Van Halen With David Lee Roth Announces 2012 Tour

(EndPlay Staff Reports) - Van Halen will be back on the road in 2012 with David Lee Roth as its frontman.

Entertainment Weekly reported this will be the band's 40th anniversary. Touring will be guitarist Eddie Van Halen, drummer Alex Van Halen, bassist Wolfgang Van Halen and Roth, Van Halen's original singer.

It will be the first tour since 2007, when Roth and the Van Halen brothers last joined up on what ended up being a short-lived reunion. The Los Angeles Times stated that the tour had been well-received by fans but ended abruptly so that Eddie could enter rehab for his drinking problem.

Van Halen's website announced that the first tickets will be sold on Jan. 10, but doesn't say where the show will be. It features footage of the band performing but lacks much information.

Reuters reported Van Halen also signed a record deal in November. It would be the first Van Halen album with Roth as frontman since "1984" which was released in 1983.

Missing from the reunion will be bassist Michael Anthony, who was replaced by Eddie's son Wolfgang.

While Van Halen has also recorded and toured with singers Sammy Hagar and Gary Cherone, many consider its most successful times to be with Roth at center-stage.

"There was no better lead singer in all of rock in the '80s than Roth at his peak," stated the Los Angeles Times' music blog.

His personality conflicts with the band, however, have also been part of the legend of Van Halen.

Watch a video the band released announcing the tour .

Van Halen - Long Version Trailer from Van Halen on Vimeo .