Rock icon Eddie Van Halen is baffled by former band mate Michael Anthony's allegation he was fired from Van Halen - insisting the bassist left of his own accord.

Anthony claims he found out on the internet that he had been excluded from the band's 2007 reunion and replaced by Van Halen's own teenage son Wolfgang. But Van Halen insists Anthony jumped long before Wolfgang was hired.

He tells MetalHammer.co.uk, "The funny thing is that everyone who quits the band always claims they got fired by me. Hey, I'm not the bad guy here. When (Sammy) Hagar left the band, Mike (Michael Antho...

Hard-living Motorhead star Lemmy insists no one will ever be able to top Jimi Hendrix's rock star credentials - because he was the best guitarist, drug user, womanizer and sex soldier the world has ever known.

The Ace of Spades hit-maker worked as Hendrix's roadie and drug dealer in 1967 - and still revels in tales of the late guitar great's debauchery. Lemmy says, "I'd score acid for him. I'd get 10 tabs, and he'd take seven and give me three, which I thought was very reasonable. He was great, a perfect old-school gentlemen - if a girl came into the room, he'd shoot to his f...

Rock legends Van Halen have put plans for a new album on hold - so the band's youngest member Wolfgang Van Halen can finish high school.

Guitarist Eddie Van Halen pulled his son out of school in 2007 to tour with the band, as a bassist, when he was just 15 years old. The teenager proved a huge hit and is now a full-time member of the Jump! group. Van Halen wanted to follow the tour with a new studio album, but the band has vowed to wait until Wolfgang has graduated - so he can be a part of it.

Eddie Van Halen tells Hustler magazine, "We're just waiting for the right time. I took...

Rocker Eddie Van Halen has created an indestructible new guitar with bosses of a top medical tool company.

The Wolfgang - named after the rocker's son and Van Halen band mate - features custom-made stainless steel frets and metal accessories. And the guitar great knows his new instrument is unbreakable - because he tried to trash it on the last Van Halen tour.

He tells CNN, "During the last show, I actually tried to break a Wolfgang, and it wouldn't break. I picked it up and I couldn't break the damn thing. I threw it up in the air, and later put it out in the rain. I picked it ...

Eddie Van Halen has given Van Halen fans cause to celebrate after revealing he's planning to regroup with his son, brother and frontman David Lee Roth to record new material.

The Van Halens and Lee Roth hit the road for a successful hits tour in 2007, and now the quartet is intent on releasing an album of new songs.

Guitar great Eddie Van Halen tells Spinner.com he plans to hit the studio with his son Wolfie, brother Alex and Lee Roth after his June wedding to publicist Janie Liszewski.

He says, "I hope that after Janie and I get married, and Wolfie graduates, that we sit dow...

Almost everyone owns an Ipod, or some other form of music listening device, that we can thank to the benefits of the changes in music technology. If we were to consider however how the "music" itself has changed due to technology, then the changes in music technology can be viewed from a whole other point of view.

From a broader perspective we can perhaps say it really started with the German Electronic pop group Kraftwerk. They were essentially the first band to have the foresight to mix electronic sounds provided by the "new technology" on hand in the 70's and mix it with the pop s...

There are a handful of acts that certain music lovers yearn to experience in their lifetime. The Beatles. The Rolling Stones. The Doors. The Clash. When it becomes apparent that experiencing some of these acts may not happen, it's a bitter pill to swallow. I have never seen a Springsteen concert. I yearned to see one before it was all over. When keyboardist Danny Federici lost his long battle with cancer last week, the E Street Band's immortality was in question. This was one, I thought, that I must see.

Bruce began the show with a tribute to Federici. The lights stayed off w...

Fall Out Boy's cover of Michael Jackson's "Beat It" features a guitar solo from John Mayer. The punk pop group was forced to release the track as a single when a live version of their rendition became an unexpected hit on iTunes.com.

