YOUR QUESTIONS for Michael Anthony

September 18, 2008 400 Comments

The Van Halen News Desk will be conducting an exclusive interview with Michael Anthony in the very near future and this is your chance to ask the questions. Feel free to submit your own questions to be used in the interview with the legendary Van Halen bass player!

Simply add your question to the Comments section below. We’ll pick the best and ask them during the interview.

Filed Under: Michael Anthony, VHND

http://None Sal Jimenez

Mike, sure liked your bass playing on “Don’t tell me what love can do”

Why can’t the VH brothers and you just put your differences aside so you guys can make a new album? Make one with Sammy or Dave. Honestly, what is there to loose?
Chris Dunn

Michael,

Which song off of “Women and Children First” was the most challenging for you to play and/or harmonize to?

Sincerely,

Chris
Siggi Thor

Are you in any way protecting Eddie/Yourself in not disclosing the full truth of the reason for you being left out in the cold, so to say from Van Halen? Or do you put the ball entierly in Eddies ballpark?
For that matter can the issue be so personal that neither you or Eddie (and for that matter Sammy) will never under current conditions disclose of the “truth”. Or again is it just Eddie???
http://www.sarpsborgavisa.no LARS W. (NORWAY)

When will Van Halen release a box set with dvd’s, live outtakes, unreleased songs etc. etc. Why hasn’t it been done already?
We are still waiting…
Looking forward to Chickenfoot (or what name you end up choosing)!
Bill L

Mikey, do you ever play 6 string guitar, or did you ever tinker with any of Eddie’s guitars? I have never seen any pictures or heard any stories of you with a 6 string guitar.
Bill L

Mikey, I know your a big car nut. But have you ever thought about doing a project with the Orange County Chopper guys (OCC). I can think of about a million great ways for you to do a bike with them.
Jeff Mays

Mike…
What was your most memorable tour w/VH and why?
Thanks,
Jeff
Kevin Cochell

Hello Michael,Icant wait to hear your new music,with sammy.
What type of music do you jam to at home that you fans wouldnt expect you would be into.I am a memmber of a website that trades vh video and audio.PlEASE PLEASE Does early video
such as Oakland 81 Or Largo still exist ? Please consider realeasing it to the fans .many of us are dying to see and purchase it.I hope to see a solo albulm one day.
JimmyJones

If you were invited to join the Van Halen tour, would you have knowing you would be around David Lee Roth again.
http://www.davisfamilydental.com Brian G. Davis, D.D.S.

Hello Mike,

Will your Mad Anthony Hot and Mustard Sauces ever be available nationwide in grocery stores? I am in Hollywood, CA right now for the first time in my life and I have been looking all over town to see if I can find a few bottles of these sauces, since I am for Kansas City and we are well known for our BBQ. This is one HUGE place and your traffic is aweful here! Every other car is a Porsche, Mercedes, or Bentley. I have not seen too many of my 2008 Corvettes crusing around town!

Sincerely,

Brian Davis (www.davisfamilydental.com)
SteveHarris

Hey there Mike,
How is the new gig with “the band formerly known as Chickenfoot” going?From what I have read online,it sounds like you guys have some kind of vibe going with the new project.Best wishes and best of luck with the new project.
Steve in middle TN,U.S.A.
Anthony Cerillo

Hey Mike,

Have you ever thought about putting out a “Jack Daniels” replica bass to be sold to the public as a joint venture with JD of corse. Miss you in VH. Hope to see you up on stage soon!
jab3

hello michael!

i’m hoping you can settle an 20+ year argument between my best buddy, waco t, and myself…

on van halen ii, does eddie say “and again” before he starts playing “spanish fly”?

i say he does, and waco t says he’s just mumbling…please put an end to this 20+ years of bickering tell me i’m right…or wrong

thanks michael! best wishes!

jab3 (jack) – denver
Lars

Hi Mike

You’re “the only one” who’ve heard the stuff VH recorded with David Lee Roth on numerous occaisions. How good is that stuff in your opinion, who produced it, and what’s the most crazy reason the reunioun didn’t happen back then?

