Why do so many fans want Michael Anthony in the lineup?

[Voyager]

I've heard it said on other forums, "You've finally got David Lee Roth in the lineup again - be happy and get over it!" I don't see it that way. Way back when the original Van Halen lineup was fractured when Dave left in 1985, a lot of hardcore Van Halen fans were pissed off when they brought in Sammy Hagar to replace Dave. Sammy was seen as an aftermarket part being installed on a classic car.

I believe that this analogy can be used with Michael Anthony also. When a guy starts looking for a classic Corvette, he usually wants to find one with all the original parts. Aftermarket parts tend to decrease the value for most buyers. Regardless if Wolfie is Eddie's son or Sammy is a good singer (which I realize is debatable around here), they are both "aftermarket parts" being installed on a classic vehicle.

Wolfgang was born in 1991. Van Halen was born in 1974. How many of you would prefer a 1974 Corvette with a 1991 GM 350 aftermarket engine over a 1974 Corvette with the original stock 1974 350 engine? For some people who are not classic car buffs, they may not care. But for the Corvette aficionados out there, it makes all the difference in the world. Likewise, some people could care less who plays bass for Van Halen, or for that matter, who even sings for Van Halen. But for us Classic Van Halen aficionados out there, it makes all the difference in the world.

[VH101]

I, for one, could care less about who plays bass for Van Halen. I just wonder about all the people who couldn't care less.

Mike's vocal contribution to Van Halen "speaks" for itself.

[Voyager]

Mike's vocal contribution to Van Halen "speaks" for itself.

Well said. Let's see Wolfie sing these backups (which are 90% Michael Anthony):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BStv8X7bkVw

Highly doubtful.

[Trailblazer]

Not wishing to offend anyone, I have but four words concerning VH's backup vocal situation - 'HOW MANY SAY I"

[Kenny]

So you're a 'classic Van Halen afficionado' eh Voyager? I can tell you it was nice to see a post from you which wasn't purely critical in the extreme....but rather posed a sensible and reasonable question.

Anyway, in answer to the question, most VH fans obviously want Michael Anthony in the band because he was part of the original line up. And I do too.

I'm worried about the ability of young Wolfie to handle the pressure and the scrutiny that will go with it. Mr.Soboleski is a seasoned pro and can that be replaced with a 16 year old kid? I doubt it.....I think Edward is relying pretty heavily on fan goodwill with this one. I can take or leave the 'background vocals' of his that so many fans seem to think are a integral part of VH though.

Having said that I will still DEFINITELY go see them if they come to Perth, Western Australia. They did, and I did on the 98 tour with Cherone, but I think it's somewhat doubtful this time around.

One can only hope though!! I think it's still a good time to be a Van Halen fan!

[brywool]

Without Anthony, the backup vocals will be shite. Michael Anthony is TOTALLY necessary to Van Halen. Without him, it's not complete.

[larryfromnextdoor]

always a fan of Van Halen,, my favorite albums are with sammy BESIDES the first one in '78,, in the old days my friends and i used to poke a bit of fun at M. Anthony, just because he didnt seem to have the big chops of some bass players,, but in reality he was more than just a bass player i think,, M.A. is one of us.. little overweight , not the best looking,, pretty good musician.. doesnt need to brag.. likes his food hot and spicey,, this riff in the band is just confusing to say the least.. ill certainly go see the new tour.. and rock big time.. but honestly id rather see sam and mike in cabo... maybe ..

edit *** include 1984 .. one of the best albums of all time..

[Voyager]

I'm worried about the ability of young Wolfie to handle the pressure and the scrutiny that will go with it. Mr.Soboleski is a seasoned pro and can that be replaced with a 16 year old kid? I doubt it.....I think Edward is relying pretty heavily on fan goodwill with this one. I can take or leave the 'background vocals' of his that so many fans seem to think are a integral part of VH though.

