Drummer shares curious details about the musicians who almost joined the band at different times
In his first interview since his brother’s death Eddie Van Halenthe drummer Alex Van Halen revealed that names like Ozzy Osbourne, Chris Cornell and Joe Satriani were almost part of Van Halen at decisive moments in the band’s career. The interview was given to Rolling Stone to promote your memoir, Brothers.
According to Alex, Osbourne was very close to joining the band in 2001. Alex and Eddie even met with the singer and his wife and manager, Sharon Osbourneto discuss recording an album.
When you have an Ozzy, you have an Ozzy. Play the song, he will sing, and it will be great.
However, plans were interrupted when Osbourne became involved with the reality show. The Osbournesreleased in 2002.
In an email sent to Rolling StoneOzzy confirmed his interest in participating in the band, and said that “If it had happened, it would have been phenomenal”. He lamented the fact that the reality show interfered with the production of new music with the Van Halen brothers.
Yes, we were discussing it,” Osbourne told,”is something that, if it had come to fruition, would have been phenomenal.
Eddie and Alex have been great friends of mine for a long time and it’s a regret of mine that we never got together. The Osbournes They hindered the creation of new music at that time, unfortunately.”
Another name that almost joined the band was Chris Cornell. Alex said that they played together in a jam sessionin which Cornell played bass while Alex took over on drums.
Chris was in a very fragile part of his life, so to speak…
I got behind the drums, and he started playing bass. We played for 45 minutes. This son of a bitch got so involved that he started bleed. I said, ‘This is the man you want.’ And then he died.
After the death of Eddie Van Halenin 2020, Alex and David Lee Roth they considered continuing with the band in 2022. The idea was to pay tribute to Eddie during the shows, however, the proposal generated friction between Alex and David Roth, who disagreed on how the tribute should be done, which ended up making tour plans unfeasible.
Alex shared that the plan was to bring Joe Satriani to replace Eddie Van Halen on guitars, together with the former bassist michael anthonywhich had been replaced in 2004 by Wolfgang Van Halenson of Eddie. However, health problems made Alex question whether this would be a “omen from the heavens” to not continue with the tour.
He suggested the David Lee Roth pay tribute to Eddie at shows.
I said, ‘Dave, at some point, we have to have a very open attitude — not a bow — but an acknowledgment of Ed on the show. If you look at how Queen do it, they show old footage.’
This suggestion generated an explosive reaction from David Roth. Alex recalls: “And the moment I said we had to recognize Ed, Dave blew a fuse. … The vitriol that came out was unbelievable.”
This disagreement was what halted the reunion plans.
‘If you talk to me like that, motherfucker, I’m going to blow your brains out. You understood?’ And that’s how it ended. It’s just, my God. It’s like I don’t know him anymore. I have nothing but the utmost respect for his work ethic and everything. But, Dave, you have to work as a community, motherfucker. It’s not you alone anymore.
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
