Van Halen - Michael Anthony DRUNK BASS SOLO

[@bunsenn5064]

Everyone skimps on how good of a bassist Michael is, the few who don’t skimp on that miss how great of a showman and a live performer he is. He always looked like he had so much fun.

[@Trobtwillis]

Mike clowned around a lot when he played his solos. I think that some people thought that he wasn't a serious musician because of that. However, he is a serious musician when he's not clowning.

[@listenup7284]

You can say the same about Corey Feldman.

[@drumgk]

Happier times when they treated each other well. Mikey is the only one who won’t talk trash behind Ed and al’s back. Class act.

[@jackmomma7481]

Mike DEFINITELY places his personal integrity in the forefront of his values... which more people should be doing... and that alone is a good thing

[@TheNYCGoldenGlover]

@@jackmomma7481 possibly the most likeable rocker of all time. Sammy is pretty close up there as well

[@mauriutzkaramazov3520]

And I’m the only one that doesn’t talk trash about Van Halen at all

[@smrii2487]

And he was done dirtiest by them. Total class act

[@kentuckychromedesign]

Why he never went into professional wrestling is still beyond me.

[@michaels2572]

Best comment

[@jon4715]

Mankind

[@phillippasteur3904]

He would have been much better at it than as a bass guitar soloist.

[@carpenoctem775]

Josh Mel Ha! He’s way better as a musician and human being in general than that assclown.

[@chrisckelly]

**Opening to 'Running with the Devil' begins to play** "Let's see if he'll debut his new move tonight he likes to call 'The Bottom End.'"

[@davidmckelvey2601]

I personally like all the epic space noises he's making.

[@jackmomma7481]

Yeah... I can hear a flanger, of course... that's the effect that creates those passing jet-like sounds. And then there's a delay, which creates the timed echos... and then you can hear a lot of distortion, overdrive, and static fuzz throughout most of it. Oh... and he ends with what I believe is a bass guitar synthesizer

[@stepladder3257]

Mike is the Bowie of Bass

[@odom2142]

I agree. What he did was creative, original, and certainly entertaining for a big rock show.

[@devinthierault]

​@@jackmomma7481yes I think he had a Roland hex pickup. He used to actually use a Roland bass.

[@Trobtwillis]

@davidmckelvey2601 #Me2!

[@steveeckert8396]

VanHalen would NEVER have been "VanHalen" without his voice.

[@SuperSnakePlissken]

I have been listening to music my entire life and I've never heard anything or seen anything like this ever done by a bassist or honestly anyone before. Absolutely incredible.

[@donalddodds9471]

Michael Anthony..great back up vocalist ...He and Sammy still play together and they gave a heartfelt tribute to Eddie

[@andycave6715]

I was the production bus driver for the whole nine month tour.....That's was unsweet tea in the bottle, not JD....Despite what folks thought, Michael didn't drink the whole tour, Sammy ran five miles a day never touched drugs....Alex and Eddie would have the occasional Heineken (or three). Super nice bunch of guys.........We played to sold out arenas for pretty much nine months so I guess someone was doing something right

[@dickhurts3554]

Andy Cave now that is a story I like to hear!!

[@The77SpaceMan]

+Andy Cave Now I know why Sammy said he thought someone pissed in that bottle.

[@johnmejia2102]

Andy Cave Andy...don't tell me that shit...did you work with them for real??? did he drink tea instead of Jack??? man... I'm 49 and I drink JD since I was 23 because of this performance....don't tell me that cuz I'm not willing to driink fucking tea instead of JD....I'd rather die bro'...LOL...

[@51esv]

Yeah like knockin' a dent in a bottle of Jack is such a big feat. I'm 50 yrs old and can still put down a fifth of 101 Turkey in one night. That's just the way it was back in the '80's. That man made more money on that tour than most people will make in 20-30 yrs. Iced-tea my ass.

[@RonnieDillJrLoveIsADarkPlace]

Oh you did?