Thanks
Lars
Michael

Mike have you been offered any spots in bands (other than with Hagar) since you left VH–which bands, and if so, why haven’t you accepted those offers?
http://www.littleturkey.com Borje Reinholdsson

Have U ever considered making a soloalbum? If not, Why?
Brett from Brisbane

I’m a huge Hagar era fan. Van Halen from 1985 to 1996 was the greatest band thats ever existed. The “5150″ tour seemed to be a party everynight on stage. You and the other guys looked so happy together up there, playing around. My question is, do you look back on that tour and get a bit emotional, cause when I look at “Live without a net” I get a bit teary in parts. I just miss those days Mike. It was so much fun.
Mike Marino

Mike. What do you honestly think of Wolfgang’s playing? if you’ve heard him, that is.

ps
we miss you!
Erik

Mike-

Give us an idea of your current daily lifestyle.

thanks
Erik
Simonhead

1 – Mike, did you recorded all the bass lines from Van Halen II on?

2 – 1 to 10 – How’s EVH Bass playing in your opinion?
Mike Johnson

Mike,

Do you feel your creativity was stifled during the writing and recording of the last few Van Halen albums?

Thanks!

Mike J~
San Jose Ray

Hi Mikey,
How do you manage to “balance” (no pun intended) family life and life on the road?
Karl

Hey Mike, how many women have you slept with? And how many do you reckon DLR has slept with?! :-0
http://www.myspace.com/acediamondexperience Ace Diamond

mike, if you had been asked to do the recent van halen tour, would you have done it?
and during the 2002 sam and dave tour, you jammed with sammy, but why not with dave?
do you have something against david lee roth?
TOM

WOULD YOU CONSIDER TAKING THE MAD ANTHONY EXPRESS ON A CLUB TOUR?
Chris

Hi Mike

On the 2004 VH tour you had Silvertide open up. That shed light on an amazing up and coming band. Without the tour I am not so sure they would have climbed the ranks the way they did. That being said are there any young bands out there that make you take a step back and say “these guys are good”? and has producing bands ever crossed your mind?

Thanks for the music you’ve made and the tunes to come.

Cheers
Chris
http://ljpokones.googlepages.com Lance Okones

Hi Mike:

I started playing in bands in my sophmore year of high school (1980) around the time Women and Children First was released. When the band I was with at the time couldn’t find a bass player (they were in short supply) I switched from rhythm to bass guitar and being a fan and listening to your recordings alot I’ve been influenced alot by your playing. Just had to say it and say thank you for so many years of good music.

Do you write your own stuff? Will we ever hear it released? I heard you sang lead in other bands before joining VH and that you’re also a good guitar player in your own right. I’ll play bass for you.- Laugh

Thanx and take care,
Lance Justin Peter Okones (in Iowa)
JimmyJones

Hey mike, is there any chance you and Sammy could tour Australia?
Aaron

Mike:

What is the true story behind Van Halen and Gary Cherone parting ways? Didn’t VH and Cherone record a second album together, and will that ever see the light of day (perhaps in a box set)?
steve ott

Hey Mike what can be asked that hasn’t been asked of you thousands of times, unrelated to your kickass years playing bass i am currious about your automobiles.
They all kick ass my favorite being the nomad & highboy,
if you had to choose one and only one of the auto’s you own which one would you keep.
Hard to choose a favorite but id take your nomad which one would you keep.

Keep rockin your the best.
Steve in GreenBay Wi
Mike Thomas

Mike,
Do you have a favorite VH album or albums as far as from a players stadpoint? Does your bass part or your presence in the mix make any of the VH projects stick out in your memory ?