And the group had no problems going straight to Mayer, who once dated Jessica Simpson - the sister of Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz's fiancee, Ashlee Simpson - to provide a little extra star power.

Wentz says, "Back in the day, Eddie Van Halen played on (Michael Jackson's) "Beat It"... and we were trying to think about who is a contemporary guitar g...

Rock legends Van Halen made a triumphant return to the stage in Nevada on Thursday, more than five weeks after postponing their reunion tour due to guitarist Eddie Van Halen's ill health.

The group was forced to put their roadshow on hold in March, to allow the 53-year-old guitarist time to "continue medical tests to define a course of treatment."

The precise reason for his brief medical hiatus has not been disclosed, but the former alcoholic and cancer survivor joined his bandmates on stage in Reno on Thursday night, two days before they were expected to return to the road.

...

Elvis Presley's autograph is still a top scribble, according to Autograph magazine's annual list of rock 'n' roll signatures. At prices of up to $25,000, the King's autograph is still a hot item to collectors, over 30 years after his death.

Paul McCartney's signature comes in at number two on the new Top 10 Rockin' Buys list, compiled by expert Roger Epperson, and Aerosmith combined are third.

But Autograph magazine editor Steve Cyrkin urges fans to be careful when buying the star's scribbles.

He says, "Watch out, there are forgeries abound, and not just on the internet. W...

The Van Halen reunion tour is back on following Eddie Van Halen's brief medical hiatus. The rock supergroup put the tour on hold earlier this month to allow the guitarist to seek medical help for an undisclosed issue.

The rocker, who has battled cancer and substance abuse, was put under doctors' care, and, according to publicists, will "continue medical tests to define a course of treatment."

Reports suggested the Van Halen star had returned to rehab, but his ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli has dismissed the claims.

As a result of his medical problem, 17 Van Halen dates were postp...

Eddie Van Halen's ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli has dismissed reports the veteran guitarist has checked into rehab. Actress Bertinelli refuses to reveal what Van Halen is suffering from, but insists the former alcoholic and cancer survivor isn't receiving medical care in a substance abuse clinic, as reported.

She says, "Eddie is sober. He's being proactive about his illness."

Rockers Van Halen put their reunion tour on hold this week to allow the 53-year-old time to "continue medical tests to define a course of treatment."

All Van Halen dates have been postponed until April 19. ...

Van Halen have put their reunion tour on hold - to allow guitarist Eddie Van Halen to get the best medical care. The rocker, who has battled cancer and substance abuse, is currently under doctors' care, and according to publicists, will "continue medical tests to define a course of treatment."

Reports suggest the Van Halen star has returned to rehab. As a result of his medical problem, all Van Halen dates have been postponed until April 19.

Fans are being asked to keep hold of their tickets for the 17 shows affected, as the band hopes to make up every concert. Van Halen's rehab ...

Eddie Van Halen's ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli has reassured Van Halen fans the guitarist "sounds terrific" despite his current medical concerns. Actress Bertinelli contacted her former husband immediately after rumors the one-time alcoholic had returned to rehab began to circulate earlier this week.

Now she's stepped forward to let fans know the 53-year-old virtuoso is in much better shape than she thought he'd be in, although she sheds no light on the exact nature of Van Halen's medical issue. Bertinelli tells Canadian newspaper the Edmonton Sun, "I just talked to him a couple of days...

Rocker Eddie Van Halen refused to accept his cigarette habit may have contributed to the mouth cancer he once suffered, according to his ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli. The actress claims the Van Halen star, who beat cancer in 2002, instead blamed his disease on holding a metal guitar pick in his mouth over the years.

Bertinelli tells Ladies Home Journal magazine, "The guy has mouth cancer, gets part of his tongue cut out, and he still insists cigarettes have nothing to do with it. You should have seen the guy (alternative medicine practitioner) he attributes his 'cure' to. They sat aroun...

