formalised.
It has long been rumoured that Warner Bros. wanted either Sammy or Dave back in the band for a new album, but was not interested in making the band an offer for an album with a fourth singer.
With neither re-union failing to materialise, the band and label split on agreed terms. This upholds the premise Starks made clear earlier - that Van Halen was not dropped by Warner.

But all is not lost - even though it appears that Van Halen are without a contract and without a singer, the split with Warner and long time attorney Don Engel is apparently allowing Eddie Van Halen to building the band back up again from square one. Whether the new look Van Halen camp includes Roth, Hagar or a fourth vocalist is anyone's guess.
Whether there will be any kind of Van Halen release this year - Best Of Vol 2 or a compilation of unreleased material - and through whatever label - is once again up for debate.
But either way, it might be some yet until the next chapter of Van Halen's long and colourful career is opened.
c. melodicrock.com

Do I need to run through the obvious rumour only warnings for this material?

In case I do, please note that it is not my preferred practice to print unconfirmed reports - I do prefer to have some factual support, but as representatives for Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Gary Cherone, Sammy Hagar and Warner Bros. would not return any of my enquiries, I am left with only the rumours!

There is more news fresh in today though. I have heard that there are fresh attempts afoot to get David Lee Roth and Van Halen back to the negotiating table again.
BUT, if these current talks do not work out, the David Lee Roth solo Eat Em And Smile line up will almost certainly be back on the road and in the studio in 2002.

The consistent thread in the 'information' sent to me is that the band seemingly has no current timetable for any new release or tour. And despite several attempts over the months, they have not been able to yet secure a return to the band of either David Lee Roth or Sammy Hagar. These are apparently the obvious two options that have been looked at.

Ok, so here is what I have compiled from the rumours, hearsay, gossip and miscellaneous reports sent my way.
Take from it what you will and feel free to further investigate this and try and pick apart the information. Send me any updates and we might just one day get to the bottom of what is going on in camp Van Halen.

Van Halen - The Band In General

* Van Halen are NOT ready to call it quits.

* Eddie Van Halen would prefer to move on as a band and create something new, rather than go out on the road as a 'nostalgia' act.
Eddie though, is apparently itching to get back on the road and is looking forward to the point where this happens.

* SRO / Ray Danniels Management was fired the day Gary Cherone quit the band in October 1999. But a complete severing of ties between the band and management has only just been achieved. There have been ongoing legal issues regarding contractual agreements between SRO, Van Halen and Warner Bros. and those issues were only just finalized in June this year.

* Due to the above legal problems, Van Halen still do not currently have management set in place and have not had the right to hire new management until the above issues were settled.

* The band is now ready to choose new management. One source however said that management agencies are at the moment reluctant to look at the band until a line up (vocalist) is finalized.

* Lawyers for both VH and DLR have apparently once again been in contact with each other find out where each other stand. If there were no reply from one side or the other, it would appear the re-union would be doomed. $$$ and % share seems to be the major sticking points.

* VH1 have always had major interest in producing a Behind The Music special on Van Halen. To this date, this has been consistently refused, but recent rumours suggest the project is back on the agenda. A call to the VH1 Network by a good contact of mine received this quote - "They have not reached an agreement with the band to do one as yet..."

* My February 2000 Report: For the record, I am still no closer to uncovering the real identity of who called me. I still believe it was a set up (love conspiracy theories!), although have no idea why the Coverdale story was a part of that set up.
This report was the subject of a lot of contention and it's contents were later rejected in a phone call Scotti Ross made to me after I threatened to use the 'sources' name unless they called me.
Incidentally, Scotti got my phone number after I left it with SRO asking them to pass my message along. They obviously did so. This was in March 2000.
In July this year - only 2 weeks ago - and 18 months after the original set of calls came in, I was finally able to speak one on one with the alleged person who called me. They were not happy to hear from me, but his voice did not match that of the one who called and they denied all knowledge of the call and the information divulged.
Take the David Coverdale rumour out of the equation and the rest of the information remains a pretty good read!!

Eddie Van Halen

* Was asked to do a commercial for Cancer research. He declined based on privacy and personal issues.

* Looks a possibility to appear at the annual City Of Hope event in Studio City, Los Angeles.

* Eddie Van Halen lays a lot of the blame for the failure of VH3 on producer Mike Post. He also admitted songwriting was a big problem and is determined to see the band redeem themselves on both points.

