Michael Anthony was a lucky bass player

[buldog5151bass]

Everything he has done since leaving VH shows the talent he has. Michael told him to play roots, so he did.

 

[ERIC31]

If any of you are interested in hearing what Crap Mike went through in this band, read this book. Ed is a complete cokehead tool and other than his guitar skills is a zero as a human being.

This book is a good really read however! Well written and detailed!!

 

[filmtex]

There were lots of bass players playing the LA club circuit back in the '70's that could have been in VH. Although he was a solid player, Mike's backing vocals really cemented the gig for him.

And he's a heckofa nice guy too. My sister knew him well back in the day and I met him once at the retail store I managed in East El Lay. Tnose guys were doing arena quality shows in the backyards of the San Gabriel Valley every weekend.

 

[Sursonique]

Mikey is totally underappreciated. He was the perfect bass player for Van Halen, period.

 

[IamGroot]

So, if Mike is just adequate, is Wolfey any better.

My hat off to Mike, Dusty and others who serve the music.

 

[jerry]

Check out producer Ted Templeman's book, nothing but high praise for Anthony.

 

[murph7489]

If you talk to Eddie, he says that MA sucked and that he had to teach MA all the bass parts and write them for him...lolol. Hard to believe if you ask me, lots of great bass players in LA at that time and if I know the record industry like I think I do, someone at WB or Ted Temp would of told EVH to ditch MA if he sucked...am I right??

 

[jerry]

If you talk to Eddie, he says that MA sucked and that he had to teach MA all the bass parts and write them for him...lolol. Hard to believe if you ask me, lots of great bass players in LA at that time and if I know the record industry like I think I do, someone at WB or Ted Temp would of told EVH to ditch MA if he sucked...am I right??

The only guy they thought of ditching when they got signed was Roth. Templeman say Anthony nailed everything asked of him.

 

[ERIC31]

If you talk to Eddie, he says that MA sucked and that he had to teach MA all the bass parts and write them for him...lolol. Hard to believe if you ask me, lots of great bass players in LA at that time and if I know the record industry like I think I do, someone at WB or Ted Temp would of told EVH to ditch MA if he sucked...am I right??

You are right! Eddie is so full of sh*t! If MA was so bad why didn’t they kick him out after the first record and tour??? .....Or the second record.... or the third...or the fourth....or the fifth....or the sixth....(not to mention the post DLR records which I don’t care for).

His coke-fortified brains (what’s left of them anyway) Has selective memory at best!

 

[deff]

Michael Anthony was never an all root bass player. Even some of his early VH records show some inventive and clever playing. He's not out there front and center like a Billy Sheehan, but he certainly wasn't any slouch, ever. You have to actually listen to the specifics of what he does. His being in VH was never about what he was able to do as a singer. They could have gotten anybody for the band after the first record, he fit and the band was better for his playing.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

As has been said, I believe Mike's vocals helped cement his place in the band.

IMO, he really made the band solid. I've never been a fan of the WHO, not because they didn't have some great songs but because most of the time they sound like 3 people playing solos simultaneously, orchestrated chaos.

The crazy guitar skills of Eddie and Alex's drumming style could very well have made them sound the same way but MA kept them on track to be a band with good songs, not just alot of people noodling around showing how well they could play.

 

[JW56789]

While I hope he didn't get screwed out of any monies from VH he was owed, I always thought they actually did him a favor firing him. From the outside looking in, who the hell knows what really goes / went on, but on the other hand there's too many people telling the same story.

 

[lowphatbass]

Seeing him in videos coming up he always seemed like such an imposing, big burly guy. I met him a few years back and was surprised by his smaller stature. Super cool guy, was in town for a classic car event.
I don’t think anyone can say that he didn’t hold it down...and that’s really how any bass player in a band like that should be judged imo.

 

[Rayjay]

As long as we're still at it....

First, when I go back and listen to that old stuff (which now includes the Sam stuff) one thing that strikes me is that almost everything is super simple. Mike is obviously known for that (though far from a one-trick pony, there's certain songs he really got to rip!) and he takes the brunt of the insults. But nobody ever says "Alex Van Halen is a caveman drummer" even though the vast majority of his beats are "boom chak boom boom chak." He frigging slammed and his pocket was right on the money, you barely realize he's playing the "lesson #1" beat. Eddie too - he dazzled but he was not out to impress you every single second by fitting in as many notes as possible. Lots of his guitar lines feature long sustained stuff.

And I can picture, some VH stuff (I'm thinking the odd time or implied odd time stuff they did under guitar solos of certain songs) - and most especially because the brothers wrote most of the riffs (like for instance Alex is messing around, Eddie hears its a cool pattern with intricate hits, writes a guitar rhythm part TO the drums, instead of vice-verca). My point is, I can picture some of it being intricate enough that it was easier to record the riff for Mike so he can show up prepared and get it in his head. All hypothetical, but I can picture this being a circumstance where Eddie and his selective memory are using it to insult Mike, when actually bands have done this since forever.

 

[Lizooki]

Watching Chickenfoot on TV the other day, I noticed four things:

1. Joe Satriani doesn't belong in a band. He's a solo artist that can't fit in with other guys.

2. Sammy Hagar's "Red Rocker" mic stand is ridiculous and unnecessary.

3. The band sucks over all. Weak songwriting (on Joe and Sammy's part), bland, generic arrangements, Joe's inability to blend in with a band, etc.

4. Michael Anthony can sing better than Hagar and play bass quite well at the same time!

He's a good bassist, but an even better vocalist in my opinion.

BUT .... with a band with members of that caliber its all about ostentatiousness ( if that's really a word,lol) anyway.
Kinda like 24/7 Superband.

 

[Sursonique]

As long as we're still at it....

First, when I go back and listen to that old stuff (which now includes the Sam stuff) one thing that strikes me is that almost everything is super simple. Mike is obviously known for that (though far from a one-trick pony, there's certain songs he really got to rip!) and he takes the brunt of the insults. But nobody ever says "Alex Van Halen is a caveman drummer" even though the vast majority of his beats are "boom chak boom boom chak." He frigging slammed and his pocket was right on the money, you barely realize he's playing the "lesson #1" beat. Eddie too - he dazzled but he was not out to impress you every single second by fitting in as many notes as possible. Lots of his guitar lines feature long sustained stuff.

And I can picture, some VH stuff (I'm thinking the odd time or implied odd time stuff they did under guitar solos of certain songs) - and most especially because the brothers wrote most of the riffs (like for instance Alex is messing around, Eddie hears its a cool pattern with intricate hits, writes a guitar rhythm part TO the drums, instead of vice-verca). My point is, I can picture some of it being intricate enough that it was easier to record the riff for Mike so he can show up prepared and get it in his head. All hypothetical, but I can picture this being a circumstance where Eddie and his selective memory are using it to insult Mike, when actually bands have done this since forever.

It is not selective memory, it is plain old lying. Eddie is one of the top 3 most talented guitarrists ever and I do admire him a lot on that aspect.. on the human side, however.... I lost a whole lot of respect for him for what he did to Mikey, and more and more stories keep coming up over the years that make him look worse and worse.

 

[Rikki Stevens]

Some awesome people can be total dikcs, especially awesome cool lead guitar players on lots of drugs and an ego trip.

I don’t judge. Humans be human. Eddie was also a great family man and loyal to those close. And we don’t know ANY details. At least I don’t.

Was MA lucky? Hell yes he was. But everyone here is right - better than he showcased, totally humble dude, great vocals, and the right sort of image / personality for the band, too. But lucky, totally - and that’s OK. Glad he was lucky.