Michael Anthony Clarifies Roth Comments

June 30, 2011 81 Comments

The Van Halen News Desk got an update straight from Michael Anthony today, when he personally called us and told us that he reads the VHND every day and he is hoping that we could clarify something he said in an interview that we featured this week. He also gave us the inside scoop on some details for Chickenfoot’s upcoming album and first single, here.

Michael Anthony, regarding his comments on David Lee Roth:

“I want to say something about the interview UltimateClassicRock.com. The guy that interviewed me interpreted a couple of things that I said about Dave’s solo touring the wrong way, and after I read some of the comments on VHND, I wanted to clarify what I meant.

“In that interview, I was talking about how, a few years ago, Roth put a band together and went out on a couple tours and was played nothing but Van Halen classics. I didn’t mean to knock him for doing so. What I meant to say about that was – that’s fine for him, but for me, I would not want to do that.

“A few years ago I put together my “Mad Anthony Express” band just to do a few shows. We were doing a few Van Halen songs, but we were mainly doing a bunch of classic rock songs that I dig. I could have taken it out on a small tour, but I didn’t want to. Or I could have went out and toured and played only Van Halen songs just to make money, but I don’t want to do that either. It’s the same reason why, on Chickenfoot’s first tour, we didn’t play any Van Halen or Hagar or Red Hot Chili Peppers… we didn’t want to only rely on our past.

“But anyway, I have no ill will at all towards Dave. He was the one guy that I was really looking forward to jamming with some day, either at the Van Halen reunion tour or when Van Halen would get inducted to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. You know, before the induction, his manager called me and asked if I would want to jam with Dave at the induction, and I said I’d love to! But neither would come to be. I’m totally cool with Dave.”

Michael Anthony photo above Photo Courtesy of EmpyreLounge.com

“Lemon Scented Pledge” (bbl70)

Hey. Its cool to see that Mike reads VHND. So here is a message to Mike: Man you are seriously the most awesome bassist I ever heard. People may not get it just by listening to the albums but I listen to live performances and bootlegs over and over again and man, your stuff is ridiculously incredible. The most under rated bassist ever!!! You are the reason I decided to pick up the bass at the ripe age of 41. Your style is friggin awesome.

Here’s to hoping the new Chickenfoot is better than the last one. I thought the music was good but I just couldn’t get into Sammy lyrics after trying quite a few times. Joe is an awesome guitarist but to me, he is not even the beginning of a pimple on Eddies ass.
thor

Kudos to Mad Mike.

Your legacy is secure.

Thanks for all you have done.
AL

Lemon Scented Pledge” (bbl70) says

“Here’s to hoping the new Chickenfoot is better than the last one. I thought the music was good but I just couldn’t get into Sammy lyrics after trying quite a few times”

Sorry Dude.That album kicked ass!Mike played the shit out of those tunes!
vh5150

I love this. Not one bad comment about Michael Anthony. That speaks volumes. I, too, think he is as classy as they come. He has always seemed geniune and with this he wants the fans to be informed with solid information.

As far as bringing Cherone back, no thank you. VH3 was more than enough for a lifetime.
EEASCURLY

The fact that Mike is a nice guy is beside the point. It’s easy to be humble and classy when you didn’t write any of the songs. Yes, his harmonys with Dave are awesome and helped give VH their classic sound, but don’t make comments on Dave playing old material. Dave wrote the melodies and lyrics to all of those songs – not Mike – not an easy task to do if anyone has tried it. There is a reason the Six Pack kicks ass. I don’t think people give Dave enough credit for that. . .when you are singing “Panama – a oh- oh-uh oh” or “I don’t wanna hear about it later” or “G-G-G-G-Get out and push” or “. .ain’t got no love, no love you’d call real” or “..and I feel her, from across the room. . ” (I might as well list all of them) – it is the result of Dave coming up with those hooks. Most people only know him as a loud mouthed goof-ball-sex-maniac of the ’80s – they don’t know he’s responsible for those melodies. Without it, VH would NOT be where they are today.
Magnesium Jake

=VH=OZ MAN got it totally right in my mind. Restate all you want how little you wanted to go out and tour Van Halen songs Mad Mike but remember that little gig you and Bet Midler (Samantha Hagar) put together called “The Other Half”, wonder why you did that if you didn’t want to go out and play VH tunes anymore??

