MICHAEL ANTHONY Says He Has 'No Relationship' With EDDIE VAN HALEN
- Nov. 14, 2009
Paul Cashmere of Australia's Undercover.com.au recently conducted an interview with bassist Michael Anthony (CHICKENFOOT, ex-VAN HALEN). A couple of excerpts from the chat follow below.
Undercover.com.au: What is your relationship with Eddie Van Halen these days?
Anthony: There is no relationship. They chose their own path and their own way to go. Eddie had it in for me ever since I buddied up with Sammy Hagar again which I couldn't understand because Sammy had asked me sometime back if I would like to come and guest on some shows. This was when VAN HALEN was going through a period where Eddie was dealing with some of his own demons. He had the cancer thing he was dealing with and his marriage. As far as I was concerned, I was going out there waving the VAN HALEN flag to say, "We didn't go away, we are still here." Unfortunately, he didn't see it that way. He never liked me hanging out with Sammy and I can't understand why because VAN HALEN was my band. They didn't see it that way so they chose to not have me participate.
Undercover.com.au: How was that broken to you?
Anthony: Actually, we finished out reunion tour in 2004 and I probably knew that nothing was going to happen after that, also because of the physical and mental state that Eddie was in at that time. That tour did not end very harmoniously I guess you could stay. I'm not going to point any fingers but it just didn't. It was unfortunate that we had to pull the plug after only 80 shows. We should have gone around the world five times. Back in 2007 when they announced their reunion tour with David Lee Roth, I found out about it like all the other fans did. I saw it in the press and found out like everyone else did. That didn't hurt me as much as when they relaunched their web site and took my image off a couple of the album covers. That upset me that they would go so far as to try and erase me out of the history of the band.
Undercover.com.au: What about being replaced by a teenager?
Anthony: That is his son. He is a teenager but he is a decent bass player. I think that was also part of the reason to do it, to spite me.
Undercover.com.au: And it was bizarre that at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, the only two members of VAN HALEN who turned up were you and Sammy Hagar.
Anthony: I know. A couple of weeks before the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, I would have thought that as soon as Dave knew we were being inducted, he would have been camping out at the Waldorf ready to go out there. I spoke with Dave's manager and said we should put things aside and be friends for just one evening. When you look at bands like METALLICA, they had everybody come back on stage. Unfortunately, Dave, from what I heard after talking to Slash, Dave wanted to do certain things that would steal the show and when he couldn't have it his way he didn't want to show up. For whatever reason, Eddie and Alex didn't show up. It sucked. We were the two people who weren't even in the band anymore but there was no way I was going to miss that. That was better than a Grammy to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. I remember sitting at the table while REM were playing and I turned to Sammy and said, "This would have been great. We would have kicked this thing right in the ass." Nobody would have ever forgotten this induction ceremony if all of us were getting along and went up there.
To report any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or
threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws,
please send an e-mail to bmouth@bellatlantic.net
with pertinent details.
Anyone posting such material will be immediately and permanently banned. IP
addresses are recorded to aid us in enforcing these conditions.
COMMENT | Mikey is a class act posted by : RiotAct666 11/14/2009 1:22:46 PM
It sucks that the way he was "kicked or "forced" out of VH. But hey, after all it is EVH's & AVH's band and what they say goes...
COMMENT | BLABBERMOUTH WHAT HAPPEN? posted by : emperor81 11/14/2009 1:31:21 PM
This is story for TMZ not blabbermouth, can we please talk about music and not Relationships...
COMMENT | posted by : NiteWing 11/14/2009 1:34:43 PM
Yeah...I have to wonder who the bigger douce bag is, EVH or Dave Mustard-staine.
Actually, Massengill could probably give them both jobs. Hey there ladies, try new Massengill's MegaDouche or EVH Eruption! Both will leave you feeling cleaner and fresher!
COMMENT | posted by : stymie 11/14/2009 1:40:18 PM
EVH can do whatever the fuck he wants. He does not have to play with Mike if he don't want to.
