The Top 10 Most Overlooked Band Members
Michael Anthony made Spike.com’s list of “The Top 10 Most Overlooked Band Members”
We all know that being in a band is a team effort. It’s never a one-man show. So it’s unfortunate sometimes when fans just assume the lead singer writes all the lyrics and the guitarist is the only one composing the music. This is why we need to give a few shout-outs to some of the most talented musicians in the industry who rarely get the respect they deserve.We all know that being in a band is a team effort. It’s never a one-man show. So it’s unfortunate sometimes when fans just assume the lead singer writes all the lyrics and the guitarist is the only one composing the music. This is why we need to give a few shout-outs to some of the most talented musicians in the industry who rarely get the respect they deserve.
#7 - Michael Anthony from Van Halen
I’ve always felt that, without Michael Anthony, Van Halen wouldn’t have been the same band. I’m not knocking Eddie and “Diamond” Dave, but this man was literally the backbone of the group. When Michael put his ripping bass and unbelievable backing harmonies together with Alex’s (who is also very underrated) hyper drumming, each song seemed to blast right into the cosmos. It’s also no easy task to keep up with Eddie lick for lick.
People don’t realize how much his backing vocals affected the band’s live shows as well. His energy alone is what rock ‘n roll is all about. Go back and watch any gig form the ‘80s and you’ll see what I mean. Anthony is always holdin’ down the chorus front while Dave is screaming like a wild man and flirting with groupies in the front row. Love this f***ing guy.
Their full list:
10. Jason Newsted – Metallica
9. Vinnie Paul – Pantera
8. Tina Weymouth - Talking Heads
7. Michael Anthony - Van Halen
6. Ray Manzarek – The Doors
5. George Harrison - The Beatles
4. John Entwistle – The Who
3. Garth Hudson and Richard Manuel – The Band
2. Geezer Butler – Black Sabbath
1. John Paul Jones – Led Zeppelin
Filed under: Michael Anthony, Van Halen
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March 11th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Mike is great!
March 11th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
nice to see mike get some attention and how about ray (manzarek)?i get so sick of everyone thinking it was all about morrison.
March 11th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Michael Anthony Rocks! I real stand up guy one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. Too bad he’s not back in the band, It made the reunion bittersweet.
Definitely deserves more credit. The real fans know the deal.
March 11th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
PLEASE forward this to Eddie, Alex and Dave!!!!!!!!
March 11th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
So true. People don’t understand how important he was to Van Halen’s sound. Let’s not even talk about the backing vocals let’s just focus on the bass playing. His tone and playing style was big and warm, like an old Motown R&B bass player. This is a big part of what made Van Halen sound so cool vs. other bands of the time. Mike is one of the main reasons that classic Van Halen recordings don’t really sound that dated today. Other “flashy” bass players like Billy Sheenan or any of the other silly 80’s players never got the point that bass players shouldn’t be frustrated guitar players, they should be “BASS” players. It’s a totally different instrument and should be approached like one. People who think that someone like Billy Sheenan would have been a better fit for Van Halen don’t get what the essence of classic Van Halen was about. The rhythm section of Mike is what made Van Halen a rock & roll band and not a heavy metal band.
The bass has a specific job, hold the bottom and keep time. Personally I think Eddie is full of it when he says that He and Alex “never had mike in their monitors”. It would be impossible for them to all lock in together as well as they did and not be able to hear each other. And that one interview where Eddie says he never liked Mike’s tone makes me question how good a judge of tone he really is. Especially if he prefers the tone that the current Van Halen bass player is using. I saw the tour so I am qualified to say… THERE WAS NO BOTTOM END, THERE WAS NO GROOVE.
March 11th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
I agree with Peedah. The reunion tour was a little bittersweet. It’s not Wolf’s fault, but there is just no way he can fill Mike’s shoes.
March 11th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Scottso,
It’s not Eddie,Alex or Dave’s fault that Mike didn’t show up for work and wanted to be in a band called Planet Us!
