ron(11783) | There Would Be No New Van Halen Tour or Album Without Wolfgang in the Band, Says Valerie Bertinelli
by: Matthew Wilkening 
Theo Wargo, Getty Images Since her ex-husband Eddie Van Halen so far isn’t doing any interviews in support of his band’s new album and tour, Valerie Bertinelli called into WRIF Detroit’s Drew and Mike show to talk about how the band, and specifically their son Wolfgang, is doing out on the road. The ‘Hot in Cleveland’ actress was proud to talk about her son’s skills — “Wolfie can definitely back up everything with his playing, you can’t deny that he is an excellent bass player and an excellent musician, his voice is amazing.” She also addressed Van Halen fans upset that her son took over founding bassist Michael Anthony’s role in the band, and explained it’s the only way Eddie would be making musical publicly. “I loved Mike too, I thought he was a really nice guy, still do,” Bertinelli explains. “But the only way this tour is happening is because Eddie gets to play with his son Wolfie. Otherwise, this tour wouldn’t be going on, it really wouldn’t.” According to her, the lure of playing music with their son is the main factor that convinced the guitar wizard to get the band back together: “This brings joy to Ed, and that’s what he wants to do now, just have fun playing. As great as Mike is, this wouldn’t be happening if Mike was still in the band.” She also has a message “for any of the fans that are truly angry that Mike’s not in the band… at least they get to see a version of the band. You’re getting to see Dave and Ed and Al play together. I know I’m a little prejudiced but.. my son kicks ass! And Ed’s playing better than ever, you’ve gotta give him that.” As to how the about-to-be 21 Wolfgang is doing on the road, well, shocker, “he’s having the time of his life. I try to tell him not to read the internet, but he reads some of the horrible things that people say, no matter what they’re not going to be pleased. I try to tell him, ‘you’re not going to please everybody, it’s impossible.’ Especially people who are so passionate about this band. But he’s having such a great time, I think those naysayer voices are fading quickly in the back.” She also revealed that her son has been taking lots of vocal courses — “he does his homework!” — and got his high school degree just recently after missing much of the 11th grade due to being out on the band’s 2007/08 tour. Did she have any words of warning for her former sparring partner David Lee Roth, about how to treat her child on the road? “No, Dave doesn’t need to have any words from me. He’s a grown man, he knows how to treat people. Everything with Dave is water under the bridge. I think he’s doing an amazing job. I run into him very infrequently, but when we do it’s always pleasant.” As to why she’s so friendly with her ex and his bandmates: “With age comes wisdom, I guess. I always choose to look at the good side. These are really great people. This is my son. I just want him to be happy. And this is a dream come true for Ed.”
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mrmojohalen(6468) | GOD BLESS WOLFGANG !!!
When you turn on your stereo, does it return the favor?
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JasonA(1118) | This pretty much confirms what most of us have suspected for a while. I wonder, more specifically, how much of this “new” VH public relations stuff is due to Wolf or Interscope – all the online videos, the change in recording policy for cameras; using fan sites to make announcements and disseminate info; the private media gigs at Cafe Wha and Henson Studios; changing up the setlists to include old deep cuts. All of these things were a big surprise for fans, and a big change in the way the band has operated. It wouldn’t surprise me if Wolf has had some input into this stuff too, and if so, THANK YOU!!!
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vhrob(1742) | nice article for sure. Glad Val still puts in her two cents. But again….. kinda just confirms what we all knew anyways. I am real happy that Wolf has been such a positive influence on Edward. Like Val, I also love and loved Mike all these years but if its a case of Mike being in the band with no album or tour vs. Wolf in the band with an album and tour…. uh, I will take the latter. Rob
vhtrading member since 2000
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Gilligan(1518) | Along with what you’ve said, I think the fact that they are not doing interviews confirms their commitment to the hardcore fans. Interviewers these days just try to stir up trouble and look for sound bites, so with no interviews all that potential drama is eliminated. Just look at the article above – trying to get Valerie to badmouth Roth. Stupid and unnecessary, but that’s journalism today. I’d love to read a lengthy Rolling Stone interview with the band, of course, but I can’t really see any good coming from it so I’m happy with their silence. Let the music do all the talking.
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kaloway(2021) | As if he will ever see this… open letter to Wolfgang….
Let’s start with the immediate, you are not Michael Anthony. I do not mean that in a bad way but it allows you to become your own musician (which clearly you have already done). I say that to remove the notion that you have shoes to fill. You do not. Van Halen is a band that members have come and gone. Sammy replaced Dave and created a new sound for the band. Gary replaced Sam and created a new sound for the band. Dave came back and lets say for a moment Mike was still in the band, it would still not be the Van Halen of <1984 because that band has come and gone. Evolution stops for no one.
Now we have a Van Halen that you are a member of. You have the ability and talent to bring to the band what no-one else can because of the musician you are. I want to add a statement that has the ability to reinforce what you mean to the new Van Halen: You being in the band has caused Ed to sound better than he has in over 10 years. Usually someone's talent will slow a bit or quality will diminish over 10 years but the proof is in the sound Ed is on fire and I relate that to you. F*ck the naysayers. F*ck the negative comments. You are part of something great and we the fans are loving every minute of it.
WHo knows what the future holds and who knows the future of Van Halen. All I know is as long as the band continues, I will still listen to it.
Rock on Wolfgang, you deserve to enjoy every minute of it.
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src(1646) | I love it,let Sammy do the interviews for them . i am only kidding.LOL
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guitard(7354) | As far as the band not doing interviews – they’ve got Dave. Dave keeps the fans plenty occupied with his videos – to the point where, up until the time I read this, I hadn’t even thought about “Why hasn’t Eddie done an interview yet?” It never crossed my mind. I suspect that the scenario is something like this: Person behind the scenes: Ed – we should be doing some promo stuff, give the fans access to the band. Ed: Fuck that. We never did it before and everything has worked out fine. And then the ONLY person in the world who could change Ed’s mind tells Ed privately…. Wolf: But Dad, that’s how it’s supposed to work. We need to be more fan friendly.
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src(1646) | Yeah i have been loving the ride.
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animal(788) | |
vhrob(1742) | you know the more I think of it….. Ed and Al not doing interviews and stuff…. at this point who cares. Daves back… we know it… he was back last tour so what are they going to talk about on that end that we dont already know. All the questions Ed and Al get anyways they have been answering for 30+ years so I am sure they are sick of repeating themselves. I dont blame them for not doing interviews. They say the same thing each time anyways… sorta… let Dave do the interviews. He likes it anyways.
Rob
vhtrading member since 2000
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sickman(2380) | I think that judging from the questions constantly being asked of Sammy is a good indication as to why they aren’t doing interviews. Could you imagine interview after interview just wanting to dredge up the shit of the past. Seems as if Eddie isn’t doing this to re-live that part of his past, he’s doing this to solidify the Van Halen legacy as going out on top.
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sickman(2380) | One other thing, can you imagine, having to miss the 11th grade because you are touring with Van Halen. That would make a great line in a new Fast Times at Ridgemont High movie!
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mrmojohalen(6468) | |