* Eddie's cancer scare was serious, but apparently never the main issue in ongoing delays in new material being recorded. The lack of a singer is!

Alex Van Halen

* Is also reported to have also been in below average health over the past months.

* Could be doing a new promo for Paiste Cymbals.

Michael Anthony

* A couple of reports suggest that he is working on an all new bass sound for the next record, whatever form that record should take and whenever it happens.

Sammy Hagar

* Sammy has apparently been approached several times to hang out with the band and has so far declined. It must be noted though - there have been no formal offers. Sammy, however, at this stage, has repeated several times that he is quite happy as a solo artist and will continue doing that. He is also still looking for an apology from Eddie and Alex Van Halen.

* A new item sent to me suggests that the Sammy Hagar era Van Halen records have now been re-mastered. One rumour suggested these could have been released in November. But a new opinion is that these remasters will not be released until after the next studio album is released. This could be due to the fact the release of the Dave era albums caused no end of speculation about his imminent full time return to the band. The band do not want to repeat this by issuing the Sammy era albums right now.

* Sammy continues to call the studio and has done over the past few years, keeping in touch with Michael Anthony and other contacts in the VH camp.

* Sammy basically confirmed these details himself in a recent interview on US radio station KSHE95.

David Lee Roth

* What ever Dave does next - Dave wins. He can't lose! Well, that's what I think anyway...
His public profile is once again huge and interest in him as an artist is at a 10 year high. The expectation of his fans is that he will join Van Halen, but if he doesn't - for whatever reason - there are going to be several projects and many offers waiting for him to consider.

* Dave has been busy setting up a Plan B - the VH back-up plan to be considered if the re-union doesn't come together. He has planned to get his classic Eat 'Em And Smile band line up back together and that looks positive.
Billy Sheehan, Steve Vai and Gregg Bissonette are all ready to do so. This could happen in 2002. 50/50 I am told from another 'source'.
Billy Sheehan's schedule looks to be clearing up - see breaking news story below!

* Billy Sheehan, Gregg Bissonnette and Steve Vai have all talked to Dave on the EEAS subject.

* It is rumoured from one source that Electra Records have offered David Lee Roth a solo album deal with substantial promotional backing, if the album includes the above line up. Elektra is closely monitoring the feedback and success of Dave's current solo tour. If all is a success, a multi-album deal could go through. Remember, rumour only folks!

* Another rumour is that David was given the lyric rights to the three tunes recorded by Van Halen in their brief re-union last year. In line with the above rumour, Electra apparently have expressed interest in including these three songs as part of the Dave solo deal, naturally to be re-recorded by the band featured on the solo album. One source I asked dismissed this immediately.

* Roth initially gathered his band back together because he was tired of waiting and hopes to push his cause with good reviews from the gigs.

* But apparently, Van Halen were not pleased to see Dave out on his own solo tour.

* Dave has continued to keep his options open and is still working with other people in case the VH reunion flops.

* A hot rumour says Dave was paid a non-refundable retainer for the Van Halen sessions mid last year.

* Dave has maintained his silence in the whole affair in hope of the re-union still going ahead. Any negative comments from him would kill the project instantly.

* One rumour sent to me suggested that Dave wanted a 50% stake in the re-union after the 1996 bungling, with Eddie apparently offering 35%!
But, this issue went unsettled. I would love to confirm or deny this one, but it's pure hearsay.
These figures could also relate to any offer the band have made Sammy, as another source suggested to me, but these are the figures being gossiped about by some in the music industry.

Gary Cherone

* The former lead singer is now completely out of any legal dealings or wrangles with band or former management. Apparently this was only settled in June of this year.

* Gary was asked to forgo his rights to songs in progress that would have been the next Van Halen record. That includes apparently 7 or 8 songs. Apparently this was rejected, with one song titled Left For Dead, under consideration for Gary's new project.

* There was consideration given to Tribe Of Judah supporting Sammy Hagar on tour, but this has since been scuttled.

* Gary Cherone's new band, Tribe Of Judah (also featuring Mike Mangini & Pat Badger, both ex-Extreme members) has four mp3's free for the downloading at the following link: TOJOnline.com

* Gary is now being managed by ex-Extreme drummer Paul Geary.

