Not only did classic rockers Van Halen [ tickets ] defy Vegas odds-makers by completing all of the dates on their 2007/2008 semi-reunion tour--abeit with a few speedbumps--the group also raked in more cash than on any of its previous outings.The run--which launched in late September of last year and wrapped up last night with a finale in Grand Rapids, MI--grossed more than $93 million over the course of its 74 arena dates, according to the tour's promoter, Live Nation. A total of nearly 1 million fans attended the tour, Live Nation said in a press release."We send our thanks to the countless new and longtime fans that helped make this tour our most successful," the members of Van Halen said in a joint statement. "We also send special gratitude to the tireless efforts of the Van Halen touring crew, Live Nation and the media, as well as opening acts Ky Mani Marley and Ryan Shaw."Early last year, Van Halen announced plans to mount a 2007 summer tour that would mark the return of original frontman David Lee Roth, who split with the group more than two decades ago. The outing was postponed when guitarist Eddie Van Halen entered a rehab facility in the spring of that year.After chugging along from last fall through early 2008, the tour ran into trouble in early March, at which time 17 dates were postponed so that Eddie Van Halen could deal with an undisclosed medical issue. The band returned to the road in mid-April to finish out the remainder of its itinerary.Despite having not released a complete album of new material in more than a decade, Van Halen was able to attract throngs of fans anxious to see the Roth-helmed incarnation of the group perform a setlist comprised entirely of hits released during Roth's late-'70s/early '80s tenure with the band.The tour also marked the debut of the band's new bassist, Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie's son, who was 16 at the time the tour launched; he celebrated his 17th birthday in March.The teenager took over for original Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, whom Eddie and Alex Van Halen dismissed prior to announcing plans for the tour with Roth.Many fans and critics alike speculated that the group--whose volatile history includes multiple acrimonious break-ups with both Roth and former VH frontman Sammy Hagar--would implode before completing its 2007/2008 itinerary. With that marvel under its collective belt, the group apparently is plotting its next move, according to a press release from the band's publicist."Now that the final bits of confetti have fallen, Van Halen has their sights set on bright horizons with exciting developments on the way," reads the release.
