Alternative Nation reports that Eddie Trunk has shared an update regarding the ongoing rumor that Michael Anthony is set to reunite with Van Halen and therefore revive the band’s original lineup after 35 years.
“While we were in that last commercial break, I got a text message from somebody that will remain nameless, who is on very good authority, who said that he heard from Van Halen’s manager and that as of New Year’s Eve, that Michael is back to Van Halen and that [the rumor of] Van Halen touring this year is true.
“However, with the caveat that you are dealing with the Van Halen brothers, who on any given day can flip-flop and change.
“So, according to this well-placed and trusted source, Van Halen management, as of a month ago, confirmed this activity, but also even they said: ‘Yeah, but you’re dealing with Ed and anything can change on any given day.’ So nobody knows at the end of the day.
“There is something definitely cooking but the guy could wake up one morning and be like, ‘Eh, I’m not feeling it anymore’ and just scrap the whole thing.
“So the holding pattern continues, the rumors will continue, we’ll continue to speculate because that’s what we do, we’re fans.
“I’ll continue to work my sources but the idea of asking Michael Anthony on the record about any of this is ridiculous because he cannot and will not be able to say anything publicly until they want him to, if they ever want him to if it’s true! Of course, he’s in ‘Deny, deny, deny’ mode. If there’s anything to it, he has to be.”
[metalwani_content_ad]
Meanwhile, Blabbermouth reports that Michael has commented on the whole matter at this year’s NAMM show, telling Music Radar:
“I’m a ‘never say never’ guy. At this point… I don’t know what kind of rumors are floating around or whatever, but I personally haven’t been contacted by them yet or anything. So, at this point, nothing is happening. But you never know.”
In previous updates, Michael confirmed he did actually speak to a member of Van Halen in recent years, specifically to drummer Alex Van Halen.
As previously reported, Michael first seemingly shot down the ongoing rumors of the band’s classic lineup reuniting after 35 years by saying he hasn’t spoken to any of the VH guys since 2004.
More recently, Anthony reportedly said he’s “not allowed” to “talk either for or against a VH reunion.” Journalist Mitch Lafon reported:
“According to my buddy at NAMM – Michael Anthony just stated the following: ‘Right now, I cannot talk either for or against a VH reunion. I’m just not allowed.’ I caution – I was not there and did not hear this myself, but this is how it was relayed to me.”
The bassist then told No Treble when asked about a possible reunion:
“Like two or three years [ago], [Alex Van Halen and I] actually spoke through a friend that we both have. It was just kind of small talk, ‘How you doing? How you been?’ That’s all I’m going to say about that. [Nervously laughs] Aw shucks!”
[metalwani_content_ad]
When the host pointed out to the crowd that Michael clearly “didn’t say no,” considering it “a good sign,” Anthony had no comment and the conversation moved on to other topics.
Last month, Van Halen frontman David Lee Roth gave his first interview in three years, in which he sparked rumors of the band reuniting with bassist Michael Anthony, thus reforming the original lineup.
The original Van Halen lineup last performed live on September 2, 1984, in Nuremberg, Germany.