Michael Anthony, the former Van Halen bassist, had a recent chat with Matt Pinfield for the latest installment of the new KLOS series “New & Approved”
Anthony talked about reconnecting with Eddie Van Halen before his passing and a tribute show in Halen’s memory.
Here’s what he said:
“I actually did not have the chance to do that, and I really feel bad about that. We all, kind of in the inner circle, that were kind of close to him, knew that he was ill, but I didn’t know to what extent. And he was very private about his illness, and so we all kind of respected that. So we really weren’t that much in touch before I found out, with everybody else, that he had passed.”
About a possible tribute show:
“There has to be one. Obviously, we all loved Eddie, and the music was all great, whether you’re a Dave [Lee Roth] fan, a Sammy [Hagar] fan, a Gary [Cherone] fan, or whatever. And it’s gotta be celebrated at some point. But, obviously, now is not the time, because his family’s grieving, his son’s grieving, [and] I’m still trying to wrap my head around it actually having happened. But I’m sure it will happen some time here in the hopefully not-too-distant future. And I’m definitely in when it does happen. It’ll be a great celebration, I think.”