In Defense of Mikey
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- Опубликовано: 18 июн 2015
- During an interview with Sammy someone read what Eddie said about Mikey in Billboard and here’s Sammy's spontaneous response that he wanted to share in defense of his brother.
Original Billboard article: www.billboard.com/articles/col... 
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Here we are, seven years later. Eddie is gone, Alex is probably never going to play live again, Roth is retired.... and last week I saw Mike playing with Sammy and singing "Ain't Talkin' Bout Love".... still flying the flag.
Amen!!!
YUP.
Saw that too,
Trust no-one yet be trusted.
I just saw The Circle last weekend at Aqua Caliente, Michael Anthony could have and should have replaced David Lee Roth , to this day, he still has the vocal chops to do it, the guy is ageless, and a pro's pro.
Same just saw them a couple weeks ago both were fantastic!
Eddie wrote that song so without him they wouldn't have been singing it. Ya these guys outlived him but that doesn't take away from what Eddie brought to the table in terms of the music he created. What gets lost in all of this is that in both Van Halen and Van Hagar... Eddie was doing 90% of the writing. He lived in hiis studio.
Everybody needs a friend like Sammy.
If only man.
@Reddis I do like Dave, but you’re right
Sammy you're so cool!!!❤ and I truly think and always thought Michael Anthony's the nicest guy in the vanhalen group yes indeed, love you both. 😍
Hell yeah they do!
Ya
Anybody who shits on Mikey’s bass playing plain and simply either isn’t a musician or doesn’t know what a good bass player does. He was always rock solid in the pocket, tightly locked in with Alex, all while singing a very demanding amount of backing vocals. He owned the top and bottom ends of VH’s sound.
As a Bass player myself, you are spot on. Mad Mike is my inspiration for taking up the bass.
Well said
His backing vocals were insane! I'm prejudiced (a bass player) so sue me!
Mike was a piece of the puzzle. An original... He deserved better.
Not to mention all the stage presence.He never stood still much and was always adding to the overall energy of the performance.
Sammy is such a great guy. He's stood by Mike since 1985.
I believe Sammy 100%.
+drumtravelfun Me too, because despite the fact that Sammy sometimes won't hesitate to tell it like is and get down and dirty when it comes to confrontation - which I guess some people don't like about him - one thing he has never struck me as is a liar. That's just not the type of person that he is. IMO you don't get to where Sammy Hagar is and achieve the type of success that he's gained over the years without being a real mofo. Sammy Hagar in my mind will always remain one of the baddest dudes in rock and roll, and I have nothing but respect for the Red Rocker...
The evidence supports Sammy 100%.
Um read he's book he says one thing then he's says this
You can listen to Mike's bass playing with the Circle -- he is back to playing riffs and lines, and more intricate parts, instead of just driving eighth notes. It is true the less notes a bassist plays, the more leeway the guitarist has to adventure or screw up, without sounding like he's in the wrong key. (poor Alex Lifeson of Rush -- had no such leeway!) Mike plainly demonstrates more chops now, so draw your own conclusion why that may be.
@@brianshaffneraclc At least Lifeson was able to play his way around Geddy Lee's bass without much issue. Dude is seriously underrated.
Mad respect for Sammy Hagar.
Exacto
Idiot
@@bobwin1307 please extrapolate on your valued comment BOB
Unfortunately, there is no "love button" to push it, bro...
Sammy has always been a stand up guy.
Never understood why Mikey was the punching bag for the VH bros, especially Eddie. He's the nicest rockstar to ever grace the face of this earth and NEVER has anything bad to say about someone even when he has reason to do so, always took the high road and complimented everyone he worked with. I think i read somewhere that they started to treat Mikey like trash ever since the early 1980s and yet he still gave them his everything to elevate the band even more. Warms my heart knowing Sammy always has his back because he also recognizes what a true gentlemen Mikey is. ""Michael Anthony is the greatest guy in the fucking planet"" gave me chills. Props to the Red Rocker for always keeping it real!
Because with addicts and alcoholics they're never the problem. It was Roth. Then it was Hagar. Then it was Anthony.
Mike was the Jason Newsted of VH. Addicts destroy all that is good in their lives. It's just what they do, and if you let yourself be their doormat, they will walk all over you. Once you come to that realization, and rightfully tell them to get fucked, you will see who they really are because that is when they turn on you.
Ed wrote the music and was Van Halen. MA is a hired gun
@@sgt.thundercok4704 - Exactly - everyone else is wrong. His brain was fried years ago and it's sad but he did it to himself. Whatever happened to him as a kid, he refused to deal with and instead drank himself to death. Eventually it would have been Alex and then even Wolf, it he had lived long enough.
@@pookiepookie8669 If your name's not Van Halen you have a target on your back
Besides his solid bass playing, great attitude, love for the fans,M.A.'s backing vocals were always top notch and really put the icing on all the tracks.
That VH tour with Roth that Wolfgang was on bass, they were piping in Anthony’s vocals, how I knew neither Wolfgang or Eddie were near mic and Roth stopped singing on “Runnin with the Devil” I turned to my friend and said “their using Mikey’s vocals” unbelievable
I saw VH live with Dave at least ten times back in the day. Mike Anthony carried A LOT of water VOCALLY for Dave live. Dave was a great frontman-not a great singer. Mike made Dave’s mediocre vocals sound great. No shade to Dave, but truth is truth. Go check Mike singing Ain’t talking ‘bout Love on YT and check out Dave singing ATBL with Foo Fighters.
