Michael Anthony, the legendary bassist from Van Halen’s classic lineup, recently came to a surprising realization—he’s the only original member still touring.
Reflecting on the state of the band during a conversation with SiriusXM’s Eddie Trunk, Anthony revealed that it hadn’t dawned on him until a friend pointed it out.
“I didn’t really think about it,” Anthony confessed. “Then my friend said, ‘You’re the only one still out there,’ and I thought, ‘Whoa, that’s a trip.'”
The passing of Eddie Van Halen in 2020 marked a turning point, signaling the end of Van Halen in its iconic form. For Anthony, this loss was particularly profound.
“Eddie’s death closed the door on any version of Van Halen,” he explained. “I always thought Eddie and Alex would be the ones to keep it going, but here I am.”
Currently, Anthony is on the road with Sammy Hagar for the Best of All Worlds tour, while his fellow original bandmates have stepped away from the stage.
David Lee Roth, who last performed in 2020, officially retired in 2022. His planned farewell residency in Las Vegas was ultimately cancelled. Meanwhile, Alex Van Halen, the band’s drummer, has kept a low profile, even going as far as selling most of his drum equipment. “He sold everything, down to the last drumstick,” Anthony noted. “That really surprised me, but maybe that’s how he’s closing that chapter.”
Anthony also shared that he’s attempted to reach out to Alex, though he hasn’t been able to connect. “I tried to call him on his birthday, but I didn’t hear back,” Anthony said. “I didn’t want to push it.”
While both Anthony and Hagar hold out hope that Alex will reconnect with them at some point, for now, Anthony is carrying the Van Halen legacy forward. As he continues to tour, he remains the last active link to one of rock’s most celebrated bands, keeping their music alive for generations to come.
