Did you know that there was another singer in the running to become the frontman of Van Halen even before Gary Cherone? I didn't until I saw this documentary on a dude named Mitch Malloy, who almost became the band's third singer. For the first time ever, Malloy goes on camera to explain what happened back in 1996 when he almost became the singer of one of the biggest rock bands of all time.

In a recently released documentary, Mitch Malloy explains how he was actually hired as the lead singer of Van Halen after Sammy Hagar left the band and before Gary Cherone joined. But, he was only in the band for a few months when he quit after seeing Van Halen on TV with David Lee Roth.

“When I saw Dave come out with them [on MTV], that was it for me. It was over. Everybody think Dave’s back in the band. I’m out!”

After that, Van Halen went on to hire Extreme singer Gary Cherone, which we all know turned out to be a flop.

I guess I was living under a rock because I never knew that there was ever another singer involved other than Roth, Hagar and Cherone. And, judging by the released audition of Malloy doing the song 'Panama' (below) I don't think it would have been too bad. At least better than Cherone.

Check out the documentary below, followed by Malloy's audition with Van Halen.

Mitch Malloy Van Halen Documentary

Mitch Malloy's Audition Singing 'Panama'

So, what do you think? Would Mitch Malloy have been a good addition to Van Halen?

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