Are Ed & Al jealous of Mike's Money?

**jeffbug** · 02.09.07, 08:51 AM

Let's face facts. Mikey has to be the richest of all the VH guys. Eddie and Sammy have been through a divorce, Alex has been divorced a few times, and Dave hasn't had a big payday in quite a while. Up until recently the band split all profits equally. Mike also has several endorsement deals with bass and amp companies that beefs up his bank account. Mike is still married to his high school sweetheart and never has had to give up half his fortune like Ed, Al, and Sammy. Could Ed and Al be pissed and jealous that their former bass player who never had and was never given a chance to have any creative input is far more wealthier than they are? In the two chapters of Sammy's unreleased book that leaked out, it was pretty obvious that the VH brothers are all about money. Any thoughts?

**Menlow** · 02.09.07, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by jeffbug

Let's face facts. Mikey has to be the richest of all the VH guys. Eddie and Sammy have been through a divorce, Alex has been divorced a few times, and Dave hasn't had a big payday in quite a while. Up until recently the band split all profits equally. Mike also has several endorsement deals with bass and amp companies that beefs up his bank account. Mike is still married to his high school sweetheart and never has had to give up half his fortune like Ed, Al, and Sammy. Could Ed and Al be pissed and jealous that their former bass player who never had and was never given a chance to have any creative input is far more wealthier than they are? In the two chapters of Sammy's unreleased book that leaked out, it was pretty obvious that the VH brothers are all about money. Any thoughts?

I think jealousies over money have probably happened, like with just about every band out there. It's certainly possible the guys thought Mike was making too much money for what he contributed.

I think that Ed probably has more money than Mike. Don't forget, his wife was somewhat wealthy in her own right which added to the pie being split. I'm sure that Ed's endorsement deals over the years have dwarfed Mike's as well. Plus, I think it's been a long time since things were split up evenly between the four.

With Sam's tequila empire, I'm not sure about him either. More money than Al and Dave? Probably--although Dave has never been through a divorce either.

**It's Mike** · 02.09.07, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by jeffbug

Let's face facts. Mikey has to be the richest of all the VH guys. Eddie and Sammy have been through a divorce, Alex has been divorced a few times, and Dave hasn't had a big payday in quite a while. Up until recently the band split all profits equally. Mike also has several endorsement deals with bass and amp companies that beefs up his bank account. Mike is still married to his high school sweetheart and never has had to give up half his fortune like Ed, Al, and Sammy. Could Ed and Al be pissed and jealous that their former bass player who never had and was never given a chance to have any creative input is far more wealthier than they are? In the two chapters of Sammy's unreleased book that leaked out, it was pretty obvious that the VH brothers are all about money. Any thoughts?

it might have a little to do with it, but I wouldn't imagine it has much to do with the decision they made for this year. People are thinking too much on this, Ed likes playing with his son so he's bringing him on tour with him. For this to be financially feasible he had to bring Dave along, so he is. I don't think there's much more to it.

**ChrisTheEdHead** · 02.09.07, 09:22 AM

And, if I recall correctly, DLR has a multitude of real estate investments that, Im sure, keep him quite comfortable.
I remember the advice my grandfather gave me a long time ago: "Buy real estate, its the only thing on Earth they arent making more of"

AT · 02.09.07, 09:27 AM

I have a thought: This is a stupid thread. It is impossible to know how much money these guys have, where it did or did not come from, how each of them felt about it, and how it affected their personal and business relationships.

**AVH Blues** · 02.09.07, 09:27 AM

They are probably more jealous of his riches than his wealth. I'm sure none of them are hurting, excpet maybe Dave but I don't know that to be true. Mike is rich in the fact he is happy, has a good family, not a drunk and addict like Ed. Not to mention the fact that Mike seems happy which pisses off the bitter people like Ed.

**Bad to the Bone** · 02.09.07, 09:33 AM

I bet Ed and Al would have no problem at all with Sam and Mike if it were "VAn Halen's CAbo Wabo" franchise, tequilla, hot sauce. Sammy makes millions off of this stuff and the VH bros are still stinging over giving up thier share of it. Now Mike's got a hot sauce and they can't stand it. Again they took bad advice selling thier share and they just can't stand that Sam and Mike are happy doing what they want to do-I know Mike sold his share of CW also but he doesn't seem to be bitter at all...hmmmm, I wonder why?

