  We present a theory for the van Hove singularity (VHS) in the tunneling
density of states (TDOS) of disordered multichannel quantum wires, in
particular multi-wall carbon nanotubes. We assume close-by gates which screen
off electron-electron interactions. Diagrammatic perturbation theory within a
non-crossing approximation yields analytical expressions governing the
disorder-induced broadening and shift of VHS's as new subbands are opened. This
problem is nontrivial because the (lowest-order) Born approximation breaks down
close to the VHS. Interestingly, compared to the bulk case, the boundary TDOS
shows drastically altered VHS, even in the clean limit.
