after reading that Sammy chapter...

**tphitmen** · 07.24.00, 12:41 AM

After reading that chapter from Sammy's book, I have come to the following conclusions (this assumes what was in the chapter was TRUE...)

1. Michael Anthony has been getting FUCKED by the other members of VH for years.

2. Sammy's ex-wife is stupid.

3. Sammy was ABSOLUTELY right on in his assessment of RAY DANIELLS (Daniells is a total ASSHOLE)>

Anyone else who read that particular chapter, I would be interested to hear what you thought...

**Fur Elise** · 07.24.00, 02:47 AM

I read it too, and you have to remember that when telling their life story, people will tell you what they want to tell you. I don't doubt for a minute that about 80% of what Sam stated was/is true, while the rest was probably bullshit. In a situation like this, regardles if it's a band, a few friends, or a business venture, nobody is ever really 100% right. Everyone is to blame in one way or another. I was hearing about Mike gettin' screwed long before this chapter, or the book, ever surfaced. As for Sam's son stating "Take him for everything, mom!", well he didn't exactly look like that around '93 when I saw him in Costa Mesa on the "L:RHRN" tour. That kid looked pretty content to me. Maybe Betsy was a complete dipshit, but all you read was how she was supportive of Sam. I'm sure she was a bitch on wheels at times, otherwise Sam wouldn't have any reason to kick her to the curb. I just wonder why Sam would grant these interviews, knowing they were planned for an eventual book release, then threaten to sue the author when it became known that the book was about ready to see the light of day. Therein lies the fact that he wasn't totally honest in *everything* he said to the interviewer.

Ed shaving his head? I never bought it for a moment when he said he did he did it because he "lost a bet". And once there were several stories he started telling about why he cut his hair, I knew then and there he was lying. Even before the book, Sam had stated in printed interviews Ed did it one night when he was on a major bender. It's common knowledge Al and Ed are the real muscle behind the band, musically, financially, and creatively.

I wish this book would come out. The Van Halen-era chapters would really shine a different light on such an awesome band. I sat there with my mouth agape while reading the entire portion. I was in utter shock.

And yes, Ray Danniels, that fucking greedy-ass bastard, needs to be shot.

Twice.

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"I was born without a silver spoon, but I'm gonna make a stir!" - David Lee Roth, "A Little Ain't Enough"

**Panama Jack** · 07.24.00, 08:24 AM

Ray Danniels needs to be hung by his scrotum!

**Fuzz** · 07.24.00, 10:16 AM

Ray Daniels has a scrotum?

**hammered65** · 07.24.00, 10:19 AM

Interesting thread. I too read that chapter and found it to be pretty wild shit. Remember, this all Sammy' side of the story, of course none of it is going to be his fault. I'm not making excuses for the VH brothers though. Eddie and Alex could be the biggest assholes in the music industry for all we know. Sammy was in a band with these guys for 11 years, I'm sure he knows them better than anybody here. What I thought was intersting though was the comments he made about Mikey not being an equal partner and all that. I have read interviews with Dave and he basically said the same thing too. Here is two guys, who are not even friends, saying the same thing about how the brothers treat Mike. I agree with what Sammy said about Mike writing a book though. It would probably knock people on their asses to hear his side of the VH saga. If what Sammy said is true about Eddie talking about replacing Mike on every album, I wonder if this is why Eddie keeps Mike around? So he doesn't write a tell-all book about the brothers? Makes me wonder.

**FORD** · 07.24.00, 10:27 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Fuzz:
Ray Daniels has a scrotum?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

If he does, it's empty, because he's a nutless coward lying piece of shit.

Now as for the question of Eddie shaving his head, I never bought the "I lost a bet" story either. Usually when someone shaves their head, what they are really trying to do is shed their past and start over. Given the situation described in Sammy's chapter (a nervous breakdown more or less) this would seem to fit. Apparently it also scared off Tim Collins. I'm guessing when Alex shaved his head in the late 80's that the motivation was similar. Isn't that about the time that he quit drinking?

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F.O.R.D. Country

Van HALEN is: Dave, Eddie, Mikey, Alex. Any questions?

Eat Us And Smile!!

**dolphmurph** · 07.24.00, 10:31 AM

Mike has no spine.

