INDUSTRY CHATTER: Since the death in October...

INDUSTRY CHATTER: Since the death in October of Van Halen’s manager Ed Leffler, speculation has grown about who would take over the powerful and lucrative role of guiding the popular rock band. Now a few names have begun to emerge as leading candidates, with rumors focusing on Howard Kaufman (whose company’s clients range from Don Henley to Janet Jackson), Nick Wechsler (Robbie Robertson), Alan Kovac (Meat Loaf, Duran Duran) and Gary Bird (Damn Yankees). A Van Halen representative says that no discussions have taken place yet with any potential managers.