The official word is 40 shows on this summer's tour. Who knows how Wolfie will hold up for even 10 shows, let alone Eddie getting along with Dave? There are way too many uncertainties to bank on this tour becoming a reality. I just hope the promoters have their insurance policies paid up.

[froy]

Without Anthony, the backup vocals will be shite. Michael Anthony is TOTALLY necessary to Van Halen. Without him, it's not complete.[/quote

]

Im sure they will use taped harmonies
Just like JRNY
not going to be a big deal

[Kenny]

I'm worried about the ability of young Wolfie to handle the pressure and the scrutiny that will go with it. Mr.Soboleski is a seasoned pro and can that be replaced with a 16 year old kid? I doubt it.....I think Edward is relying pretty heavily on fan goodwill with this one. I can take or leave the 'background vocals' of his that so many fans seem to think are a integral part of VH though.

The official word is 40 shows on this summer's tour. Who knows how Wolfie will hold up for even 10 shows, let alone Eddie getting along with Dave? There are way too many uncertainties to bank on this tour becoming a reality. I just hope the promoters have their insurance policies paid up.

Yeah well Eddie and Dave getting on is another thing isn't it?

Perhaps the dollar signs will be big enough to enable them to get through the thing without trying to kill each other!!
I don't think they have ever gotten on really well - two very large egos often clash.

I was just talking to my girl about seeing them if they come to Perth (it's a significant outlay for us as we're 1600kms away) - she was saying seeing an ageing Roth trying to do star jumps wouldn't be on her list of things to do..... I hope he doesn't really still try and do some of the shit he was doing in his 20s......

We will be going though, no question. Assuming the tix would be about 100-150 bucks, it will cost us about 1500 on top pof that for flights, hotels etc....but ya only live once, allegedly!!!

[atticus]

You know Eddie says he's excited to get back to the core of Van Halen.I don't see how he can say that without it being the original lineup.Unless he means the core of VH was always about the money.That's all this tour is, it's a cashcow for Eddie and the rest with no new record in sight.If they make it thru 30 shows, I will be amazed.

[ltbob]

I have only one question. Who is gonna sing without Michael on stage?

[lowdbrent]

You know Eddie says he's excited to get back to the core of Van Halen.I don't see how he can say that without it being the original lineup.Unless he means the core of VH was always about the money.That's all this tour is, it's a cashcow for Eddie and the rest with no new record in sight.If they make it thru 30 shows, I will be amazed.

Coz in his mind, VH is only Alex and himself, and everyone else was a hired gun. He no longer has Sammy, a true superior human with true superior intellect, to fight with.

[vhroth]

Van Halen Is Dave and Eddie. They wrote all the songs. MA isn't even the original bass player,Mike Stone is the original VH bass player.

[VH101]

Mike Stone is the original VH bass player.

Well, sort of. But, are there any recordings out there with "Mike" Stone singing backup vocals? Plus, he's not getting inducted into the R&RHOF. Yeah, I know, neither is Gary Cherone, but c'mon VH without MA? It's like Diana Ross without the Supremes! Well... not quite. It's like DLR without the ego!

Just to give the guy proper credit, his name is Mark Stone, not Mike.

[cabokami]

I wonder who is gonna sing for Dave????

[vhroth]

Mike Stone is the original VH bass player.

Well, sort of. But, are there any recordings out there with "Mike" Stone singing backup vocals? Plus, he's not getting inducted into the R&RHOF. Yeah, I know, neither is Gary Cherone, but c'mon VH without MA? It's like Diana Ross without the Supremes! Well... not quite. It's like DLR without the ego!

Just to give the guy proper credit, his name is Mark Stone, not Mike.

There are some early demos with Mike Stone on Bass.

[NealIsGod]

Van Halen Is Dave and Eddie. They wrote all the songs. MA isn't even the original bass player,Mike Stone is the original VH bass player.

Wolfie?

[vhroth]

Wolfie is the future of VH

[NealIsGod]

Wolfie is the future of VH

Well, let's hope he does better with his dad's name than Julian Lennon did.