[@fgfj56561l]

He really does know how to play. He's not trying to shred or be technical, its all about entertainment, the live experience, getting the crowd's attention, and having fun. It's a live show, not a double platinum studio album. After all musicians are entertainers, and there's nothing wrong at all with goofing off, having fun, and loving what you do. I don't hear any booing at all in the crowd, so he must be doing something right.

[@miketaylor6053]

He is ONLY a showman. He is a very basic bass player.

[@zeroeffects88]

This could have only happened in the 80's.

[@davidbryan2320]

iHatebologna59 80's will never be repeated..ROCK-N-FUCKIN-ROLL...GOD BLESS

[@jamesgabioud6654]

To bad it was the 90's when it happened.

[@VODECI]

@@jamesgabioud6654 this was 1986 LOL

[@davidpaz9389]

​@@jamesgabioud6654🤡

[@MacintoshPlus1MB]

4:17 is beautiful

[@jackmomma7481]

Yes! Very majestic with that delay

[@jackmomma7481]

I remember the first time ever watching this as a young teenager long ago, the first thing that came to mind was... you remember the Depeche Mode video where the king is out walking in the snow by himself and you see the snow-capped mountains all around him??? I could see Mike dressed like a king doing the same thing and playing that portion of this bass solo over and over until he makes his way back to his ski lodge, or whatever he's staying on the mountains

[@TKOthunder]

That bass is telling a horror story... The player's inner struggle inside of him. So chaotic and painful.

[@jackmomma7481]

Wow... I never though of it being that. You can hear it too

[@jackmomma7481]

Its as if that bass solo represents what life in the band has been like... chaotic and painful... to feeling majestic and being hailed as a king... but then falling flat on your back hard and abruptly, but still getting back up and finishing the segment - not still lying there feeling sorry for one's self. And the flanger effect you hear... that represents all the time flying from country to country... gig to gig. The sound of turbine engines passing overhead

[@therealmomo8033]

@@jackmomma7481 Damn you got a lot out of that smart person

[@FallNorth]

Kind of.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3y5p6KahdtkrM0 ?

[@Calmerthanyouare17]

😂😂😂😂

[@MackieMc8709]

Mikey is just having fun, nothing serious , just fun! This was an amazing show.

[@johnnyquest6115]

Michael Anthony's bass solo was one of the best parts of the Van Halen show, I cannot understand why EVH decided to replace him.

[@ajfanotreally2523]

Yea we as fans over think these situations. We really know nothin. Michael could have been totally cool with leaving the band and letting evh jam with his son. It’s just a band member being replaced at the end of the day

[@Firebutton]

Ultimately I believe it had to do with EVH not feeling inspired in general and being able to go out and play with his son inspired him again.

[@gagslovedotcom]

There's a great interview with Eddie shortly before he passed. In it he mentions how his family came to America with barely anything except for his father's piano. He tells how he and his brother started off playing in their fathers band. Then at the end of the interview she asks Eddie which musician alive or dead would he most want to play with, and he says his father. Family meant a lot to him so I think his decision was less about not playing with Michael Anthony but more about playing with his son.

[@jondunmore4268]

Blood is thicker than Jack Daniels.

[@Trobtwillis]

They could afford to have both Mike and Wolf in the band. I hate it when rich folks get petty, stingy, & greedy. Why did they screw Mike so badly? Is it because they felt that he didn't contribute enough to songwriting? Look at all the other stuff he brought to the table. These bass solos alone made him worth his pay.

[@jointz999]

I'd see this more as a "Michael Anthony character" solo rather than a bass solo in it's true sense. The man just goes mad in the short space of time and spot light that he has. He plays some bass but he gives the crowd a show aswell. There's the chilled out volume swell melodies and the absolute lunatic antics mixed together. A good show! and that's what people wanted to see with Van Halen.

[@SealofPerfection]

He wasn't drunk, just part of the act. Mikey is the man.

[@jelogram]

Whether they admit it or not, this is every bass player’s fantasy.

[@pop000690]

I wish I was half as good as a bass player as Michael Anthony is.

