Eddie Van Halen has passed away

[Ben_Jamin]

Does anyone know if Eddie also patched things up with Michael Anthony?

Haven't seen anything that confirms it beyond a doubt, but I would imagine that they had to some degree for a couple different reasons. For starters, because Eddie and Sammy made amends, and Sammy is tight with Michael and likely would've encouraged the amends to be made with Michael, too. Additionally, both Michael and Sammy have confirmed that Michael had been contacted by the VH camp about returning to do a big tour in 2019, which obviously never happened, rumored to be because of Eddie's health (which is probably a foregone conclusion now). I can't imagine that they would've asked Michael to come back if some resolution had not already been made between the two of them. I say that because it's seems from Eddie's viewpoint, Michael was expendable in the the first place, as evidence by him being replaced by Wolfie. That in contrast with having DLR come back, which was probably viewed as more of a "necessity" to make a big splash once again; still, even after the reunion began, it seems Eddie and DLR weren't friends but business partners.

I see Wolfie being in Van Halen because he wanted to play with his dad and uncle. And given Eddie had the cancer, he wanted to give his son the opportunity to play his songs.

If Eddie wanted to reunite with Michael Anthony, that to me shows he wanted to do one big final tour or maybe even show, but alas his health wasn't strong enough to do so.

[millahh]

Does anyone know if Eddie also patched things up with Michael Anthony?

Haven't seen anything that confirms it beyond a doubt, but I would imagine that they had to some degree for a couple different reasons. For starters, because Eddie and Sammy made amends, and Sammy is tight with Michael and likely would've encouraged the amends to be made with Michael, too. Additionally, both Michael and Sammy have confirmed that Michael had been contacted by the VH camp about returning to do a big tour in 2019, which obviously never happened, rumored to be because of Eddie's health (which is probably a foregone conclusion now). I can't imagine that they would've asked Michael to come back if some resolution had not already been made between the two of them. I say that because it's seems from Eddie's viewpoint, Michael was expendable in the the first place, as evidence by him being replaced by Wolfie. That in contrast with having DLR come back, which was probably viewed as more of a "necessity" to make a big splash once again; still, even after the reunion began, it seems Eddie and DLR weren't friends but business partners.

I see Wolfie being in Van Halen because he wanted to play with his dad and uncle. And given Eddie had the cancer, he wanted to give his son the opportunity to play his songs.

If Eddie wanted to reunite with Michael Anthony, that to me shows he wanted to do one big final tour or maybe even show, but alas his health wasn't strong enough to do so.

That doesn't really explain that incident where MA go edited out of the artwork for albums he played on, though...

[Setlist Scotty]

Does anyone know if Eddie also patched things up with Michael Anthony?

Haven't seen anything that confirms it beyond a doubt, but I would imagine that they had to some degree for a couple different reasons. For starters, because Eddie and Sammy made amends, and Sammy is tight with Michael and likely would've encouraged the amends to be made with Michael, too. Additionally, both Michael and Sammy have confirmed that Michael had been contacted by the VH camp about returning to do a big tour in 2019, which obviously never happened, rumored to be because of Eddie's health (which is probably a foregone conclusion now). I can't imagine that they would've asked Michael to come back if some resolution had not already been made between the two of them. I say that because it's seems from Eddie's viewpoint, Michael was expendable in the the first place, as evidence by him being replaced by Wolfie. That in contrast with having DLR come back, which was probably viewed as more of a "necessity" to make a big splash once again; still, even after the reunion began, it seems Eddie and DLR weren't friends but business partners.

I see Wolfie being in Van Halen because he wanted to play with his dad and uncle. And given Eddie had the cancer, he wanted to give his son the opportunity to play his songs.

If Eddie wanted to reunite with Michael Anthony, that to me shows he wanted to do one big final tour or maybe even show, but alas his health wasn't strong enough to do so.

That doesn't really explain that incident where MA go edited out of the artwork for albums he played on, though...