It will be an “Oh shit” moment. Love Sammy (been a fan for almost 50 years) I love Dave and VH but Mike Anthony is probably the most underrated sideman in Rock and Roll. He is a MONSTER talent-AND the nicest cat in town. Thank you Sammy for telling it like it is. 👍 👍
For me, besides Eddie's revolutionary guitar playing, Michael's high tenor backing vocals is what made the band's iconic sound. His range is unbelievable, such a great sound he has.
Mikey is a legend. The engine behind VH and those superb backing vocals.
Ranger White well-said my guy. It’s hard to come to terms w the fact that Ed might have that side to him
God bless..you hear backing vocals..SOMEBODY GET ME A DOCTOR..JAMIE'S CRYING..ALL OF THEM THATS MIKE
@@chipcompton468 Exactly !! Roth was a great front man, but if it wasn't for Mikey those songs would have sounded like shit. Eddie is so out of reality, example, he got mouth and throat cancer from smoking non stop for yrs, not because you held I pick between your teeth.
@@frosty327 it was on his tongue, not in his teeth.
Criminally underrated bassist.
I just watched an interview of Micheal Anthony from 2013, when asked about how the band split, he had absolutely nothing bad to say about anyone, he also said Wolfgang was a great kid and a great musician. Mikey is a great man.
Sounds like his appearance on That Metal Show (could be the same interview you speak of?). Michael Anthony was absolute class. Not only is he a better person than the Van Halen brothers, but he sounds better on bass than Wolf too. I'm glad his career is still going strong with a loyal friend instead of taking shit from Eddie Van Douchebag.
Classy dude, I agree.
@@catjudo1 Yep. Eddie Trunk gave Mike every opportunity to bash the Van Halens and he refused to do it, saying nothing but positive things about them and his time in the band. Truly a class act, Mike and Sammy both. The Van Halens, not so much .
@Kent Horvath That band made everyone millionaires ! Eddie was a great talent, but not the sharpest knife in the drawer. He's been a major alcoholic even when his brother quit because it was causing problems. And Eddie blames everyone, except himself
Kent Horvath Michael Anthony’s vocals and his charisma on stage were worth every dime he made. The band could have been as successful with Alex but not Mikey. No way.
Locked eyes with Mikey, while throwing the VH sign out with my hands on the F.U.C.K tour. He nodded in acknowledgement, while smiling, singing and strumming at the same time. He may not know me, but I'll never forget it. You'll always be loved Mikey...and so will VH!
I had the same thing happen to me with Peter Frampton back in the Stone Age (stoner age 🤣👍).
He gave me Jack Daniels in a solo cup from the side of the stage during a Chicken Foot concert. Awesome guy he is.
Objectively, and from someone who has gone through the same thing, Eddie was mostly a sweetheart of a guy, but had anger issues that came out on Dave, Sammy, and Michael. Mike was the only one to really be above the whole thing. God bless all.
I agree and God Bless you too brother.
Ed was a toxic narcissist! Know what’s worst than a narcissist? An alcoholic narcissist! Know what’s worst than an alcoholic narcissist? A rich alcoholic narcissist! The nastiest people on earth.....and that was Ed! Best guitarist? Yes! Nasty toxic human! Yes!
Love Eddie's playing , but rather have a beer with Mike and Sammy.
Christopher Lewis I'd rather have 20 with Diamond Dave
Most definitely I would be happy to buy the first one
I'd hit anyone else but those two with the back end of the bottle.
Damn straight
@@coltonhill6095 why? Dave would completely ignore you. That's the point
I just became a SAMMY HAGAR fan !!!!! I see that Sammy never defended himself that way,but a Friend ? He is a LION.
jimmmmybrady that's just what he wanted....
Same here.down to earth rock n roll musician.
jimmmmybrady That’s real integrity.
His book is so good,..Sammy is soo smart and the brothers always made fun of the business moves he made. Now Sammy is the rich one
If you have friends willing to stand up for you like that, you did good things in your life.
Sammy and Mike have always been pure class. RIP Eddie - I hope you really made this all right before you departed.
Well said friend.
Don’t think he did. Mikey hasn’t said as much and Alex is in a clam.
@@cleorivas1547 yeah, you're likely right. What a shame.....
@@PatrickHealy That might not have been important to Eddie, but to Mike it had to be. Put his WHOLE heart into VH to be treated like that/erased.
@@cleorivas1547 it's unacceptable. I don't care how good a musician you are, you can't do that to a guy you created so much great stuff with.
Who doesn't love Iron Mike? You rarely find a bass player with his talent and work ethic!
I met Mike in 1985/86. Backstage for the Houston tour for a guitar promotion, Mike was the greatest dude ever. Very kind and patient that night, just a regular guy happy to be doing what he did. Other folks I met backstage, maybe they were having a bad day.
Sammy, thank you for calling Eddie out on the RS article. Thank you for sticking up for Mikey who is a true gentleman. Power to you both. Keep Rockin Red !
AFABull311 --- I dont really like Sam because of how he has trashed Dave and VH fans in the last 20 years --- but I think what he said in this clip is pure truth --- Mike Anthony has always been a really nice and classy guy who cared about VH and their fans for 40 fucking years! EVH is a MAJOR PRICK for taking all those shots at Mike. Unforgivable and EVH needs to apologize to Mike --- FAST.
