A new photo (left, photo credit: Robert Yager) taken Monday at The Roxy in Los Angeles, features Van Halen with the Interscope management team.
The new deal marks the first time in the band’s career that they won’t be on Warner Brothers.
Early rumors reported that VH were to sign with Columbia Records (Sony), but things changed very late in the process, according to The Hollywood Reporter. An insider told the media website that the contract for the Sony deal was drawn up and approved, but hadn’t been signed, when Universal Music stepped into the picture.
The signing was a group effort involving UMG chairman and CEO
Lucian Grainge, UMG International COO
Max Hole, Interscope Geffen A&M vice chairman
Steve Berman and Interscope chairman
Jimmy Iovine, who, says a source, "
heard the band was available and wanted to work with them. It was decided at the 11th hour".
In addition to the last-minute label positioning, the VH management structure complicates things, as David Lee Roth has a separate management, legal and accounting team than the other three members of the VH family.
The main issue for Roth? He was apparently adamant about being on a west coast label. "He was never on board [with Columbia]," said the source. "It was as complicated as anyone would imagine, when one side says black, the other says white. The label was pretty skeptical that things would work out."
Although no details have been announced, the new VH album is rumored to be released in February 2012.
Pictured in the photo are (left to right):
Alex Van Halen; Wolfgang Van Halen; Eddie Van Halen; Jimmy Iovine, Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records; Irving Azoff, Executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment and Chairman and CEO of the Front Line Management Group; Steve Berman, Vice Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M Records; David Lee Roth; and Jim Urie, President and CEO, Universal Music Group Distribution.
Thanks for the report to HenneMusic.com.
Anyway, i think it's kinda weird that the band is not standing together. That says something to me.....