It doesn't. From what I've read over the years, Eddie was angry that Michael continued to remain close friends with Sammy after Sammy was fired/left VH in 1995/6, and in so many words gave that as his lame excuse for why Michael was no longer in the band (he's too busy playing with Sammy in his band). Even for Michael to have been a part of the disastrous 2004 tour, he had to sign away his rights to the band and take a reduced salary. So this bad blood was going on well before Wolfie came into the picture. There had even been rumors that Billy Sheehan might play bass instead (can't remember when exactly), but by the time 2007 rolled around, Wolfie was old enough (barely) to go on the road with his old man and uncle as a full band member.

[Stadler]

That's how I got the wave from Valerie in Charlotte.  She toured with the band while Wolfie was there (she remained close to Ed up to his death, but I have to imagine the trust was not totally there at that point). and when I saw her, she was walking from backstage out to the front to see the show.  I was at the edge of the section about 10 feet up from the floor, and I waved.   She waved, I melted and my (now ex-) wife belted me on the shoulder.  Worked out well for all of us.

[Samsara]

re: Gary Cherone and VH III

Gary spoke to Rolling Stone about EVH and his time in Van Halen here:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/gary-cherone-eddie-van-halen-interview-1072436/

>>>>Gary, to me, was the absolute perfect hybrid of DLR and Sammy Hagar. The problem was, and I've always said this, and Gary says it himself, is that they should have done what Alice in Chains ultimately did with William Duvall -- tour first, THEN do the record. While I didn't get to see the VH III tour myself, I have seen plenty of shows online from it, and my wife went to the tour, and Gary absolutely knocked it out of the park. He could do everything from DLR and Sammy.

And while I admit it has probably been 20 years since I played VH III in its entirety (I plan to this weekend), Fire in the Hole, Without You and Dirty Water Dog immediately come to mine as fantastic tracks. I don't really remember much of the rest. But after 22 years, I know my musical tastes, at least in terms of how I appreciate music have changed. Can't wait to dive back into VH III this weekend. Been too long.

Anyway, I have to say, if you really want some great insight, read that Rolling Stone feature above. Gary talks about why that album was what it was.

[Stadler]

Apparently, Gary reconnected as well.   I generally do not care if my musical idols are "friends" with their bandmates or ex-bandmates, but as a general rule, it's nice to know that maybe Ed went out on his own terms, leaving the relationships behind in a way that he was comfortable with.  That's refreshing to hear. 

For all the fights, all the petty nonsense, all the bullshit of those lost years (the early aughts), people who knew him LOVED him.   Valerie: his ex-wife who probably had the most reason to hold a grudge, right there by his side (with his current wife).  I think that speaks volumes for the guy, and maybe almost as much as his music.   

[Samsara]

You know, it's funny. You hear all this stuff about Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, and I do believe that EVH did them wrong. I do. But then you hear all this stuff on how wonderful EVH is to people, and I believe that as well. A lot of it comes down, I think, to Eddie's state of mind back when the stuff happened with Sammy and Mikey, his drinking, etc. Words were said, lawyers likely got involved, and business people stepped in. Not that THEY created the issues, but they probably didn't help.

At the end of the day, I am very glad Ed and Sammy mended fences. My hope is Mikey did as well.

[Phoenix87x]

Always really liked VH III. Some very strong songs on there. Shame it didn't go further than the one album.

[Lowdz]

He took some shit (and ridicule) for the videos for these, but I actually dig them a LOT:

Catherine:  https://youtu.be/bPLW4sSY75Y
Rise: https://youtu.be/PFlrv9P05bA

Was this the porno soundtrack I heard about?

That's the one. I don't mind the music, but Eddie looked awful on those videos.

Imagine trying to concentrate on a porno and that guitar is wailing away! Far too distracting 

[pg1067]

Too bad DLR obviously didn’t feel the need to. Then again, as much as I consider him to be the greatest “front man” in the history of rock, part of me thinks he’s devoid of a real personality.

