Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth to Reunite

Event Details and Logistics at TEDxFargo

In an unexpected turn of events, David Lee Roth and Alex Van Halen are scheduled to appear together as part of the TEDxFargo event series. The conversation is set to take place at Brewhalla, a venue in Fargo, North Dakota, on Thursday, July 30, 2026. This appearance marks the first time the two musicians have been seen together in public since the final Van Halen concert on October 4, 2015, at the Hollywood Bowl.

The event is part of a two-day program titled "CHARGE," which is described as a call to action focused on momentum, energy, and the power of ideas in motion. While Alex Van Halen had been announced as a speaker several weeks prior, the addition of Roth was only revealed on Monday, July 27, through an Instagram post. The session will be moderated by Los Angeles-based painter Robert Vargas. Although tickets are available for live attendance, Vargas has clarified the nature of the presentation:

"remote live, with the three of us in the same room"

— Robert Vargas

For those unable to attend the event in North Dakota, the organizers have confirmed that the discussion will be documented for future viewing. According to the official announcement:

"The filming is taking place this week and will be posted on YouTube/TedxFargo platforms in a few weeks for the public to view for all time,"

— TEDxFargo Instagram Announcement

Moderation and Artistic Collaboration

The moderator, Robert Vargas, shares a significant history with the band's legacy. In 2021, he created a mural of the late Eddie Van Halen at the Guitar Center in Hollywood. Vargas has expressed a deep personal connection to the group's music, which falls within the Hard Rock genre. Speaking to Variety at the time of the mural's creation, he noted:

"VAN HALEN is my favorite rock band, my first concert, my first record, so for me it wasn't an artist-for-hire situation. It was really just a fan of the music and someone who understands the nuances of it all. It was important for me to also open up the process for the fans to come in and be a part of it."

— Robert Vargas

The upcoming TEDxFargo session is being promoted by both Vargas and the event organizers with the tagline: "Three icons. One stage. One conversation you won't want to miss." Despite the musical background of the participants, the duo is not expected to perform at the event.

Context of the Reunion and Recent Activities

The reunion comes more than a decade after the band’s final performance and six years after the death of guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Alex Van Halen, the band's co-founder and original drummer, recently released a memoir titled "Brothers" in 2024. The book is described as a love letter to his younger brother, Eddie. Notably, the memoir concludes its narrative before Sammy Hagar joined the band, and Alex reportedly declined to say Hagar's name during a 2024 Rolling Stone interview, instead focusing on the original lineup:

"The heart and the soul and the creativity and the magic was Dave, Ed, Mike [Anthony], and me,"

— Alex Van Halen

David Lee Roth's availability for the Fargo event follows his recent cancellation of nearly all remaining dates on his current U.S. tour. While no official reason was provided for the cancellations, reports have circulated regarding empty seats at several dates in June and July, leading to speculation that low ticket sales influenced the decision. Roth recently made a surprise appearance at Coachella to perform "Jump" with Teddy Swims, during which he reflected on the band's musical catalog:

"Our stuff is like West Side Story. You can play it on a ukulele. You can play it in an orchestra. You can play it alone on a harmonica. And each variegated rendition reveals a different kind of an emotional content to it."

— David Lee Roth

The TEDxFargo CHARGE event features a curated lineup of speakers from across the region and beyond, offering distinct programs on both Wednesday, July 29, and Thursday, July 30. Attendees have the option to register for a single day or the full two-day program.