Hi Bill, thank you for your comment. If you look back since Sammy left VH its been DLR & EVH who has done all the trash talking with Sammy having to defend firstly himself & then Mikey. Have a look at the Sam & Dave tour video to see who the trash talker is ..DLR.
Bill Belzek Sammy never puts down Dave though. He mentions that yeah Dave has his own way of doing things but both Eddie AND Sammy are drama with a capital D. Sammy and Eddie need to shut up. I think Sammy and Eddie need to let Mike and Wolfie do the talking because both of them are a lot nicer people.
***** if you read Sammy's book "Red" you'd see he does trash Dave a lot --- said Dave "looks gay" --- and also claims that old Van Halen concerts were 4 or 5 songs and then mostly Dave talking and telling jokes --- which is a blatant lie because there are old VH concerts on RUclips and Dave only briefly tells funny stories in between songs on a FULL 2-hour set --- Sammy lies a lot, too
Bill Belzek the looking gay thing does kinda disappoint me I will admit. Oh well.
Mike's Playing on Fair Warning is Top Notch
Great record btw
THAT'S what I thought too.....
...but Ed played bass on that LP.
@@goodquestion1105and on every record after that
I love Mikey. Mikey is a fantastic bass player and a great backup singer.
Sammy. You area class act. What a friend to stick up for Mike. Good friend. We should be that lucky to have a friend like you. Thanks for this.
Band shit should stay with in the Band...Sammys one of the Best in Rock n Roll All Time...But countless vids of Him always cryn about VH?Let it go already Man.
Why is EVH hell bent on destroying his legacy? Everyone knows that Michael Anthony is one of the most underrated team players in rock history. He's a humble guy that helped keep a bunch of drunks and drug addicts sounding great for 20+ years.
You said it. I do a lot of work on college campuses. In the dorms you see posters of Hendrix, Zeppelin, The Doors, Sabbath, but no Van Halen. Due in large part to Eddie’s spiteful and petty nature, Van Halen is almost unknown to the young music lovers of today.
@@EvilEyeGypsy That was shown to be true. The most famous incidents being Billie Eilish not knowing anything about him or his music (Wolfgang stood up for her, saying her music was cool), and that guy who asked Eddie to take a picture of him at a concert, not knowing it was Eddie (Wolfgang posted a picture of Eddie taking the pic).
You tried to bury it in there but there it is, the inevitable RUclips “underrated” comment.
Bro, save this comment for people that are actually underrated and not the biggest rock stars in history.
Bands have fights and this has no bearing on King Eddie passing. What this shows is that Sammy sticks up for his friends and defends their integrity. RIP EVH.
They (the brothers) royally fu*ed Mike MULTIPLE times over 30 years. Forcing him to sign away all royalties to 1984 because he didn't write the music (just like alex VH). Forcing him to sign away all rights to the band name and logo just to tour in 2004 with the band that he was an original member of. Then sudden sh* talking from completely out of nowhere. The situation shows how flimsy his loyalty was (even to a 30 year friend) and will remain a part of the legacy HE created. Remember: EVH could have taken the high road like Michael Anthony but chose to fling sh** instead. Name a single band member from their history (without the last name of Van Halen) that Eddie didn't publicly talk sh** on. Kings/virtuosos can be a***oles too.
Moronic and lifeless creature detected!
It wasn't just Eddie. In fact it was mostly Al. Even Noel Monk said Eddie was lying on the floor with tears in his eyes while Alex was firing him for no reason other than money. Alex made the accountants do a complete audit hoping to prove Monk stole from the band. Which he did not. I think Alex made Eddie an asshole. It was really his nature but then again, drugs change a person.
@@bobmartino8073 the more I read and listen to old interviews of Alex...I see it was Alex that was the asshole and Eddie was easily manipulated by him...
RIP EVH but sammy is was speaking the truth at the time. MA is a badass and that was total bullshit. and it totally reminds me of band fights. sammy is a good friend.
Sammy is definitely the coolest and chill rockstars ever. I read he made peace with Eddie before Eddie passed. I hope thats true. I looked up to all these guys.. even David.
You can tell Sammy is a stand up dude. This is a cat you want on your team.
Even DOG people would agree.
I've always loved Sammy as a singer/player/song writer. I never really liked Van Hagar though... Didn't work for my taste...
I can also speak on the PERSONALLY on this...back around 75/76 I saw them in a backyard party (Huntington Beach Ca.) , all you can drink $5 playing cover songs ...DLR was prick even then...EVH couldn't be bothered...yet Mike not only was so nice, a few days later he even came to one of OUR bands gigs (at the Beach Ball in Anaheim) and gave us NOTHING but love!
lou Babinga Great story. Thanks for sharing. much appreciated & show Mikey to be a genuine dude.
AFABull311 All the best AFA!
+lou Babinga those were the days...back yard parties until the Pasadena Police broke it up! My friend took lessons from Randy Rhoads in '79 in Burbank...those were the days...Starwood Club Friday nights watching Motley Crue, Quirt Riot, Y&T, and Smile. Yeah, that was a well spend $10!
Jeff Porcaro Groove Master
if you was there you know!...hope all is well Jeff!...enjoy your work!
+lou Babinga I saw VH back then, and I can remember Eddie faced away from the audience so they couldn't see how he was playing. I guess he thought he invented tapping and it was like a big secret or something. Michael on the other hand came out and talked with us on the intermission. Asked how we liked the music, and what did we think of his playing. He was damm good back them. I doubt Eddie showed him much of anything. Fact is Eddie (this one time I saw them), was out of tune for most of the second set. He finally tuned up about 4 songs into the set.
