Ex-Van Halen member Sammy Hagar in a recent interview with Lance Armstrong’s The Forward Podcast revealed an untold story about why Van Halen member Michael Anthony was fired from the band.
Lance Armstrong said:
“It seems and this is me, being way, way far too removed from this but the way that they treated Michael Anthony just seems – something, something’s nothing not right about that. “
Sammy Hagar said:
“Well that was when Ed wasn’t right and that’s all there is to it because Eddie is not a bad guy. Eddie is one of the sweetest people that I’ve ever met. However, [at that time] he was really gone. Eddie went through a really dark time, I’m telling you, dark, dark, dark.
Eddie wanted to play with his son. I don’t blame him. Hey, I got my song on tour and my son opens for my band, you know? That’s what you do, you don’t fire the best bass, background singer in the world and bring your son in because that’s hard on your son. It’s not fair for your son, I don’t think anyway.”
7 comments
Edward was upset that Michael Anthony had the audacity to still be friends with Sammy after they fired him.
I remember that Ed didn’t like Mike jamming with Sammy and the Waboritas, with his excuse being, “You can’t be in two bands.” That was hypocritical, because Wolf played and recorded with Tremonti while in Van Halen. Nepotism wins.
The original lineup of .38 Special had two lead singers, 3 guitarists, and two drummers. Wolf couldn’t have been added without kicking Mike out of the band?
Very good point. And I love 38 special by the way!
IMHO, they had been doing MA wrong since 1984, when they reduced his royalties and salary. He did make money; but it was far less than the brothers and Dave. Later on Sammy. His background vocals and Bass Guitar playing was key for Van Halen. Noel Monk wrote about it in his book.
There are 2 sides to every story and Sammy slammed Ed for his addictions in his tell all book to try and sell more books – not a move a true friend does but Sammy is supposedly all about the money and always has been – the VH brothers rightfully resented Mike for choosing Sammy in their eyes.
I thought it was because Michael didn’t call to say sorry or go to Eddie’s and Alex’s dad funeral