[@IAmJKey]

I played other instruments but only picked up bass after seeing Michael Anthony's solo at the Gorge in George WA (1995).

[@SafelandingRecords]

Idk why everyone is upset with his solo?? Yeah, he isn't shredding (which he easily can) or anything too fancy..but get this..he's doing something you don't see other bass players do as a solo, especially in that time when this concert happened. I know if i was there i would be fucking blown away. It's an overall experience, live it.

[@madden7732]

David Ysasi and what about Cliff Burton from Metallica? He composed a lot of solos and he'd play a solo to start "For Whom The Bell Tolls", which has one of the best bass solos you'll Ever hear! Jeez, It sounds like a fuckin guitar

[@josh05683]

And John Entwistle with The Who too

[@jerrybragg1523]

He shredded his solo when I saw them on the Diver Down tour

[@SafelandingRecords]

@@jerrybragg1523 super jealous

[@jackmomma7481]

The bass solo is more an extension of Michael's personality

[@ShinobiKingYT]

I wish I lived this era man… can’t imagine how cool the times where back when Van Halen rules the world 🌎 🤘🏽😎🍺

[@majcrash]

The concerts were epic.

[@stevecharlton403]

Saw in one concert, where he Michael was doing his solo. Near the end of it, it's just him in the middle of the stage, with only one spot light. He pauses for a couple of seconds, and then raises his bass in the air, and hits three single intro notes - and the stage lights come on, with the rest of the band, playing " Running with the Devil". Awesome way to start a song.

[@humbucker01]

That bass sounds so fuckin' good!!! He's a damn good bass player

[@smoage]

This is either avant garde brilliance or a beautiful train wreck...either way IT IS A SIGHT TO BEHOLD!!!

[@AronCarlton]

10/10 makes me want to start an Air Bass Comp

[@eldoabrahamson]

I just took a dump that has more bass-playing skill than Michael Anthony.

[@almath1961]

Tom Smolenski i

[@RSTI191]

I guess that's why you played with one of the greatest guitarists on the planet most of your life..

[@Trobtwillis]

​​@@eldoabrahamson I suspect that I enjoy Mike's work more than I would enjoy your $#¡+. 😄🗯️ I like Mike, but I also gave your comment a like 'cause it had me LOL !

[@LewisMarien]

That Jack Daniels bass guitar is amazing. Michael Anthony is just amazing. Van Halen is amazing =)

[@watchthisitsgood]

I don't know what you're talking about. This solo is AMAZING.

[@Fretless99]

It's TEERIBLE, are you kidding??

[@JesperSalama]

This solo is incredible.

[@fredoaksmusicheavyonthebas6010]

All effects

[@camdetwiler938]

@@JesperSalama he's having fun, the band is having fun and the crowd is having fun. if you want to be stuck up when listening to a Van Halen concert then you're watching the wrong band.

[@user-kp1ry3so2s]

@@camdetwiler938 he said it was good...

[@zenphantasm9675]

This bass sounds insane

[@Trobtwillis]

Yes, that bass needs psychiatric treatment. Actually, I ❤ Mike's solos. They are packed with comedy, melody, & interesting noise. 😄🗯️

[@mostepic1]

You are witnessing the birth of dub step.

[@piechildofyore]

If I ever get drunk, I want to rock on my bass like this.

[@user-kp1ry3so2s]

The Ending when everyone else chimes in is fucking awesome

[@laughorgomad]

Hey,Mike we need you to do something while we take some groupies back stage

[@muzikman183]

That crescendo at the end always sends me thru the roof man!

[@magnusonx1]

Speaking from experience, I must say it is a real challenge getting your fingers to work like you want them when your drunk. This is coming from a musician with 23 years of professional experience.

[@JPT7943]

And try doing it in front of 20,000 people!

[@hotrodsurplus]

But to be fair, by that point he had nearly 23 years of playing while drunk. Lol

[@seaturtledog]

Maybe it was just ice tea? that is the old buy the lady a drink in Asia for $5. Trick drink.

