After weeks of rumors, a Van Halen reunion tour is now official. David Lee Roth will join his former bandmates Eddie and Alex Van Halen to perform in 40 North American cities starting this summer. Original member Michael Anthony (bassist/background vocals), however, will not be part of the tour. Instead, Eddie’s son Wolfgang will fill his spot.

According to an exclusive statement Eddie made to MTV News, “Playing these timeless hits only works with Dave. After one rehearsal, it was pure magic.”

Eddie’s right, of course. His and Alex’s musical virtuosity mixed with Dave’s raw, in-your-face charisma is one-of-a-kind. Not only was their partnership among the most exciting in rock history, the Van Halen formula was the most imitated blueprint for success in the 80s. Most of their pop metal successors had either a lightning quick, finger-tapping guitarist, an over-the-top, macho frontman, or both. Plus, the band released five unique, landmark albums (and the intriguing half covers/half originals Diver Down) from 1978 to 1984.

When Sammy Hagar replaced Diamond Dave, the band continued to release quality albums and maintain their lofty levels of success. It was never the same, though. The band lost much their edge and wrote more and more love songs, as opposed the sex romps of the past.

In 1996, we were teased with two new David Lee Roth/Van Halen songs on Best of Volume 1. “Can’t Get This Stuff No More” and particularly “Me Wise Magic” proved the chemistry was still there. These tracks were accompanied by the announcement of a reunion, but the plans were quickly cancelled due to Eddie and Dave’s inability to get along. The failed return of the true Van Halen was heartbreaking for a life-long fan. You hoped they could check their egos enough to realize that they were made to make more music together.

After all these years of bad blood between the Van Halens and Dave, the quotes from Eddie above are a shocking admission. His statement doesn’t suggest, however, that the band could get along well enough to write and record any new material. He only suggests that they’ll rehearse long enough to be prepared for a tour where they play all the old classics.

Of course, a lot could go wrong between now and then. On March 12th, Van Halen will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sammy Hagar will be part of the induction, as will, of course, Michael Anthony. We should expect some tension and drama with all the former and current members present. If the reunion tour plans are still intact after that night, I’ll really start believing it could happen.

Despite all the excitement surrounding the announcement of this tour, the news is bittersweet. Yes, the most important factor is that Eddie and Dave are on stage together. Without Michael Anthony, though, we will not see a truly reunited Van Halen and we will not hear his signature background harmonies. I’m sure Eddie and Wolfgang will do a decent job with the vocal duties, but Michael’s absence will be felt.

The summer is a long way from now, so I’m expecting this tour to fall apart. We’ve been teased and disappointed before, so I’ve got to keep my expectations low. If this version of a reunited Van Halen can hold it together, though, it will be magic, “Me Wise Magic.”