**ZORBA5150** · 02.09.07, 09:36 AM

So you're Mike's financial advisor, privy to such info? Or Ed and Alex' accountant/advisor? That's a new one

**darthadv** · 02.09.07, 09:41 AM

don't how much ed & al could've pissed away their money, but i would think ed's better off than mike at this point... mike and dave may be more comparable, given how long dave has been away from the band... let's not forget that dave is still getting all that radio money...

they're all "comfortable"...

**fullbug5150** · 02.09.07, 09:43 AM

millions from cabo?

**Van Halenized** · 02.09.07, 09:57 AM

Jealous of Mike's money????

God, are we at a all time low that we gotta brainstorm topic's like this?

Ed just sold all 300 of his replica's (at least that's what I've heard), at 25,000 to 30,000 dollors a piece. Jealous, I'm guessing not.

Here's hoping that some mod shuts this shit of a topic, DOWN!!!!!

**TOM_5150** · 02.09.07, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by fullbug5150

millions from cabo?

I highly doubt the Cabo bar/tequila has made millions for Sam.

**Grover** · 02.09.07, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by ZORBA5150

So you're Mike's financial advisor, privy to such info? Or Ed and Alex' accountant/advisor? That's a new one

Nothing he said is any real secret. I can remember hearing 15 + years ago that Mike had invested his money very well (in Disney, I believe). I also recall that Mike was so frugal that when he got home from a tour his luggage was stuffed with toilet paper rolls from the different hotels. By living a quite life in a modest home Mike should have a great nest egg. In fact, I remember hearing that Mike was the wealthiest of all the band members because he invested wisely.

Alex has been very close to being bankrupt. 2 (or is it 3) divorces take a toll. I know Alex had to set up a corporation to protect what he had. In other words, Alex Van Halen INC. pays a salary to Mr. Alex Van Halen. That way his ex's can only get a portion of what AVH Inc pays him. It's public record, by the way.

Eddie should be well off. He's taken percentages from DLR, MA, and I would bet Sammy at some point. I would bet that Gary only got a salary. He has forced band mates to give up their rights to the Van Halen name and god knows what else. Of course, Eddie is investing in porn movies now. How many other ideas has he "invested" in and lost money on? His mystery cancer treatment had to cost a fortune (the one he said wasn't "legal" in the USA). Homes aren't cheap and he's had a couple. Park City, Utah is one that comes to mind. But clearly, he thinks he deserve more of the Van Halen pie (much, much more) than the other members. Oh and one other thing... Think of how much publishing money he's lost out on by doing cover songs. He's made Ray Davies a lot of money over the years.

Eddie and Alex bailed on Cabo cause they thought they would lose money. I would bet that they forced MA to sell his share too. And anyone who's followed the band has to know Eddie is pissed about it. Just check out his edicts on the 2004 tour where Sammy was banned from even wearing a Cabo shirt.

Not accusing anyone in the band of this, but cocaine and/or crack can burn up a lot of money very fast. Just for your consideration...

**VanHalen2079** · 02.09.07, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by TOM_5150

I highly doubt the Cabo bar/tequila has made millions for Sam.

It isn't exactly hurting him either lets face it, the guy hasn't put out an album thats come near going gold since Marching To Mars. It certainly isn't his music thats keeping him afloat these days.

**Grover** · 02.09.07, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by TOM_5150

I highly doubt the Cabo bar/tequila has made millions for Sam.

I don't doubt it at all. A couple of Cabo locations, tequila that's available all across the country at $50.00 a bottle... Not to mention the T-shirts, shot glasses, sunglasses...

There is a reason so many music star are getting involved in project like clothing, perfume, etc... There's more money to be made in those field than in music. An artist may make $3.00 on a CD, split five ways. A "Sean John" shirt may make $20 for P. Diddy or whatever he calls himself. I can virtually guarentee Sammy makes more off a bottle of tequila than off a CD. The beautiful thing is you might buy every CD Sammy has made. When you have them all, you stop. But you'll buy a new bottle of tequila each time you run out. You need new clothes every season, every year.