Ozzy Osbourne & Chris Cornell Were Considered for Van Halen

Van Halen (v.l. Alex Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen, Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth) on im Oktober 1981 in (Credit Image: © Fryderyk Gabowicz/dpa via ZUMA Press)

While speaking with Rolling Stone to promote his memoir Brothers (out Oct 22), Alex Van Halen revealed that both Ozzy Osbourne and Chris Cornell were considered as lead singers for Van Halen when the band was between vocalists.

Ozzy confirmed that Eddie and Alex approached him around 2001, but their plans were halted by the launch of “The Osbournes” TV show.

Alex also said that he remembers jamming with Chris Cornell and thinking the Soundgarden frontman could be a good fit for Van Halen. Alex said afterwards, “‘This is the man you want.’ And then he died.”