New Van Halen single and video

[MOONDOGGY]

We should just be thankful that Eddie is still alive! Not just because he kicked cancer and he's a bit legendary, but because you know if he had passed away, we'd see the ridiculous amount of memorabilia and gear. EVH guitars would do what Dean did with Dimebag signatures! There would be DVDs and biographies coming out of the woodwork!


And was there a falling out w/ Michael? Or was Wolfgang really a better choice on bass?

[lonewolf]

And was there a falling out w/ Michael? Or was Wolfgang really a better choice on bass?

Or maybe Eddie just wants a Van Halen to inherit the band when he is gone?

[songsmith]

I'm guessing he'll work a lot cheaper.
I also have heard that Sammy has enough money to keep Michael Anthony on a retainer, where he wouldn't have to work outside of Chickenfoot. Would you rather drag your ass all over the world for the umpteenth time, or sit on your ass in Cabo?
I like that Sammy is a gazillionaire. He worked for it.

[f.sciarrillo]

Yeah, Sammy has enough money to keep Michael Anthony there as long as he wants. Besides, I think Michael likes it better with Sammy than Eddy anyhow. There isn't so much of an ego complex.

[moxham123]

Nope, me 3. I am a bigger Montrose fan than Van Halen, though.

+1 The first Montrose album has always been one of my all time favorites and I have all of their records. I liked both the DLR and Hagar eras of Van Halen but Sammy is also a guitarist and brought a different sound to the band voally and musically. I have most of Sammy's solo stuff too.

[bassist_25]

Yeah, Sammy has enough money to keep Michael Anthony there as long as he wants. Besides, I think Michael likes it better with Sammy than Eddy anyhow. There isn't so much of an ego complex.

+1 ...and with Dave, his charming arrogance is fun from a fan's point of view, but his rockstar prima-donna would get old if you had to work with him. Sammy always seemed like a straight up dude who puts in 100% and doesn't expect people to bow down to him because he's a frontperson.

Wolfie's definitely a good bass player, but I'm just not digging his presence...and I really do miss Michael's harmonies.

[Blue Reality]

The split with Mike had to do with money. It began before Wolfie was really an option. Van Halen always split the money 4 ways from the days they signed with Warner Brothers. Eddie wrote the music, Dave came with lyrics and Mike and Alex partied. Over the years the Van Halen Brothers seemed to resent the fact that Mike really didn't do "as much as" Ed or the vocalist over the years, but got 25% of the dough. Prior to the reunion tour with Sammy, they hit him with some paper work that made him sign away his percentage. He accepted a greatly reduced rate in order to stay in the band. In Mikes own words he understood their position and agreed with them. AT this point I don't know what he receives from the publishing. When Wolfie came of age well it seems Ed wants to play with his son. The Van Halens built that band and they control the show. These days its said that it's their way or the highway.

I don't know if Mike is on a retainer with Sammy or not. But Mike's interviews seem to indicate he managed his money from the beginning. He had an accountant and business partner who knew his stuff. Supposedly Mike's stock portfolio is filled blue chip duckets. The joke is that he owns a lot of stock in Disney. And he does, so don't feel sorry for Mike in terms of cash.

As for Wolfie he's a decent bass player and can sing, but the band needs Mike for the special dose of rocket sauce they've always been known for.