Michael Anthony interview 

Mike is a class act all around. He never bad mouthed anyone! Even the people who hurt him. That is a true gentleman.

Probably the most stable member of the VH band. Married his high-school sweetheart, not an asshole or egomaniac. Seems well grounded.

Such a class act. Doesn't trash anyone, says nothing but nice/great things about Wolfgang, and really just loves to play.

Boys and Girls this is what they call a Gentleman.

Michael Anthony's backing vocals in Van Halen ranks with the best ever in American rock.

No one could do the harmonies like Mike.

You are not only a hell of a bass player- you are one hell of a classy guy!

Mike is a class act. I wish I had half the humility and goodwill that he has. He truly seems like a man who is at peace with himself. It's inspiring.

Michael Anthony is one if not the coolest guys in rock. He NEVER says anything bad about anyone even when he gets screwed & is always respectful to people.

Without Michael , there was no van halen , he was the core of the vocals , played the perfect team player , and one classy stand up guy !! Thanks Mike for all the great music you put out with both singers , your back ups are what really what made those songs complete , thank you so much , 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 the best to you 🙏🙏🙏

Nicest guy in the music industry. Not only is he a great person, but he is a fantastic musician. He plays his bass the way it is supposed to be played. He plays 'for the song'... never adding unnecessary runs or cluttering things up. Plus, when he was in Van Halen, he was playing without a rhythm guitar player. So when Ed went into a solo, Mike had to hold the fort and keep everything on track. Van Halen never sounded thin when Mike was playing. But what really puts Michael Anthony over the top as a musician is his vocal ability. Back ground vocalists never get much attention..but anyone who understands singing, knows that Michael is an amazing singer. Much like Roger Taylor in Queen, Michael can hit those super high notes that the lead singer can't always hit during a live performance. So like Taylor, Michael is the band's secret weapon.

Michael Anthony is an all around class act and has kept his dignity and sterling reputation intact by not engaging in mudslinging. His solid bass playing and backing vocals defined THE classic VH sound. It irked me to no end how Eddie disparaged him later, which was complete BS. Keep going Mike and looking forward to your next project.

You can have a Van Halen reunion tour but without Micheal Anthony it is Not Van Halen.

Mike is a class act!!!! Best back up vocalist in the history of Rock n Roll and a humble dude. Cheers Mike.

Its hard to believe that this guy was in one of the biggest and most successful rock bands in history. A truly grounded human being. Respect and love.

Absolutely love Michael in interviews!! Such a humble guy!!

Mike is sure as hell more of a stand up guy than Eddie and Alex. They put all of the fights and dirty business out there but Mike just stays reserved and avoids shit talk.

I can tell all of you guys right now, Mike is a great guy. He’s lived in my area in Glendora, Ca for many years. He has always been approachable and down to earth. He comes from a good family too.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you’re gonna be in a band, be a Michael Anthony.

This a stand up guy! A lot of respect for him, learn from this Eddie.

I had the honor of playing with him on stage. We played "I'm the One" He called me the Queen of the Six String. He is a great guy - hung out after the show - talked to the kids - signed autographs. Class act all the way.

The secret ingredient of VH...the glue. Not only a badass bassist, but seriously talented vocalist as well. He is the man laying down the harmonies that helped give them their overall sound. One of the most seriously underrated musicians by the general public...but us real players and music fans know how talented he really is. Great guy as well, very humble and down to earth.

He should have gotten paid the exact equal amount that all the band members were making. He's a great guy and a big part of VH.

Mike has to be the nicest guy in the music industry. He isn’t trashing anyone, especially since he definitely could, he got screwed over. He’s respectful, insightful, a class act through and through. Thanks for posting this interview

Micheal Anthony! Great bassist, great guy! An example of what kind of musician every other musician wants to play with!

His back vocals were his biggest contribution

Any bassist who can keep up with EVH and Joe Satriani is okay in my book. I've always loved Mike and still do.

Michael Anthony is maybe the one rock musician I can't think of anything negative to say about. Amazing player, amazing singer, amazing guy all around

Mike Anthony is a super classy guy.

He's my favorite (former) member of Van Halen. He never talked shit like EVH. Class act.