Something people should remember now that everyone is singing Eddie's praises. He had a mean streak that wasn't warranted. Hopefully he let that shit go in his final years
According to Sammy, beginning of this year him and Eddie had buried the hatchet and they were good. Perhaps that was brought on by Eddie's illness.
@@shldnfr Eddie was diagnosed in 2000 with cancer btw. He has fought different kinds of cancer ranging from throat,mouth, tongue and EVEN lung cancer (I think? THAT'S WHAT actually killed him) so yeah, with Eddie NEVER changing lifestyles and addictions of ALL the sorts? But yeah, MOST of 2020 Eddie was deathly ill, and it WAS....ONLY a matter of time.... THAT'S why Sammy and Eddie probably decided to bury the hatchet on ALL that negative petty sh.t. As life is way TOO SHORT indeed......
@@jamescon55 - But Sammy had to call EVH and EVH had the nerve to say, "I was wondering when you'd call." So did MA have to call EVH to be forgiven also? Pretty shitty.
@@pookiepookie8669 Ohhh NO doubt.... For sure... Sadly, it has been "confirmed" (for me personally anyways) WHAT KIND OF PERSON Eddie Van Halen had turned into - (mainly in the past two decades especially)...Things are CONSTANTLY changing, AND? Some "people" TOO... Cancer IS A DEFINITIVE person/people changer ESPECIALLY. And Eddie being a victim to C.A.N.C.E.R. for 20 years DEFINITELY cements that fact.... NOT saying that's the sole reason by any means for his actions (OR lack thereof) but, yeah... Eddie was ALL talking crap in 1982 literally RIGHT AFTER Randy Rhoads was killed in the plane crash (it's on YT even) on ""how Randy learned ALL the guitar stuff from me though" , and I was just like 😳 RU friggin KIDDING ME dude?!?! 🙄 And so, NO, , I probably WON'T EVER be able to forgive him for saying that but ... SMFH 🤬 AND the whole "Michael Anthony thing?" Ohhh yeah, that pretty much CEMENTED the fact of what ACTUAL kinda people that BOTH the Van Halen brothers WERE and ARE...unfortunately 😒 But? Eddie AND "THE VAN HALEN BAND" DID write/make/and perform some good stuff (especially and obviously in their day AND their prime) 😏🤘🔥🤘
he was also a puppet for alex,they both could be bloody cruel,their behaviour at the mtv awards was appalling.
Michael Anthony class act, great bassist, and best back up vocals
Without Michael Anthony's backing vocals there would be no Van Halen
I never thought I could admire Sammy more....much respect to this awesome human being!
Anthony’s vocals were a big part of the VH sound.
H U G E !
Bass players in ANY band are expected to get downplayed or degraded unfortunately. Mike is no exception even though he has great talent
Great runs through all the bars
Great timing
Great flow
Great vocals in any range
Lets not forget that micheal is an amazing back up singer he carried David on every song !!
That's the truth. Roth got away with alot because of Anthony's great voice. Mike Anthony can sing Deep Purples Sweet Child in Time start to finish. FACT!!
easy tiger......lets not get carried away! 😉
@@Mff48 Ahaha...
@@jamesgang6206 Micheal is a great back singer but don't get carried away here...Dave's voice never needed any help.
He didn't carried Dave bc Dave didn't need anyone to carry him.
He's a great back up singer but he's no Dave when it comes to sing.
Eddie was a legend and once a generation talent but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t difficult. All this video does is show me Sammys loyalty and we all fight with those we’re close with. It’s life. Rip Eddie.
Michael Anthony will always be Van Halen.
We love Mad Anthony. Thank you Sammy for taking up for Mikey!!
cbgou812 Pretty sure it ain't an act. Pretty sure his douchebaggery comes totally naturally.
***** Pure laziness? what have you done Knob?
***** Personally I think Eddie and Dave can't sit down together for long periods of time and write new music or an entire albums worth. This Eddie interview where he slams Mikey, he also says Dave doesn't want to be his friend, Dave think's he is still 20 and acts like it and also says the band is ready to make a new album but Dave is not onboard for it and is into dance music. These guys are simply together on tour to make money, it's business and nothing else. There is no camraderie left in VH except maybe between the Van Halen brothers and Wolfie.
When ADKOT came out and was full of demos from the past, I thought to myself.."bet Ed and Dave can't even sit down and write tonnes of new music..." and "bet Dave gets on Ed's nerves..." I think I was right. Anyways, I saw VH live 3 times eith Sammy...91, 93 and 95 and saw them with Roth in 2007. In 2007(Toronto), I was surprised Dave was not too bad for being who he is and what he is known for, but so happy I did not waste my money in 2012 and won't be wasting my money on this tour either or anymore with Dave. I would take Sammy and Mike anyday over what VH is now. I will cherish my memories and all the VH albums I have.
T. O'Neill...“Critics are like eunuchs in a harem; they know how it's done, they've seen it done every day, but they're unable to do it themselves.”
― Brendan Behan
Eddy Van Halen even said it himself, way back when he was in his right mind : "Michael Anthony is a damn good bassist, he plays bass, he does'nt play guitar on a bass"... The guy is, in fact, a complete, versatile, educated player who can play anything but always understood his role in this given band : Keeping it rock solid, making the whole band sound great and i myself always got mad at ignorant people who would denigrate him or other true, humble and effecient bassists. I once used equalisation to sort out his intricate bass work and show a bassist friend all the little subtilities he would play that you don't hear at first but that are there and make the whole thing sound richer... Not to mention his signature, unique background vocal hability... God bless you for defending this very good, real musician and all around nice guy Sammy !