COMMENT | posted by : GoatLoad71 11/14/2009 1:43:25 PM
Hell yeah ! Michael Anthony is my kind of "rock star" Rich as f#ck and STILL so down to earth! That's why I like Chickenfoot- It's like Van Halen/ Hagar with out the obvious ego's! Groove on Brotha'!
COMMENT | posted by : pigchop 11/14/2009 1:54:13 PM
Can you imagine it - walking into a record store and seeing this:
http://i.imagehost.org/0846/vanhalen.jpg
It would require a warning sticker reading: WARNING: Looking at this record cover could lead to violent behavior and or heart attack.
COMMENT | posted by : -Up The Irons- 11/14/2009 1:54:52 PM
Michael is a great guy, he has remained mature and level headed throughout this whole ordeal. The same can not be said about Eddie or David. As much as Eddie now dislikes Michael, he can't just erase him of album covers. It dosen't matter if it is Eddie's band, Michael was in the band and part of a team. Have a great life Mike /m//m/
he's not sweatin' it. sammy is a class act, as is michael. they deserve the success that chickenfoot has been, perhaps not as giant as VH was, but sales weren't too bad on their debut. eddie may be able to play with whom he wants, but he can also shoot himself in the foot. wonder how long it will take diamond dave and eddie's egos to go head to head. i'll be surprised if they actually complete an album, though they could do it and still not have to see one another.
COMMENT | p.s. posted by : dethryde 11/14/2009 2:23:51 PM
it's really mature of eddie to try to erase michael, and sammy for that matter from VH history. I really dug some of the tunes on the last album with Sammy. Amsterdam is a great guitar tune, one of Ed's best and Sammy polishes the song off the only way it could be. Dave never did it for me in VH, though he solo stuff wasn't too bad. Bottom line, me no buy any new VH... Chickenfoot !!!
COMMENT | posted by : NoyzRulz 11/14/2009 2:36:52 PM
Too bad. Living the dream getting past cancer, alcoholism (supposedly) and a divorce and still playing bitter, high school games. Just juvenile. I loved VH in David years and like the Hagar stuff, but won't spend my money to see them or buy anything. Obviously that puts me in the minority since they sell huge shows... I guess a lot of people don't read news or know of the drama.
COMMENT | emperor81 posted by : RockShowTrader.Com 11/14/2009 2:38:06 PM
This IS news to us. Please don't try and dictate to Blabbermouth what YOU personally feel is news.
COMMENT | EVH posted by : funbastard 11/14/2009 2:44:50 PM
is an asshole. Fuck that guy. His ego and insecurities have ruined a once great band.
COMMENT | Fuck Van Halen posted by : ih8spam 11/14/2009 2:58:10 PM
Michael looks like he's having a blast with Chickenfoot. Stick with that, man, so much better. Plus Chickenfoot actually let's him play some killer bass lines.
COMMENT | No shit! posted by : born1972 11/14/2009 3:05:16 PM
Really? How could we now that Mike? LOL
C'mon this shit is history now. Mike is happy playing with Sammy and Eddie is happy with whatever he is doing
No one cares about this shit anymore, let's turn the page
COMMENT | Wolfie posted by : NiteWing 11/14/2009 3:14:17 PM
Wolfie is a fucking cow in that picture. His mom better sign him up for the next slot in the Jenny Craig plan.
COMMENT | posted by : ThayerIsGod 11/14/2009 4:08:56 PM
He's like the only member of VH that lacks an ego. Well actually it's hard to know with Alex as he's just Eddie's b**ch and does everything Eddie wants.
