Did David Lee Roth Block The Van Halen Tribute Shows?

Wolfgang Van Halen is dropping some serious hints about what went on behind the scenes when Van Halen’s final studio album, A Different Kind of Truth (2012), vanished from streaming platforms... and why the Van Halen tribute shows never happened.

In a recent interview with Paul Cashmere of Noise11, Wolfgang reflects. Wolfgang talked about how he dredged up decades-old demos. He worked alongside his father to resurrect songs that never made the cut in the ’70s. Wolfgang calling the fact the album got made at all “a miracle.” He underscores how much work it took, how careful he was to preserve the spirit of those early demos.

But the real charge: Why was it pulled from streaming? Wolfgang said in another interview that the contract to keep it on streaming expired. The delay in bringing it back was intentionally prolonged. “There are some people involved who do not like that record. They are not making it easy to get it back up there.” When pressed if one of those people is David Lee Roth (aka D.L.R.), Wolfgang answered: “Probably… he doesn’t like it and he’s not working with us to get it back up there.”

The final Van Halen album did return to streaming, but it took the better part of two years. The album was removed in October of 2022 and returned to streaming in June of 2024.

Wolfgang also broached the long-rumored Van Halen tribute concert that never happened. He’s alluded before, in a Rolling Stone interview, that although attempts were made, certain key personalities "make it very difficult to do anything when it comes to Van Halen." Wolfgang also said he doesn't like speaking negatively about people, but “some people … make it not happen.”

To be clear: Wolfgang isn’t flat-out saying David Lee Roth killed the streaming deal or tribute plan. He chose his words carefully in familiar rock dynamics: “some people involved,” contractual quirks, artistic disagreements. When asked if a singer with three initials is at the heart of it, he notably replied, “Do your research … come to your conclusions.”

Will there ever be an official, large-scale tribute to Eddie Van Halen? It seems like the time has sadly passed at this point. In the meantime, Mammoth's latest single and its video seem to be directed in the direction of DLR. St the very least, Wolfgang has grudges of some nature against David Lee Roth... stemming from the way David treated Wolfgang when he was younger. Listen to the song... watch the video... come to your conclusions.

Seems like more shots fired to me.