Thank you for all the great music.
>
Mike Thomas

Vh News Desk – That’s supposed to read “standpoint”
Sorry-
http://www.backroadsonline.ca Matt Doherty

Hey Mike!

I have to say that Van Halen died when you were out of the picture. We miss you bro!

I have a few questions…

1) The first time Sammy was booted, he was quoted as saying you guys had a song in the works that could have been your “Stairway to Heaven”. What ever happened to that tune?

2) I was looking forward to another Cherone album. What happened? Did Eddie’s ego get in the way? I know a lot of people blame Cherone for VHIII but I don’t think it was his fault at all. Perhaps Ed had too much creative control? lol I don’t mind the album, but it was just a departure from the VH we love.

Lastly, more of a comment. Looking forward to your new project with Sammy, Satch and Chad! All the best!

Matt
Beau

Dear Mike,

First off, thanks for making some of the greatest music around – you really are one hell of a musician. I know you’re probably getting stormed with all sorts of “Do you think you’ll ever rejoin Van Halen?” questions, so I’ll ask you something else. Have you ever considered doing lead vocals and bass full time- in a band, or are you happier doing the backing vox and bass?

PS… If you ever wanna jam….
VH 4 Ever!

Mike,
I love that you play Hear About It Later live. You once said that DLR solo was him doing karoke. Isn’t that what The Other Half did? Also, what did you think about being almost completely snubbed from Dave’s autobiography? Thanks…
Steven

Hey Mike,
How have you been?
DO you miss Van Halen?
Were you paid 1/4 of all gross?
What are your feelings towards Eddie?
Do you think Van Halen will tour again?
Do you feel betrayed by Van halen?
Mike Barley

Mike,

When I met you in Philly at the Hard Rock, it was interesting to me that you signed my Mad Anthony bottle left handed. When playing baseball as a catcher, did you throw right or left handed? I seem to remember reading that you are ambidextrous, and obviously play bass right handed. Just wondering what your natural throwing arm is?

Additional comment about when I met you: There is not a cooler, more down-to-earth dude than you. I was tounge-tied, finally meeting one of my idols, and I know you get that a lot, but man, you gave me a thrill by being so nice.

-Mike
JESSE

HI MIKE
IM A VERY BIG VAN HALEN FAN. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO SEE YOUR
1ST DEBUT CONCERT AT LONG BEACH ARENA AND I’LL NEVER
FORGET THAT CONCERT. YOU GUYS PLAYED ALL YOUR MUSIC
FROM VAN HALEN AND THEN PLAYED MUSIC FROM VAN HALEN 2
AFTER THAT IVE HAVE SEEN ALL THE VH CONCERTS IN L. A.
I TOOK MY SON AND DAUGHTER TO SEE THE DAVE AND ED SHOW
AT STAPLES CENTER CONCERT AND A BIG PART OF VH WAS
MISSING. VH WILL NEVER HAVE A GREAT SOUND WITH WITHOUT
MIKE, I ONCE TOLD BERYL GOSLING THAT I WANTED TO MEET
ED AND TELL HIM THANK YOU FOR ALL THOSE GREAT CONCERTS
BUT AFTER WHAT ED HAS DONE I NO LONGER FEEL SAME,
I WISH THEM GOOD LUCK, BUT IF MIKE IS NOT IN THAT
BAND ITS NOT VAN HALEN. I WONT BOTHER YOU WITH ANY
STUPID REDUNDANT QUESTIONS, I JUST WANT TO TELL
YOU THANKS FOR ALL THOSE GREAT TIMES MAN. AND GOOD
LUCK MIKE. JESSE FROM WEST COVINA
Porro

Hey Mike was a Dave, Sammy, and Gary triple threat VH Tour ever discussed when you were with the band?

DO you think that it could ever happen? At least with both Dave and Sammy, yourself, and the Van Heinekens???
Dave Snider

Mike – thanks for kickin’ my ass for 30 years.