That guy used to be my hero, but he’s almost a self parody at this point...and his extremely brief statement online struck me as almost dismissive. Kinda rubbed me the wrong way. But maybe he’ll say more later. (He usually does  )

I don't want to derail the thread, but why does he have to make a public statement?  "Hey Dave, I know you've been curled up in a ball crying for the past 24 hours, but you'd better post something on Instatwitbook."  And then when he does post something, he gets taken to task because it's not good enough?  SMH....

[Setlist Scotty]

Additionally, both Michael and Sammy have confirmed that Michael had been contacted by the VH camp about returning to do a big tour in 2019, which obviously never happened, rumored to be because of Eddie's health (which is probably a foregone conclusion now). I can't imagine that they would've asked Michael to come back if some resolution had not already been made between the two of them.

Well, I stand corrected on this part of my previous post - while Michael was contacted about a tour, it doesn't seem that there was any personal contact between him and Eddie, judging by what is posted in this article:
https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/van-halens-manager-confirms-band-came-close-to-reuniting-with-michael-anthony-for-summer-2019-stadium-tour/

That said, I hope that the two of them made amends, and I would like to think that Sammy really would have encouraged Eddie to do so. In time, I'm sure we'll find out whether he did or not.

[cramx3]

You know, it's funny. You hear all this stuff about Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, and I do believe that EVH did them wrong. I do. But then you hear all this stuff on how wonderful EVH is to people, and I believe that as well. A lot of it comes down, I think, to Eddie's state of mind back when the stuff happened with Sammy and Mikey, his drinking, etc. Words were said, lawyers likely got involved, and business people stepped in. Not that THEY created the issues, but they probably didn't help.

At the end of the day, I am very glad Ed and Sammy mended fences. My hope is Mikey did as well.

Yea, all of this. 

[Dublagent66]

Boy, I powered thru the first 6 albums.  Man, those things are EP's by today's standards!  VH 1 at 35 minutes is the longest!

My favorite through the first 5 albums is easily Fair Warning.  Then there's 1984.  The grand finale of the DLR era. 

Too bad DLR obviously didn’t feel the need to. Then again, as much as I consider him to be the greatest “front man” in the history of rock, part of me thinks he’s devoid of a real personality.

That guy used to be my hero, but he’s almost a self parody at this point...and his extremely brief statement online struck me as almost dismissive. Kinda rubbed me the wrong way. But maybe he’ll say more later. (He usually does  )

I don't want to derail the thread, but why does he have to make a public statement?  "Hey Dave, I know you've been curled up in a ball crying for the past 24 hours, but you'd better post something on Instatwitbook."  And then when he does post something, he gets taken to task because it's not good enough?  SMH....

For once, I actually agree with you.  People grieve in there own way.  DLR has always been full of himself and there was some bad blood there for many years.  So, I really didn't expect him to say much, if anything at all.  But, I'm glad he at least said something and posted a pretty cool pic.

[SystematicThought]

You know, it's funny. You hear all this stuff about Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony, and I do believe that EVH did them wrong. I do. But then you hear all this stuff on how wonderful EVH is to people, and I believe that as well. A lot of it comes down, I think, to Eddie's state of mind back when the stuff happened with Sammy and Mikey, his drinking, etc. Words were said, lawyers likely got involved, and business people stepped in. Not that THEY created the issues, but they probably didn't help.

At the end of the day, I am very glad Ed and Sammy mended fences. My hope is Mikey did as well.

Go read Noel Monk’s Van Halen book, their manager during the Roth Era. He said Eddie was the biggest sweetheart you’d ever want to meet, he was shy and sweet and had a childhood innocence about him, he was also quite oblivious (when Eddie got hit with a paternity suit, he asked Noel, “She only ever gave me a BJ in the car on the side of the highway. Can you get pregnant through oral sex?” Eddie wasn’t joking, he was genuinely serious). But when he started hitting the drugs and alcohol he could turn into the biggest asshole. It also sounds like Alex would get in Eddie’s ear and manipulate him. It’s really quite a good read and you really see that Al and Dave were the real assholes in the band (Dave jumping up on the table backstage during the 1984 tour and picking up Mike’s plate of food and pouring it on Michael Anthony).