Warner Brothers

* I was told the band has NOT been dropped from the label, but still DOES NOT have an official recording contract with the label.
However, Warner Bros. will get first option on the band's next album.

* There have been no deadlines from Warner for a new album, as the label have no say in the matter at all, due to the fact there is no current recording contract.
However, the next album is likely to be a big deal, so they retain very interested in developments.

* Apparently, the label did indicate that they wanted either Sammy Hagar or David Lee Roth back in the band for the next studio album. It appears rumours that Warner requested the next album to feature Sammy or David, or the band will be free to shop for a new deal...were true.

Producers

* Andy Johns is the very latest producer rumoured to be involved with the band.
His name is linked with rumours that Sammy Hagar is working with the band with Andy is overseeing this. Thus far totally unconfirmed, but I will be interviewing Andy next week on this topic and his entire production career.

* Ted Templeman is not now, nor has never been involved in the new VH project. I am sorry to be one of many that repeated this rumour last year.
He is no longer a Warner Bros employee and hasn't been for some years now. He has been totally uncontactable.

* Mike Clink was another name briefly mentioned several months ago...to no confirmation.

* But Glen Ballard apparently would like to be involved!

* Bob Rock is another name connected with helping out the band at some stage/s and again, has gone completely unconfirmed.

Other Miscellaneous Characters

* Apparently Pantera are interested in covering Van Halen's Everybody Wants Some as a possible album track or B-Side for their next album. Time will tell on that one...

* The upcoming Kiss box set will include a version of Christine Sixteen that featured Eddie Van Halen on guitar.
The box set it due later this year or early in 2002, so details should be available for this soon.

* The much loved Van Halen cover band Atomic Punks want to record a CD.
The interesting and exciting part of this news is that all the songs considered for this album are old unreleased David Lee Roth era Van Halen songs.
The band have recently recorded a demo to shop to perspective record labels.
But The Punks need Van Halen's official approval for the use of these songs, but that hasn't come.
My source for this information has Alex Van Halen on record as saying "We're not dead yet, so, why would we want this record out on the streets?"
The project remains in limbo...

* Michael Austin, son of Mo Austin - someone intrinsically involved with the band in the past - was rumoured to be a part of the new re-union. I was able to contact Michael, now working for Dreamworks, who kindly e-mailed me a reply that said he has nothing to do with the band or their current plans.

That's it on the rumours for now. If you choose to repeat these above points - please remember that they are rumours only at this stage! I am just repeating what rumours I have been sent over the last few months...

VAN HALEN UPDATE:
Just wanted to let you know there is one more Van Halen update coming. It's a follow up to my last big rumors report, with a few new details coming to light.
It's also likely to be the last one for several months, based on this new info.
I know many will be thinking that's a good thing!

TALES OF A TWISTED BAND:
Surfers of the Van Halen fans sites will be familiar with this item, but for the rest of you not quite sick of the band, this is fantastic for a laugh....
Brilliantly written and conceived by Lance Watts and beautifully illustrated by fellow Aussie Garth Jones, Strange and Twisted Tales distills the entire Van Halen universe and all it's inhabitants into the most entertaining book ever written about the world's greatest rock band. It's a must-have for fans and collectors.
The guys put together this Press Release:
These days, it's tough to be a Van Halen fan. After the failed David Lee Roth reunion in 1996, the mercifully brief reign of frontman, Gary Cherone and Edward Van Halen's alleged battle with cancer - the future of Van Halen has remained uncertain.
Van Halen fans finally have a reason to rejoice. Crank Farm Comics, an independent publishing company located in Portland, OR, has released a new illustrated book, entitled Van Halen Strange & Twisted Tales. The book is an epic parody of the entire history and future of Van Halen. Nothing is sacred and no band member (past or present) is left un-skewered. The book also features a hilarious glimpse at the much anticipated Van Halen/Roth reunion.
To order a copy of Van Halen Strange & Twisted Tales, visit www.crankfarm.com. At just $9.95 (US) no Van Halen, Sammy Hagar or David Lee Roth fan should be without one.

