Michael Anthony said it’s only recently that he’s had the chance to really appreciate the influence Van Halen has had on generations of fans and musicians.
“During the career [with Van Halen] while we were playing, were touring and recording and doing all that, you don’t really have – myself personally anyway – I didn’t have time to sit back and think about any kind of impact that we have on kids,” Anthony told New Jersey radio station WDHA FM. “I guess it isn’t until you’re older like we all are now and we’ve done what we done and accomplished what we’ve accomplished where all of a sudden somebody will come up to you now. And I’m not talkin’ about just the kid who goes, ‘Hey I want an autograph….for my dad!’ Ya know? But [it’s when] the musicians that say, ‘Gosh, you guys influenced us’ that I really start to think about just what we did as a band, being together and doing what we’ve done all these years. It’s actually really gratifying, it makes me feel really good.”
While the praise is gratifying, it’s still not something Anthony is totally comfortable with.
“I’m not, like, a rock star I guess you could say,” said Anthony. “I’m a musician and my thing is playing in front of the audience and having a good time with the fans. It’s great to hear that feedback from people, though.”
Anthony also shared his thoughts on the passing of Eddie Van Halen and the planned Van Halen reunion that sadly never happened.
“Of anything I’d have loved to have done here later in my life is to get the band back together,” said Anthony. “Just for me personally and for the fans, to be able to get up there and play one more time, do it one more time. It’s really sad but it is what it is and life goes on.”
You can watch the entire interview below, which includes Anthony’s thoughts on the Circle’s new ‘Lockdown 2020’ album, his friendship with Sammy Hagar, a possible Chickenfoot reunion and more.