I KNOW I read a magazine article back in the 80's where Eddie specifically said that Mike got the gig because he was the only bass player they ever jammed with that could keep up with him and Alex. It's a vivid memory for me because every damn time I see Michael Anthony, I think about that quote. Fuck off Ed.
This is exactly why Sammy is the hero and EVH is the villain. SH still rocks!
bravo sir, well said, one listen to Dirty Movies or Mean Street proves that.
@@dazxmedia Push Comes To Shove also....
@@dazxmedia I read somewhere that Eddie played bass on a lot of Fair Warning and also on F.U.C.K. Unless that’s just revisionist bullshit. Love the bass in Dirty Movies
You people saying this should be taken down need a 20 pound chill pill. This is life, people argue, shit happens. Getting rid of the video won't mean it didn't happen. Sammy and Eddie were communicating privately this year, and I think there's a good chance they moved past this before Eddie passed.
It's a bit like pulling down all those statues around the world......
You can't erase history.
They did. Hagar said they'd been communicating and had moved way past the bitterness but didn't announce it in fear of reunion rumours that they knew would never happen due to Eddie being very ill. We know Eddie is absolutely a guy that reinvented the rules on guitar playing & his death is very sad. But what the VH Brothers did to Micheal Anthony was out of pure spite of their anger of Sammy. Mike didn't do anything to them.. And it needed to be said. It was bullshit!! So kudos to Sammy for standing up for Micheal Anthony.
People are complex. It’s the simpletons that can’t accept that who want things taken down.
Its edited, look at the part where he says asshole, sammys mouth never opened lol, this was edited to get vh pissed, i know how editing works, and this is number one example
We need more people like you in the comments
12,000 likes.....ZERO thumbs down....2,600 comments......pretty overwhelming support for what Sammy is saying.......
At this moment theres over 200 Van Halen fluffers downvoting....🤘🤠🤟
"Michael Anthony is the greatest guy on the f**kin' planet!" - Truer words were never spoken! People don't come nicer than Anthony. Kudos to you Sammy for making this video!!
Sammy would be equal to or a close second. He played a 9/11 benefit on his own dime in NYC, and a couple of years later when the fire department was facing budget cuts, he came back at the request of the firefighters union and played another free show.
I like "mike Anthony's a bad mother fucker "
Plus the fact the NOBODY can sing them high harmonies like Mikey did. And his bass playing is phenomenal. In the pocket and catchy and technical when need be. Pretty sad to know this. Especially since Ed is the reason I play guitar.
Ed is the reason my son plays... My son is 29 now and teaches College... He was going to be a Rock Star and still has the chops if he wanted to.. But all this bullshit amongst the Powers ruined him, he sold his Peavy Wolfgang EVH... Now he plays acoustic guitar when he plays guitar... He started playing piano... He plays a baby grand that's so sweet!!
@@markcoggins3278 Why would your kid let a bunch of drama between people cause him to sell his guitar? That's kinda silly.
Mike, I agree with you.
@@ZiddersRooFurry he sold the signature amp... so? Why play or play through something that reminds him that his once hero is a douchebag when he drinks? Word is that he quit, but his words were cutting and downright ignorant...I ran into Mikey after a Philly show one night and he was so lowkey that I almost didn't know it was him...when I said his name he turned and came back to talk for a few minutes...Alex was the same way...I expected that DLR was gonna be egotistical, but I didn't expect Eddie to be so cold and shitty...I ran into these guys numerous times over the years and although the singers changed the attitude of Eddie was always douchey...I could understand that people can have a bad day, but every fuckin' time I met him? With the separation of years? C'mon, I lived in Delaware and several people that were close to Valerie talked about his stupid temper...getting all pissed over tiny things, blaming the world for any small setbacks like they were the end of the world...Eddie is one of the finest players to ever strap on a "Frankenstrat", but alcohol ruined a lot of relationships for him...Eruption is one of the best finger exercises in the world...I hope that if I ever run into him again, he'll be the sweet guy that a few people said he's become - alcohol....
@@sykwookiee Fair enough. I can understand that now that I've had time to think about it. The thing that got to me was when Eddie was giving this big thing about how he started playing and he was just sucking up how important this interviewer was treating him. He seems like a grade A narcissist. Kinda funny how you almost never see him playing with guys like Steve Vai yet even Yngwie tours with Vai and Bettencourt. There's this great cover of Bohemian Rhapsody with the three of them and Yngwie is playing really laid back and following the other guys leads. There's a huge difference between acting like a rock star on stage and being a douche afterwards. I think Eddie forgot where he came from.
I’ve never seen anything but class from Sammy Hagar.
Everyone knew that Michael Anthony can play. EVH wanted to promote his son’s position in the band. It’s as simple as that.
Eddie was once a really nice guy and of course a great talent but years of alcohol abuse made him a very bitter and resentful person and fewer and fewer people wanted to be around him.
I love the way you put that
You nailed it, well said, and a lot of people are trying to make EVH a saint now that he is gone, but the hard reality is that both he and his brother, due to their hard addictions to drugs and alcohol, were the problems behind the band. Not DLR or Sammy Hagar and when you read Noel E Monk's book on his stint as their manager, you see it all. May EVH rest in peace, but let's stop with glossing over the real truth.