COMMENT | Who cares what Eddie did to Anthony? posted by : rando 11/14/2009 7:08:41 PM
Anthony is better off without having to deal with that kind of stress inducer. Unfortunately, though, in his spite towards Anthony, Eddie spit in the face of every Van Halen fan--fans of the BAND, that is, not the family. Anyone who has ever seen Van Halen live knows that Anthony kills live. I don't even care about the oft-discussed backing vocals; he's simply a phenomenal live performer. Awesome sound, great playing, and unparalleled stage presence--what more could you ask for? To replace him at all, when it wasn't necessary, was a huge mistake. But to replace him with an uncharismatic, teenage amateur is a huge "Fuck You" to everybody who ever wanted to see them again live with Dave. Eddie has irreversibly damaged his reputation and his legacy with that boneheaded, asshole maneuver, and he'll never get another dime from me.
COMMENT | posted by : bigsled 11/14/2009 7:49:25 PM
roth should have demanded michael before agreeing to a reunion. eddie would have no choice. eddie at this point in his career is nothing, sales (album/concert) wise, without dave or sammy period. although it sold well, it would have sold alot more if it was all four original. this was a embarrasment and a insult and childish. i saw them in the 80's and would never see them without out it being the orginal four !! wolfie ?? come on eddie, grow up, act your age...
COMMENT | posted by : cutyothroat 11/14/2009 7:57:44 PM
vH is fuckin garbage anyway.....and have been for 20 years..
COMMENT | cutyothroat posted by : Hazerfazer 11/14/2009 9:05:17 PM
your a fucking reet....Van Halen garbage??? For 20 years?? OK MAYBE VHIII with Gary Cherone...I might give you that...even then...Garys alright as a singer..... however...your a douche. How you can even say Van Halen is "garbage" is beyond me....then again...now that I think about it...it's only a thread on Blabbermouth...so I won't lose any sleep after all
COMMENT | Eddie may be a dickhead... posted by : deflepplin 11/14/2009 11:51:37 PM
but he is still one of the greatest guitarists and composers ever. Mike knows this, he knows it's Eddies band, and he knows that crying about it is useless. Eddie was his mealticket for life. Eddie made him a millionaire. Mike knows his place. Eddie could have gotten damn near anybody to play bass and then that person would be in Chickenfoot.
By the way, the new Van Halen will be spectacular. Fucking 20 times what Chickenpoop did, music wise.
COMMENT | a reason posted by : laggerlugger 11/15/2009 12:04:29 AM
maybe if eddie had come out said from the start why he wanted to replace mike people would have least known why it had to be done like when he got rid of roth.but to kick a guy out who was a big part of the band just because he was friends with somebody you did not like?let's see the band was not doing anything,no touring or recording but he is not allowed to have a life outside the band without your permission?his brand of hot sauce is a threat to the band?seriously you have issues eddie. I thought you were the greatest at one time but now to see you treat a founding member like that for no other reason other than you can is just lame and makes you look like a asshole and I have lost all respect for you.I did not get guitar hero with you guys in it because you put your son who had nothing to do with those songs in it instead of Mike.and when you got rid of Sammy the first time you said his work ethic sucked right?that would be the samame ethic that has seen him put out 3 solo records and go on tour for them plus form an all star band put out another record and tour with them.and you have done what?oh yea put out yet another best of and got back with roth and tourrd like it was 1984 again with nothing new.realy sad
COMMENT | look posted by : Zoo Keeper 666 11/15/2009 1:27:42 AM
Eddie has wanted to fire Michael for a long long long time.....there are 5 or 6 different instances that date back as far as 1980....
it sucks, but it is what it is....
when Dave was in VH, Dave was the boss for the most part....after Dave left/fired........it became eddie and alex's band....
the hagar shite in VH is NOT Van HALEN....but whatever....just my opinion....i would love to see Mike there......but it was WOLF who pushed getting David Lee Roth back where he belongs....so for that......I love this kid.......Anthony would rather have the hagarita in VH....
it's a better deal...and that is the truth u all ignore...
COMMENT | VH w/ Dave posted by : Zoo Keeper 666 11/15/2009 1:28:27 AM
Dave and Ed wrote the songs and MIKE got paid for writing.....when he didn't write
same as in the spammy years...