[@Trobtwillis]

I have a feeling that he was sober here, but what do I know?

[@odom2142]

That was a fantastic show, and there was actually some beautiful music in there too. What a good entertainer

[@DonKelleyMusic]

Musically it's actually a pretty damned cool solo, and his showmanship is awesome

[@scottstevens2752]

What a bad ass bassist! Michael Anthony is amazing!

[@jimmytouzel]

that was one of the coolest and most avant garde things i've ever seen van halen do! i love seeing such a commercially successful band stretch out and do something so abstract and kind of silly all at the same time. in a normal van halen song, michael anthony has such a straight-forward-eighth-note rock vibe. he is one of my biggest influences on electric bass. this video is hilarious and awesome!!!

[@keithmoore1329]

Yeah, he's not Jaco Pastorius, but this is a FUN rock bass solo to watch. Eddie canned this so his son could be in the band--and has the balls to say he had to show him how to play? Bizarre.

[@masterblackmon]

Eddie was on some bullshit

[@user-kp1ry3so2s]

Facts M.A. could not be replaced. He is as much Van Halen as Eddie

[@willfahey6348]

@Raymond Carver Exactly. We can all debate Dave/Sammy until the end of time, but neither would’ve been as beautiful as they are without Mikey’s background vocals.

[@Calmerthanyouare17]

I’ve come to realize from watching many interviews that Eddie could be very much full of shit.

[@evanh.6097]

@@Calmerthanyouare17 he’s my favorite guitarist ever, but I can’t help but agree😂I could understand him shitting on Dave, because he deserved it, but dude used to just trash Hagar and mike without any provocation. I imagine the drugs and alcohol were the biggest factor, because he seemed like so much nicer of a guy after he got clean.

[@DeformedMonsterHero]

"Ogre! Ogre! Ogre!" "NEEERRDDDS!"

[@bobk8118]

They taped the same setlist 2 nights in a row for the "Live Without a Net" DVD. I was in the front row, right in front of Mike on the night they used in the DVD. Totally wild night!

[@1992YR]

One cool bass solo!

[@mrmanpie]

yaa hes faaking being drunk. i love mike anthony and his tea

[@TronRider]

4:16 is the best!

[@MatthewDurden]

It's almost like a bass rendition of cathedral no?

[@danielnewman134]

I saw Van Halen on the 5150 tour and a few years later. Michael Anthony is an amazing Bass Player. He is a great showman. They were lucky to have him.

[@ifutureman]

Ah yes, the old iced-tea-in-a-whisky-bottle trick.

[@51esv]

Bullshit. You just don't know how to drink, boy.

[@nicholasmorales3721]

At Eddie's peak he was half a fifth of vodka down by 10 am. This was the 80s; the decade of decadence.

[@Nudiescorner]

Yep

[@NigelFortune]

@@51esv If thats Jack Daniels my names Vlad The Impaler...

[@johnstitt2615]

@@NigelFortune it is Vlad.

[@JeffK1980]

6:13-6:43... flight attendants. Prepare for take-off!

[@johnpublic8938]

best bass solo ever!

[@MrPetercar1]

Boy that brings back a lot of cool memories. Seeing the mighty VH in Roanoke, Va. for the 1st time and seeing Mike do this to his bass, I was in total amazement! Thnx for posting this. Awesome solo from an awesome guy in an awesome band. Long live the origional mighty Van Halen!

[@thecharreddog4707]

Whys everyone complaining. This is hilarious. If you don't find it funny then you don't have a sense of humor

[@Toolsquatch]

I'd argue that *finding it funny* is an indicator of a lack of a sense of humor.

[@JayyCee1]

i dont get how its funny its just cool

[@yourlordandfailure6768]

Bruh this ain’t funny it’s just cool do you laugh ur ass off to watching jenga blacks fall

[@JesseBatesDrums]

I totally agree I pissed my self laughing it’s funny a fuck especially when he go’s up 2 the mic stand something about that close up camera shot🎼

[@Trobtwillis]

I ❤ Mike's solos. Very entertaining. He makes me laugh, but he also throws in some really beautiful melodies along with interesting electronic noises.