Mike’s never been an OVERLOOKED PLAYER, Van Halen and the fans have always known his contributions.
It’s a SHAME that Mike turned his back on Van Halen and their FANS!!
March 11th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Guys….I love mike too. But seriously? Get over it…
Mike took the sammy road and he seems happy there.
Let’s leave it as that.
I think wolfgang did an amazing job doing a tour at 16.
Not many could pull that off….
March 11th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I guess Mikey left because he wanted to you know, play !
What’s the point of being stuck in VH if they never record and barely bother playing?
Mike is too good a talent to be locked up in Eddies basement.
March 11th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
John Paul Jones IGNORED? are you joking?
March 11th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I agree with Micheal …but i still miss Mike’s playing and tone….His tone Is/Was CLASSIC
March 11th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
I agree with the article, the list (Jason Newsted!!) and with Scottso!!!
“PLEASE forward this to Eddie, Alex and Dave!!!!!!!!”
SPECIALLY Eddie Van Halen!!
Van Halen can be EVH, Alex VH, David Lee Roth, Wolfie VH… AND Michael Anthony!!…
With a drummer like Alex, there is no problem 2 bass players!! (Wolfie can play bass and keyboards)
“Four members originals and One inevitable”!! PERFECT!!
March 11th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Ed, you read this?
March 11th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
It’s always the bass player getting sloppy seconds…..LOL
March 11th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
I agree Mike was a huge part of Van Halen. He presence was missed on the tour. He seems to be fine with the Wolfgang situation so I guess we should be as well, but I do miss him.
March 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
micheal is very underrated if it wasn’t for him there is no
vh. and yes john paul jones is the most ignored member of
any band ever, plant and page don’t even speak of him ever
March 11th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
This a great list of players who’s time is due
March 11th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
This list is lame. The fact that any of these guys are on a list means they are getting looked at in the first place.
Besides, Ed played bass on alot of the songs anyway.
March 11th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Finally Mike gets his props. I don’t think putting out new material, touring and playing great music should mean you’ve given up on what you were part of. While I won’t say Mike carried the band, he was an instrumental (literally and figuratively) part of it.
MA=VH
March 11th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
he WAS quite underrated
although they forgot Malcolm Young
March 11th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
I think “overlooked” just means “overshadowed.”
With that in mind Alex Lifeson should be on the list. Talk about the versatility of that guy. Of course, unlike Michael Anthony, Lifeson’s bandmates have always treated him with the respect he deserves.
And, to concur with Kevin… John Paul Jones *absolutely* earns his number one slot, as Plant and Page certainly overlooked him in the ’90s. We all remember his “thank you my friends for remembering my phone number” when Zep was inducted into the Rock Hall. (If you haven’t seen it, it’s a hilariously awkward moment.)
March 11th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Hey Big Al,
You might want to check your facts. Do you actually believe that Michael Anthony didn’t want to remain in VH?! If so, there’s no point in trying to discuss it with you.
March 12th, 2009 at 2:51 am
I agree with Scottso.
Mike got sick and tired of sitting at home doing nothing. When Sam asked him to come out and play with him, was Mike supposed to tell him to f**k off just because Ed hates Sam’s guts?
Mike had every right to do so, he’s not a little kid.
Besides, Mike said he did the 2004 tour for the fans and didn’t care about being paid less.
In fact, Ed didn’t want him for the tour at all.
I’m not anti Ed or something like that, but I certainly don’t believe Mike would’ve left if Ed behaved like a grownup towards Mike.
March 12th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Mike was truly important for Van Halen.
Now he is history.
March 12th, 2009 at 7:31 am
Mad Mike is awesome his backing vocals are sweet. He brought the Harmony to VH. I will tell you this, the list of bass players is impressive - although the list should have had Mad Mike and John Entwistle in the top three with John Paul Jones.
March 12th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
It’s amazing and sad that those 3 are over looked. They definitely deserve credit for their own unique contributions to each of their bands. Jones, Entwistle and Anthony are wicked bass players.
