Loyal Van Halen fans are finally getting their wish. Van Halen will go on an extensive US tour this summer with David Lee Roth back in the saddle.
The mighty rock band kicked off their announcement with an exclusive performance last Monday on Hollywood Boulevard, just outside ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.
According to Kimmel, his show never had more ticket requests from fans than for this momentous gig. Thousands of lucky fans were able to witness the first time that the mighty rock and roll band performed live on US television with its original frontman.
.@VanHalen‘s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” concert: What you didn’t see on TV http://t.co/mPpZssklrc pic.twitter.com/ZP2Cln01Nv
— billboard (@billboard) March 31, 2015
Kimmel joked with the fans before the start of the performance, entertaining them while they chanted and called for their favorite band. The crowd then went wild as Diamond Dave, drummer Alex Van Halen, bassist Wolfgang Van Halen and guitarist Eddie Van Halen took to the stage and started performing Panama.
The guys started performing with the energy and enthusiasm they’re well known for, but a minor injury caused David Lee Roth to stop the action for a few minutes.
The rocker was twirling his microphone stand minutes into the song when he accidentally clocked himself on the nose with it. Forced to stop the performance, Roth addressed the crowd first before leaving the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I cut my nose on the microphone. I apologize,” the 60-year old singer said. He returned two minutes later with a bandage across his nose.
Roth apologized again and like a boss, promised that the band will give their fans a little something extra for their patience. “How do I look? Like f***in Hiawatha?” he jokingly asked.
The group then started playing Panama again before tearing though “Runnin’ With the Devil,” “Hot for Teacher” and their cover of the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.”
Van Halen’s long awaited tour will kick off in Seattle on July 5 before moving to Portland, California, Utah, Washington and a host of other cities before wrapping up in Los Angeles. Tickets will go on sale starting April 4 and are priced at $43 to $183.