The only sane one from VH.

Met Mike in '86 or '87. He's the greatest celeb I've ever met, nice, polite, engaging, and happy to talk with me. Class act.

He's a great bass player. He doesn't show off. He plays for the song.

Nice, classy guy who kept it positive.

Seems like such a real person who is emotionally mature and balanced enough to know that the "dirt" isn't important. I'm so glad to hear him talk because being in VH, you always either had Dave, Eddie or Sammy hogging the spotlight. This is why it is so important to interview members of a band separately.

It's pretty dreadful how EVH has to dump all his issues on this guy but we can see obviously who the nicer guy is. Keep on spitting out all those monster bass lines Michael!!

THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT A HUGE EGO! MICHAEL IS THE COOLEST! ...YO!

I saw him sing a Van Halen song with some other musicians and let me tell you, He could easily be the lead singer for VH, I was truly blown away by his voice.

Nothing but a class act. Kids, take note, this is how to be a true PROFESSIONAL.

Michael's a class act. Van Halen isn't the same without his vocals.

Wow, what a down to earth guy.

You can't have Van Halen without the Jack Daniels bass playing man. That's like Led Zeppelin without John Paul Jones.

Bass players are always the most humble, most normal in a band.

This man has class unlike the "other" 3 guys in VH! Van Halen can still be be VH without Diamond Dave or Hagar but will NEVER be without Mike.

What an absolutely incredible human being. Michael Anthony, you are truly a class act.

Michael is the regular guy who most everyone can relate to.

Oh no way Mike! I can never forget you! You are the reason I named my son Michael Anthony! ❤

Micheal is an amazing bass player. The bottom end is always full and his voice, which is sadly missed in VH, is what made the VH sound. Backing vocals bring another dimension to a bands sound. The new VH album doesn't sound like Van Halen because Michael Anthony is not on them for all the reason I already mentioned. I surprised that Eddie can't hear the difference and that they aren't as good without Micheal. This is a common response by fans of the band, you think VH would listen to us and bring Michael back. It's like Led Zeppelin without John Paul Jones. Don't undervalue bass players and the the importance they are to the sound of the band, to your peril.

After watching this this interview I now know who is and always was the coolest and sweetest guy in the band. Much more success to you my man.

I've returned to this interview numerous times over the years, which should tell you how I feel about it. MIke is a class act who was, by myriad accounts, treated very poorly by an organization to which he contributed so much for decades. An underrated player, to say the very least. Thanks for the fantastic content.

really hate all the problems VH have had over the years..Great band with power hungry leaders running it..This guy is talented and humble..awesome.

Michael Anthony, miss ya bud

I've seen Michael Anthony around town. He seems like a real nice guy... with some sweet cars!

I saw the Sammy and Dave tour with Michael playing bass for both. He got the loudest ovation of all of them. His backing vocals were what made VH special

Very gracious and kind man with lots of bass talent!

All of the signature high harmony lines of VH are sung by Mike. The best vocals were when he & Sammy are together. He is a class act with a good head. Cool posting. Thanks.

Great musician and an even better man! Always takes the high road when talking about Van Halen.

Mike is a class act. He's better off distancing himself from the abomination that is currently touring as Van Halen imo. Eddie's rants in the press are definitely a different kind of truth. I think it's called bullshit? Mike is, and always has been a great bass player and an outstanding backing vocalist. He is the definition of a team player.

Classy guy! Great voice! He will probably be in demand forever!

Michael Anthony = The best bass guitarist ever !!!! And all around nice guy .

Mikey is the man. As a wannabe guitarist I've always loved and admired EVH but now that I've grown older (if not up) if I were ever given the choice to meet and hang out with any of the VHers I'd most definitely want it to be Mike and Sammy.

Great bass player and a gentleman 🤟🏻👌🏻

One of the most underrated bassists ever. Also a class guy. The glue that held the circus together. Yeah, Edward is one of the greatest, but whenever you hear "Running With the Devil", the parts you remember most is Michael. This man has put out one of the best resumes as a bassist and deserves the respect for his work, talent and for always putting his band first.