My question… can I take the Shelby out for a spin? (oops… I mean…) What ever happened to the bass that Christian Riese Lassen painted for you?
Harry

Hey Mike,
Do you remember MANY years ago the night before a Van Halen concert when you and Dave were out riding bicycles and met up with me and my cousin?
We all sat around on our bikes and smoked a j. Man that seems like only yesterday.
Do you remember that?
http://EddieVanHalen.com Colleen Crawford

Hi Mike,
What about the 81 Oakland Concert? Any chance of the whole concert being released???
Doug

Hey Mike!!

Portland (Oregon) loves Van Halen and certainly could have used a dose of Mad Anthony and his “alter ego” back on stage abusing that bass again. I managed to see you every tour since Women and Children First and it just wasn’t quite the same with Wolfie. Will you consider doing a little stroll through Portland with “Chikenfoot” and giving us a Sunday Afternoon In The Park? ;O)

Would you consider doing it again after all that has been said and done? You are a class act and best of luck on your future endeavours. Rock On!

PS… Say Hi to Sam and convince him we need a Cabo Cantina up here.

Doug in PDX
roger hillis

Is there any way you could leak your copy of the demo from the second aborted Roth reunion from around ’99/2000 onto the Internet anonymously? There is no way they could prove it was you. Or at least post some unreleased live footage from the ’70s or ’80s onto YouTube? I am pretty sure that Tommy Thayer or someone from the KISS camp is leaking pro-shot KISS videos from the ’70s onto YouTube … and it hurts no one.
Ron Rodriguez

MIKE,

WRITE A BOOK!!!! TELL IT ALL BROTHER!!! YOU GOT NOTHING TO LOSE!!! THAT WOULD BE A SMASH BEST SELLER!!!!
Dutch Riviera

Mike,

1) As far as we know, the last time you spoke to either of the brothers was Alex at his former tech’s funeral. What did you two talk about? Has there been any contact with Ed/Alex since then?

2) The reunion tour with Sammy in 2004: The brothers did not want you to play on the tour. Who were they planning to replace you with? Was there any ‘bad blood’ between you and the brothers on that tour? Please elaborate.

3) When was the last time you spoke with Dave? My guess would be the Sam and Dave Tour 2002. What did you two talk about? What is your general attitude toward Dave?

4) I know your song writing involvment in the later years with VH diminished to the point where you were not credited as a composer. How involved were you with the writing in the early years?

5) When your images were replaced with Wolfie on the VH website, who do you really think was behind that? A webmaster goofing around or something more sinister?

6) On the Roth Reunion debacle in 1996: We’ve heard Dave’s side… we’ve heard the brother’s side. What is YOUR take on what happened?

7) Please describe your favorite touring moment during the Dave Era in VH.

Please describe your favorite touring moment during the Sammy Era in VH.

Thanks! Stay classy, man!
Karl

You’re an accomplished musician both on bass and vocal (one of the defining aspects of Van Halen’s music is your backing vocals) and, presumably, money is not an issue, so what kind of HiFi do you have? I ask the question because a lot of musicians who could afford anything they wanted and, you would have thought, have an ear for fine reproduction seem to make do with kit that’s far from state of the art.
Will Lehnert

Mike,

Can you describe the vibe of the leftover F.U.C.K tracks The Wish and Out Of The Ether. Both songs ahve great titles and that is my fave Van Halen album. Did they have the same heavier feel that most of the album had? Oh and any chance we can get the Hagar years remastered?

Thanks
http://vhnd.com Dorn

Hi Mike

I have enjoy your playing for years. What are the odds of a Van Halen line up with Alex on drums, Ed – Lead guitar, Sam – lead vocals, you – bass & Wolfie rythm guitar? Thanks fro the great music.
http://vanhalennewsdesk douglas lafferty

Hey Mike
dave & sammy both brought two different styles to halen.Clearly sammy has stronger vocal talent. My question is: In your opinion, who was the better “front” of the band?