Michael Anthony - The TRUE Van Halen Story You've NEVER Heard!

[DrEd]

[Raldo]

Cool vid. Love hearing Mike tell stories.

[Tokyo Joe]

Agreed.

[Rocket]

Inspired by this talk by Mike - amazing bass solo in The Rolling Stones song.

Song credits at a glance
1 Chevrolet ZZ Top (1972, Rio Grande Mud) Billy Gibbons
2 Maybe I’m a Leo Deep Purple (1972, Machine Head)
3 We All Had a Real Good Time The Edgar Winter Group (1972, They Only Come Out at Night)
4 Walk Away James Gang (1971 single / Thirds)
5 Can’t Get Enough Bad Company (1974 single / Bad Company)
6 If You Can’t Rock Me The Rolling Stones (1974, It’s Only Rock ’ n Roll)
7 Might Just Take Your Life Deep Purple (1974 single / Burn)
8 Make It Last Montrose (1973, Montrose) Sammy Hagar & Ronnie Montrose

[YankeeRose]

It's always cool to hear a new Mike interview. I already know all of these stories though.

[ziggysmalls]

Cool interview but I wish he, Alex, Dave and Sammy could tell stories of how songs came together. I don't care what era. Just what are you thoughts of recording at Sunset or others and then 5150. How did Eddie change good or bad in the recording process when it was at his studio. How did the band come up with choruses? Were any brought to the band or was it simply sit in front of mic's and harmonize together? For Mike, what was his thoughts if he could recall when Eddie approached with Jump? I assume Alex and Dave were really against it but what can he recall if anything? Any recollection of a song that seemed impossible to come together but eventually ended up on tape?

I know time, drinking, etc makes things foggy but I assume if you spent 5-6 months on an some albums, there has to be some memories. That's why I want a book by Ted or Donn on making of the albums.

[dropped-d]

Cool interview but I wish he, Alex, Dave and Sammy could tell stories of how songs came together. I don't care what era. Just what are you thoughts of recording at Sunset or others and then 5150. How did Eddie change good or bad in the recording process when it was at his studio. How did the band come up with choruses? Were any brought to the band or was it simply sit in front of mic's and harmonize together? For Mike, what was his thoughts if he could recall when Eddie approached with Jump? I assume Alex and Dave were really against it but what can he recall if anything? Any recollection of a song that seemed impossible to come together but eventually ended up on tape?

I know time, drinking, etc makes things foggy but I assume if you spent 5-6 months on an some albums, there has to be some memories. That's why I want a book by Ted or Donn on making of the albums.

THIS!!!!

It's brilliant, original compelling music. There is a major story which is being ignored.

The only Rock docs I enjoy dive deep into how Zeppelin or the Stones created the magic. I really don't give a @#$ about the soap opera.


Cudos to Mike for delivering a positive interview and not "taking the bait"

[CatchAsCatch]

Cool interview but I wish he, Alex, Dave and Sammy could tell stories of how songs came together. I don't care what era. Just what are you thoughts of recording at Sunset or others and then 5150. How did Eddie change good or bad in the recording process when it was at his studio. How did the band come up with choruses? Were any brought to the band or was it simply sit in front of mic's and harmonize together? For Mike, what was his thoughts if he could recall when Eddie approached with Jump? I assume Alex and Dave were really against it but what can he recall if anything? Any recollection of a song that seemed impossible to come together but eventually ended up on tape?

I know time, drinking, etc makes things foggy but I assume if you spent 5-6 months on some albums, there has to be some memories. That's why I want a book by Ted or Donn on making of the albums.

There has to be some footage of them in the studio. Home movies even? Combine some of that with their recollection of the songs coming together (plus Ted and Donn’s). That would be so cool.

[billy007]

I thought it was a good interview. Some nice rememberances from Mike without really getting into the weeds

[Olen]

I have thought for years (since the dawn of the P2P/digital era) that a band could strengthen its brand and make money by video recording various aspects of the recording process, including actual recordings of the commercially reproduced music, separate segments (e.g., background / gang vocals), and "reaction" type video of other members observing an individual or individuals doing selected parts.

Having archival info for posterity is important - but technology until the advent of the smart phone and the various high quality cameras recording everything was cost prohibitive.

[Little Dreamer]

I have thought for years (since the dawn of the P2P/digital era) that a band could strengthen its brand and make money by video recording various aspects of the recording process, including actual recordings of the commercially reproduced music, separate segments (e.g., background / gang vocals), and "reaction" type video of other members observing an individual or individuals doing selected parts.

Having archival info for posterity is important - but technology until the advent of the smart phone and the various high quality cameras recording everything was cost prohibitive.

They hire some dude name Andrew to film stuff at 5150.

It went south quickly.

[Little Intruder]

That Andrew character was a human parasite. He needed to be flushed down the toilet like all other vermin when expelled by the body.

[Raldo]

I have thought for years (since the dawn of the P2P/digital era) that a band could strengthen its brand and make money by video recording various aspects of the recording process, including actual recordings of the commercially reproduced music, separate segments (e.g., background / gang vocals), and "reaction" type video of other members observing an individual or individuals doing selected parts.

Having archival info for posterity is important - but technology until the advent of the smart phone and the various high quality cameras recording everything was cost prohibitive.

Linkin Park did something like this for their current album. It’s pretty cool to see.

[ziggysmalls]

I will say Mike's interview was great and refreshing simply because he did discuss some things that have not been repeated to death. I know was offering ideas but it wasn't directed to him. Its pretty safe to say that the vast majority of us have heard the same stories

[Olen]

They hire some dude name Andrew to film stuff at 5150.

It went south quickly.

Fair point. However, filming during this window of the Van Halen timeline was going to be the most problematic if not insane. And sad.

Seeing footage from some of the other (less dysfunctional) eras would have been pretty cool.