COMMENT | posted by : zbtrocker 11/15/2009 2:02:42 AM
The fact is that "Van Halen" are busy touring eachothers homes and putting while Chickenfoot have been busy touring the world and putting out a fairly successful album. And Sammy, minus the 'foot has put out 6 albums and Van Halen put out one that sucked. We know who wins here.
COMMENT | Mike played on the 1st 6 brilliant albums. posted by : ISTHATUGIL? 11/15/2009 3:23:01 AM
for that im gratefull. BUT Without Wolfgang Van Halen Roth & Eddie would not be together. for that im very very very very very...ok ok. im also gratefull that national nitemare of van hagar is dead and gone burried with all the pop gloss corprate very safe cat shit that van hagar was. The real van halen was a heavy ass band that played 1979 heavy metal songs called light up the sky. thank you wolfgang we love you. good luck mike with that terrible chicken wing.
COMMENT | Why is Will Ferrell in a posted by : ghodofthunder 11/15/2009 3:29:19 AM
4 star band like this...???
Unless Chaka can sing an Aria BYCHEZ!
COMMENT | Rick Rubin will produce Van Halen 2010 posted by : ISTHATUGIL? 11/15/2009 3:31:02 AM
You heard it first.
COMMENT | THAT SAID. posted by : ISTHATUGIL? 11/15/2009 3:40:54 AM
The fact is Roth is 100 % Gulity of Van Hagar. gotta come real wit u all.
COMMENT | Angies list
posted by : ghodofthunder 11/15/2009 3:42:52 AM
IS COCK ON A ROCK!
COMMENT | EVH = Peter Pan Syndrome posted by : TufnelForPrez 11/15/2009 4:07:54 AM
Most entertainers suffer from Peter Pan Syndrome to some extent, hence the dipshit highschool antics of Eddie's. Having said that, removing Michael from photos is probably the most spiteful and immature thing I've ever heard a band do to an ex-member. What a bunch of wankers!
The Van Halen + Van Hagar thing aside, Sammy took that band to a much larger audience than they had with DLR and Michael co-founded their signature sound, with the simplest, yet most effective bass lines and for Eddie to ignore that and then pull a 'mean girls' prank and remove MA from photos etc is FUCKED!
So yea, I agree CLASS ACT is what Michael Anthony is and with humility and maturity alone, he will do well w/ Chickenfoot.
COMMENT | Mike will always be an important part of VH posted by : Sprytle 11/15/2009 10:57:50 AM
Yeras ago, Dave and Eddie tried to replace Mikey with Billy Sheehan but Alex put a stop to that. I guess Alex is unable to stand up to Ed these days lest he gets the boot.
COMMENT | Listen the Dave years of Van Halen sucked !!!! posted by : vanhagar 11/15/2009 1:19:03 PM
Period, the Sammy years were full of fun and great rock and roll, they also had 4 #1 albums and could have had more if it wasn't for Eddie's friggin ego, he was going to kick Mike out back after "Humans Being" (Twister) but needed the harmonies to keep it together with Cherone, then Hagar was called back because Eddie hated Dave and needed money and blew it again and dumped the band including Mike and Sammy, leaving VH and thier fans with nothing. Hey Mike and Sammy have class and are happy and successful, and even though Eddie can do what he wants, he has shot himself in the foot doing what he has done. Yeah Mike wishes it was different, because when it was 1985-1995 that band was at it's highest moment in the bands career, that will never happen again, so I can see why Mike is bummed out, and also why Sammy is too. They both lost a good friend and a great rock band, to booze, drugs and ego's. What a shame.
