Michael always got a solo in the Van Halen live shows and I will have to admit not being very impressed with those. He usually got his Jack Daniel’s bass out and that was enough to get the party hearty crowd going before he even strummed a single note. Once he hit a single note, the crowd got even more fired up, so he basically played this single note over and over until he got tired. It’s a mark of rare genius to know when showmanship trumps ability. He saved his best moves for the studio and the world is all the better for it. Plus, if you get really bored and want to play a game of musical mix and match, just think if he had been the Beatle’s bassist instead of Paul. The possibilities of amusement are endless
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Article comments
1 - Paul Roy
He sure did get screwed in the mixes of those early albums. He's only a pretty average bassist if you ask me, and his solos were definately lame, but he was part of one of the greatest rock bands of the 80's for sure.
2 - Mark Saleski
michael anthony's real contribution to the Van Halen sound was his backing vocals. all of those nice high parts completed the vocal signature.
3 - wally bangs
Paul Roy - I have to agree that Van Halen were one of the best bands of the 80's. One of the highlights of my high school days was getting to see the 1984 tour.
Mark Saleski - The backing vocals are a huge part of Van Halen's appeal. The virtual blueprint of all the pop hair metal to come. Funny though, I remember an interview right after Dave was booted for Sammy where Eddie and Alex claim they had always wanted Sammy for the band instead of Dave and that now they could provide vocal harmonies in the proper pitch - or something to that nature.
4 - Brian C
Michael Anthony is one of the main reasons I picked up the bass. The walking, bouncing basslines Mike played on the early albums were incredible. Mike always played for the song, though. When you listen to the basslines in songs such as "Mean Street" or "So This is Love" and contrast that to "Runnin' with the Devil" you recognize that Mike's definitely a rhythm section player -- he leaves the flashy finger-tappin' stuff to that other guy in the band. Oh yeah, I'd like to see McCartney down a bottle of Jack and crank the effects to... well... eleven!
5 - DJRadiohead
A high school friend of mine wrote a song about Michael Anthony:
"E-String Rider."
6 - Tim
I just want to say, I saw Van Halen in Greensboro NC years past. By far it was the most wicked bass solo I have ever seen (hands down). I have seen many concerts.
7 - Mike
Michael Anthony has always been overrated. His awful drunken bass "solo" is the highlight of his playing. Whoopdee-doo.