Michael Anthony and Van Halen

[Ed Hornung]

MEL SCHACHER... To each his own. I liked the bass lines he came up with. I grew up learning them and playing his songs. I'd like to thank him, not bash him.

 

[Mastermold]

Just read this thread. I like Mike. Good player, played what the songs required. Nice guy too, that's even better in my book. I'm a fan of Victor Wooten as much for the kind of person he is as for his bass playing.

 

[Ed Hornung]

Just read this thread. I like Mike. Good player, played what the songs required. Nice guy too, that's even better in my book. I'm a fan of Victor Wooten as much for the kind of person he is as for his bass playing.

Couldn't agree more! I used to live in Orange Co. Now I'm in Idaho... where it was snowing... sideways.. this morning.

 

[JimmyM]

Van Halen was one person. Ed.
MA was very lucky to be with him for so many years. If Ed was not nice towards him he could have left. It was only a rock n roll band..bass players get fired all the time. I do not feel sorry for him just because he used to be very rich and now because of bad Ed he dont earn as much anymore. MA has been way luckier than most of us.
I suspect that Ed himself did some of the bass playing on the records. E.g 1984.

chickenfoot did pretty well money-wise. their album sold and they did a string of shows that drew. naybe not to the level of what eddie makes off vh royalties, but mikey ain't hurtin'.

eddie absolutely did some playing on their albums, but only the most difficult stuff.

 

[Mastermold]

Couldn't agree more! I used to live in Orange Co. Now I'm in Idaho... where it was snowing... sideways.. this morning.

Well ... if it makes you feel any better ... we had a little snow a week or so ago on the Saddleback mountains.

 

[dls59]

MEL SCHACHER... To each his own. I liked the bass lines he came up with. I grew up learning them and playing his songs. I'd like to thank him, not bash him.

Amen to that! Mel is a very good player, and (again) fit the band he played in. Isn't that the job of an ensemble player?

 

[Mastermold]

Oh we're doing this thread again?
I guess it calls for a few youtube links again:



[Yeah, the guy can't play

This video seems to sum it up --- Mike and Sammy both having all the fun while Eddie is almost ignored and Alex ... Alex? Where is Alex?

 

[lucas vigor]

Unfortunately, talkbass has it's fair share of anonymous internet toughguys who love to trash real musicians. I admit, I have never been a huge fan of Michael Anthony or VH (Not being a rock dude anyway) but come on, this is ridiculous! You want to trash this guy at least have the bottle to use your real names!

Michael Anthony's vocals and thundering, de-tuned bass was a HUGE part of the VH sound. Plus, he always seemed like a nice, decent person.

 

[mjcantor]

Really? Have you really heard Michael play? Sing? There are 1000's of cats out there who can't hold a candle to Michael. He can play! Admittedly, he can't solo to save his life but that's not what he does!

This. Mikey is certainly no Jaco but he is definitely a great rock and roll bassist, and that's exactly what Van Halen's music calls for. He did play some really tasty bass lines if you look deep into their catalogue. And while he may not be the "best" per se, seeing him rock out on the Balance tour when I was 6 is what started making me realize I wanted to play the bass!

 

[JimmyM]

btw, anyone who think mel wasn't top notch is insane. mel is one of the best rock bassists in history.

 

[jerry]

btw, anyone who think mel wasn't top notch is insane. mel is one of the best rock bassists in history.

Don't worry Jimmy, pretty soon somebodys going to bring up the audacity of Dusty Hill to play 8th notes in ZZ Top.

 

[Reaper Man]

though I'll admit I was never really a fan of his stuff, some of the videos did show another side that I never knew, that and the fact that he's held is tongue about everything just shows what kind of person he is.

 

[mjcantor]

And Jimmy is 100% on the mark. Try playing Poundcake or Full Bug (hitting all the correct notes, and in time), WHILE singing the high harmonies he does and running around stage the way he does. It ain't as easy as MA's detractors say it is!

 

[Flabass]

It's well known that Eddie is an ego maniac, controlling fool. He's let his own sense of self-greatness get in the way of the band for a long, long time. That being said..........

I have alway thought Michael Anthony is one of the luckiest, least-talented musicians I have ever heard.

+1

 

[JumboJack]

hey guys, i can settle this...try to play the song "poundcake" and be right on the money with it. then try to sing backgrounds that high while playing it. michael anthony isn't going to win any bass player of the year awards, but that **** isn't as easy to do as you think it is. i've seen him live a couple times with van halen. his backgrounds are right on the money, and he plays very well and holds the band together even when alex is rushing and miscounting. you won't see fiery displays of bass heroism but who gives a crap? it's van halen. i think this is a silly discussion. michael anthony is a great rock bass player. end of discussion.

FTW....

 

[godofthunder59]

btw, anyone who think mel wasn't top notch is insane. mel is one of the best rock bassists in history.

Agreed ^ I could be wrong but I think a lot of younger players here don't have a historical perspective on the bass guitar. Their launch point seem to be Jaco. Chuck Berry ain't no Eddie Van Halen............................... but I'd rather listen to Chuck any day.

 

[miner]

Here's mike anthony before ed got such a big head.
YouTube - Van Halen - Let's Get Rockin'
YouTube - Van Halen Live New Year's Eve 1977: Bullet Head (unreleased)
and here's one more that he played on a fretless
YouTube - Van Halen - Not Enough (Official Music Video) WIDESCREEN HD

 

[PhatBasstard]

If anyone doubts Sammy's account of Eddie's deteriorated condition (and playing) on the 2004 reunion tour, watch this:
YouTube - VAN HALEN - When It's Love (live 2004)
Poor MA and Al and Sammy having to put up with that. Ugh.

Side note: I didn't realize they were doing (at least some) songs in lowered keys for that tour.

 

[JimmyM]

it's a bitch getting old when you're a high singer.

 

[jdthebassman]

the bottom line is there is some kid in kansas that blows us all away. I would bet that there are players here that are better, but it does not matter it is right place right time. the music biz is not what a lot of people think it is.play for yourself first, who cares what others think. with a little shedding I would bet most could cop his licks they are not hard it is his energy,conviction etc that makes it. their is no need to run anyone down, life is tough enough we should support each other (even famous players) ps I liked your sound clips keep up the good work. and finely study victors groove workshop 2-10 live it love it peace jd.