[@mmaier2112]

Michael Anthony freaking ROCKS!

[@awakenedape1052]

C'mon. He's having fun, and so is the crowd. Who cares what he's playing?

[@spookyghost2687]

@Tom Hamilton then be glad u didn't seem them live u wouldn't have fun like the rest of us lmao

[@emanuelemazzoni782]

@Tom Hamilton what did you expect?Victor Wooten?

[@JPT7943]

That was Killer!! Entertaining 20,000 people by yourself is not an easy thing to do! Awesome!

[@revelationssoloprojectdisc8489]

God that fucking tone is really scary! I fucking love it!!

[@CJAnonymous]

I like how he alternates between noise and parts that are actually pretty good.

[@ArmorOfChrist777]

I liked it. Cool tones.

[@Riker535]

i wish more bassists did solos live

[@roberthofmann7218]

Pure mastery of the instrument

[@johnnyd63]

Huh? 😂😂

[@RadTrashed]

I didn't even know a bass could make noises like that.

[@efegonava3929]

He worked next to a very excellent guitar player .

[@Nonstop664]

Run it through a synthesizer

[@jackmomma7481]

Mike's bass solo is an extension of his personality put to sound

[@danieldegeorges9993]

This is so good

[@heycheckthisout2565]

I feel like I'm watching Jack Black.

[@JohnMacLeanPhotography]

I was thinking that too! ha!

[@jackmomma7481]

That's Ray Jackson from Bloodsport. No way in hell Jack Black could even think to compete with that

[@ICESTORM5150]

Mike is a god. My jaw dropped the first time I watched this.

[@FilmG0D]

I bet he practiced the choreography in his basement for this song many times. NAILED IT!

[@srincident]

Happy 70th, Mikey. Cheers!

[@GeorgeBonez]

I really love the DLR years but Van Halen was absolutely Nuclear ☢️ with Sammy! Eddie seemed so happy on stage. Heck they all did!

[@Olegzyan]

kick ass bass solo! freaking awesome!

[@phillipcapshaw8003]

I love the look on Sammy's face when he sees Michael drinking Jack Daniels. He's like holyshit.

[@AndrewGorny]

I had pretty high expectations for the awesomeness in this video and I'm pretty sure no stretch of the imagination could have expected anything as good as what is in store in this video.

[@Rayquesto]

5:17 Dunning-Kruger effect up close.

[@theking0fstrings907]

The feedback effect is so bad ass but when he drops into the clean delay, holy shit!

[@StonefieldMusic]

I'm a DLR fan but they did seem to have a lot more fun without Dave.

[@SafelandingRecords]

Ohhh yeah. Its because Sammy vocals were on par with how good they were with their instruments.

[@geoffdevore6321]

Great musician!!

[@kennyplay2301]

He is a great bassist, and showman....It's not whiskey, it's colored water! It's all props

[@luthahvelken4653]

that was insane.

[@kalebcrouch8135]

This should be the video they show at AA.

[@johnnypiss]

Kaleb Crouch Lolol!!!!!

[@Z-ARK9]

This is an acid trip to my ears. Nice 🌚

[@ReneeNme]

Who cares if he was drunk or not ?? This concert video fucking rocked.

[@BCD1964]

Saw them in 1981…I was blown away by all of them.

[@drbassclinic]

I can-t stop laughin!This Bass Player he is a real entertainer. I don t think he was drunk ,he was pretty much in a good shape for an alchoolic!! I enjoyed it , I like to see a bass player playing and express himself and I loved the crazy sounds from his sinth bass !

[@williamnimbach6419]

Without Micheal Anthony there would not be a van halen that we all know and love

[@bebyslap]

To hell with the bad things you say, you will never be as good as michael anthony.

[@Toolsquatch]

+Beby Slap He's a pretty sub-standard bass player though.

[@mikenuzzo3323]

@@Toolsquatch is he really when was this tour 86?