COMMENT | stop posted by : laggerlugger 11/15/2009 3:02:58 PM
look if you don't like Sammy fine,don't understand it but that's up to you but stop trying to act like his time in Van Halen did not happen. it did and it produced some of the best music they ever did.so they made ballads big deal!they could not do that with roth because he can't sing!as for it being commercial I guess dance the night away or jump weren't commercial were they?you always toss out the love songs as proof they did not rock with Sammy but leave out the rockers they did do,humans being didn't rock?sucker in a 3 piece didn't rock?don't tell me what love can do didn't rock?poundcake didn't rock?seventh seal does not rock?you want me to go on?the point is while they made ballds they also kicked alot of ass!hey I liked the roth years to and was around to see it the first time around and not the pale imatation of the "reunion" tour but eddie moved on and I went along with him and enjoyed every minute of it!it was great to go to a show and not have them stop for 20 min. while roth rambled on for no reason.at least the Sammy stories were entertaining and you knew he was drinking a waboritia and not ice tea out f jack bottle like roth!like I said glad you like roth just stop acting like the Van Hagar years did not happen!and by the way calling it Van Hagar is not an insult!
COMMENT | posted by : MarcusSeven 11/15/2009 3:27:41 PM
I've never really liked Van Halen... Only "Hot For Teacher". EVH is a fucking douche, I'd hate to work with an asshole like that.
I need to check out Chickenfoot though, it sounds like a kickass record.
COMMENT | FACE IT THE VAN HAGAR YEARS WERE EMBARASSING !!!! posted by : ISTHATUGIL? 11/15/2009 5:47:29 PM
And to the fool that said hagar took them to a larger audience ? yeah like opening for bon jovi in europe. fucking real van halen would piss on bon fucking jovi. the roth era music will last years after were all gone its classic dirty raw real hard heavy cocky metallic vibes. turn on the radio all you hear is roth era van halen you never hear van hagar trash ever ? roth era van halen has 2 diamond awards. van hagar ? ZERO. hmmm lets see we have Light up the sky DOA On fire sinners swing...or 5150 dreams how do i know thats its love ? van hagar music is dumbed down , korny in a jimmy buffet kind of way.
COMMENT | TufnelForPrez posted by : vanhalen1r2 11/15/2009 9:19:33 PM
Van Halens peak was 1984 it sold the most copies in one year of release than any Van Halen album. It has gone over 10 million
5 million in one year all Van Halen Albums after sold less
DLR era Van Halen has outsold Sammy Era 2-1, DLR era has two albums that have sold 10 million plus. Sammys best seller was 5150 it sold 6 million total and 3 million one year after release
2004 reunion tour with Sammy 82 shows 54 million gross 73% capacity of seats sold
2007 reunion with Roth 73 Shows 100 million gross 99.9% capacity of seats sold
Sammy is OK, but the band was bigger with Roth.
COMMENT | To all the Van Hagar Haters... posted by : Gunner1234 11/15/2009 11:05:55 PM
They just played "Right Now" on Sunday Night Football right in front of MILLIONS of fans!
Van Hagar is #1
4 #1 albums make Van Hagar the Best Van Halen!!!
"Oh Yeah"
COMMENT | Laggerlug posted by : BSlash24 11/16/2009 12:09:06 PM
still getting your panties in a bunch over Sammy. you say "so VanHagar had a lot of ballads, so what?"....that's like saying "so VanHagar had a bunch of lame music, so what?"...I have to agree with another post, it HAS been 20+ years since VH mattered, and that includes today with a washed out DLR. They had their day, they are no different than any band of 55+ year olds, the well runs dry. Ideas gone, energy depleted.
Good For Mike A, he's having a good time in CF, at his age, he doesn't need the headaches, though I'm sure it stung when Eddie just cut him loose, didnt' even give him a phone call. "Nice knowing you for 35 years, but FU." And MA was right, it was done out of complete spite, cuz MA remained friendly with Sam. Grow up EVH....yes Ed can do what he wants, but the fans have a say as well.
