Pick a Day

Van Halen release Van Halen III, their only album with their third lead singer, Gary Cherone. Pushing against the legacies of their lineups led by David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar, it sells poorly and disappoints fans. The band goes on hiatus a year later and returns with Roth in 2007.

Van Halen announce that lead singer Gary Cherone, who joined in 1996 and sang on the Van Halen III album, is leaving the band. All parties claim the split is amicable. The group later coaxes Sammy Hagar back into the fold, and reunites with original frontman David Lee Roth in 2007.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Patti Smith, R.E.M., The Ronettes and Van Halen are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in New York City.

In Charlotte, Van Halen kick off their North American tour, bringing David Lee Roth back into the fold for the first time since 1985. Their new bass player is Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie's 16-year-old son.

Eddie Van Halen, of Van Halen lead-guitar fame, is rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery on his digestive system to correct a severe bout of diverticulitis. Tour dates with Van Halen are rescheduled as he recovers.

Van Halen leader Eddie Van Halen, widely hailed as one of the greatest guitarists who ever lived, dies of throat cancer at 65.