From CNN.com:
Only Van Halen’s second lead singer, Sammy Hagar, and ex-bass player Michael Anthony turned up for their induction. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen has just gone into rehab and original lead singer David Lee Roth stayed away in a tiff over what he would perform.
From Billboard.com:
“Velvet Revolver performed in place of Van Halen and without Roth. Frontman Scott Weiland explained the ensuing controversy: “We were asked to perform. Kinda what happened was, he wanted to sing the song ‘Jump.’ We felt from an artistic standpoint, and I’m being totally honest with you, that it wasn’t a song we felt comfortable with. We don’t have keyboards. To bring a keyboard on stage wouldn’t work for us. We said we’d do “Jamie’s Cryin'” or “You Really Got Me,” and he was adamant that wasn’t okay.”
Dear Scott Weiland – you don’t get to tell David Lee Roth what song he sings at his Rock N Roll Hall of Fame induction!!! You haven’t earned it! You are a pathetic junkie – a junkie who should be down on his knees every hour, thanking God that he gets to be in a band with Slash. When Diamond Dave says “Jump”, you say, “How loud?”
Sure, but it’s also Velvet Revolver’s right to say that they don’t want to plya Armenian goat herder music. They haven’t been drafted to do this, they’re volunteering.
Do you think they only had five minutes to make the decision? I’m sure they had a few days where they could have arranged to have someone play keys for them. They’re all ex-junkies, by definition they’re resourceful people. I don’t care a whit about Velvet Revolver looking bad, but they disrespected Diamond Dave on his induction day. If he wants to play Armenian goat herder music, that’s his right.
See, here’s the thing. You’re right, DLR gets to sing to whatever he wants at his induction. Sure. But on the other hand, Velvet Revolver with a keyboard player would suck. If you’re going to do Jump, get another band to perform it. Heck, get one one of the many awesome Van Halen tribute bands out there.
yeah happy birthday
Happy Birthday!
Anyone who is still expecting anything other than a completely disappointing shitshow from what remains of Van Halen deserves to be disappointed.
David Lee Roth should get on his knees and thank God that Eddie Van Halen tolerated his pathetic ass for as long as he did, and that anyone other than myself and the author of this post read his stupid book. (Which, I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed despite the fact that my childhood dog was smarter than he is.)