• Van Halen with David Lee Roth
• Greatest Hits Volume 2
• The Summer Tour
• Why Sammy Said No
• The Next Van Halen Vocalist?
• The DLR Band

VAN HALEN WITH DAVID LEE ROTH:
David Lee Roth is to reunite with Van Halen under the moniker Van Halen with David Lee Roth but don't expect this to be permanent, this will be very much on a trial basis. The band is still looking for a permanent singer but has finally given in to label and fan pressure to reunite with their original lead singer.
No contracts have been signed and no agreements reached but the following has happened. The band has been meeting with Roth and they have jammed together. They have also been working on song ideas. However, contrary to other reports nothing has been recorded yet. The title Van Halen with David Lee Roth is one the band is reluctant to adopt but feel it best fits the situation. They are not welcoming David back permanently but as a transitory member only.

It seems the idea of recording a full album of new material with Roth is not want the band want to do. They feel any material with Roth may not be strong enough and would rather move on than go backwards.
Their first choice for vocalist was to have Sammy Hagar rejoin. They feel his songwriting ability is a major strength. The band felt they could have picked up where they left off with Hagar but unfortunately Warner Bros. were firmly in favor of a reunion with Roth.
There is major pressure from the label for an album and tour with Roth.
The guys love touring and know that a big tour would be very successful.
I have been told from another source that Warners will put up big bucks if this tour was to get off the ground.

Eddie Van Halen is on record as saying that Van Halen is not a nostalgia band and wouldn't want to do a nostalgia trip. But to most it does seem inevitable this tour will happen.
Sammy Hagar was interested in rejoining but would rather see the fans and the label get over the whole Dave reunion thing before he could even contemplate further talks. He is also extremely happy with what he is doing now.
Warner Bros proposed a dual Sammy Hagar and David Lee Roth tour but Hagar rejected this immediately.

GREATEST HITS VOLUME 2:
Current plans for Van Halen with David Lee Roth do not include a full new studio album. Instead what is being prepared for release is Greatest Hits Volume 2, which will once again include 2 newly recorded tracks with Roth.

These 2 new songs will come from work the band had already started with Gary Cherone before his departure. Roth is contributing song ideas.
No recordings have taken place and a producer has not even been selected.
Danny Korchmar who was working with the band most recently and prior to Gary's departure will not be involved. A possible producer is Glenn Ballard who last worked with the band on the 2 new tracks that were added to Greatest Hits Volume 1.

THE SUMMER TOUR:
The planned tour will be to support Greatest Hits Volume 2. The tour will go under the before mentioned name Van Halen with David Lee Roth. I have been informed it is at this point the band intends to let David Lee Roth go.
There are also contingency plans in place should the relationship with Roth deteriorate mid tour.

Van Halen's future from this point is so far undecided but several ideas are being discussed. In order to explain the options we need to take a step back to Gary Cherone's departure.

WHY SAMMY SAID NO:
After Cherone left the band, Sammy Hagar was approached but due to label pressure and their dual tour idea, Sammy declined. The band then began their search for a new vocalist. The band talked with several singers before giving into label pressure for the current David Lee Roth reunion. Talks took place between the band and Billy Squier, Chris Cornell of Soundgarden and even Sass Jordan. The band was looking for a vocalist with a solid reputation and past history yet who were not involved in anything at present.
Other singers talked about but never contacted include Eric Martin (Mr. Big), Patty Smyth, Mitch Malloy, Johnny Gioeli (Hardline), Louie Merlino (Beggars & Thieves) and Danny Bowes of Thunder. The rumored Sebastian Bach link was false.

There is only one singer the band have met with and written and recorded any songs.

THE NEXT VOCALIST:
That brings us now to the bands current options. With the tour to support Greatest Hits 2 over there are two thoughts.
One is to record an all new studio album with a new lead singer, or the return of Sammy Hagar.
The second option is to record an album with multiple vocalists.

This is something that was previously touted, as this would allow the band to feature several vocalists at once and gauge fan reaction to each.
The feeling is should one of these vocalists make a specific impact with the fans then they would be the frontrunner for the permanent vocalist position.
Other possible vocalists for the project include the already mentioned Billy Squier, Sass Jordan and Sammy Hagar.

The band is in no way contemplating retirement and would like to settle the vocalist position. The fans and the label are all currently backing David Lee Roth but the band feel it would all be for show and are not totally comfortable with the idea of touring with him.

THE DLR BAND:
Meanwhile, a source within the DLR Band camp confirmed they are still booked to play some live dates in April/May and are scheduled to record a new studio album later this year. Van Halen are aware of these arrangements.