NO CREDIT FOR MICHAEL ANTHONY

ericgtr · 07-17-2004, 06:07 AM

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From MelodicRock

Copies of the new Van Halen compilation are appearing at retail already and I'm already getting questions e-mailed in about the package. The most notable one - why isn't Michael Anthony credited on the new songs? The fact is and my sources confirm, Anthony, the much loved bass player does not play on the three new tracks.
Appearing are Alex Van Halen on drums, Sammy Hagar on vocals, with Eddie Van Halen providing the rest of the instrumentation. Despite speculation of Anthony's role in the band being around since the Van Halen 3 release, I am sure you will agree that isn't the greatest way to portray a seemingly re-united and unified band.
A full review of the Best of Both Worlds is coming up shortly.

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This doesn't surprise me at all. I will not be buying this album. Most of you guys know how I feel about the fact that Ed is self serving in this regard and that Mike doesn't get his due credit. I firmly believe that if it wouldn't hurt the bands sales with the reunion that Ed wouldn't even have him there. Furthermore, Mike is nothing but hired help without the ability to create his own bass parts and make group decisions. Hat's off and a big Fuck You to Eddie.

TopJimmy78 · 07-17-2004, 06:31 AM

I don't see why he didn't get any credit for the new songs because his background vocals are definetly there and it sure sounds like his bass on Up For Breakfast as well! [img]images/smilies/headscratch.gif[/img] [img]images/smilies/icon_mad.gif[/img]

Stiglar · 07-17-2004, 08:02 AM

listen to it's about time ... michael anthony is all over that tune ... vocally anyway .. nice one ed ... blow off the person who is carrying the backing vocals of your band .. i am speechless .

after further thought .. it could be the lawyers getting in the way / record companys but still .. mikey deserves credit .

ericgtr · 07-17-2004, 08:05 AM

The only reason I can see the lawyers being involved is to not put his name on those songs so he won't get paid.

**VanMan2000** · 07-17-2004, 10:02 AM

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Mikey when others overlooked him. For my taste, Van Halen ain't Van Halen without him. Yes, I hear him on the new tunes and he deserves credit. I can't believe that Sammy would let this happen though. Maybe it's a mistake?

Cabo 5150 · 07-17-2004, 10:05 AM

Possibly Mike did lay down some of the bass parts on the three new tunes - although I'm not convinced by any measure. But, by EVH's own admission, they'd not seen each other for 2 years. If Mike was not involved at all in the compositional side of things I guess his lack of credit is more understandable. I could just be reaching here of course...

**EVH ZMAN** · 07-17-2004, 10:25 AM

I think Mike has made an outstanding contribution to VH. His vocals are as much VH as Ed's guitar. I think it's just disgusting tha Mike would be disrespected in this manner. Of course, I am certain Mike has been treated like shit for many years... NO wonder he hadn't talked to Eddie for 2 years or se before the reunion. Mike is obvioulsy doing well nonetheless other wise I am sure he wouldn't do it. All I can say is this is evidence that Ed's as much a prick as DLR was.... I've heard he's back on the booze... This kida thing simply confirms he may have been more of the problem in VH than he likes to think. If you've ever been around an alcoholic, you'd understand. Eddie once joked about Sammy and Dave having LSD (lead singer disease)... I think Eddie may have LGD (Lead guitarist disease)...

wip5150 · 07-17-2004, 10:28 AM

Mike has been the ultimate "company man" - never saying anything bad about the brothers. When I heard It's About Time, I thought it was Ed playing the bass but the vocals are unmistakably Mikeys.

As much as I love Van Halen, everything they are doing right now just reeks of greed (the high ticket prices, the new Charvel guitars, the repackaged greatest hits) and this is just more of it. I truly believe the three new songs were about 95% done when Sam showed up to sing them. Ed's said he has a mountain of material and I'm sure that, with Alex, they have quite a few finished songs. Mikey provided the classic VH backing vocals and should get credit, but apparantly the brothers don't agree.

All in all it's just another brick in Ed's wall. EVH - a creative genius on the guitar, but a shitty human being (or so it would seem) when it comes to his bandmates.

07-17-2004, 10:29 AM

Im not a VH fanatic like most of you guys but i find this disturbing myself that someone wouldnt get credit on their own bands album. Especially when its obvious that they are on it?

**EVH ZMAN** · 07-17-2004, 10:30 AM

And if it's not true that Ed's drinking again... I think it's worse. I mean at least being an alcoholic would be an excuse... Where is the loyalty to the guy who's been by your side all these years? I don't know.. Between this and the EVH Art Series guitars... I wonder if some of the guys are having money issues.. That's another time when people become greedy...

ggutt2003 · 07-17-2004, 10:30 AM

The thing I have always respected about Mike is his obvious lack of ego. He plays for the love of the music and the fans. There is no doubt when you see him play live. So, in a way it's comforting for me to think that Mike probably is not that concerned about it. I imagine he was initially hurt and taken aback, but in the end what's the point?

Valmar · 07-17-2004, 12:36 PM

Its just because he wasnt there for the composing of the songs. Eddie did the guitar and bass parts because he had nothing to do for 6 years, al did drums and sammy just added the vocals on top. I think since sammy is basically in charge of the vocals he told mike what to sing and mike just replayed the bass parts eddie did. You can say that mike didnt write the song, he just played or sang what someone said or wanted. This is probably why he isnt given credit. Take pop music for example, The credit either goes to the singer for writing the song or the song writer that did it. You never hear about the guitarist,bassist, drummer and even backup vocals because they played or sang something someone else wrote.

07-17-2004, 12:53 PM

You have a valid point. But regaurdless of who wrote what - if someone played it they should get credit.

**VHF** · 07-17-2004, 12:55 PM

I'm sure it's a money thing. If Mikey does not get writing credits, then it's more money for the other 3. In the beginning the deal was they would all split writing credits equally....look at songs like Eruption for an example...DLR got credit and a paycheck.

Looks like the deal has changed...and I am sure Mikey did not write any of the new songs. It's shitty for Ed to change the deal....but after someone goes through a divorce and the ex-wife takes half your shit that you earned over the years becasue of a piece of paper....you tend to change, and get protective over your cash...even if you have more than you will ever need.

Looks like the art guitar may be backfiring on ole Eddie Van Greedy.....I suspect Hartley Peavey had enough and called his lawyers.

Ed...there are other ways to make money off your product....release some live DVD's....make another CD with the mountains of material you have......take your tour to another 90 cities outside the U.S., maybe take a lesson from ole Sam and start selling EVH vintage wine.

It's no joke...I hear Sam has sold well over 4 million bottles of Cabo Wabo joy juice and at $40 retail...do the math.

He's friggin loaded....but then again have you see the price of jet fuel these days? Drink more.

**KC_ArtRocker** · 07-17-2004, 12:59 PM

Man, I'm not even gonna step into this thread much. I am honestly surprised to see so many people bagging on Eddie (just a neutral observation). I don't think that we have enough information at this point to be filling in so many gaps of unconfirmed information. I don't share hardly any of the feelings expressed in this thread. I don't think that Mike and Alex have spent a fraction of the hours with their instrument as Eddie has. And Sammy spends too much of his time making CDs and touring soley as a marketing vehicle for his f*cking tequila and bar (I never considered Sammy to be much of an intellectual to begin with, but when he came out with that "Mas Tequila" bullshit, I pretty much lost interest in him). So, to wrap up this post, I will be the first(?) to defend Ed on this deal, at least until we get more information that can be confirmed by credible sources.