@@CarguyEd5150 It's not unique to EVH, but at the same time we should acknowledge the good he did do after passing. It's more graceful to remember the good in someone and not remind everybody of the awful things they did. It shouldn't be hidden though, Eddie was a giant ass sometimes
That party he had at his house was pretty telling. Him shit-faced. No one close there, just hangers on.
@@sgt.thundercok4704 Eddie wasn't the main problem !! It was Alex that was a serious issue. Alex talked with Eddie on Michael wanting to tour with other bands while VH was inactive. THAT is what led Michael to EXIT VH!! Wait to you meet Alex, you'll understand Eddie was the lesser of the 2 evils. I never liked Alex oh and his wife she was really stuck up for being a nobody.
Sammy had to get real and bring the facts to the table . I always saw Mikey as a solid bass player and his timing was always on point and had a solid tone .
Defending Mikey proves Sammy is all class! He always give honest answer in interviews. Keep rockin Sammy!!
Rock on
The high harmonies Mike does are rare and amazing
BINGO!
Awesome message, Sammy. I've got 'some' knowledge of music, being in and out of bands for 35 years. You and Michael Anthony were the best thing to ever happen to VH.
I watch the the band leave their hotel to get on the buses. And Michael was the only band member to go over and talk to a group of fans that had gathered. Nice guy!
Mikey is one of the most class act in rock he has never said nothing negative about anyone. he is the man
I met Michael Anthony in Newport Beach with his wife, absolute class act him and his wife super cool down to earth dude and he was happy cause I brought put my chickenfoot album for him to sign and I could see in his eyes he was happy I brought out something he was mainly known for
He's got a great sound, style and his back up vocals helped build that band. He don't deserve that kind of disrespect
I don't know if this is true or not, but I heard that back in the mid-80's, Eddie essentially forced Michael to sign away his royalties from the 1984 album (which was diamond-certified by the RIAA). He received most of the credit for it, but he decided to take Michael's royalties from it as well. That's just heartless.
Sammy wrote about it in his book. Michael didn’t write any lyrics so his percentage was lower than the others & it was re-negotiated over the years. In the reunion tour of 2004, Sammy wrote both he & Alex gave up some of their points to Michael because Eddie was really struggling back then both financially & emotionally.
Noel Monks book says it as well
Back in 2001-02 I was an employee of a gym where Mikey worked out. He always sat down and talked to us. It was obvious there was tension, but he never talked bad about the guys.
Sammy is also one of the best he just showed he has his friends back I believe him 100% .
1980 I sat down with my guitar player to learn On Fire and Light Up the Sky as a bass player. I was blown away by Mikeys chops. Ever since then Michael Anthony has always been on of my Top 5 bass players list. Mikey and Sammy pure class all the way!
As a bass player my eyes were really opened to Mike’s genius when I first heard Fair Warning - brilliance! He’s the epitome of team player always doing what is best for the song. Just like a solid offensive lineman, the band doesn’t work within him!
...and Mikey is still out there jamming and the VH bros are sitting at home with their thumbs up there asses. So who has the better work ethic.
...and who couldn't use an awesome friend like Sammy!
Mikey forever!
Ed and Alex need to relax. I may not like Sammy in VH, but from what I've seen and heard, he's a great person. And I believe him.
I agree with all of that.
Alex is relaxed. He’s loyal to his brother which is understandable but he doesn’t bad mouth Hagar or Antony. Hagar said Alex was still cool and if not for Eddie they’d still be tight. Also Alex and Anthony has a phone conversation not to long ago that was set up by a mutual friend. I think it was Alex who reached out to talk to him. Have to go back and read the article but I think it was Alex. Eddie is the issue. Some time after 1998 he went off the deep end and the Eddie we knew was gone.
Wolfie could have declined to become a member. "You know what dad, Mikey is great in the band and he's always been loyal to you, I'd like to do my own thing" but that sure didn't happen.
If you listen to those old VH album you will hear that awesome rhythm section of Micheal Anthony and Alex VH. Ed was having a lot of problems in the early 00’s. Eddie was a great man and a wonderful father from what I can see. R.I.P Eddie Van Halen. Also way to stand up for Micheal Anthony ,Sammy!
Thank you so much Sammy for coming forward and telling it like it is!!!!!
Happy Birthday & Happy Father's Day Mikey!!!
I get less and less impressed with Eddie's character the more I hear about it.
You go Sammy!
Sammy....I just want to tell you THANK YOU for what you mean to Rock N Roll....there are a lot of bad dudes that created great music but just hollow inside but you....you not only created some of the BEST Rock N Roll music out there but also delivered a VERY positive message in MOST of your songs that made you feel good while rocking out...that is something that I finally came to appreciate more and more the older I got, and the fact that you're down to earth and REAL...I turned 50 this year and got to see you for the first time 2 years ago at Windstar in Oklahoma and even though that venue is not breathtaking by any means....it will be one of the MOST memorable concerts that I'll ALWAYS remember...even my wife went to the show with me which she never goes to these concerts but even she talks about how much she loved your show! Even at your age you rocked the hell out of that place and I STILL thank God I had the opportunity to see you before you stop touring.....and I really hope I get to see you again brother cause the next time you come through North Texas (Dallas/Fort Worth) or the Casinos in Oklahoma...I'm be there!!! You're a good dude...I can feel your energy when I watch you speak...and it's a positive energy and I dig it!!! Thank you for ALL of the great years, I'm VERY thankful to have grown up in your era of greatness!
