# In 1996, Van Halen appeared ready for a reunion. Backstage, Eddie was ready to fight David Lee Roth

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1996-van-halen-appeared-ready-for-a-reunion-backstage-eddie-was-ready-to-fight-david-lee-roth/
- Published: 2026-10-26T20:26:39+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T21:39:17+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/fight-van-halen-reunion-show-1996/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- The original Van Halen line-up reunited publicly at the 1996 MTV Awards.
- Two new songs with David Lee Roth fuelled reunion hopes.
- Eddie later said a backstage confrontation nearly became a fight.

## Summary

Van Halen’s 1996 MTV Video Music Awards appearance reunited the original line-up in public for the first time since David Lee Roth’s 1985 departure. The band had recorded two songs with Roth for a compilation, prompting speculation about a full reunion, but tensions behind the scenes undermined that impression.

Eddie Van Halen later recalled being angered when Roth warned him not to discuss his medical issues, and said Roth’s manager had to stop them from fighting. The reunion did not continue: Van Halen later recruited Gary Cherone, while Roth eventually returned for a tour and the band’s final album, with Eddie’s son Wolfgang replacing bassist Michael Anthony.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.