David Lee Roth has issued a statement on the proposed Van Halen tribute tour that former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted let slip last week, followed by Joe Statriani doing the same on a podcast.
Roth says, "In my mind, ‘Van Halen 4k,’ in the age of COVID is going to require two of us for every position. Satriani and [Toto's Steve] Lukather, [original Van Halen bassist Michael] Anthony and Newsted, Alex [Van Halen] or Tommy Lee. Probably the only one who could do my job today would be Pink."
Along with the statement, which he sent to the Van Halen News Desk website, is what appears to be a new photo of him and Alex Van Halen.
We reached out to Alex last week but he had "no comment."
Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted broke the news last week, saying that he was asked to participate along with Alex and guitarist Joe Satriani. Satriani was asked about it on the Rock of Nations With Dave Kinchen podcast, and he said he's been talking to Alex and David Lee Roth about it for a year. Here's what he had to say: "For me, it was a terrifying, but I realized that it was something that would be a real labor of love for me. I was just so honored to take on the challenge. It's very complicated and all I can really say about is that if it does happen I know we'll make it the greatest thing ever for the fans and we'll all celebrate together, not only the great Eddie Van Halen, but the legacy that that band created -- the amazing amount of music and the goodwill and good vibes they created as a band."
Satriani added that he was surprised Newsted made it public since they were all sworn to secrecy. And, having played in Chickenfoot with Sammy Hagar, Satriani skirted around the question.
No word on who would play bass, but since Alex reached out to Newsted, that would mean original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony won't be part of it, nor would Alex's nephew and Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen, who was part of the band's last incarnation.