Seems like a stand up guy.......not a drama queen like VH wants to be. All about the music...... that's what we want.

Michael is a true showman, would love to meet him someday.

Classy guy. True rock & roller!

A humble gentleman with a soul filled with nothing but kindness. Wish I could meet him. Much love &warm hugs from Katrinka in the San Francisco Bay Area ❤️🌴

Great guy! Seen him with the original band at Cobol Hall and they were awesome

Geddy Lee and Michael Anthony were my favorite bassists, and BOTH are class acts... gifts to rock~!

Love MIchael Anthony. He's such a Gentlemen not to throw those 2 knucklehead brothers under the bus esp. after the way they treated him. SHAMEFUL

He seems like a really nice person. I like the way he's forgiving and wishes wolfgang lots of luck. Good luck Mike and god bless you .

if there was one member of van halen that you could choose to throw you a life raft if you were drowning it would be mike anthony. good dude.

Michael, rode on the train in the begining, but as time passed he was the tracks the train ran on. Mike your a rock hero, and we all know how much you did! Thanks BRO!

Michael seems genuinely good hearted guy! Great role model to us all

What a cool guy, lots of class. Great musician.

Class Act.Great Bass Player and Singer.

Mike is a genuinely good dude and shows how much here. It’s nice to see the comments here on how well he sings.

There needs to be more Michael Anthony’s in this world. He comes from a whole different place than 95% of the typical rocker. Helluva bassist, helluva man.

A great bass player with a amazing vocal talent and a all round good guy. Respect to you Mike.

Michael Anthony, always a class act. Humble and talented. Keep on rocking !

I can't believe the power trip after all these years. Now I completely see and understand... I saw Van in 1984 ŵlwhen I was 11yrs..... Micheal is a modest incredible Bass Master!

Real cool guy...Met him at a Kinks concert way back when in Oakland...Down to earth.

Curious for all the hate Mike gets, for no reason. Mike was an integral part of the band. He is not a virtuoso with his instrument. He's an entertainer and a damn good one. He's not for wanting the limelight or to be the center of attention. Mike is a musician you want in your band. Period.

Michael Anthony took the high road, said he doesn't get into all that, when it comes to badmouthing, he is a great player, and it seems he has integrity too, VH 's loss.

Michael Anthony = Class act, great voice, solid bass player, and all around nice guy.

Mike has always been a class act. Period.

Micks a stand up guy. Doesn't want to be a "rock star" ..he's a musician! Class act... Nothing but respect for him

Mike’s a class act, phenomenal bassist, singer and all around nice guy. 🙌🏼

I think Michael is a great guy for just keeping it between them. Just like Sammy pretty much doesn't talk about what happen at the end Michael is doing the same. I was really happy to hear the Mike and Sammy got back together and are playing together again. Michael seems like a great guy, down to earth, and the kind of guy you would like to sit down and talk with and if you play jam with. I have a lot of respect for Michael!

This man is a benchmark for other musicians to attain. True cornerstone of VH

Mike you are awesome I have been playing bass for almost 50 years now and I love listening to your music on top of that you are such a class act you never say anything bad about you know who I know you are in heaven now playing with Sammy who thinks you are a rock god you can tell he loves you like a Brother :-)

Mike taking the high road. What a class act. All respect to you Mike.

Michael Anthony seems like such a nice young man. Very respectful, & handsome too. He knows his guitar, he is great. Wishing you all the very best Michael.🕺

I met Mike at Disney land back in 1998. He was a very down to earth kind of guy.

A class act who doesn't throw the mud around like Eddy. A stand up, class act musician! Utmost respect for!

Takes a strongman to control his ego at this level of success. Class act

Also one of the best back up singers there is!

Thank you Michael for all the great music you've made. All you're time with Van Halen has given me such great memories. Love that you chose to keep making a music a priority. Never stop.

Even though Eddie Van Halen royally screwed Michael Anthony and trashes him every chance he gets for absolutely no reason, Michael Anthony always takes the high road and never fires back even though he has every right to do so. Just goes to show how much of a class act Michael Anthony is and how much a petty miserable asshole Eddie Van Halen is.

I really think Micheal enjoyed playing in this band more than any of the other band mates .