After the departure of Gary, not much happened besides rumours. The main facts were Edward tongue cancer and his divorce with Valerie. But both matters happen in the most positive fashion (if there can be one): Eddie is diagnosed cancer free after treatment and he and Valerie remain close friends.

In 2002, still without a lead singer, Van Halen was dropped by Warner Bros., their record company since 1979.

During the summer of 2002, David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar join forces for the "Heavyweights of Rock" tour, commonly known as the "Sans-Halen Tour". In 2003, Michael Anthony joined part of Hagar's solo tour and performed together with Hagar and his band, The Waboritas.

In March 2004, Van Halen announce that Sammy Hagar is back with the band for an album release and concert tour. The album is a two-cd compilation of Van Halen's greatest hists and features three new tracks with Sammy Hagar.

In all statements and interviews, it seems the band has put their past differences behind their backs and are looking forward to working together again to record new studio albums. Sammy even states that, if there were enough time, with all the material that Edward has, they could come up with a two-cd original album instead of the "Best Of Both Worlds" compilation. Curiously though, there are no Gary Cherone songs on the album.

The tour is a success despite the tickets extremely expensive tickets (starting at $90). The band performs a balanced setlist (Sammy sings more DLR songs than he ever did before) and there's a lot of energy coming from the stage. After personalities clashes become evident throughout the tour, they (again) went their separate ways.

Rumours began circulating in 2006 indicating that David Lee Roth was rehersing with Edward, Alex and Wolfgang (Edward's son), who had picked up the bass player duties. The talented teeneager had caused an impact with his freshness and great skills.

After their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in early 2007, a ceremony only Sammy and Mike attended, Van Halen postponed the announcement of their tour while Eddie enters rehab for undisclosed reasons. As soon as he returns, looking thin and healthy, they announce an american tour and indicate that an europpean and jananese leg will follow.

The tour was a monster success, with over 50 concerts played between October 2007 and June 2008.

This also marks the use and commercial release of a new series of Wolfgang guitars, under Edward's own brand, EVH (built at Fender), which are publicly showcased during NAMM 2009.