According to Blabbermouth.net, the Hollywood Reporter reports that Van Halen's new record deal with Interscope is expected to be finalized this week, marking the first time in 35 years that the band will not release music through Warner Music, its longtime label home.
As to why Van Halen's much-rumored deal with Columbia didn't happen, an insider tells The Hollywood Reporter that the contract for the Sony (Columbia's parent company) deal was drawn up and approved but hadn't been signed when Universal Music stepped into the picture. The band eventually decided to do the Interscope deal after a series of meetings during which Interscope presented Van Halen with a global plan that included extensive marketing, merchandising, touring and recordings.
Van Halen singer
David Lee Roth, who has a separate management, legal and accounting team from the other three members, was adamant about being on a West Coast label and "
was never on board with Columbia", according to the report.
Van Halen's already completed new studio album - its first in 27 years to feature Roth - is now expected to arrive early next year.
Van Halen reunited with Roth in 2007 for a successful year-long reunion tour - minus original bassist Michael Anthony, who now plays with ex-Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar in Chickenfoot.
Rumor has it that Van Halen will appear at the November 30 Grammy Nominations Concert at Los Angeles' Nokia Theater to announce that they will perform at the actual Grammy Awards in February. The buzz around town is that they will also use this opportunity to announce details of their pending album and tour.
