Former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted has addressed the stalled plans for an Eddie Van Halen tribute. He revealed he personally declined the project due to concerns over its appropriateness. In an interview with Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, Newsted expressed doubt that the necessary cohesion still exists to execute a “proper” honor event.
When asked about the Van Halen tribute discussions involving Joe Satriani, Newsted recalled his decision-making process: “Well, I can’t remember when that was exactly. I just remember having a phone call with Alex (Van Halen), and then just telling Joe (Satriani) that I didn’t think it was appropriate. You know, and that was the last I ever heard of it. There was never any other anybody reaching out to me about anything.”
Newsted emphasized that any tribute must be handled with the utmost respect and careful planning. “And I think I’m in the same camp as most people in the same as you, that if it can be done properly and concisely, you know, like it needs to be just a quick thing, it needs to be a special thing, like two nights at some place, and it’s just that. And if they do it honorably, but it’s getting kind of a little bit late to do it correctly, I think now. It’d be pretty hard. I don’t think there’s enough, maybe not enough cohesion anymore to really make it proper.”
The bassist stressed that such an event would require more than just a standard rock concert. “You know, it’s got to be, got to be an honor show. It has to be that. It has to be worshiping, whatever you call that, what happened. You know, you have to be able, it’s not just gonna be some kind of rock show. It has to be a hybrid dedication kind of event. And I’m not sure if those logistics can be worked out anymore.”
Newsted’s vision for a proper tribute extends beyond a single artist. He suggested a comprehensive approach that honors the entire band’s legacy. “If you’re gonna do an Eddie tribute, then have Nuno Bettencourt and Tom Morello line up a bunch of band motherf*ckers, then you do that thing and everybody takes a shot at one Eddie’s songs, something like that. If that needs to be its own category and its own thing anymore.”
He concluded by outlining what he believes would be the most appropriate framework for any future Van Halen honor: “If you’re gonna have a Van Halen honor, it needs to be for the band. That’s the way I see it anymore. You know, as time has gone by. If somebody would be able to coordinate something that was timely, appropriate, like an anniversary of a passing, an anniversary of the beginning of the band, an anniversary of the biggest album of the band, something that made sense to the fans, and they did it as an honor to the music that was made, not just certain guys that played it. That’s the way it has to be looked on, in my opinion now.”
Newsted’s comments reference discussions that date back several years. Back in 2022, rumors of a potential Van Halen reunion tribute tour began to circulate after Jason Newsted revealed he had been approached by Alex Van Halen for the project, according to Guitar World. The initial concept involved assembling an all-star lineup to honor Eddie Van Halen’s legacy through a dedicated concert event.
Joe Satriani, who was also contacted for the tribute, ultimately declined the opportunity. Rather than participating himself, reports indicate that Satriani recommended Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme as a more suitable guitarist for the project. However, the tribute tour never materialized. The project was eventually abandoned due to various logistical and personal concerns.
One significant factor that contributed to the tribute tour’s failure was David Lee Roth’s reluctance to participate in a project that would explicitly honor Eddie Van Halen. Van Halen News Desk reported that Roth refused to acknowledge Eddie during shows, which caused the entire project to “fizzle out.” This fundamental disagreement over how to properly honor the late guitarist made it impossible to move forward with the planned tribute.