Quit crying about the past and move on just like the Mighty VH has done. I for one am extremely pleased VH doesn’t respond to these idiotic attempts at Mike and Sam trying desperately to get back in their band.
Mike

Mike is a class act plain and simple. He chose to become a musician. And he wants to play. I am the biggest Van Halen fan out there but I remember in an interview Eddie talking about Sammy’s work ethic. How long since the last Van Halen album????
Bo sox

Mike back tracks period. Sammy wants to bury VH and Mike is backing him. I just think Mike cannot handle the backlash as well as Sammy.
Bo sox

FAMAC says:

July 1st, 2011 at 8:57 am
What exactly did Mike clarify???? It seems to me was all he did was restate what he said in that interview.

What Mike should have said was “I didn’t want to tour Van Halen songs because I didn’t sing any of them. It would be like Ringo touring a Beatles show singing Strawberry Fields and Penny Lane.”

Dave has every right in the world to tour songs he wrote.

How can so many of you think that was classy? Are you fawning over him because you think he reads your posts, or based on what he actually clarified – which was a reiteration, not a “clarification.”

I could not say it any better.
Sparks in ’11

“In between Van Halen and Chickenfoot, did you consider RECORDING your OWN MUSIC?”

He may as well have answered like this- “Yes, I sometimes cannonball into the pool fully clothed with my wallet in my back pocket”

I still want to know the ACTUAL answer (they’re gonna kick me outta here) to the ACTUAL question!!!
http://VHND Diamond DB

I find it iteresting that Mike refers to Dave as “Dave”. In almost every interview in the past few years he refers to Dave as “Roth”…….
mikey

Wow that’s exactly what I thought Mike meant – anybody who doesn’t think Mike is class act it just a bitter fool.
Halen High

Bo sox says:
“Are you fawning over him because you think he reads your posts, or based on what he actually clarified – which was a reiteration, not a “clarification.”

Maybe a little. As one of the original four, Mike is much more easily forgiven than replacement members.

But I do think it was a clarification of his comments and that it was geuine.
Halen High

mjc says:
“Mike you said nothing wrong.There are a few ooooooooover sensitive Dave fans at this site,just ignore them.”

Wrong. We are Classic Van Halen fans. That’s why if Dave said something stupid or disrespectful about Mike, I would slam him for it also.
Halen High

mjc says:
“just ignore them.”

Oh and as Classic Van Halen fans, who love all of the original legendary four, make up the vast majority of the band’s fanbase – it’s a bit hard to ignore us.
“Lemon Scented Pledge” (bbl70)

Hey Al. Thanks for the heads up. Yeah, some of the Chickenfoot tunes got me moving. And Mike is an unbelievable bassist not to mention “Cannonmouth” I just couldn’t get into Sammy and the lyrics on that last album. Joe is an awesome guitarist but there is justt something about EVH that is vastly different it just draws me in. Just my opinion. Peace bro.
Northern Girl

I loved when Dave toured and sang the old Van Halen songs. For some of us it was the first time hearing them LIVE by the original VOICE of Van Halen.

I could care less to hear them sung by ANYONE else just because Mike is playing bass, so good call, Mike! Thank you for not playing them!!
No Mas Tony

@ Sparks in ’11 — I read his response as a segway into Mad Anthony Express… like, “did you consider recording your own music?”. He essentially says, well rather than play solely VH music, I started Mad Anthony Express band to do a few shows playing some classic rock. SO, maybe he took the ‘YOUR OWN’ lexicon to mean ‘your own’ thing. It’s not the same as recording his own music, true, BUT, I don’t think it’s as obscure as saying he dove into a pool with a his wallet… or what ever it was you were saying. LOL.

“What exactly did he clarify?” PLEASE READ THIS ALL ROTH FANS / ‘CLASSIC VAN HALEN FANS’: Mikey says “I didn’t mean to knock him [Diamond Dave, the God that walks among mortals] for doing so. What I meant to say about that was – that’s fine for him, but for me, I would not want to do that.”
Halen High

Northern Girl says:
“I loved when Dave toured and sang the old Van Halen songs. For some of us it was the first time hearing them LIVE by the original VOICE of Van Halen.”

