Read my take on the recent firing of Michael Anthony from Van Halen and the hiring of Eddie's son into the band for the Lee Roth reunion tour.

Here’s something that I never expect to see.  Apparently the Van Halen’s have fired their long time bourbon drinking bass player Michael Anthony.  And who have they put in his place?  Eddie’s 16 year old son, Wolfgang Van Halen. 

This one came far out of left field for me, as Michael Anthony always seemed like one of the most stable units in the Van Halen gang.  And hell, after 30 years of recording and touring with Van Halen, why would they fire him now?

But yes, sad it enough it is true, and the words were spoken out of Eddie’s mouth personally on the Howard Stern show (and might I add a Bababoey while I have the time). 

What may seem like a bigger shocker to more people is that Eddie’s son is taking over as the four stringer.  Personally for me, this isn’t THAT big of a shock, as Wolfgang did tour with Van Halen on their Hagar reunion tour and played a solo with Eddie during the show.  You have to figure that the kid probably grew up listening to Van Halen songs and probably knows them better then any other ‘professional’ bass player knows them.  And lets be honest folks, the Michael Anthony isn’t exactly Victor Wooten.  I’d imagine that the bass lines are simple enough for the actual songs that a 16 year old kid with some talent could take it on.  However, I imagine there will be no bass solo and bourbon drinking during the concert like there was in the Hagar reunion tour.

I have to admit I’m very sad to see Michael Anthony go.  He was always a solid staple during the performance of the bad.  He was sort of the like your friend drunken uncle with a beard that would take you guys to the local pool hall and smoke in front of you while you were in middle school.  He may not have been the BEST showman, or the MOST complicated bass player, 

But he was always there when you needed him.

I guess not anymore though… 

But oh well, at least David Lee Roth is back.  That’s enough to make up for the absence of the great bearded booze hound.

…isn’t it?

Here’s the video for Hot for Teacher for all of us to sit and reminisce about the good old days of Van Halen.

Comments (1)

	1. 23-08-2007 17:01
	We'll see We are going to have to see how Wolfgang does. There is just something very uncool about having a little kid playing with Van Halen. We need the booze! Report

Van Halen Fan

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