Toto guitarist Steve Lukather has confirmed rumors that health issues are keeping guitarist Eddie Van Halen off the road four years after the band’s last performance.
“I love Ed and Alex; they've been friends of mine for 40 years,” Lukather tells Eddie Trunk during a recent edition of his SiriusXM program. “I'm still friends with Mike. I love all those guys. I'm Switzerland, man. I don't get in the middle of all that.
“I look you right in the eye and say, listen, I've been in contact with Ed. We text all the time. I really can't say much, man. I don't wanna say anything.
"Everybody wants Van Halen back - nobody more than me, 'cause I still think they're one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time," the guitarist continues. "Eddie changed the planet. Him and Alex are sitting there laying back and they're waiting to see what happens next. I think they're on a hiatus. There's been some health issues that they're dealing with and stuff like that. We're older guys now, and to go on the road, and stuff like that, it requires a lot of extra effort in terms of as a human being.
"All I'm gonna say is I don't think there's any drama issues that are keeping them from working right now. I'm not the guy to say anything. I love those brothers so much and we've always had a great relationship. I'm a big fan and also adore them as human beings."
Lukather’s comments came days before David Lee Roth told WRIF Detroit that he thinks “Van Halen's finished” and that “Eddie's got his own story to tell.”
Last December, Roth first hinted that Van Halen would reunite for a tour this year when he suggested the band would play a run of stadium dates that would have marked the first time their original lineup had regrouped to perform since 1984….with Michael Anthony confirming that he had been approached by band management on the subject.
As part of his treatment for tongue cancer in 2000, Eddie underwent surgery to remove a third of his tongue and he was declared cancer-free in 2002; in 2012, the rocker had emergency surgery for a severe bout of diverticulitis.
No official statements have been released regarding Eddie’s health status or Van Halen’s plans moving forward.
Declaring himself “the face of Van Halen from this point on”, Roth will launch a Las Vegas residency at the House Of Blues at Mandalay Bay Resort And Casino with a three-show run in January and a six-night series in March.
See also:
David Lee Roth says Van Halen is finished
Van Halen to release Japanese singles box set
David Lee Roth announces Las Vegas residency
Michael Anthony details failed attempt at Van Halen reunion tour
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