So I do think Eddie was genuinely a nice guy and extremely loyal unless he felt betrayed. No doubt about it too, Wolfie was definitely his proudest achievement and I think Ed was a great father

[Lowdz]

Dave will comment at some point but it will be some random gibberish that no one will be able to decipher anyway. That’s his usual output 😀

[hefdaddy42]

I've been listening back to the catalogue over the last couple of days, which brought back lots of good memories.

I listened to Van Halen III for the first time in years and years, and I was struck by how weird of an album it was.  There's no denying the power and tone of Cherone's voice, but the music didn't really sound like Van Halen.  I'm not saying it was bad; it just didn't sound like Van Halen.  At all.

Having said that, there is some really interesting stuff on there, especially with Eddie using multiple tones within songs, or using the acoustic more often.  Although I thought there was a little too much piano used on this one.

Favorite tracks were Without You, One I Want, Josephina, and Year to the Day.

[HOF]

I've been listening back to the catalogue over the last couple of days, which brought back lots of good memories.

I listened to Van Halen III for the first time in years and years, and I was struck by how weird of an album it was.  There's no denying the power and tone of Cherone's voice, but the music didn't really sound like Van Halen.  I'm not saying it was bad; it just didn't sound like Van Halen.  At all.

Having said that, there is some really interesting stuff on there, especially with Eddie using multiple tones within songs, or using the acoustic more often.  Although I thought there was a little too much piano used on this one.

Favorite tracks were Without You, One I Want, Josephina, and Year to the Day.

Heck yeah. Without You has a great hook. I love how it storms in following Neworld. It is a very weird, experimental album which is a big part of why I love it. I believe Eddie played most of the bass and maybe even some drums on it, so it is almost a solo album in that way more than just a regular VH album.

[SystematicThought]

Van Halen III is essentially an Eddie solo album. He plays bass on that album and even lead vocals on one (I actually don’t mind that song)

[Lowdz]

Listening to iii for the first time. I’m ok with the change in style and it’s nowhere near a total write off but who the hell produced and mixed this? It’s sounds like shit, particularly the vocals.

[King Postwhore]

Listening to iii for the first time. I’m ok with the change in style and it’s nowhere near a total write off but who the hell produced and mixed this? It’s sounds like shit, particularly the vocals.

Eddie's friend Mike Post who is well known for TV show songs like Hill Street Blues ect...

[Lowdz]

Shame, as there’s some good stuff on here. Cherone sounds like he’s singing from outside the studio.

[King Postwhore]

There's a running joke with my cousin that we would start a podcast with the sole reason to talk about VH111. LOL

[cramx3]

I probably should listen to VH3 again to weigh in with some opinions, but from what I recall (it's been many many years since I last listened) was that it really wasn't a bad album, but it didn't stand out either so I never really would go back to it and it was almost like the forgotten era of the band so another reason why I had no reason to go back to it. 

[El Barto]

The impression I always got was that Ed was a nice guy, but Ed and Al together made for one giant asshole. I don't know about Al by himself because you never see him alone, but the two personalities, perhaps combined with drink, was toxic. Not being able to get along with DLR I can understand. Titty-dancers are notoriously hard to get along with, and that's exactly who DLR was. Sammy would be easier to get along with, but he's proud and opinionated, so maybe that can go sideways, as well. Not being able to get along with Michael Fucking Anthony? The most chill guy on Earth? Isn't he still married to his highschool sweetheart? That baffles me. And from what I've seen MA was treated worst of all. Ed belittled him, his playing, his singing, and his contribution to their music. Now you've got three completely different personality types and you can't get along with any of them. At some point you have to look at the flaming wreckage of friendships past and think that maybe you're the problem.