I come back to this video every once in a while to be reminded what true friendship and loyalty looks like
Saying F you to a dead man while selling tribute t shirts is called backstabbing. Get a grip...
@@MWMZone This video was posted way before Eddie died, and its known fact Eddie was a piece of shit to Mikey so go fuck yourself
@@MWMZone Do you really think everything on RUclips was posted yesterday? Look at when this video was posted and tell me if June 2015 was before or after October 2020 when EVH died.
I'm sorry for whatever educational institution failed you.
@nashligo Why would he keep that up? I thought they made amends??? Do you know what that means??? Why is he using it to sell T-shirts??? It's been up for 9 years!!! It was unnecessary and creepy then and it's 10x more unnecessary and creepy now... much like your fanboi reply. Lol. Hagar is a complete fraud. Your Biden-like stumbling and bumbling got you nowhere. Lmfao
I played with Michael at the Mark & Brian Xmas Show. He was the bassist for the house band that night, which included all the top A list players in L.A. and he was one of the most solid and versatile bass players I've ever had the honor to play with, not to mention one of the nicest guys in the industry. His first gig was in Jazz Band! More than one note there. When I heard Eddie's rant, it didn't sound like he was talking about the bassist I knew. Michael Anthony was a huge part of Van Halen and they haven't been the same in his absence. So here's to you, Sammy, for watching out for one of your brothers. It's just the rantings of an old addict who's day on the green has passed.
artsake That was a good M&B Christmas show. I miss Mark and Brian...
artsake True....but Sammy is full of shit saying that Mike was forced to playing one note runs live or in the studio. He is all over that bass playing fills and runs right along side Eddie. He must be talking about during the song writing process, because I've them both live and a few minutes ago on YT. Right Here, Right Now is proof enough. Hagar is totally stretching the truth......and for years he always said Eddie is the best guitarist and song writer he ever played with. Some how I feel that Eddie's comments are stemming from something prior that was recently said between the two.
I worked in radio with Mark and Brian in Birmingham, before they went to LA. I was there when they did their late night on air try out for the morning gig.
FreeMTrider..He was talking about the tour where Edward was drunk the whole time.
Why I liked Sammy since Montrose days ... loyalty & integrity.
@newagetojo exactly
Best and nicest guy in the business! A monster player! A true inspiration.
As much as I love Eddie Van Halen I always thought he was a jerk with how he treated Michael Anthony. Sammy is 100% correct in everything he said. Mike is one of the most tragically underrated bass players ever. He is a rock solid, selfless bassist with a fat bottom end sound that filled out everything. Just listen to a song like "Mean Street". He was a big part of the VH sound. Billy Sheehan revealed that back in the day Eddie twice offered to make him the bassist for the band. Billy turned it down. He said Michael was such a cool guy he could never do it plus he felt Mike was the absolute perfect bass player for VH. Billy also could never sing those high harmonies like Mike. Mike could really sing! Take away those harmony vocals and the band's sound just wouldn't be as polished. Wolfie did a real good job but he was not the same level as Mike. Boith vocally and on bass.
Wolfgang is a better singer than Anthony. He is at this moment anyway. .... No, he doesn't have Anthony's signature tone but listen to him wail with his band. Nothing short of remarkable.
Billy can sing those high harmonies, has sung high harmonies for years in other bands, but perhaps with not as full a voice as I believe he sings falsetto to get that high.
Thank you sammy! Hope eddie watches this.
Probably the three thumbs down are Eddie, Alex and the Kid
IF Wolfie is actually Eddie's. Could secretly be Mikey's kid... And that's why Eddie and Alex attack him.
"The kid" has a name yaknow.
Yes, and it's "Fatso".
That was love right there.. Michael Anthony is in my top 5 favs.. Hes a force to be reckon with.. Love Sammy n mikey..
WOW! You feel the burning intensity of Sammy's loyalty blasting like a furnace through this clip.
Not only is he a amazing bass player the dude has a great voice! VH owes a lot to him for making the VH sound the VH sound.
I loved Van Halen through out it's entire history. Too bad there was so much infighting. One thing for sure, Michael Anthony has been the classiest guy through all of it. Hats off to Mikey.
Mikey's vocal was impeccable no matter what band or who he played with.Golden backup vocals awesome👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏
Now that’s a true friend . Well said Sammy .
my respect for EVH has all but gone... legendary guitarist who is quickly losing the respect of guitar players worldwide for disrespecting one of the nicest guys, a team player, and a monster bassist.... I'd bet even Wolfie is embarrassed for his dad on this....
i hope he is or daddy raised an asshole
A lot of us former VH fans now side with you Sammy and Mike. I'd love to see The Circle when you guys come to town. I won't see VH again. I've been shocked by what I have heard coming of out Edward's mouth. I lost all my respect for Eddie and Alex. Good luck to you Sammy.
Brian Knapp
I'll still listen to Van Halen, but I do recognize that Eddie and Alex can just be the worst kinds of assholes walking the face of the planet.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 Lmao how have I missed this EPIC rant for the past 5 years??!? 😂🤣 Man I wish I could come up with this kinda shit in 1 straight blast. That was so awesome I just watched at least 3x in a row.
Sammy was always a stand up, in your face guy. Thank You Sammy and Mike for All the great vocals and music throughout the years.