Yeah, Dave was bringing those songs back for us – the fans. And that’s exactly what’s got Aussie fans so excited about the new album and tour – Van Halen will sound like Van Halen again.
Sparks in ’11

No Mas Tony- Yeah, I was just being a nutbar with that. Just that it was one of those questions that I’ve been wondering the answer to since VH spoofed Mike thinking about a solo project in the Right Now video. I don’t buy the fact that a man of his talent is only capable of playing bass to music others have written. I think it would be cool if he kept the Mad Anthony Express title for a solo release, whether it be with the help of many fine accomplished musicians or a small group of relative unknowns and create some new originals on his own. No diss on Hagar, but Mike really owes it to himself to step outside the VH related circle and cut loose on something all together different.
SCOTT

I wonder why Mike didnt mention The Other Half playing all Van Halen song and Mike singing lead on Dave era songs..Now That was Cheesey..It must hurt to know that you were replaced with a teenager.
SCOTT

Hey Mike you say you dont want to rely on the past.But every interview you and Sammy give mentions Van Halen to generate interest to what ever you are selling or doing.If you really want to be true on your word you shouldnt mention them in every single interview you give.
T.O. Mike

Scott, how can you dump on MA??? The brothers never treated him fairly from day one, and even if he didnt write the music, his impact on VH is HUGE!!! He was a member of VH for over 20 years, he is allowed to say “VAN HALEN” as much as he wants! He deserves it!
Von Dude

Right on MIKE, completely cool.
G-Dog 1966

Rock on & Cheers Michael Anthony! Looking forward to the new Chickenfoot. Tear it up on tour and come to Iowa this time around. Hellyeah!
anythingleftinthatbottle

I don’t know when some of you guys are gonna get it! YES, it’s great that Michael Anthony is a ‘clas……..’, Oh I just can’t say it! I don’t care if Dave is an ego-maniac. That is prescisely what makes him a great showman back in the day. It’s ROCK N ROLL, not a miss congeniality peagent!

I’m sorry Mike had to be a part of some of this drama from the inside, but it wasn’t a whole lot better as a fan. I remember getting 5150 album and it was good cause it was a lot of bleed over from the real VH. After that, sorry, I just didn’t dig it. It might have been better for Mike, but not for the original fans. I think Mike should be a part of whats goin on in VH now, but I also understand Eddie, cause I play gigs with my son now too. so I get that.

Funny thing is, I used to think Mike was the luckiest guy in the world, but now that he’s not in VH, I realize what’s missing. There is an old saying that covers that, right?
Brian

Hey Scott, They don’t ask the questions in the interview, they just answer them. If it was part of my past, I would mention it also. People want to know. I don’t think they are relying on the past. That is what the fans do. They have all moved on, just people keep asking them questions about it. If you notice, Eddie has replaced everyone that has spent over 10 years with him, including his wife, with the exception of his brother. Mike lasted longer than anyone outside of family. If it wasn’t for Sammy being a loyal bandmate, Mike wouldn’t have been on the 04 tour. More then you can say for a desperate Dave. Dave was the only one they could record with, every fan would have balked, and did at the idea of a third singer. So it was Dave or no Van Halen at this time. Eddie had to suck it up and make it work. I just hope he has his life together now. He is a legend, but with all sorts of demons in his closet, like most legends. Don’t get me wrong here, I am just so tired of all the B.S. on here, this vs that. I am sure they have all moved on and are just happy to still be able to put out some music. Just like when Dave was recording with his new band and Van Halen with Sammy. Now we have Van Halen and Chickenfoot. I for one am glad to have some new music to look forward to. They don’t make music like they used to.
Jay Krieger

Don’t sweat it Mike. You’ve got fans for life. Cheers to you, can’t wait to see you on tour.
Let’s Rock

This is a very late comment..

It appears that Mike has towed the same line about Van Halen.

Can the same be said about the other members?

Nice 180 Leaps! You might check before you jump next time.

Still waiting for that Leaps rip into Eddie and Alex. It may take longer to get it than the next VH album.

Damn cool that a member or former member of VH reads this site. Can we say that this is classy?

The Nation Waits
Dawn

MA is awesome, can’t wait to see him again with ChickenFoot or that would be great if he made a special visit to the Sammy concert in Detroit coming up!!!
Footsoldier

I Love VH with DLR. I Love VH with Sammy. I Love all of Sammy’s solo stuff and his music with the other bands he has been in (Montrose and Chickenfoot). It’s all about great music. I’m excited to hear the new VH and the new Chickenfoot releases. If “Big Foot” is an indication, Chickenfoot III is gonna blast it. You know Ed and Al will bring it with the VH, it is another step for the band with WVH replacing Michael Anthony. But Mike has class and is a very righteous dude and I’m glad is has found a friend and ally in Sammy. Good luck to all and I can’t wait to see all of you out on tour!!!!!!!