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Did Van Halen Remove Michael Anthony From Album Art on Their Web Site?

8/15/07, 9:51 am EST

Photo: Van Halen

Over the past twenty-four hours, Van Halen fans have been mulling over the latest development in the band’s reunion saga: A poster on a music-industry message board pointed out that in the wake of the band’s tour announcement, the Van Halens seemed to have airbrushed original bassist Michael Anthony out of older album covers on their official Web site and replaced him with their newest member: Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang. The swap was evident on the lower right of the cover of the band’s self-titled debut (which came out thirteen years before Wolfgang was born), and the group shot for Women and Children First had been removed entirely.

A visit to the tour section of Van Halen’s site today reveals that the album covers in question have been replaced with the original artwork. However, another message board commenter pointed out there were no images of David Lee Roth in 2004’s career-spanning The Best of Both Worlds, as the frontman and Eddie Van Halen were on the outs during that time. (The pair made a point of embracing at Monday’s reunion tour press conference to demonstrate all is well). As of now, the band hasn’t issued any statements regarding the artwork incident.


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Comments

bronxstylejames | 9/22/2008, 9:50 pm EST

Wolfgang Van Halen is a joke, Its not Van Halen without MA and its def not 1982 anymore.

bronxstylejames | 9/22/2008, 9:49 pm EST

Wolfgang Van Halen is a joke, Its not Van Halen without MA and its def not 1982 anymore.

tycfhiukz gufrt | 9/17/2008, 10:37 pm EST

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Superterrorizer | 7/11/2008, 4:29 pm EST

TAZMANIAN DEVIL … I don’t think any one is NOT giving Wolfie a chance. I think it’s the point that they left out one of the coolest guys from their line up because Eddie thinks Jr’s ready for the big time.

rockranger | 6/6/2008, 4:36 pm EST

comparing van hallen with beatles.
beatles was band of equaly creative
guys.i don’t know if MA was allowed
to wright any bass lines by him self.

Rich in Rhode Island | 5/27/2008, 1:59 pm EST

I am so tired of every one putting down the band now. this is not a reunion tour it’s a new band and Van Halen is not Van Halen with out DLR and Wolfie is only getting better. he was not so nervous and opalyed better the next time i saw them and the band played great together seeinig they are fifty some thing now. i saw them three times on this tour once in November and twice this May and they go so much better by this time. i never liked Sammy and Wolfie is going to be a great in a short time. being this is Eddys band do you think he will kick out his son. no way. he is in until the end now. bye bye MA and Sammy

Eruption | 5/24/2008, 3:58 pm EST

Eddie is a great guitarist and Alex is a great drummer I just saw Van Halen last night in New York. DLR’s pipes are gone ane a kid on bass? Come on. It isn’t Van Halen without Michel Anthony on bass, by the way what happened to him?
DLR eats the mike and you can barely understand the lyrics. No M.A. no reunion

Steve Lauer | 3/3/2008, 11:44 am EST

I saw VH in Jacksonville Fl last month. The music was awesome as everyone expected. The vocal with DLR not so much. The sound gurus had his mic down so low that you could barely hear him, but that was a good thing. IF this is being sold as a reunion tour, it is not. No MA whos voice is very distinct and a wiltering DLR make it just a plain tour. Shame on the VH brothers for counting MA out. Sammy would have been a much better choice. DLR looked like he weighed 90 pounds soaking wet and just stood next to eddie watching him play with grin on his face. It was obvious he was just happy to be in the limelight again, even if he had no business being there.

TAZMANIAN DEVIL | 2/16/2008, 6:37 am EST

EDDIE VAN HALEN IS THE FUCKEN BEST GUITAR PLAYER IN THE WORLD. VAN HALEN ROCKS HARD AND NOW WITH WOLFIE WE JUST GOT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.SOOO EVERYONE GIVE THE KID A FUCKEN CHANCE BESIDES ID RATHER HAVE WOLFIE WITH VAN HALEN THAN DAVID LEE ROTH ANYDAY.THEY SHOULD BRING BACK SAMMY HAGAR NOW THOSE WERE THE GOOD JAMS..

roobler | 1/17/2008, 4:13 pm EST

removing MA’a likeness from album sleeves is ridiculously petty. is Eddie in grade 8 or something? hell, I wouldn’t have even done that in grade 8 and I was a real f-tard back then. I’ve been thinking this for a long time and many of you have pointed it out already. I don’t want to say that Eddie is not talented –he’s my favourite guitar player of all time, but he ruined Van Halen… it’s [Van Halen] absolute shite now and it’s his fault.
when will Eddie learn that it’s always been about the band. Michael Anthony is as much a part of Van Halen as Eddie. replacing “personnel” as if they don’t matter is ridiculous, “hey, I know; since singers don’t mean anything let’s have that ass-master for Extreme be our front man. he won’t argue with me and he promised I could have all the spot light…’ that worked well.
anyway, booting MA is like loosing an arm. Eddie seems stupid enough to be a guitar player who would cut off his own arms to spite himself. I’m sure he probably thinks he can get away with that too.

jt | 12/2/2007, 9:24 pm EST

Wolfgang is an untried commodity
caught up in his daddie’s pipe
dream. Van Halen is NOT Van Halen
without Michael. Eddie is just
kidding himself.

jt | 12/2/2007, 9:24 pm EST

Wolfgang is an untried commodity
caught up in his daddie’s pipe
dream. Van Halen is NOT Van Halen
without Michael. Eddie is just
kidding himself.

