Michael Anthony wha??

[VHscraps]

Yeah, but Mike could probably retort that Dave isn't the best singer in Van Halen.

I think I've heard that line before as well, but can't think of the source - but it could be one of those jokey things that was actually said when MA was right there in a radio studio or something. Don't forget they spent a lot of time during interviews taking the piss out of themselves, and acting like idiots.

If you've heard the 1981-82 interview with Jim Ladd on his radio show, Dave and Alex VH are goofing around and Ladd says to Dave, when Dave picked up the guitar and started strumming, 'I'm surprised you can even sing without Eddie's guitar up there with you.' It was all meant, and taken, in good humour. And they all laughed merrily at it - the MA is not the best bass player comment could be the same kind of thing.

I'm no defender of MA - but I think he WAS the best bass player in VH. Listen to the bass under the solo on Romeo Delight. It's hot. His playing on VHII and WCF and Fair Warning is pretty good.

Eddie's bass playing on Hagar's solo album, on the other hand, sucks - he doesn't think like a bass player and it showed on that.

But, no way is Anthony a better singer than Dave. Not unless you count having high pitch as singing. Listen to Dave on Light Up the Sky - he's interchanging lines with himself. He's a good arranger for singing like that - did ya hear Anthony trying to sing Dave songs with 'The Other Half'? Fuckin woeful crap. Stick to backup vocals - that's why he has never cut a solo record. No way could Anthony come up with the stuff Dave does, or deliver it with Dave's flair.

What, I wonder, would a MA solo album - even a solo song - sound like? The only identifiable thing about him is his backup vocals, and they probably only work because of the contrast with Dave's lower, more gravelly voice.

[LoungeMachine]

LMAO @ VHscraps.

Best Name Ever. :D

[Nitro Express]

Ed seems more obsessed with selling guitars, shoes, gizmos, amps, and porn than making a new VH album with Roth. If it comes out it will take another ten years and the world may be gonzo by then.

[VHscraps]

LMAO @ VHscraps.

Best Name Ever. :D

Maybe VH should change their name to VHScraps - with all the fighting and stuff - and pay me royalties ...

[Nitro Express]

Mike is a nice guy and nice guys finish last. Sad but true. But then Jesus said the last shall be first so I imagine Mike will go to heaven for being nice and the Van Halen's will be in Hell forced to listen to Van Halen III over and over.

[LoungeMachine]

Maybe VH should change their name to VHScraps - with all the fighting and stuff - and pay me royalties ...

Actually, spEDCO would sue you for copywright infringement.

[GO-SPURS-GO]

I'm no defender of MA - but I think he WAS the best bass player in VH. Listen to the bass under the solo on Romeo Delight. It's hot. His playing on VHII and WCF and Fair Warning is pretty good.

Since "I" am a defender of MA, I'll say he's playing was pretty "damn" good on those records.

Why not throw in VHI? People here have made fun of his open "E" playing on RWTD, but that bass line (and other simple bass lines on that record) sets a solid groove so Eddie can do his thing. Sometimes less is more, ya know?

[VHscraps]

Since "I" am a defender of MA, I'll say he's playing was pretty "damn" good on those records.

Why not throw in VHI? People here have made fun of his open "E" playing on RWTD, but that bass line (and other simple bass lines on that record) sets a solid groove so Eddie can do his thing. Sometimes less is more, ya know?

Agree with you. What I mean to say is I am a defender of MA in VH in the Dave years - but beyond that I don't care. I'm afraid Hagar has ruinbed everything. I used to think that Montrose - the debut - was one of the greatest albums ever. I mean, it IS and that Bette Midler impersonator wrote most of the tunes - but the more I see and hear of Hagar the more he ruins even that; the more I think he was never really rock'n'roll.

But - to the point. MA on bass on You Really Got Me, which for the most part follows the guitar riff, kicks ass a la John Paul Jones on Whole Lotta Love or Immigrant Song. VH were a unit of complemetary elements - I'd have MA with VH 78-83/84 before twiddly-flash bastard players like Billy Sheehan. I don't deny that Eat 'Em and Smile was pretty exhilarating and that Sheehan has amazing chops - it blew my mind at the time, but that recipe woulda lost its magic if it went on and on. Wasn't built to last.

[VAiN]

I'm no defender of MA - but I think he WAS the best bass player in VH. Listen to the bass under the solo on Romeo Delight. It's hot. His playing on VHII and WCF and Fair Warning is pretty good.

No doubt... and if you've heard bootlegs from around 79/80, he really did a great job live, back when VH used to 'jam' a bit... It's too bad that in 86 he found his soulmate and destiny took over...

Oh well, at this point, I say fuck 'em... My only concern is DLR working with EVH. If that doesn't happen, then fuck EVH and let's get the summer rockin with Dave!