Van Halen's Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth almost came to blows before canceling the reunion tour

Alex Van Halen claimed that an argument between him and David Lee Roth almost turned violent and scuppered plans for a Van Halen reunion tour following the death of Eddie Van Halen.

During a recent interview with Rolling Stone, the 71-year-old drummer, who was Eddie's brother, recalled that he and the 70-year-old singer began rehearsing for a tour after Eddie died in October 2020 after a severe stroke following a battle with throat cancer.

After speaking with Queen's Brian May about how the band honors their late frontman Freddie Mercury during their tours, Alex reached out to Roth about paying tribute to the late guitarist at their shows.

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“The thing that broke the camel’s back, and I can be honest about that now,” Alex said. “I was told, 'Dave, at some point we need to have a very open word – not a bow – but an acknowledgment of Ed in the performance. If you look at how Queen do it, they're showing old footage.' And the moment I said we had to acknowledge Ed, Dave f—–' blew a fuse…”

Alex Van Halen claimed that a heated argument between him and David Lee Roth led to their reunion tour being canceled. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“The vitriol that came out of it was unbelievable,” he added.

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The drummer claimed that Roth completely rejected the idea, allegedly finding it “offensive.”

Roth's representative did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Alex remembered reacting violently to his disagreement with Roth.

“I come from the streets,” he said. “'You talk to me like that, mother—–, I'm going to beat your head out. Did you get it?' And I mean that too. And that’s how it ended.”

“It’s just, my God. It's like I don't know him anymore,” he told Rolling Stone. “I have the utmost respect for his work ethic and all that. But Dave, you have to work as a community, mother. You’re not alone anymore.”

Alex recalled that Roth rejected the idea of ​​honoring Eddie Van Halen during their tour performances. (Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images)

Before the fight, Alex said that the two planned to sign guitarist Joe Satriani and possibly original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony for the reunion tour.

However, Alex told Rolling Stone that there is no way he will be able to tour because his mobility is limited due to a spinal injury he suffered in 2022.

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“On the one hand it's a shame, on the other hand it's okay,” said Alex. “Because in retrospect, playing the old songs isn’t really a tribute to anyone. In my opinion it's just like a jukebox. …Finding a replacement for Ed? It’s just not the same.”

“The vitriol that came out of it was unbelievable.”

—Alex Van Halen

“The heart and soul and creativity and magic was Dave, Ed, Mike and me,” he added.

Van Halen last toured in 2015. (Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Van Halen's last tour took place in 2015. The band consisted of Alex, Eddie, Roth and Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen, who replaced Anthony on bass in 2006 after Anthony's departure in 2004.

In 2021, Roth announced that he was retiring from his music career, but has since hinted at a possible return.

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During his interview with Rolling Stone, Alex said that he was always the band member closest to Roth. He told the outlet that he called Roth first after Eddie's death and claimed that the two were “still in touch.”

Alex said he and Roth are “still in touch.” (Fin Costello/Redferns)

During a January episode of Roth's podcast “The Roth Show,” the singer launched into a tirade against Wolfgang, whom he repeatedly referred to as “that f—— kid.”

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While speaking to Rolling Stone, Alex lightheartedly responded to Roth's tirade against his nephew, explaining that it should be taken as a compliment.

“For me it’s a sign of respect,” Alex said. “That he actually thinks Wolfie is on the same level as old master Dave, right? The other thing is that Wolf can easily take care of himself. That's no problem.”