The Johnny Beane Podcast
19 Years Ago Tonight: Van Halen Launched the 2007 Reunion Tour!
September 27, 2007 — Charlotte, North Carolina. Nineteen years ago tonight, Van Halen officially hit the road with David Lee Roth for the first time since 1984! After more than two decades apart, Eddie Van Halen, David Lee Roth, Alex Van Halen and 16-year-old Wolfgang Van Halen stepped onto the stage at Bobcats Arena in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 18,000 fans. And Van Halen was BACK. The 2007–2008 tour went on to become the highest-grossing tour in Van Halen history at the time, with more than $93 million in ticket sales and nearly one million fans attending shows across the U.S. and Canada. Opening Night — Charlotte, NC September 27, 2007 Bobcats Arena, Charlotte, North Carolina 18,000+ — SOLD OUT David Lee Roth returns Eddie Van Halen Alex Van Halen Wolfgang Van Halen 75 arena shows across the U.S. and Canada More than $93 million in ticket sales The crowd looked like it had stepped straight out of 1984 — classic rock shirts, baseball jerseys and generations of Van Halen fans packed into the arena. But this wasn't just a nostalgia show. ⚡ The Setlist Hit HARD The opening night featured a barrage of classic Roth-era Van Halen, including: “Eruption” • “You Really Got Me” • “I’m the One” • “Everybody Wants Some!!” • “Hot for Teacher” • “Beautiful Girls” • “Little Guitars” • “Runnin’ with the Devil” • “Atomic Punk” • “Panama” • “Jump” And Roth was back in full-on Roth mode — leather pants, high kicks, screams, attitude and plenty of stage presence. One of the memorable moments came when Eddie slid across the stage on his knees during “Little Guitars”, coming to a stop right at Wolfgang's feet. There were also touching moments between Eddie and Wolfgang, including a kiss after “Dance the Night Away.” And Then There Was Wolfgang At just 16 years old, Wolfgang wasn't simply standing in the background. He handled bass and backing vocals, took his place at the front of the stage and quickly became part of the show — something that was especially remarkable considering the enormous shoes he was stepping into. The absence of Michael Anthony was certainly noticed by longtime fans, but the young Wolfgang held his own. The Moment Van Halen Fans Had Waited For For fans who had spent years wondering whether Eddie and Roth would ever share a stage again, September 27, 2007 was a historic night. As one concertgoer put it at the time, “Honestly, it was something I didn’t think I would see.” After years of rumors, lineup changes and uncertainty, the original Van Halen frontman was standing onstage with Eddie and Alex again. Van Halen was back. And for those lucky enough to be inside Bobcats Arena that night, they were witnessing the beginning of a tour that nearly a million people would eventually experience. September 27, 2007 — Charlotte, NC. 19 years ago tonight. Van Halen. David Lee Roth. BACK ON THE ROAD. #VanHalen #DavidLeeRoth #EddieVanHalen #VanHalenFans