Michael Anthony Sees ‘Some Kind of Proper Closure’ in a Van Halen Reunion
Several weeks after going on record as saying "now's the time" for Van Halen to reunite its classic rhythm section and put together a tour with David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar splitting vocal duties, bassist Michael Anthony has weighed in on why he thinks it could be a great idea.
"You obviously see all of these other bands doing it these days," Anthony told Ohio's News-Herald. "And also for Van Halen’s fans. Maybe some kind of proper closure or something. I’m not sure. Everybody in the band is still relatively healthy and alive. So there’s one thing right there. And Sammy has brought it up quite a few times in interviews he’s done."
But as the News-Herald quickly pointed out, Hagar has been open to touring with Roth before — and although their co-headlining trek was launched with a fair amount of anticipation, it didn't end well. Anthony, who saw some of the fallout firsthand, acknowledged the singers have had their difficulties in the past — but he's still optimistic about their ability to share a stage today.
"Yeah, that tour started kind of harmoniously, but didn’t finish up that way. I went out and guested with Sammy on a handful of those shows and things got maybe a little strained," he shrugged. "But at this point, I personally am through with all of the drama that comes with everything. I want to go out, play music and have a good time. I want to go to my grave a happy guy."
In the meantime, Anthony and Hagar remain on the road with Hagar's current group, the Circle — and there's still the possibility that their other band, the supergroup Chickenfoot, could reconvene.
"Chickenfoot ... will be back, by the way, at some point," he insisted. "If we can ever get our drummer [Chad Smith] off the road with the Chili Peppers."
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