Van Halen's brutal bullying of their bassist, Michael Anthony

[Saul Goodman]

 

[tbonesullivan]

I remember reading Sammy Hagar writing about how badly Michael Anthony was treated once he was booted in favor of Wolfgang. I don't blame Wolfgang though, as he saw it as a way to actually be with his father and keep him away from alcohol, drugs, etc. But yeah, the interview detailed how Michael Anthony was pretty much reduced to a hired gun, while Alex wasn't, even though arguably his contributions were not much more. All those high harmonies on the records? Michael Anthony. 

It's amazing how suddenly when there is lots of money people actually start to care more about it. Hagar also talked about how the "rest of the band" didn't understand the Tequila brand, or the bar, or any of the other businesses / investments that Hagar got Van Halen involved in. They just didn't get it.

I love Van Halen's music, and Eddie's guitar playing will always be incredible, but 3/4 members of the original Van Halen were pretty substantial assholes. 

[RobB]

Sammy saved the bar in Mexico, and saved VH. Eddie offered to buy out Mikey (of his 25% share) and he told the VH bros to pound sand. Then he got fired. 

He still gets his mailbox money, so, “winning!”

Edited October 15 by RobB

[Jakeboy]

Assuming it is factual, That video shows what a class act Mike is. He should have beat Roth’s ass. He willingly signed away his share of some future money rather than side against the VH brothers.  They all looked so happy onstage….it was part of the charm. And if this is true, it was BS. They treated Mike so poorly.

[Spinaltap]

I have some really early VH boots, and they had their sound in 1974 playing covers.

Amazing the dysfunction in personal relationships. MA may not have been a technical bass player, but he delivered the notes needed, and the backing vocals that made the tunes

I remember a story told by Jeff Berlin or Holdsworth about Jeff Berlin being offered the bass spot in VH when they toured as a opening act for VH, he declined thinking it would be way too many notes

[hamerican gigolo]

MA was treated like a second class citizen by the VHs. Yet, one could argue that he allowed himself to be done so. The original contract was that they shared in all concerts, record sales, songwriting, etc. Split 4 ways.  MA voluntarily signed away his rights. He wasn't forced to do so. Shoulda retained an attorney to protect his rights.

MA was an important part of VH. Wolfgang was nothing more than a nepo baby.

Edited October 15 by hamerican gigolo

[Saul Goodman]

7 hours ago, Jakeboy said:

Assuming it is factual, That video shows what a class act Mike is. He should have beat Roth’s ass. He willingly signed away his share of some future money rather than side against the VH brothers.  They all looked so happy onstage….it was part of the charm. And if this is true, it was BS. They treated Mike so poorly.

My understanding is that Roth is some sort of blackbelt. Anthony, being a bit portly, was probably intimidated by Roth. It seemed he was also okay not making as much money, possibly because he realized he will never run out of it, unlike the rest of the retards in the band. I loved the band in the beginning as a senior in HS. They were a fun band and each time I saw them was a great time. I never knew what was going on in the background. Seemed like they were living the life. I lost interest after, "Mean Street." In fact, I seem to remember not being too fond of, "Mean Street," when it first came out. I hated the keyboards in, "Jump." It just wasn't VH to me. Then when Hagar joined I had already moved on and he changed the feel of the band anyway. Oh, and there was the one album with the Extreme guy that I totally missed.

[alantig]

2 hours ago, hamerican gigolo said:

MA was treated like a second class citizen by the VHs. Yet, one could argue that he allowed himself to be done so. The original contract was that they shared in all concerts, record sales, songwriting, etc. Split 4 ways.  MA voluntarily signed away his rights. He wasn't forced to do so. Shoulda retained an attorney to protect his rights.

According to Sammy's book, Mike was fully aware of what he was doing.  Sammy had apparently convinced their manager to have Mike keep his royalties, and when they went to the meeting, the vote was 3-2 to take them away.  They came out of the meeting and Sammy ripped into the manager and accused him of double-crossing, and Mike stopped him and said, "He didn't vote for it.  I did."  Sammy asked him why he'd do that, and Mike said it was because Alex had just gotten divorced and needed the money.

[velorush]

2 hours ago, Saul Goodman said:

My understanding is that Roth is some sort of blackbelt. 

I can't remember which book it was (there are so many) that disclosed Roth paid for karate lessons but maybe took one or two. There was a pattern of such behavior expressed (again, can't remember which book it was - I'll try to find it and add to this post).  

 

ETA: Google AI says it was Noel Monk's book: "Written by the band's former manager, Noel Monk, the memoir includes a passage detailing David Lee Roth's personality, noting that Roth once signed up for karate lessons and paid in advance for enough instruction to earn a black belt, but ultimately didn't follow through with that specific program."

"While Monk used this story to illustrate Roth's habit of jumping into new ventures with intense initial enthusiasm but shifting focus before completion, Roth famously did continue practicing martial arts independently throughout his life. He went on to study Kenpo karate under legendary master Ed Parker, trained with kickboxer Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, and regularly practiced Brazilian jiu-jitsu and weapon arts like Kendo and Iaido."

Didn't recall that second part, so, @Saul Goodman's proposition that MA might have been fearful of a physical confrontation could certainly be true. 

Edited October 15 by velorush

[RobB]

4 hours ago, alantig said:

Sammy asked him why he'd do that, and Mike said it was because Alex had just gotten divorced and needed the money.

Dang. What a mensch!

[cmatthes]

Always loved Mike in that band.

 

[Jakeboy]

Like @Saul Goodman, I was a monster fan through Fair Warning….somehow 1984 didn’t do it for me (I know, I know). I bought 5150 and really dug some of those tunes, but they lost me after that. MA surely helped make that band what it was. Hard rock with those pretty BGVs was really novel and different. Plus he was and is a fine bassist.

[LucSulla]

I should just show this in class instead of lecturing today. 

"Guys, today we're learning about how Hacksaw Jim Duggan got fired from Van Halen."

This is the news!

[scottcald]

10 hours ago, LucSulla said:

I should just show this in class instead of lecturing today. 

"Guys, today we're learning about how Hacksaw Jim Duggan got fired from Van Halen."

This is the news!

Don't forget to include Hulk Hogan auditioning to play bass in Metallica.

[Disturber]

56 minutes ago, scottcald said:

Don't forget to include Hulk Hogan auditioning to play bass in Metallica.

This you should forget.

[scottcald]

6 hours ago, Disturber said:

This you should forget.

It’s OK, just one of the many lies of Hulk Hogan.