# Mitch Malloy Plays Van Halen Live After 30-Year Wait

> Mitch Malloy finally sings with Van Halen live after decades of near-miss.
- Title: Mitch Malloy Plays Van Halen Live After 30-Year Wait
- Summary: Mitch Malloy finally sings with Van Halen live after decades of near-miss. Mitch Malloy performed 'Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love' with Van Halen at Vegas Rocks!…
- Keywords: mitch malloy, van halen, vegas rocks awards, michael anthony, extreme, gary cherone, guns n roses, tracii guns, gilby clarke, journey, jeff scott soto, eddie van halen
- Source: Rolling Stone — https://rollingstone.com/music/music-news/van-halen-mitch-malloy-aint-talkin-bout-love-1235629795
- Author: Andy Greene
- Published: 2026-09-22T16:44:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mitch malloy, van halen, vegas rocks awards, michael anthony, extreme, gary cherone, guns n roses, tracii guns, gilby clarke, journey, jeff scott soto, eddie van halen
## Mitch Malloy's Van Halen Dream
Mitch Malloy nearly joined Van Halen in 1996 but lost to Gary Cherone.

> Thirty years ago, mitch malloy’s dreams were shattered when he came within an inch of landing the role as van halen’s lead singer, only to lose the position to extreme’s gary cherone
## Van Halen Performance
Malloy sang 'Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love' with Van Halen at Vegas Rocks! Awards.

> Michael anthony welcomed him onstage to sing "ain’t talkin’ ’bout love" with an all-star band
## Audition Reaction
Eddie Van Halen hugged Malloy after he was chosen for the band.

> Eddie van halen put his hands on my shoulders, hugged me, kissed me on both cheeks, said, 'congratulations!'
## Rejection Shock
Malloy was blindsided when Van Halen performed without him at MTV Awards.

> In the weeks that followed, malloy was blindsided when the group appeared with david lee roth at the mtv video music awards without letting him know in advance
## Final Decision
Malloy left Van Halen after a letter of resignation.

> Malloy sent the group a letter formally passing on the opportunity to join the band
## What Happened Next
Malloy performed with Van Halen live 30 years later.

> Malloy wrote on facebook: "mad anthony bassman is just as great and nice now as he's always been"
## Key takeaway

Mitch Malloy performed 'Ain’t Talkin’ ’bout Love' with Van Halen at Vegas Rocks! Awards after being rejected for the band 30 years ago.