But that's okay. I mean, if he did he would have been kicked out of VH.

He has to tip-toe around giants.

**esquiretoo** · 07.24.00, 10:36 AM

well, i can say this with all sincerity: if they ever kick mike out, that will do it for my interest in van halen.

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your official vhlinks prosecutor

**Lead Synth** · 07.24.00, 10:43 AM

Wouldn't that be crazy if the only reason Mike was in VH was because he's blackmailing Alex and Ed?? "If you kick me out, I'm gonna write a book about all the shit you guys did..."

I don't think that's really the case, though. I hope not, anyway. I'd like to think that Mikey, at least, is above all this childish nonsense

I gotta go dig up that Rolling Stone article in which Eddie talks about what happened the night he shaved his head!

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"i still dream big thanx to Van Halen music!" - Eddie_italian
Just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to...
doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have! "1989"

**GirlGoneBad!** · 07.24.00, 10:50 AM

Ya know when I feel bad for Mike? Ed makes him look like a dink on the Mattrock interview with Gary at Ed's studio.If anyone has this tape throw it on! When they start discussing what older material they are gonna do on tour,Mike says something like,"yeah I mean,"I'm The One",we haven't done that in thirteen years..." Ed then like yells at him,"THIRTEEN! Its been more than that,like 20!" and then they show Mike and he feels kinda embarassed...and Ed says,"what are you talking about?!" Then you see Alex patting Mike on the arm and look at Mikes face he is just overwhelmed after Ed flipped.Does anyone know what I mean?!

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2711 Don't ever drink anything you can't see through.

**laner** · 07.24.00, 11:22 AM

when i think about that article, i can't stop thinking about how big assholes ed and al are. it honestly makes me so mad that they treat mike like shit.i believe sammy 100 percent regarding the mikey issue. he is and always will be my favorite member of van halen, for everything he's done. i didn't see that video, but i couldn't imagine that they treat mikey like that. i would be the first one to be at the bookstore when mikey's book comes out.

fuck, now i'm pissed off.

**hammered65** · 07.24.00, 11:24 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Lead Synth:
Wouldn't that be crazy if the only reason Mike was in VH was because he's blackmailing Alex and Ed?? "If you kick me out, I'm gonna write a book about all the shit you guys did..."

I don't think that's really the case, though. I hope not, anyway. I'd like to think that Mikey, at least, is above all this childish nonsense

I gotta go dig up that Rolling Stone article in which Eddie talks about what happened the night he shaved his head!

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hey Lead,

You're right, I think Mike is above that childish shit too. What I meant to say is maybe Eddie and Alex are scared he might write a tell-all book if they kicked him out. Mike has probably never threatened them with that though. I think he is stuck between an rock and a hard place in Van Halen. He probaly has no say so whatsoever in the band, but what else is he going to do? He could just quit them I guess, but more than likely his musical career would be over. I don't know, it's just my opinion.

**Goo** · 07.24.00, 03:20 PM

I think its safe to say, that even if Mike's pay isnt on Par with Ed or Al's .. he's probably done pretty good outta his years in VH.. Wouldnt be suprised if he's been tucking money away, looking after his earnings, and is quite happy to keep earning that dough without rocking the boat too much.

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A little zen... Headed your way...

**MightyVanHalen** · 07.24.00, 03:38 PM

Mike is obviously happy enough with VH to keep taking shit from Ed.

I don't think Alex ever treats Mike like shit because from what I've heard before is that it has been Alex who has pulled his weight with Ed to keep Mike in the band. The relationship between a drummer and a bass player is very important to the success of a band.

And if Mike left or was fired I would still be a fan of VH.
As long as Eddie is still playing I'll still be listening.

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"No man is happy without a delusion of some kind. Delusions are as necessary to our happiness as realities." -Christian Nestell Bovee, American author (1820-1904).

**ANGEL4U** · 07.24.00, 04:02 PM

I don't want to believe the stuff written about Mike in Sam's book. Maybe it's true, maybe it's not. I'm not going to say "he's got no backbone". I'm thinking Mike is a smart man, and I don't think he'd let Ed or Al walk all over him,they need him too much,don't you think

?

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You only get one chance to make a good first impression.