He was able to work, barely, with Dave. That was a business thing. Separate trailers. Separate hotels. Most likely separate flights. Play for two hours and disappear for the next 46. I'm glad he was able to make amends with Sammy. They probably had the most in common and were the most likely to be friends IRL, outside of their business arrangement. There was something different going on with MA, though, and I have no idea what it was. Based on what I've read of the last twenty years, and the demise of the tour a year ago, it sure seems unlikely that they had any contact. There seemed to be a real resentment there, for some reason, and damned if I know what it was.

[YtseJam]

El Barto, You are talking like you actually know these guys. Perception is reality I suppose right?

I've been in long term volatile bands and while we weren't megastars, we had our fair share of the same drama. The most chill guy is usually the biggest cunt because he has to run home to his wife and doesn't hang with the boys so eventually the band resents him. The guy with the biggest ego doesn't gel with the musical talent because all he cares about is pussy looking good, who cares if he misses a note right? Then the other guy is a drunk and so on. EVH was playing with a bunch of guys that made a great recipe for music, not a great recipe for relationships. At the end of the day, you can't call him a giant asshole for being who he was because if he wasn't who he was, we would never have had his genius and quite frankly, we're all assholes and have smelly ones at that.

[Dublagent66]

^That.  It's takes all kinds in a band or any other group of professionals.  Everyone is responsible for the success of the group and no one is exempt from blame if it all goes to complete shit.

[Stadler]

The impression I always got was that Ed was a nice guy, but Ed and Al together made for one giant asshole. I don't know about Al by himself because you never see him alone, but the two personalities, perhaps combined with drink, was toxic. Not being able to get along with DLR I can understand. Titty-dancers are notoriously hard to get along with, and that's exactly who DLR was. Sammy would be easier to get along with, but he's proud and opinionated, so maybe that can go sideways, as well. Not being able to get along with Michael Fucking Anthony? The most chill guy on Earth? Isn't he still married to his highschool sweetheart? That baffles me. And from what I've seen MA was treated worst of all. Ed belittled him, his playing, his singing, and his contribution to their music. Now you've got three completely different personality types and you can't get along with any of them. At some point you have to look at the flaming wreckage of friendships past and think that maybe you're the problem.

Haha, I've never quite heard it put that way before, but now that I have, it's exactly the perfect way to describe him.

He was able to work, barely, with Dave. That was a business thing. Separate trailers. Separate hotels. Most likely separate flights. Play for two hours and disappear for the next 46. I'm glad he was able to make amends with Sammy. They probably had the most in common and were the most likely to be friends IRL, outside of their business arrangement. There was something different going on with MA, though, and I have no idea what it was. Based on what I've read of the last twenty years, and the demise of the tour a year ago, it sure seems unlikely that they had any contact. There seemed to be a real resentment there, for some reason, and damned if I know what it was.

I think he was able to work with Dave because it WAS a business relationship.  No harm no foul, nothing personal.   I wouldn't be surprised if that wasn't Dave's opening gambit: "Look, genius, you don't have to like me, I don't have to like you, but together we print money."    And make no mistake, Dave prides himself on being the adult (the green M&M's was, supposedly, a contract failsafe, not an idle rock star boast) but the Brothers Young have nothing on the Brothers Van Halen for running a tightly controlled rock and roll battle ship.  Sam makes no bones about being passionate about things, and while he IS a businessman, it's all about brand and vibe and attitude.   (And that's not a knock; that's why HE was the one that was smart enough to know that a rekindling was not for the press or the fans, but for them as men.)

I'm with you, Bart, that it makes no sense whatsoever, but there was something in Noel Monk's book that made more than zero sense (if that itself makes sense).  I'm not saying this is true, or accurate, but it's an idea: Mike was the one guy that didn't do anything.  He didn't write music, Ed did.  He didn't do the lyrics, Dave did.  He didn't do the artwork or the promo stuff, Dave did.  He didn't do any of the business stuff or the bookings, Alex did.   He wasn't the instrumental genius, that was Ed.   He wasn't the charming charismatic spokesperson, that was Dave.   I don't know if that just stewed over years or not, but it's literally the only thing I can grab onto.   

