Former VAN HALEN bassist Michael Anthony says it’s “hard to explain” original lead singer David Lee Roth
At a March 2024 question-and-answer session during Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp, Michael Anthony excitedly discussed the upcoming highly anticipated summer tour, which would see him alongside vocalist Sammy Hagar, guitarist Joe Satriani, and drummer Jason Bonham, celebrating VAN HALEN‘s iconic music.
Fans can anticipate a nostalgic journey through the band’s legendary catalog, with Anthony‘s signature bass lines, Hagar‘s powerhouse vocals, Satriani‘s masterful guitar work, and Bonham‘s dynamic drumming bringing the timeless classics to life once again.
When asked how the tour came about, Anthony said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “Well, Sammy and I figured it’s 20 years ago this year that we did the last VAN HALEN reunion. And Sammy and I were talking about it. We’re always reminiscing and stuff like that, and we thought, ‘Gosh, 20 years.’ And who knows what’s happening now? We obviously can’t wait much longer. Sammy‘s an old man now. But we didn’t wanna wait any longer.
“And with Ed [Eddie Van Halen, VAN HALEN guitarist], unfortunately, passing away the other year. And Alex [Van Halen, VAN HALEN drummer], he’s still pretty much — I know he still grieves and stuff like that. And he doesn’t really get out; he doesn’t get out and play. And so Sammy and I wanted to get the music out to everybody. And we thought what a better way… Let’s get together and take it and play it. Someone’s gotta play it.”
When asked if he maintains any relationship with VAN HALEN‘s original singer David Lee Roth, Michael replied: “Uh, I haven’t spoken with Dave in quite some time. The last time I actually spoke with him was when [there was talk] about a possible reunion thing.
“It’s really crazy because I hadn’t heard anything about Jason Newsted [METALLICA] coming into the fold [and doing the tour]. And I got a call from Alex and Dave from [manager] Irving Azoff‘s office some years back asking about my thoughts on doing a reunion, a tour. And Joe Satriani was gonna be the guitar player. And that was probably the last time I talked to Dave. That was — God, I don’t know — about a few years ago now. I forget — something like that.
“Dave‘s kind of a crazy guy,” he continued. “It’s hard to explain Dave. We don’t have enough time. But, no, other than that, no. I mean, I don’t have anything against Dave. And I’ve said this in the past to different people, whatever, that if the chance ever came up or whatever, I would definitely be willing to jam with him or whatever.
“In fact, I think the last time he did his last [residency] shows at the House Of Blues in Vegas some years back. I was actually gonna come to one of those shows and surprise him and come up and jump on stage, but, unfortunately, we were playing a gig somewhere else — Sammy and I were. But to answer your question, [it was] probably a few years ago [that I last spoke with Dave].”
The Red Rocker Reunites: Hagar, Anthony, Satriani Hit the Road for VAN HALEN Classics
This isn’t the first time Hagar and Anthony have shared the stage outside of VAN HALEN. They, along with drummer Chad Smith of RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, formed the supergroup CHICKENFOOT in 2008. The band released two albums and toured extensively but never performed any VAN HALEN material.
More recently, Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony have been performing some classic VAN HALEN tunes with guitarist Vic Johnson and Jason Bonham (son of the late John Bonham) under the moniker SAMMY HAGAR AND THE CIRCLE.
A Reconciled Past Paves the Way for a New Chapter
It’s important to note that Hagar patched things up with the late Eddie Van Halen before his passing in October 2020 at the age of 65. Their last performance together as VAN HALEN was a 2004 U.S. summer tour.
Hitting the Road with a Guitar Legend
Produced by Live Nation, “The Best of All Worlds” tour kicks off on July 13th in West Palm Beach, Florida and wraps up on August 31st in St. Louis, Missouri.
“We’re gonna go deep into the VAN HALEN catalog,” Hagar revealed on Howard Stern‘s radio show. “If you’re gonna go deep into the Van Halen catalog, you need Joe Satriani.”
While Hagar and Anthony typically play a handful of VAN HALEN songs with THE CIRCLE, they plan to dedicate a larger portion of the setlist to classic VAN HALEN tracks, including both their biggest hits and deeper cuts, with just a few of Sammy‘s solo songs sprinkled in.
This tour promises a powerful celebration of VAN HALEN‘s legacy, featuring a unique lineup and a deep dive into the band’s iconic music.