Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth Scheduled for TED Talk
Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth, former bandmates from the legendary rock group Van Halen, are set to reunite for a TED Talk this Thursday evening in Fargo, North Dakota. This marks their first public appearance together since the band disbanded following the death of guitarist Eddie Van Halen in 2020.
The event, part of the TEDx Fargo series, isn’t positioned as a musical performance. Instead, it will feature a discussion on topics related to music, art, and creativity, involving not just the two rock legends but also the artist Robert Varga.
Van Halen rose to fame largely due to hit songs from the Roth era, including “Panama,” “Jump,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” and “Hot for Teacher,” which were all released between 1978 and 1984.
The last time Alex and Roth were publicly seen together was back in 2015, during a live performance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, which was part of their last tour for the album “A Different Kind of Truth.”
Even though they’ve been apart publicly, Alex and Roth’s friendship appears to remain intact.
Following Eddie’s passing, both musicians have kept themselves busy with solo endeavors. Alex, for instance, published a book in 2024 titled “Brothers,” which chronicled his life with Van Halen, including his upbringing and the band’s dynamics, culminating in 1984 when Roth departed. Meanwhile, Roth has been more visible, recently touring under the title “Don’t Love Me, Rent Me” but facing challenges such as cancelled shows reportedly due to low ticket sales. His final performance of this tour is set for August 7 at Sturgis Buffalo Chip in South Dakota.
The TEDx event is part of a two-day series featuring a range of speakers, including entertainers, former military personnel, athletes, and others.
Formed in 1972, Van Halen featured Eddie, Alex, Roth, and Michael Anthony on their eponymous 1978 debut album. Anthony continues to tour with Roth’s successor, Sammy Hagar, who recently extended an invitation to Roth to join him on the road after learning about his cancelled tour dates.
Eddie Van Halen passed away from throat cancer in 2020. His son, Wolfgang Van Halen, now performs with his own band, Mammoth, and contributed to the last Van Halen album.
