RollingStone.com's Andy Greene reports:

Last week, VAN HALEN released a picture that proved beyond any doubt that they had signed to Interscope. The photo showed them at an "undisclosed venue" in Los Angeles, but according to the Van Halen News Desk, it was at the Roxy in Los Angeles. They supposedly shot a video there. We've been hearing for months that their first LP with DAVID LEE ROTH since 1984 is practically finished, but confirming anything when it comes to Van Halen is extraordinarily difficult. Needless to say, none of them are jumping on the phone for interviews. Luckily, we happened to be checking in with SAMMY HAGAR last week – and he was more than happy to share his thoughts on the situation.

Q: We're hearing that Van Halen signed to Interscope this week.

A: "What? VH? Van Halen? I don't think... How long has it been since they did a record? And that last one doesn't count. You have to go back to 1995. For them to take that long to make a record, I don't think it's ever going to happen. If it does, it better be good. Oh man. It actually might be. I'm not dogging them. I don't understand why they couldn't do something by now. [Laughs] Though I kind of do understand."

Q: This seems legit. I think they actually, for real, signed to Interscope.

A: "I thought they signed to Sony. Hmmm... Interesting. I'll be the first guy waiting in line at the record store, if I could find one anymore. I'll be really curious. I think they owe the fans that. I would love to see them make a great record. They have some of the most loyal fans in rock, and they've been treated so, so bad these last 20 years. I'm a real fan friendly guy."

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The first photographic proof that Van Halen has inked a deal with Universal Music Group's Interscope has been revealed. In the photo below, band members Alex Van Halen, Wolfgang Van Halen, Eddie Van Halen and David Lee Roth are pictured with Interscope chairman Irving Azoff, executive chairman of Live Nation Entertainment and chairman and CEO of the Front Line Management Group, Interscope Geffen A&M; vice chairman Steve Berman, and Jim Urie, president and CEO, Universal Music Group Distribution. The photo was distributed to members of the media yesterday (November 17th) with a subject line A Sneak Peek of Van Halen.

The new, as yet untitled Van Halen album is completely finished and due to be released in early 2012. This recording will be Van Halen's first album with vocalist David Lee Roth in more than 25 years, and their first new music as a band in seven years.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the band is expected to make a “special announcement” on November 30 at the Grammy Awards nominations concert, which will air live on CBS from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater.

(Photo above by Robert Yager)