[@Toolsquatch]

@Joe Casson I've been playing in bands since I was 14 and I'm now 31, Michael Anthony was a sub-standard bass player: calm your tits, doesn't mean the band isn't any less brilliant in their heyday.

[@bassarana]

what kind of effects has this tone?? flangler with distortion and synthetizer???? this is so fucking awesome...I love this guy and his tone

[@skepchica]

Say baby do you want to lay down with me? ((Actual bass solo joke.))

[@Anatomyforcatastrophe]

Primus sucks

[@SeanBooth]

Primus Sucks

[@xavierstone418]

This is a Show ! A Good Show !

[@salvadoremcnamara6301]

watch at .5 speed for increased shred

[@salvadoremcnamara6301]

esp @ 6:02

[@DennyArcher]

+Salvadore McNamara Oh my god I did just what you said and I haven't laughed this hard in a very long time

[@TheOnlyWayIsMetal]

I don't get it. So many people bitching about this. He gave a crowd pleasing performance and didn't (almost, I do emphasise that one) hit a bum note. To any one claiming he fucked up, here it is: he played outside of the major scale at times! That is what musicians do! Major soloing is boring, minor soloing is boring. Phrygian is interesting, so is lydian dominant. He might have been piss ass drunk, but he still entertained and did it well.

[@olegv.khlevniuk2391]

Thank god we still have one half of van halen still currently active

[@snakeanthony11]

i used to think Spinal Tap was exaggerating

[@TheMetalMan9000]

I haven't even gotten to the bass solo yet and it's awesome

[@wheelman1324]

I fail to see the issue here. It’s somewhat melodic and it’s still good fun and it follows what some people tend to forget about rock ‘n’ roll in that it puts on a SHOW. He’s no Jaco Pastorius but then again I don’t want him to be a Jaco Pastorius.

[@fanofspooks]

🎸😇I'd of loved to of been there! 😁😉🎸

[@Toxicnut1]

What a hollow shell of what they once were.

[@ifutureman]

Actually Michael Anthony was doing that ridiculous noise "solo" at least as far back as the Diver Down Tour. I love his bass lines, and his backing vocals were pure perfection, but his "bass solo" was complete garbage.

[@Toxicnut1]

ifutureman Diver Down album was awesome. Diver Down tour- a little less.

[@LongDrivesAtNight5150]

ifutureman His bass solo was all about show, attitude and having fun. I see comments here saying he sucked as a bass player. On another vid, someone said he is the worst rock bass player besides Dusty Hill. I think those kind of comments are way off. I can think of a few bass players that were/are far "worse" than Mike.

[@javieralcanizgarciaj5054]

Mike Anthony THE ONLY ONE!!!!!!!

[@joebotx68k]

Pro wrestling meets Rock and Roll

[@EPGTR]

Very cool. Thanks for your post.

[@pootertoots]

This should silence everyone who complains about him being fired.

[@darinb8863]

He quit after doing his own things, ok?

[@matthewvuldis821]

Yeah except he left two decades later. This was for entertainment value only. Everyone knew that.

[@BrianMunger-h3g]

He rocked

[@bobtownsend6122]

Vaudeville passing as rock and roll.

[@dedoonbass]

Michael Anthony : Inventor of Dubstep

[@scharlesworth93]

I was there. The next day I started listening to hip-hop and never looked back.

[@archieferrari]

S Charlesworth hip hop ok LOL what a joke

[@xeno1188]

S Charlesworth really? It took one shitty bass solo?

[@archieferrari]

S Charlesworth hip hop LOL !! NO THANKS !!

[@SolaraVoltara]

This is not a shitty bass solo, and if you would rather listen to hip hop than micheal anthony's bass solo then you were never at a van halen concert.

[@richga]

Idiot.

[@jnjn3236]

Best solo EVER!!!!

[@jimmcdowell8504]

If I saw that crap on stage I'd want my money back..

[@MOPARMANIATEXAS]

+Jim McDowell bull shit.......... I would prefer they have a drink...

[@jimmcdowell8504]

Makes no sense...lol