[VH101]

Wolfie is the future of VH

Well, let's hope he does better with his dad's name than Julian Lennon did.

Ouch!

[VH101]

Mike Stone is the original VH bass player.

Well, sort of. But, are there any recordings out there with "Mike" Stone singing backup vocals? Plus, he's not getting inducted into the R&RHOF. Yeah, I know, neither is Gary Cherone, but c'mon VH without MA? It's like Diana Ross without the Supremes! Well... not quite. It's like DLR without the ego!

Just to give the guy proper credit, his name is Mark Stone, not Mike.

There are some early demos with Mike Stone on Bass.

Are your brain cells functioning okay there, vhroth? Mark Stone played bass with Mammoth, before the band became known as Van Halen. Let's get our facts straight here...

"In 1972, Mammoth was formed and featured Alex on drums, Edward on lead vocals and guitar and Mark Stone on bass. By 1974, Mammoth became Van Halen; Stone had been replaced by Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth had taken over as the lead mouthpiece."

[vhroth]

Mike Stone is the original VH bass player.

Well, sort of. But, are there any recordings out there with "Mike" Stone singing backup vocals? Plus, he's not getting inducted into the R&RHOF. Yeah, I know, neither is Gary Cherone, but c'mon VH without MA? It's like Diana Ross without the Supremes! Well... not quite. It's like DLR without the ego!

Just to give the guy proper credit, his name is Mark Stone, not Mike.

There are some early demos with Mike Stone on Bass.

Are your brain cells functioning okay there, vhroth? Mark Stone played bass with Mammoth, before the band became known as Van Halen. Let's get our facts straight here...

"In 1972, Mammoth was formed and featured Alex on drums, Edward on lead vocals and guitar and Mark Stone on bass. By 1974, Mammoth became Van Halen; Stone had been replaced by Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth had taken over as the lead mouthpiece."

I'm sorry,you're right its Mark Stone. But Mark Stone was in the band when Dave joined and Dave is the one who recommended that the name of the band be changed to Van Halen. Mark Stone was still in the band when it was changed to Van Halen. Dave talks about Mark Stone more than Michael Anthony in his book,Crazy From The Heat. They were still playing parties when they changed the name to Van Halen and were not playing clubs yet.

[stabbim]

Dave talks about Mark Stone more than Michael Anthony in his book,Crazy From The Heat. They were still playing parties when they changed the name to Van Halen and were not playing clubs yet.

It's been a while since I read CFTH, but I don't remember DLR referring either one by name. It was always just "the bass player."

[VH101]

Mark Stone was in the band when Dave joined and Dave is the one who recommended that the name of the band be changed to Van Halen. Mark Stone was still in the band when it was changed to Van Halen. Dave talks about Mark Stone more than Michael Anthony in his book,Crazy From The Heat. They were still playing parties when they changed the name to Van Halen and were not playing clubs yet.

I'm sorry, now you're right. It must've felt like years those weeks Stone was part of VH!

[vhroth]

He talked about Mark Stone by name. It was something about Mark Stone working the lights with his foot on a light board on the floor while he played bass at the same time. He did mention Michael Anthony near the end of the book saying "Michael Anthony liked to have a drink now and then." That was the only mention of MA in the whole book.

[Red13JoePa]

Without Anthony, the backup vocals will be shite. Michael Anthony is TOTALLY necessary to Van Halen. Without him, it's not complete.

Well, sometimes I find a little Frankie Sullivan syndrome with Mikey's BG Vox, that in a live setting he tends to sing too loud.


Still, I want him on bass and NORMAL level bg vox.

[wildone]

Wolfie is the future of VH

Oh well he can run it into the ground just like dear old dad !!!and yes it isn't a reunion without Mike!!

[NealIsGod]

I hpoe Hagar and MA tour together this summer as The Other Half. That would be a nice FU.

[Just Mindy]

I hpoe Hagar and MA tour together this summer as The Other Half. That would be a nice FU.

I hear that there will be no Other Half tour this year, that he's busy working on his Chicken Foot project.