Rockers Van Halen have hit back at reports they're canceling the remainder of their reunion tour. The band rescheduled two concerts in Virginia and Georgia at the end of last month, prompting internet reports claiming all tour dates had been pulled indefinitely.

But sources within Van Halen tell Billboard.com the band's tour is not being canceled, although Monday night's concert in Dallas, Texas has been postponed. And three other upcoming dates have also been postponed while guitarist Eddie Van Halen undergoes medical tests. The tour will resume on March 11.

A statement from Va...

Van Halen's U.S. tour has been canceled because frontman Eddie Van Halen is battling "issues", it has been claimed. The group cancelled two concerts in Virginia and Georgia late last month but rescheduled the dates for mid-March. No reason was given for the postponements.

However, internet reports claim the remaining tour dates have now been pulled indefinitely. According to website TMZ.com, the cancellation has been blamed on guitarist Van Halen's poor performances, after he turned up for several gigs apparently intoxicated.

The rockers - who reunited with original singer David...

"My best feature is unfortunately a private matter... I'm told it's spectacular. But you can't really walk it down the red carpet, what can I say?" Kate Beckinsale keeps her best asset under wraps.

"I have some waterfront property - right in front of the Mann's Chinese Theatre... They're putting me right there with all the big dogs." Sean 'Diddy' Combs on his upcoming star honor on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on May 2.

"Pot smokers don't vote. They keep forgetting when the (polling) day's supposed to be when they got to get up and go somewhere." Pot fan Willie Nelson on why medica...

Rocker Eddie Van Halen's ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli has broken her silence on the couple's divorce, admitting they split because they were both unfaithful. Van Halen and actress Bertinelli's divorce was finalized in December after 26 years of marriage.

And in an interview with Oprah Winfrey set to air on TV on February 25, Bertinelli acknowledges that both she and guitar hero Van Halen are to blame for the marriage breakdown.

The 47-year-old says, "I cheated. He claims to this day that I cheated first, but I don't know. I don't know about the timing."

The couple has a son,...

2/10/08 at Philips Arena, Atlanta, GA

They say all good things must pass. David Lee Roth was out. Sammy Hagar took over. Then it was Gary Cherone for an eye blink. In 2008, that guy that Eddie Van Halen couldn't stand is now back in front. DLR in all his three-ring circus glory is back. Is this a good thing? Will it last? Will they avoid killing each other? Whatever your opinion, this was the near-original Van Halen lineup. The one asterisk would be the absence of bassist Michael Anthony. Recently fired, Anthony's bass was picked up by 16-year old Wolfgang Van Halen, son of ...

Actress Kirstie Alley has resigned as the spokesperson for weight-loss company Jenny Craig after three years of service. The star will no longer be the firm's public face after passing that role along to rapper/actress Queen Latifah and Eddie Van Halen's ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli.

Jenny Craig spokesman Scott Parker says, "Although Kirstie will not appear in future advertising endeavours for us, she does remain on Jenny Craig's maintenance program and is confident that our program has helped her incorporate positive lifestyle changes that should last a lifetime.

"Now that Kirsti...

Rocker Slash fears Guns N' Roses' potential induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 could be a debacle if the bandmates don't put aside their differences by then.

The November Rain hitmakers will become eligible for induction in 2010 - but guitarist former Slash fears a Van Halen-type mess.

The rocker and former Guns 'N Roses stars Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum joined forces with Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar to pay tribute to Van Halen last year when the band themselves failed to show.

Eddie Van Halen was in rehab and frontman David Lee Roth refused to perform wi...

Rocker Eddie Van Halen and actress Valerie Bertinelli are officially divorced. The couple, who wed in 1981, are no longer husband and wife, according to court papers filed in Los Angeles.

The legal documents, released on Friday, read: "The parties have resolved all their issues amicably in mediation. Neither spouse shall take unfair advantage of the other spouse."

Bertinelli originally filed for divorce in December 2005.

