Michael Anthony is detailing a failed attempt at a 2019 Van Halen reunion tour in a new interview with SiriusXM.
According to AntiMusic, Anthony outlined a pair of contacts from within his former band’s camp during a June 19 visit with Trunk Nation host Eddie Trunk.
"The reason The Circle is taking a break right now is that if things would have worked out as they were starting to go and was planned, we would have been in pre-production rehearsals with Van Halen right now,” says Anthony. “I'm sure you know Sammy [Hagar] had made a statement saying I was offered [the reunion tour].
“And I can tell you, I spoke with [Van Halen's manager] Irving Azoff last October. That's when I first heard from him and he asked if I would be interested in any kind of a reunion, and I told him, I said, 'Yeah.' I was finishing up a couple of shows with Sammy and I said, 'Yeah, I'd be interested to hear what you guys have going on. I've got these few dates left, and give me a call.' And I never heard a call back.
“And then, right after the first of the year, I got David Lee Roth's, Dave's business manager or lawyer, or something, got a hold of me about a meeting or something. And so at that point, I gave it over to our manager, because I didn't wanna start getting in this whole thing - I wanted to do it the correct way, especially after the way things went for me in 2004.”
"From what I've heard,” he added, “and I haven't spoken to any of the guys, they were gonna try to plan a thing for this summer. And for whatever reason, I was never… my people were never…they never got in touch with us about any kind of a contract or any kind of a meeting to discuss or whatever. And the next thing I knew, the plug got pulled on it."
Roth first hinted about a reunion series last December, suggesting the band would play a run of stadium dates that would have marked the first time the original Van Halen lineup had regrouped to perform since 1984.
Anthony joined Van Halen in 1974 and appeared on the group’s albums and tours through 2002, when he was removed from the lineup by guitarist Eddie Van Halen because he remained friendly with Hagar after the singer’s stint in the band.
The bassist joined the group’s ill-fated 2004 reunion trek with Hagar only after taking a pay cut and signing away his rights to any future use of the VH brand name in a business move by the guitarist.
Anthony was eventually replaced by Eddie’s son, Wolfgang, in 2007 and, since his departure from the lineup, he has recorded and toured with the Red Rocker and Hagar-led bands Chickenfoot and The Circle.
See also:
David Lee Roth shares Van Halen update
VIDEO: Sammy Hagar performs Van Halen classic Right Now
VIDEO: David Lee Roth streams episode 9 of The Roth Show
David Lee Roth heads to Las Vegas on The Roth Show
Search Van Halen at hennemusic
