Author Topic: Van Halen (Read 377 times)

88persuader · « **on:** January 10, 2007, 12:49:58 AM »

Have you guys heard this one? Apparently Eddie thinks his 15 year old son is such a good bass player he's now the official bass player for VH ousting Mike A. Thing is Wolfgang is not only just 15 years old but he's only been playing bass for 3 months! I wonder if he's ever even changed his strings for the 1st time yet? Guess that makes the rest of us guys who have been playing longer and don't play for a recording act slackers! God ........ I think Eddie's finally lost his mind!

Check out this atricle.

http://www.guitarist.co.uk/page/guitarist?entry=van_halen_anthony_out_wolfgang

cozmik_cowboy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:48:55 AM »

In Eddie's first Guitar Player cover interview, he was asked how much he practices - Why would I practice? I'm already as fast as I'm going to get. This sounds completely in character. But it does give me hope. I've been playing for 30 years, but sound like it's been 3 months - maybe I have a shot!

Peter

southpaw · « **Reply #2 on:** January 10, 2007, 08:18:14 AM »

I'm a Van Hagar fan, (not trying to start a Dave vs. Sammy debate but for my 2 cents Sammy's the man!) but the Van Halen brothers are not very bright or loyal. When Hagar was on Howard Stern he mentioned politely how difficult and immature the VH brothers can be and how they spend money like water. Eddie's ego thinks that anyone can sing or play bass and it will still be great, two words; Gary Cherone! Michael Anthony deserves better treatment. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in March will be interesting. For a great night of fun, go to Sammy's place, Cabo Wabo in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico some time. I'm told I had a hell of a time!

hb3 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2007, 08:55:41 AM »

I played in Cabo Wabo once. It was a real nightmare.

A poster on one of the Van Halen fan sites mentioned Eddie's meth-induced slop on the last tour; looking at recent pictures of EVH, make your own conclusions.

Regarding the Michael Anthony situation, it's too bad, as the reunion rumors were really kicking up again. I can't believe Roth would do it w/o MA.

southpaw · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2007, 09:29:17 AM »

No way I would pay to see VH without Michael Anthony. He is not flashy or the front man but he has been there from day one holding the rythm down and putting up with the Brothers' nonsense. He seems to really have fun playing too, a nice touch from an old rocker, not just doing it for the $, which is why I believe Roth is open to touring with anyone these days. Old rockers on drugs is just plain embarrassing, to ignore the hazzards in their 50's is stupid. As I said, the VH Bros. are great musicians but not very bright.

lbpesq · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2007, 09:46:58 AM »

Personally, I do not believe that the ability to put electrical tape on your guitar and play very fast a great musician makes.

Bill, tgo

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2007, 10:00:01 AM »

It's all about the Gaff Tape.

Okay. I was gonna stay out of this one but I can't. I have been a huge Van Halen / Van Hagar fan for years. But I pretty much lost my respect for Eddie the day I met him at his hotel the day after a show in Houston. What a D**K. Even Alex was chiding him for being such a jerk.

This thing with Michael Anthony is a pisser. I use VH tunes to work on my stamina on the bass. And the range on the vocals. i.e. Get Up. But I do believe that Eddie is enough of a jack ass to replace him with his son.

Why doesn't he do like every Rock Star with a budding musician child and get him his own record deal with his own band. Don't cause further embarrassment to the band. i.e. Gary Cherone.

okay I'm done. I could go on all day. but I won't.

Thanks for all the great albums up to Balance.

southpaw · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2007, 10:29:15 AM »

Bill, you had me laughing with the tape and speed comment, so true. Though I'm sure Eddie is great musician aside from the flash part.
Doc, it's sad when you meet someone you respect, and they turn out to be a D**K, that's why I like Sammy, he knows it is all about the fans and loves them. Oh well, that's Rock & Roll folks!

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2007, 10:41:12 AM »

Well that same day, not 5 minutes later, Sammy asked my friend and I to join him for a racquet ball session. I had to decline on account of I had to get back to work. But my budfdy Jeff got one of the best birthday presents a guy could ask for (except for the !@#&*@# Eddie part.

My favorite part about it was this: It was Jeff's birthday. The band always stays at the Omni Hotel when they are in Houston. I took Jeff there to see if we could meet them before they left town. We got there just as the band was getting back from a round 'o' golf. Jeff hads a Musicman EVH that we got the band to sign. Jeff also asked Edward if he would sign his tour book too. King Edward declined and stormed off. Alex then agreed to sign the book. He opened the book up to a page that was a full page / full face shot of Edward the Great, pulled out a marker with a thick tip and proceeded to sign his autograph over his beloved brothers face. We all fell out. It was classic. It was then that Sammy asked us to join him for racquet ball.

southpaw · « **Reply #9 on:** January 10, 2007, 01:53:32 PM »

Great story Doc, thanks for sharing your experience.

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #10 on:** January 10, 2007, 03:10:37 PM »

ya. I've got at least 237 other stories that are at least as interesting if their not all cool. Maybe it's why I'm so jaded now.

Some of the guys in my shop are starting a Podcast. As a weekly installment, they want me to come on and tell some my stories.

inthelows · « **Reply #11 on:** January 10, 2007, 05:30:34 PM »

How much smarts do you need to play one or two note bass lines? Really, it's always been about Eddie this and Eddie that. They're history and by self admission(Eddie) what's he offered of any significance lately?
My last outing to see van hager, EVH was stoned drunk and made a mockery of the legacy left behind them.
All in All, his choice, Michael should step up and go solo and show how restrained he's had it.
They all made money, so how bad is it really?
Eddie was hip, then he had it replaced. Apparently that's not all thats been replaced!
NLP

hb3 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:28:20 PM »

Michael's in Hagar's band.

alembic_doctor · « **Reply #13 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:33:38 PM »

So Greta is gone?

dannobasso · « **Reply #14 on:** January 10, 2007, 06:52:20 PM »

Mike was the solid root of that band who's backing vocals were a key ingredient to their success. Sometimes when someone does their job so well, you forget they are there. i for one will not be buying a ticket to this. i must admit that the last time i saw them was for VH2 at Convention Hall in Asbury Pk, NJ!
Rock on Mike, Rock on.....