Jeff Berlin Asked to Join VH in 80's

**Trennasol** · 07.01.02, 03:06 PM

Did anyone else read the letter sent to Metal Sludge from Jeff Berlin, who is an amazing jazz bass player. In it he mentions that he was asked to join Van Halen in the 80's. I guess there is some truth to EVH trying to get rid of Mike several times throughout VH's career. Is Jeff a better bass player than Mike? Hell yeah he is, but I can't imagine he'd 'fit in' with the VH fans. I feel for Mike. I bet he's eaten some major shit during his career with VH. Ed seems to have no respect for Mike's playing. Thankfully, Sammy seems to welcome his contributions during the current tour.

**MAX** · 07.01.02, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by Trennasol:
Did anyone else read the letter sent to Metal Sludge from Jeff Berlin, who is an amazing jazz bass player. In it he mentions that he was asked to join Van Halen in the 80's. I guess there is some truth to EVH trying to get rid of Mike several times throughout VH's career. Is Jeff a better bass player than Mike? Hell yeah he is, but I can't imagine he'd 'fit in' with the VH fans. I feel for Mike. I bet he's eaten some major shit during his career with VH. Ed seems to have no respect for Mike's playing. Thankfully, Sammy seems to welcome his contributions during the current tour.

Wow, I did not know that he was ever asked to join VH. I knew that Jeff, Eddie, and Alan Holdsworth had jammed together. Jeff is alot better musician, but I can't remember his vocals or even if I've ever heard him sing on anything. If that is the case, man do I have alot more respect for Mikey. I can't believe that Eddie goes around spouting That Mikey is a "brother" and then keeps trying to boot him. What a worm.

**ericgtr** · 07.01.02, 03:28 PM

In my eyes Mikey is one of the brothers, he adds his own unique sound both on the bass and vocally that without, just wouldn't be VH. I am really hoping that Ed remains loyal to Mikey, he has certainly earned it and it would make me lose a lot of respect if they couldn't hang on to him either.

[ July 01, 2002, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: ericgtr ]

**MAX** · 07.01.02, 03:35 PM

Originally posted by ericgtr:
In my eyes Mikey is one of the brothers, he adds his own unique sound both on the bass and vocally that without, just wouldn't be VH. I am really hoping that Ed remains loyal to Mikey, he has certainly earned it and it would make me lose a lot of respect if they couldn't hang on to him either.

I totally agree. Mikey is the shit! I was just trying to say that if Eddie has had several intentions of booting him it is LAME. Without Mikey, VH would definately not be where they are now(I mean when they did anything).

**JMJ** · 07.01.02, 04:31 PM

oh no, not again

JMJ

**Hangman** · 07.01.02, 09:16 PM

I believe it... This is also the reason that Mike jamming with Sam means NOTHING concerning who the next singer for VH will be. Mike has no influence in that area IMO.

Make no mistake about this;

Through the first six albums, it was Dave's and Ed's band, leaning a little more towards Dave.

When Sammy came in there was chaos. Slowly it became Ed's, Sam's, and Alex's band. Until near the end of Van Hagar, ed wanted total control of the band. After Sam got booted, It became truly Van Halen as Ed and Al controlled everything. Which is why Van Halen lay dormant 'til this day-Ed and Al will never let anyone else have even the slightest bit of control of the band.

IMO, Mikey never had any real power in this band and what little he did have slowly went by the way side as the years rolled along. I don't believe he helps VH make music any longer, he just plays on tour with the band. Most things we have heard the last 5-6 years from Sam and Dave seem to support this.

**Little Dreamer** · 07.02.02, 03:58 AM

Those quotes were taken out of context. Ed was drunk through most of the 80s and made numerous such propositions under the influence, through the decade. He even announced DLR was back in the band in 1990 live on an Australian radio station. Turned out he was drunk making a joke (some Aussie fans can confirm that, I'm sure). Same thing with Jimmy Barnes and Billy Sheehan.
Of course, knowing how big a name in the industry EVH has, these guy will go public with these quotes without indicating the circumstances such statment were made in.
Same with Billy Sheehan. When I mentioned that name to Ed the first time I met him, he really showed no admiration for him, dissing him as a copycat. Stories of him being invited to join the band are wrong, made by people trying to create a rift between Ed & Mike.
I know for a fact there are issues between Ed & Mike, but they are not about his "replacement".
A guy like Jeff Berlin couldn't fit in VH. Neither could Sheehan. VH needs a supportive bass player, not a soloist.

**79th and Sunset** · 07.02.02, 04:08 AM

Whether its true or not, the only thing that matters is that without Mikey in there, the Van Halen sound can not exist !

Mike is a huge part of Van Halen !

**DLR'sCock** · 07.02.02, 06:59 AM

the sheehan thing is true...

**Zahzoo** · 07.02.02, 07:24 AM

Given a lot of thought on the subject... quite frankly I don't seem to recall any factual information publically available that indicates Mike has been screwed over by the Bros...

Obviously if someone wants to educate me with some published facts... not speculative posturing... bring it on!!

I get the feeling that Mike in his neutral personality and not one to speak out negatively during many a VH crisis... people just assume he's a victim of all these perported things. Could be he deals with his beefs privately and publically is damn good poker player who don't show his cards...

I wouldn't underestimate Mike's role in anything on the business end of things...

**DiverDowninKY** · 07.02.02, 08:06 AM

Originally posted by DLR'sCock:
the sheehan thing is true...

According to Dave this is true...he said that Sheehan was so good, they had to fire him and his band from the opening gig slot back in '80.

I also read that Eddie never has the bass coming from his monitors only the drums. The way he said it in the interview was like a slap in the face to Mike. Kinda like "and everyone out there knows why too

."

**badkaraoke** · 07.02.02, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by Ou812max:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by ericgtr:
In my eyes Mikey is one of the brothers, he adds his own unique sound both on the bass and vocally that without, just wouldn't be VH. I am really hoping that Ed remains loyal to Mikey, he has certainly earned it and it would make me lose a lot of respect if they couldn't hang on to him either.

I totally agree. Mikey is the shit! I was just trying to say that if Eddie has had several intentions of booting him it is LAME. Without Mikey, VH would definately not be where they are now(I mean when they did anything).</font>[/QUOTE]Hey hey now...

[roftard mode <on>]

Who's to say they weren't gonna have TWO bass players?? No one can say that for sure..

[roftard mode <off>]

**The Full BuD** · 07.02.02, 09:17 AM

The reason Ed only has drums in his monitor is because that's how he and Al grew up playing, without bass. They used to jam with just guitar and drums and pretty much never grew out of it. It's not a slap in the face to Mike, it just that old habits die hard. Lots of bands do that. Pantera is one that comes to mind because you've again got brothers on guitar and drums. It's not uncommon. I personally don't think that Mike's position in the band was ever truly in jeopardy.

**Canyon Carver** · 07.02.02, 10:44 AM

I have a great deal of affection for Mike, as most Van Halen do, and don't really think that his future in Van Halen is in question.
If he decides to leave the band, that's his prerogative, but I don't see Ed firing him at this point. That's the last thing VH needs—loose another original member.

**DiverDowninKY** · 07.02.02, 10:53 AM

Tha article I'm talking about is in Guitar Player March '95 with Zappa doing the interview.

Ed: Believe it or not Al's drums are the only thing I have in my monitors. If you ever stand where I'm standing on stage, all I hear is drums.

Zappa: Well, we know some other reasons why you only want drums in your monitors but we won't get into that....(laughs)

Ed: Yeah it's cool

Kinda off the topic, but wanted to clear up my last post.