Respect for Mike

**ericgtr** · 02.17.07, 08:09 AM

I have always been a huge fan of Mike and over the last 10 years or so I've maintained that he's been the only solid member of the band. I am sad to see that Ed has treated him so badly over the last few years which finally ended in total alienation.

VH was an entity, not just Ed and Mike was 1/4 of it, they partied, had fun and never cared about any of the politics. Anytime you have ever seen Mike on stage he's always given 110% and always has a good time, it's obvious that's all he's ever cared about. They can short change him, make him sign whatever they want and he's still going to give you all he's got in every show.

Mike should be an example to them, not an outcast.

I wish Mike the best and will support any projects he's involved with. He deserves tons much more respect than he's been given, I'm glad to see so much of the community behind him here and I know that even though it won't make a difference at all to the delusional, control freak alcoholic guitarist, at least we can be sure he's hearing about it.

**Brett** · 02.17.07, 08:12 AM

Absolutely, the fan-friendliest part of the band is gone.

**darthadv** · 02.17.07, 08:35 AM

a virtual toast to mr. sobolewski (sp?)...

a damn shame how this is panning out...

so when does alex get written out of the royalties, too, since it was all about how mike didn't contribute to the song-writing? exactly how much did alex contribute? i thought the old joke was that drummers were the most easily replaced... i'm not knocking alex's ability, but i think ed's logic is all contradictory and no one is ever going to call him on it...

**Brett** · 02.17.07, 08:39 AM

Do you really think Ed would ever write Alex out of anything?

**jws5150** · 02.17.07, 08:59 AM

I think the more operative question is: When is Alex finally going to wake up and stop Ed from destroying whatever is left of their once great band? After Ed kills himself?

**padraig5150** · 02.17.07, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by Brett

Do you really think Ed would ever write Alex out of anything?

You never know. Don't Alex and Sam talk from time to time? At least Sammy mentioned something like that in an interview. Maybe there's another unwritten rule that current band members aren't allowed to talk to former ones.

But then again that would have kicked Ed out of the band back in '96...

**ericgtr** · 02.17.07, 09:04 AM

The fact that they are brothers is probably why everyone figures it's a given that Ed wouldn't do that.

**darthadv** · 02.17.07, 11:01 AM

no, i don't think ed would kick alex out... i was being sarcastic (we need a smiley for that!

)... my point is that it's a ridiculous argument to try and justify cutting off royalties from mike...

**darthadv** · 02.17.07, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by padraig5150

You never know. Don't Alex and Sam talk from time to time? At least Sammy mentioned something like that in an interview. Maybe there's another unwritten rule that current band members aren't allowed to talk to former ones.

But then again that would have kicked Ed out of the band back in '96...

i think alex talks to sammy and responds to ed's criticisms with comments like, "yeah, i know, what do you want me to do... he's my brother... i'll try and talk to him... i know, i know..."

it would probably take input from alex to get mike involved in vh again at this point...

**Double Down** · 02.17.07, 12:55 PM

It's amazing how Mike's 'legend' with the fans has grown tenfold upon his official departure. For all those years he was just kind of 'there', now he's seemingly larger than all of them combined. If you would have told me that 20 years ago I'd have never believed it. I can't think of any other musician where I've seen this happen.

**LLFHS** · 02.17.07, 01:37 PM

**Ian Sane** · 02.17.07, 10:55 PM

Mike is always going to be part of the Van Halen legacy. I'll be there for his next musical project.

The Chickenfoot project sounds interesting, maybe someday the Planet US thing will come to fruition.

Plus, I'd love to hear him get together with a bunch of other like minded people & punch out some songs, maybe even a power trio like Mike on bass & lead vocals, Zakk Wylde on guitar & Vinnie Paul on drums. That would cook.