Former Van Halen Bassist Michael Anthony Expresses Regret Over Band's Unresolved End

Michael Anthony, the longtime bassist of Van Halen, expressed deep regret over how the band's story ended, lamenting that it concluded with a whimper instead of a grand, world-shaking finale. Despite the band's peak years feeling like a 'fairy tale' and a rebirth with Sammy Hagar after David Lee Roth's departure, internal tensions, especially between Anthony and guitarist Eddie Van Halen, cast a shadow over the band's legacy. Anthony revealed that he never reconciled with Eddie Van Halen before the guitarist's death in 2020, although plans for a reunion tour including all former members were discussed prior to Eddie's passing. Anthony learned of his replacement by Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen through the internet and felt slighted by the reunion announcements that excluded him. He remains hopeful that, had Eddie lived longer, they would have settled their differences and possibly reunited the band properly. Wolfgang Van Halen has since pursued his own musical projects, sometimes resisting fan demands to perform Van Halen songs.