Quantcast

The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Van Halen Rocks Greenwich Village's Cafe Wha?

By Andrea Swalec | January 6, 2012 11:41am

MANHATTAN — Van Halen will play Madison Square Garden and other massive arenas when their 2012 tour kicks off next month, but the legendary rock band on Thursday night gave a few hundred of their faithful at Greenwich Village's own Cafe Wha? a taste of what to expect. 

David Lee Roth and company played an 11-song set at the packed, invitation-only show for music industry insiders and journalists at the MacDougal Street club, The Wall Street Journal reported. 

Roth praised the legacy of the basement club as his uncle Manny Roth, who founded the venue in 1960, looked on. 

“It took us 50 years to get this gig,” Roth said, according to The New York Times. “This is a temple. This is a very special place and I am more nervous about this gig than I would ever be at the Garden. There is no hiding up here. There are no fake vocals. There is no fake anything.”

Van Halen singer David Lee Roth received a smooch from guitar player Eddie Van Halen at an August 2007 press conference announcing their 2007/2008 tour.
Van Halen singer David Lee Roth received a smooch from guitar player Eddie Van Halen at an August 2007 press conference announcing their 2007/2008 tour.
View Full Caption
Getty Images/Michael Buckner

Three members of the band's original lineup — singer Roth, Eddie Van Halen on guitar and Alex Van Halen on drums — plus Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen on bass, began the show with "You Really Got Me," Rolling Stone reported. 

They went on to play selections from their 1978 debut LP through their album "1984," including "Running with the Devil," "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love," "Everybody Wants Some" and "Hot for Teacher." 

Dozens of fans without invitations to the show gathered at the back door of Cafe Wha? to try to listen, The Times reported. 

Van Halen played one new song, "She's the Woman," which will be included on their album due for release on Feb. 7, according to The Journal. 

The show ended with "Jump," but on the small stage, Roth had no room to do so.

Wolfgang Van Halen, 20, took to Twitter to talk about the show.

"Thank you to everyone for a wonderful night in NYC! See you all very soon... ;)" he wrote.