The couple has a son, 16-year-old Wolfgang, who is currently on the road with his father's reunited band, Van Halen, having replaced original bassist Michael...

Rapper/actress Queen Latifah has signed up as a spokesperson for weight-loss company Jenny Craig. The self-confessed "voluptuous" Chicago star, is following in the footsteps of fellow actress Kirstie Alley and Eddie Van Halen's ex-wife Valerie Bertinelli, by representing the firm.

Jenny Craig's Scott Parker says, "We officially confirm that Queen Latifah will join the Jenny Craig program in January. We are thrilled to have Queen Latifah support our mission of improving health by taking her first step toward achieving a more healthful lifestyle."

(This news article provided by Worl...

One over-zealous Van Halen fan was left injured when a stage dive at the end of the group's Vancouver, British Columbia show last week left him dazed and confused.

The unnamed fan jumped up onstage as the reunited group took it's bow at the close of the show, and ran around trying to shake the band mates' hands, while avoiding burly security guards.

He then attempted to jump from the stage but fell awkwardly and was left writhing backstage in agony.

But he was rewarded for his courage - Eddie Van Halen waved off the security men, who were intent on roughing the fan up further...

Legendary rockers Van Halen kicked off their reunion tour with original singer David Lee Roth to an ecstatic reception from more than 18,000 fans in Charlotte, North Carolina on Thursday.

Roth, who hasn't performed with the band since 1985, and fellow original members Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen took the Bobcats Arena stage alongside Eddie's 16-year-old son Wolfgang, who completes the line-up on bass.

The group played classics including "You Really Got Me," "Runnin' With The Devil," "Ice Cream Man," "Eruption" and "Jump."

A smiling Roth wanted to play as much music ...

Rocker Sammy Hagar was far from surprised when pal Michael Anthony was thrown out of the Van Halen reunion line-up - because band leader Eddie Van Halen wanted the bass player out of the group years ago.

Anthony, who still performs regularly with former Van Halen frontman Hagar, has been replaced by Eddie Van Halen's teenage son Wolfgang for the upcoming tour. And the "Why Can't This Be Love" singer reveals Anthony's departure has been planned for years.

He tells website KNAC.com, "On the last reunion... they wanted to throw Mike out then. Why? I don't know. I still can't unders...

Former Van Halen star Sammy Hagar fears the group's much-hyped reunion tour will fall flat without original bassist Michael Anthony. Anthony has been replaced by Eddie Van Halen's teenage son Wolfgang for the upcoming tour, and the band's second singer insists fans won't appreciate the line-up change when shows begin.

Hagar tells website KNAC.COM he would have refused to tour without Anthony - if he had been asked to join the reunion lineup.

He says, "If Eddie wants to play with his son, fine. I love my son too, but I got him a different job. I just think that it should be Mike. I...

The members of reformed supergroup Van Halen are preparing for their upcoming reunion tour by inviting rock's elite to check out their rehearsals. Anthrax star Scott Ian, Rage Against The Machine guitarist Tom Morello and Metallica's Kirk Hammett are among those who have joined family members at the Los Angeles Forum as Eddie Van Halen and his bandmates get ready to rock for fans.

And guitarist Ian was so impressed with what he saw and heard recently, he posted a rave review online.

Writing on his MySpace.com page, the rocker has stated, "They were f---ing amazing... Seriously, th...

Original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony has explained why he isn't touring on the reunited rockers' upcoming tour - he wasn't asked. Van Halen recently confirmed plans to tour North American with singer David Lee Roth for the first time since 1985.

The band's original line-up - Roth, Eddie Van Halen and Alex Van Halen - have reunited, but bass player Anthony was left out of plans, and has been replaced by Eddie's 16-year-old son Wolfgang.

But Anthony is still hitting the road this autumn - as a member of The Other Half, which includes Sammy Hagar, the singer who replaced Roth...