I foolishly saw the last DLR tour & it was weak. Loved the DLR years too, when they were young & hungry, but in 2007 it was a watered down, slowed to a snails pace VH. This was a barnstorming band that is now tired. pumping in keyboards for Jump & I'll wait. Karyoke, sad. DLR had no game...I'm not a Sam fan(seems nice enough though), but he actually brings more to the table, LIVE, than DLR in 2009.
You're owned by Sammy Sammy is owned by DLR, EVH, AVH
Period.
COMMENT | Gunner I heard it too. posted by : crazy5150 11/16/2009 6:21:55 PM
It was right before commercial in the 4 quater, bummer about the Patriots lossing though. I'm from New England. I feel mikes pain, because as a fan of Van Halen Past and Present, all the members new and old, Eddie ruined Van Halen and his ego has gotten bad. You don't befriend friends, come on, Sammy and Mike were his friends, Dave was not his friend.
COMMENT | posted by : Expanded Consciousness 11/17/2009 2:27:07 AM
Van Halen Posts Ad on Craig’s List for New Bassist By Victor Vittiriti
LOS ANGELES—Yesterday, anyone surfing the web and stopping by Craig’s List’s “musician” section for the Los Angeles area may have come across a post they never would’ve expected. Apparently, the infamous rock group, Van Halen, had posted a message, stating they were looking for a bassist for their upcoming reunion tour.
The message from the band read: “Bassist wanted. Must be able to rehearse five days a week and tour for an extended period of time. Must be over 21 and must not enjoy Jack Daniels whiskey. Also, no five-string basses, please. Call either Eddie or Alex at ***-**** or Diamond Dave at ***-****.”
During their last reunion tour, with David Lee Roth back as frontman after an over twenty year absence, Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, played bass, replacing original bassist, Michael Anthony. Apparently, the Van Halens and Anthony had squabbled over money and Anthony was asked to leave the band for good. Being a family man to the bitter end, Eddie then asked his sixteen-year old son to join the group. The tour was a success, though some fans did miss Anthony’s presence.
“It was a good show and all,” said longtime fan, James Franklin, 39. “But it was weird to not see that Jack Daniels bass Michael Anthony used to play. I mean, all he ever did was play quarter notes and eighth notes, which basically a chimp could do if you showed him how. Still, he sang great harmonies and he was there since the beginning. They should’ve done what they could to keep him.”
Now, according to the band’s manager, William Weinstein, Wolfgang Van Halen has also been asked to leave the band, due to the fact that he also asked for more money from the Van Halen brothers.
“What these bassists don’t understand is that this is Eddie and Alex’s band,” said Weinstein. “These guys should feel lucky they’re playing to thousands of people every night. Actually, Wolfgang wasn’t even getting paid on the last tour. The spot in the band was Eddie’s early graduation gift for him, for when he graduated high school. Now he’s asking for money? Well, that’s not really how it works.”
Weinstein also went on to say that the band only received twelve email responses to their Craig’s List ad, which they found disappointing, but they still plan on taking each one very seriously. Auditions begin as early as next week and the Van Halen brothers, as well as David Lee Roth, will be in attendance to make the final decision.
“Technically, Dave doesn’t really have to be there. And, truth be told, the decision will up to Eddie and Alex because it’s their name that’s on the line. Without them, there is no Van Halen. Still, Dave’s been a good sport about the whole thing and he just wants to get back on stage to do what he does best, so he’s willing to do anything to get the ball rolling.”
The message on Craig’s List has still yet to be deleted, so anyone interested can still find it under yesterday’s posting. But Weinsteiin does warn future prospects to understand, this may only be a temporary gig. It all depend on how the members of the group gel together.
“Or, in layman’s term, it depends on whether or not Eddie or Alex are ‘on the rag,’ which is pretty much all the time.”
BLABBERMOUTH.NET is run and operated independently of Roadrunner Records. The accuracy of the information
contained herein is neither confirmed nor guaranteed by Roadrunner Records, and the views and opinions of
authors expressed on these pages do not necessarily state or reflect those of Roadrunner Records or its employees.
