Sammy Hagar spoke with KNAC.com‘s Jeff Kerby today, and had a thing or two to say about Van Halen’s decision to head out on tour without founding bassist Michael Anthony.
Sammy’s remarks included his recollection of the Van Halen brothers wanting to mount 2004’s Sammy Hagar-fronted Van Halen tour without Mike:
” I wouldn’t do it without Mike. On the last reunion, and I’m telling you this straight up—this is stuff I’ve never really said actually—they wanted to throw Mike out then. Why? I don’t know. I still can’t understand why Ed has it out for Mike. Mike is the nicest guy in the world, and he’s an unbelievable player. He’s also an incredible singer and a professional. Mike is a guy who goes out every night and does a perfect job—a 10 every night—it’s not even a 9.5. Why would you want to get rid of a guy like that? I don’t know what happened between them somewhere when I wasn’t around, but I just said, “no, I won’t do it without Mike.” My manager said, “you put a gun in Mike’s hand to negotiate with these guys.” I said, “you’re damn right because I’m telling you, the agency, the promoters and the band that I will not go out and do a Van Halen reunion show without Michael Anthony.” Obviously, someone else doesn’t feel that way because Mike isn’t there. Honest to God—it’s none of my business. If Eddie wants to play with his son, fine. I love my son too, but I got him a different job. (laughs) I just think that it should be Mike. They will do good without him, and it’s a shame. At the same time, I just think the fans are gonna walk away with a little bit of a disappointment because Mike’s a big part of that band.”
You can read the rest of Sammy’s comments on Van Halen sans Michael Anthony at KNAC.com.