Michael Anthony was Van Halen bassist from 1974 to 2006 and wasn’t invited for the band’s last reunion with David Lee Roth, being replaced by Eddie‘s son Wolfgang. A lot of bad things were said by Michael and Eddie over the years and their feud that was not resolved before Eddie’s death. In an interview with radio KSHE 95, the musician said that he called Alex Van Halen (Eddie’s older brother and Van Halen drummer) after Eddie’s death.
Michael Anthony says he talked to Alex Van Halen after Eddie’s death:
“I haven’t actually spoken to Wolfgang (Eddie’s son) yet, I obviously didn’t want to talk to them. So I spoke briefly with Alex (Van Halen) right after Eddie passed, but I wanted them to have their privacy. And I have texted with Wolfie a couple of times, and everything is all good, obviously.”
About his current relationshiop with Alex, Michael said:
“We spoke briefly after Ed’s passing. But Alex has been pretty much grieving, or however you wanna put it, pretty much been to himself. So I’m just kind of letting that happen. I’m sure at one point we’ll talk again here or even get together.”
Alex Van Halen always was the most recluse member of the band and kept this way after the band’s last concert in 2015.
About the possible Van Halen reunion before Eddie’s death, he said:
“I actually did get a call from (Van Halen) camp — actually, Irving Azoff’s (Manager) office — I don’t know… three or four years ago… a few years ago now, and they did ask me about coming back and doing a reunion. And things kind of were progressing, and then, I guess, Eddie was kind of ill — he was going over to Europe and having some treatments done or whatever. And it never materialized. I think he was too ill.”