Michael Anthony, the former unsung backbone of Van Halen, just gave a shoutout to Joe Satriani for not replicating Eddie Van Halen’s style during 5150 tour.
This all went down in a new YouTube video clip, where Michael Anthony and Sammy Hagar get a little misty-eyed about the 5150 era—the album that launched the “Van Hagar” years like a tequila-fueled rocket.
That was 1986. New lineup. New sound. The synths were buzzing, the guitars were sharp, and Sammy had just joined the band.
According to Mike? The magic is still there. Joe Satriani isn’t replacing Eddie Van Halen. That’s not possible. That’s not the goal. What he’s doing is far more rare. He is playing Eddie’s music with humility, precision, and power, without trying to wear the crown.
And Michael Anthony? He sees it. He feels it. And he’s giving the nod.
Michael Anthony said: “We hit the road before the album even came out and you know you always got a little bit of apprehensions like, oh my gosh what are the fans, you know what are they going to think and whatever. But we were pretty confident because we knew we recorded a great album and just going out there playing songs like ‘5150’ and I mean the fans pretty much right from the get go embrace Sammy and said wow these guys are freaking rocking again. And it was very cool and I mean you know it was just like it was a rebirth of the band you know I hate to use that term but that’s how it felt you know, we were all having a great time again even to this day you know we’re doing the best of all worlds residency in Vegas and still playing songs like ‘5150’. Joe Satriani without trying to be Ed Van Halen does a great job and you know just taking those songs and still doing them, you know.”
He added: So much fun and it continues to be so much fun and we’re doing it all for you guys. Anyway that’s about it. Come out and see us and you’ll see what I mean.
Always wonderful you’ll never have satisfied.”