March 12th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Hey Scottso,
I don’t know? Maybe he thought Van Halen was over since Ed was battling cancer, hip replacement, divorce and other demons.
I can’t name another band Ed or Alex tried to start, can you?
Ed has been a guest player on songs not started a NEW BAND!
Alex has been with no other band!!
Mike remained in good graces until he tried to start a NEW BAND called Planet Us. Recording new music, touring and selling his HOT SAUCE. All this happened around 2001-2002.
Answer me this:
You create great music and another person creates the lyrics.
All I do is play what has been written and sing a HIGH HARMONY.
You share everything EQUALLY with me.(which you don’t have to do but are gracious enough to share the WEALTH)
You’ve made me RICH and FAMOUS.
You get sick and need time off.
I start a NEW BAND!!!!
Did I QUIT or did you FIRE ME????
You get better and NEED a Bass player.
I’m recording, touring and selling HOT Sauce with my NEW BAND!
Do you wait for me (so you can make me more money) or find some one that’s LOYAL???????
I THINK MIKE GAMBLED AND NOW HAS TO LIVE WITH THE REGRET!!!
March 12th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Frank,
See my reply to Scottso and answer the same QUESTIONS!!
March 12th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Quite a few bass players on that list…coincidence? I think not.
March 13th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Hey Big Al, here are my answers:
First of all, Ed and Al didn’t start a new band and they had no reason to, ’cause Ed was dealing with his personal issues like hip replacement etc. like you said.
His health is more important than anything, so I don’t blame him.
Alex doesn’t play with no one else but his brother (nothing wrong with that). This was even stated by Sam in an interview.
The sleeve notes of all my VH albums mention Mike’s name as being part responsible for the writing of the songs (OK, not all of them), Mike confirmed this once.
I doubt it that this is mentioned in the European album versions only, ’cause I’m Dutch.
You say all Mike did was playing what’s been written and sing high harmony.
Mike was responsible for all the bass parts.
You make it sound like Mike had no influence at all in giving VH their remarkable sound.
Why do you think most of the fans (including me) were stunned when they heard Mike was out of VH?
If Mike flunked the whole thing, no one would care less…
Mike’s contribution and passion to VH is equal compared to the others, so it’s normal to share everything in equal parts.
Not Ed, Al, Dave nor even Sammy made Mike rich & famous as you say, they are all responsible for making each other rich & famous.
Then, Ed needs some time off for his health (not knowing how long this will last, but that’s logical).
Mike gets tired of doing nothing for 4 years but he doesn’t want to push Ed & Al to make up their minds (quite loyal, don’t you think?).
So in the meantime he does this Planet Us thing.
He never said he left or quit VH and he stated that he would return once Ed and Al were up to it again.
Can you blame Michael for doing something else during the VH hiatus, of which the length was unknown back then?
All he wanted to do was to go out and play, not to hurt the brothers’ feelings but he had to leave anyway.
Was he supposed to ask Ed and Al for permission? Come on…
So do I think Mike was fired? Yes, I do.
Does VH wait for Mike to make him more money?
Obviously not, but like I earlier said, Mike already agreed to get paid less during the 2004 tour so he didn’t give a **** about the money at all.
Finally: yes, Mike is loyal ’cause he did the tour for the fans who got tired of waiting (although I still have to wait for their European tour).
I mean, come on, do you hear Anthony Kiedis talking about chopping Chad Smith’s head off for doing this Chickenfoot thing?
But hey, these are my thoughts about the whole matter.
You’re free to think otherwise.
Frank, NL
March 13th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Frank,
Yes! Mike should’ve waited for HIS BAND MATES to get better and ready to record and tour! Mike could’ve made a guest appearence on Sam’s record or anyone else’s. HE STARTED A NEW BAND!!
He turned his back on Ed, AL and the fans!!
You hide behind the credits of the album but we BOTH know (if you’re a TRUE Van Halen Fan) who CREATED the SONGS and LYRICS! If I bring a song to you and say, play BASS to it, I’ve made your JOB a whole lot EASIER!!