[El Barto]

I didn't call Ed a giant asshole. I said that Ed and Alex always came off as one giant asshole. Every time I've seen an interview with just Ed he's come across as a really cool guy. In any case, it's just my impression based on what I've seen over the years, and I stick by it.

[El Barto]

The impression I always got was that Ed was a nice guy, but Ed and Al together made for one giant asshole. I don't know about Al by himself because you never see him alone, but the two personalities, perhaps combined with drink, was toxic. Not being able to get along with DLR I can understand. Titty-dancers are notoriously hard to get along with, and that's exactly who DLR was. Sammy would be easier to get along with, but he's proud and opinionated, so maybe that can go sideways, as well. Not being able to get along with Michael Fucking Anthony? The most chill guy on Earth? Isn't he still married to his highschool sweetheart? That baffles me. And from what I've seen MA was treated worst of all. Ed belittled him, his playing, his singing, and his contribution to their music. Now you've got three completely different personality types and you can't get along with any of them. At some point you have to look at the flaming wreckage of friendships past and think that maybe you're the problem.

Haha, I've never quite heard it put that way before, but now that I have, it's exactly the perfect way to describe him.

Yeah, as I learned from a very dear friend, and former titty-dancer. It's a perfect analogy and she nailed it.

I'm with you, Bart, that it makes no sense whatsoever, but there was something in Neal Monk's book that made more than zero sense (if that itself makes sense).  I'm not saying this is true, or accurate, but it's an idea: Mike was the one guy that didn't do anything.  He didn't write music, Ed did.  He didn't do the lyrics, Dave did.  He didn't do the artwork or the promo stuff, Dave did.  He didn't do any of the business stuff or the bookings, Alex did.   He wasn't the instrumental genius, that was Ed.   He wasn't the charming charismatic spokesperson, that was Dave.   I don't know if that just stewed over years or not, but it's literally the only thing I can grab onto.

That's kind of what I'm left to believe. Plenty of times I've made a strong argument that MA was the luckiest man in rock, and honestly, it'd be kind of hard not to be resentful of that. Just human nature.

[King Postwhore]

Actually,  Ed became aggressive and seized control of the band when he became sober.

An example was the MTV interview telling Dave after the 1996 Music Awards flub he better get a cup.  Insinuating he'd kick him in the nuts.

https://youtu.be/dKo5NjoKECE

[bosk1]

To further bolster Barto's take on things, those descriptions of the band members have been very consistent among lots of people who have known them through the years.  This isn't just fan speculation.  It is friends, family, crew, other musicians, and others in the industry telling pretty consistent stories.  So it's not just Barto " talking like [he] actually know[s] these guys"--it's him pretty much paraphrasing what a lot of people who do know these guys have been saying pretty consistently.

[SystematicThought]

Actually,  Ed became aggressive and seized control of the band when he became sober.

An example was the MTV interview telling Dave after the 1996 Music Awards flub he better get a cup.  Insinuating he'd kick him in the nuts.

https://youtu.be/dKo5NjoKECE

I remember Sammy saying that Ed had started criticizing his lyrics on Balance. Don’t Tell Me What Love Can Do was originally I’ll Tell You What Love Can Do, and meant to show how love could have saved Kurt Cobain. Eddie didn’t like it, said it needed to sound tougher.

Human Beings was originally called something different and was actually about Tornados. Eddie didn’t like it. So Sammy basically wrote a song about Eddie instead. Both of the brothers really hated Amsterdam, for obvious reasons

[HOF]

Sammy also blamed a lot of the acrimony on Ray Daniels who was Alex’s (brother in law I think). I believe Alex pushed for him to become manager and then he pushed for the band to adopt a more mature image and direction but it all rubbed Sammy wrong. He also supposedly slagged Rush which Sammy thought was beyond the pale.

[TAC]

So I grabbed this from a google image search, but on my way to work, I saw this billboard image on the highway I drive...

[TAC]

Michael and Sammy...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZtQR24ouV8