Van Halen took advantage of the estimated 1,000,000 people descending on Times Square in New York and the 100 million watching on TV on New Year’s Eve to unveil what is believed to be the album cover for the new album.
Van Halen 2012
The still untitled album cover was previously seen in a graphic sent to fans last week. The incomplete artwork was on display above McDonalds in Time Square for a few hours before the ball dropped over Times Square ringing in 2012.
Last week the artwork sent to the band’s mailing list featured the date 2.7.12. That has since been revealed as the release date for the new album, Van Halen’s first since 1998 and first with David Lee Roth since 1984.
The Van Halen timeline for 2012:
January 3 – First round of concert dates and cities announced
January 10 – Premiere of single and first music video and tickets go on sale
February 7 – Album release
Van Halen took over The Roxy on Sunset Blvd in West Hollywood in November and December for rehearsals.
Staff reported arriving for work at 10am and hearing David Lee Roth, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Wolfgang Van Halen rehearsing ‘Running With The Devil’, ‘Jump’ and ‘Panama’.
On the Roxy blog, staff member Scotty wrote, “What was my favorite part about it? Everything. I know it sounds stupid, but I can’t put it any other way. To walk through the club and have Eddie Van Halen smile at me or pat me on the back, the guys were so nice, it was unbelievable. In my 9 years at the club, this is by far one of the best things that’s happened.”
Lizzy from The Roxy posted, “My favorite Van Halen moment was when I came out of the kitchen and they were doing Panama. I was one of the only people standing in the room by the stage. David Lee Roth looked at me, smiled, and waved. I thought to myself “that is the only time in life I will know David Lee Roth was actually singing to me.”
And according to The Roxy’s Kathy, “I just loved the first time they played “Running With The Devil” it sounded exactly like it did when I was working box office at The Whisky.”