If I say, sing these LYRICS that I wrote a little higher than ME, I made your JOB a whole lot EASIER!!
Ed was GRACIOUS enough to SHARE CREDIT, MONEY, FORTUNE and FAME with Mike and AL! THATS LOYALTY!!
You’re right, Mike doesn’t have to wait for Van Halen to make him money anymore, ED’S MADE HIM MILLIONS ALREADY!!
Name me 3, no make it 1, song Mike CREATED on his OWN for VAN HALEN?
Are you really going to COMPARE Anthony Kiedis to EDWARD VAN HALEN???
I did appriciate your thoughts and opinions. It’s always FUN to debate other Van Halen FREAKS like myself!
Let’s do it again!
March 13th, 2009 at 4:51 pm
Michael Anthony has always been the classiest member of Van Halen. He has always came across as the # 1 member of the band with the least ego. Hey, the guy wants to stay active! Who can blame him? Anybody who is an alcholic, works with an alcholic, and/or has an alcholic in their family knows that, that disease is totally overwhelming! Ed is the greastest guitar player of all time who happens to be an alcholic! Alcholics are some of the most abusive people to deal with. Therefore, it’s not surprising that Mike was treated like shit by Eddie! It’s been rumored that Eddie wanted Mike out of the band years ago. It’s a wonder that he wasn’t let go several albums ago.
March 15th, 2009 at 12:57 pm
Big Al, here’s my final comment regarding this issue.
A few years ago I read an interview with Mike (can’t remember which one) in which he stated that he was part responsible for a few VH songs and lyrics.
So I don’t hide behind the album credits, I just get the facts.
And you’re right, he never wrote a VH song all by himself.
I don’t think Ed told Mike how to play a particular bass line, a real musician like Mike knows how to play a part that fits the song.
Just like Ed knows how to play his guitar part and Al the drums.
But you sure sound convinced regarding your story, perhaps I missed an Ed/Al interview? How do you know all this?
And please don’t tell me it’s because I’m not a true VH fan.
Finally:
I wanted to compare both Anthony and Ed to each other as human beings dealing with the same kind of situation.
Forget about Ed being the greatest rock guitarist and Anthony Kiedis as RHCP leadsinger for a moment.
There are 2 bands on hiatus.
Chad Smith joins a band called Chickenfoot, Mike did Planet Us.
Both Smith and Mike don’t know when RHCP and VH will be back again.
Anthony Kiedis seems to be OK with it, Ed is pissed.
Can you tell me why?
I don’t think money and talent has got anything to do with it, it’s just temper.
But again, that’s my humble opinion.
Anyway, I think it’s fun too to share thoughts with an American VH fan, it’s always interesting to read and learn how people in the “new world” think about a particular (VH) situation.
Let’s hope VH will be back again soon with some new music, hope you agree with me on that!
Frank, NL
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
Where’s Eddie and Alex’s loyalty to the steady guy of Van Halen- Michael Anthony? How many albums and how many years has he been with the band and in 2007 they kick him out of the band because of nepotism? It’s really absurd!!!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Eddie looks like an angry guy in interviews. But listen to the vhnd (Van Halen News Desk) interview with Mike that’s on youtube, you’ll hear a big difference. Mike sounds like a regular, humble, gracious guy who does not want to bad mouth or point fingers at anyone despite all the crap he’s been through with this band. He says he doesn’t want any drama in his life at this point and just wants to continue having fun doing what he enjoys. I’ve been a Van Halen fan for decades, both with Roth and with Sammy, and think Eddie is an extremely talented guy. But cutting Michael Anthony out of the band seemed to me like the most unjustified, slap in the face (to the fans) thing Eddie could do.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:35 pm
Just saw clip for “without you” VH III, 1998. Without a doubt ur finest work. That frontman singer is smokin’ hot and has the best voice I ever heard in the rock world. Even better than that American Idol contender 2009.