Sammy you are so damm right
Micki, not only this Bass playing but his Voice is out of this world
I know it's an old thread... but I wish Mike and Sammy were my neighbours.
That's the kind of friend you want in your life. Respect!
You can feel the tension! Well......I guess there will NEVER BE A REUNION now. R.I.P ....Ed.
Sammy still loves you and we are all humans no matter.
Thanks for sticking up for Mike,Sam. HELL YES! He doesn't deserve that kind of treatment.He has never done anything but support VH even when he was no longer in it.
And....the greatest backing vocals in the history of Rock n roll. Mikey’s harmonies are quintessential VH.
I've heard both sides. But, I really have no way of knowing because many people see the truth in different ways. So, I'm going to respect them all based on their talent. And they all had plenty of that! RIP Eddie.
Huge Respect Sammy.
I’m sure you speak for how many of us believe and feel about Michael Anthony.
He deserves so much more respect than he got.
Man, every Halen fan I know wished Michael Anthony was part of the Roth reunion tour instead of Wolfie...such a shame that total lack of respect that was shown to Michael.
If Eddie wanted his son to tour so bad...he could’ve played one or two songs live instead.
Fans deserved to se the original line-up one last time.
Maybe treating Michael that way is what ate away at Eddie...leading to his illness.
Who knows, had he been a ‘better Dude’ ...he might’ve lived long enough to one day do a ‘Sammy + Roth, + Anthony’ tour.
I was never a big Sammy fan, but I love how he's defended Michael Anthony in this deal.
Bet your a Taylor Swift fan huh Idiot
I certainly preferred the DLR era of VH, but Sammy is a stand up guy. I remember listening to a radio interview with Sammy in the late 90s and I was like "damn, I really wish I liked Sammy's music more, because this guy is awesome".
this is why I luv and respect this man.
I love Michael Anthony!!!
I saw VH in 1981 at Cobo Arena in Detroit and it was amazing!!!
Mikey is awesome. Met him in a hotel pool in Houston in 1984. Very humble, very cool.
I idolized Ed when I was 16. I have since grown up.
I’ve always been a Sammy fan, before Van Halen, and Sammy has always been a straight shooter. If Sammy says that’s what happened then that’s what happened. Mikey sang all the high parts while playing bass. Playing an instrument and singing can be an adventure. 💯 Mikey!
“Michael Anthony is one of the greatest guys on the fucking planet!”
Thanks Sammy
Eddie is one of the greats when it comes to playing the guitar. Sadly he's a personality-deficient jagoff of a human being.
@newagetojo he was...
I wouldn't go that far, but, we all have issues from time to time. EVH just had more of them, but you do hear that he was a nice guy too. But it is surprising that he chose to say those things publicly about MA. I'm going to chalk all of that up to the copius amount of booze/drugs. And in 2004 EVH was just lucky to be alive he was in such bad shape. But not a jagoff, definitely not.
That's a man--standing up for a fellow bandmate!
Go Sammy, go! Way to have Mikey’s back bro! God bless you!
I’m glad y’all made up at the end😢 I don’t know why all that happened but we love Michael Anthony- to me he was such a huge part of the spirit of Van Halen. When he left there was no body to jump around and make it fun💜
Mike was a huge part of Van Halen, not the same since he is gone, even though they got Dave back. Seen Wolfgang on reunion tour, he did good, but he is not Mikey. Mike is one of the best.
Sammy You are an awesome dude and a legend .. I listen to you speak and realize that you have it all together. Rock on brother.
Seen Sammy 4X ; 2X with VH & 2 solo. He's 1 of the best & most fun live performances you'll see.
I hope St. Peter isn't playing this while Eddie's waiting to jump through the Pearly Gates!
does St. Peter use Michael's hot sauce that he sells in concert
The hot sause is good even better then the guitars Eddie used to sale
Remember, he's running with the devil?
I've seen Van Halen with Sammy
I've seen Van Halen with Dave.
I've seen Dave by himself.
I've seen Sammy by himself.
The only show worth a fuck was Sammy by himself, and Van Hagar to a much lesser degree due to the slop of the VH brothers. Sammy is a true showman, not sloppy at all, and can sing like a 20-year old, even though he is getting up there in age like myself.
Thank you Sammy.....for everything.
velvet01able There wouldn't be any Dave/VH activity without Sammy and Montrose, so much credit to Mr. Hagar. He's been performing longer than anyone in VH and will continue to do so long after this version of VH eventually fizzles. Dave and Eddie can only pretend to be happy on stage for so long. That or Wolfie will eat both of them.
velvet01able Seen Dave & Sammy solo and being downunder, saw VH with Cherone. You're right, Sammy's the best by far...and he's years older than any of them!
velvet01able wow good post. I love concerts too.
velvet01able Hey man, I gave you a thumbs up, but I like DLR Van Halen a lot better than Van Hagar. That being said, I freakin love Sammy. I just don't love him with Van Halen. I also think Eddie is an asshole and should bring Michael Anthony back in.
longlivethe80s agreed, album-wise VH1 and 2 were by far the best. Van Hagar was good, but only had half the album sales.
I will say this though. How difficult is it for anyone to replace the original lead singer in a band and then be million-album sale successful? You can count on one hand how many times that has happened in rock, despite a hundred bands who have tried. The only one that comes to my mind right away is AC/DC.
But comparing them both in concert.....fucking forget it. No fucking comparison AT ALL.
Sammy would put a teenager to shame. Seriously, I am not kidding one bit.