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BLABBERMOUTH.NET - BILLY SHEEHAN Discusses MR. BIG Reunion
BigMusicGeek.com: Any truth to the rumors that you were approached regarding replacing Michael Anthony in VAN HALEN? In hindsight, it's a seemingly logical move considering your connection to David Lee Roth as a solo artist…
Billy: "Yeah, I was. For a long time, I denied it because (former VAN HALEN bassist) Michael (Anthony) is a dear friend of mine. I love him so much. I was kinda caught in the middle. It's happened several times. Once right after we (TALAS) toured with them in 1980, it happened again in '82 after the 'Diver Down' record, it happened again just before Dave called me…and then, when I was out of MR. BIG before the Gary Cherone thing (i.e. 1998's 'Van Halen III') happened, I spoke with them and then I spoke with them again after that as well. So it's happened a bunch of times. We've always been toying with it (laughs). I went over to Ed's a couple of times and we jammed and talked about stuff. He's such a wonderful guy. I would love to go out with just Ed and a drummer, ya know? As much as I would have liked to be in the band, I didn't want the band to change because I'm a fan of VAN HALEN. If Michael ain't up there, it ain't the same band, even if it's me, ya know? But I'm sure if the opportunity would have gone further, I would have taken it. We talked about it seriously a couple of different times as several different points, but it never actually materialized. When they got back together with Dave and went out without Michael, I was kinda sad about it. So I'm very honored and I love all of those guys. Alex, Eddie, Dave and Michael, I love them all completely and I wish they were all together again. At least Dave and Eddie are back together again. I'm happy about that, ya know? That's how it goes. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. I'm just glad they're back together and hope they're happy. I love VAN HALEN. I love all four of the Van Halens and they've all been a great, great influence on me."
BigMusicGeek.com: Any truth to the rumors that you were approached regarding replacing Michael Anthony in VAN HALEN? In hindsight, it's a seemingly logical move considering your connection to David Lee Roth as a solo artist…
Billy: "Yeah, I was. For a long time, I denied it because (former VAN HALEN bassist) Michael (Anthony) is a dear friend of mine. I love him so much. I was kinda caught in the middle. It's happened several times. Once right after we (TALAS) toured with them in 1980, it happened again in '82 after the 'Diver Down' record, it happened again just before Dave called me…and then, when I was out of MR. BIG before the Gary Cherone thing (i.e. 1998's 'Van Halen III') happened, I spoke with them and then I spoke with them again after that as well. So it's happened a bunch of times. We've always been toying with it (laughs). I went over to Ed's a couple of times and we jammed and talked about stuff. He's such a wonderful guy. I would love to go out with just Ed and a drummer, ya know? As much as I would have liked to be in the band, I didn't want the band to change because I'm a fan of VAN HALEN. If Michael ain't up there, it ain't the same band, even if it's me, ya know? But I'm sure if the opportunity would have gone further, I would have taken it. We talked about it seriously a couple of different times as several different points, but it never actually materialized. When they got back together with Dave and went out without Michael, I was kinda sad about it. So I'm very honored and I love all of those guys. Alex, Eddie, Dave and Michael, I love them all completely and I wish they were all together again. At least Dave and Eddie are back together again. I'm happy about that, ya know? That's how it goes. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. I'm just glad they're back together and hope they're happy. I love VAN HALEN. I love all four of the Van Halens and they've all been a great, great influence on me."
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