VAN HALEN  Van Halen Splits With Lead Singer

Van Halen has parted with its third lead singer, Gary Cherone. In a statement released on its Web site Friday, the band said the departure was ``both mutual and amicable and they remain good friends.'' It quoted Van Halen guitarist Eddie Van Halen as saying, ''Gary is a brother and he and I will continue to have a personal and musical relationship.''

Cherone sang on ``Van Halen III,'' which was released in March last year and was the only one of Van Halen's 13 albums since 1978 not to go platinum (for U.S. shipments in excess of one million). Link: http://www.van-halen.com/