Mickey Nation | 10/22/2007, 10:53 pm EST

Hey guys! Guys! Listen! It’s not Van Hagar…it’s Sam Halen!

Big dave | 10/4/2007, 2:43 pm EST

I hear Gene Simmons is going to rewrite all of Ace and Peter’s songs too and spray paint their faces. Oh, I’m sorry!!! Only, Eddie is that stupid and selfish. He(Dave Alex) couldn’t even attend the HOF (Rehab? Ha) No class. You pissed on your legend. W/O Dave Or Sammy you’d be Steve Vai or Joe Sat.

Big dave | 10/4/2007, 2:32 pm EST

To Big Johnson. Great come back to DUMB RALPH!! HA

Big dave | 10/4/2007, 2:32 pm EST

To Big Johnson. Ggreat come back to DUMB RALPH!! HA

Big dave | 10/4/2007, 2:28 pm EST

5150 cent you are a Dum$^%a7s. DLR last tours were kicked ass???. Which one? The Stupid Vegas shows or the 4H Fairs? Sammy had mercy on him and took him on tour. He played at Red Lobsters before that, stupid!!! It ain’ Van Halen w/o M.A. The only thing you know about Van halen you read in a story. I was there every tour. PERIOD!!!

steed | 10/2/2007, 2:48 pm EST

It’s not 1982 anymore people. Just enjoy and let go already.

Cigarette | 9/30/2007, 10:05 pm EST

Saw the show in Greensboro Saturday night…worth the drive from Savannah GA…. missed Michael Anthony but VH Kicked ASS!!!

Salieri | 9/29/2007, 10:38 pm EST

Aren’t most 16 year olds in school at this time of year? I realize that Eddie has more money than most people could ever spend, and Wolfie will never want for anything, but anyone who has ever heard Eddie Van Halen speak knows that what ever brains he has goes directly into his guitar playing. Aside from musical talent, the man is a (barely)functional retard. I hope the apple falls a great distance from the tree for Wolfie’s sake. I sure hope Val is taking care of the non-musical stuff in this kids life. The first time you see Wolfie with a cigarette you’ll know he’s f**cked!

Rock star | 9/11/2007, 11:10 am EST

Who Cares about Mike!Diamond DAve
is Back Hell YAH!!!!!!!!!!

Dr. Ralph | 9/9/2007, 11:54 am EST

I said mid-level singer Big Johnson… not strung out asshole junkie pissing himself while sleeping in his own vomit.

Jack F | 9/6/2007, 1:37 pm EST

Van Halen = Spinal Tap

Michael | 9/5/2007, 11:48 pm EST

Yo! You Slim-bag Mother suckers!!! Good luck to Wolfie but the crowd knows who founded bass for VH. It would be like George and John getting together and Kicking out Paul…stupid. Let’s stop being weird dudes and remember where we came from. Sure I have a big mouth, But Dave’s is even bigger… So have fun you clown dogs. See you on the flip side.

Big Johnson | 9/4/2007, 11:39 pm EST

To the VERY DUMB Dr. Ralph,… he could pick any studio drummer, bass player, and mid level singer… go on tour… and still sell out and keep ALL THE MONEY.
What about that album VH did with that wonderful singer whose name AND previous group I can’t remember? THAT ONE shows how WRONG you are.

New Hampshire's VH-FAN | 8/31/2007, 7:04 am EST

I was at SLC/LV in 2004.
No plans for 2007. I Am VH-WORNOUT. (45-degrees, NH)

Wolf better be good, cuz MA was an awesome part of VH.

155 and no longer counting?
CJDavidson

dxvzbh zcpfod | 8/30/2007, 12:55 am EST

ukrhlzpqv vyrxitkm svuqge hzcvfri tdlsnu epfon jugftdhaq

Dr. Ralph | 8/29/2007, 9:28 pm EST

Eddie is a guitar god. That being said he is no genius. People love to one-up others in conversation and probably Mr. Van Halen is sick and fucking tired of people putting him down just so they can feel superior to “the record machine” that he is. His way of striking back is fucking you out of cashing in on his abilities. Believe you me, he could pick any studio drummer, bass player, and mid level singer… go on tour… and still sell out and keep ALL THE MONEY. Put those assholes on salary because there is but one person in this band who is a certifiable virtuoso one of a kind musical genius who changed forever the way a guitar is played. Suck on that… he’s being generous to his family and Dave. He doesn’t need them they need him.

michael robinson | 8/27/2007, 12:58 am EST

as a former van halen fan, how disappointing to have waited ten years for the fighting bickering and bullshit to stop, to now have to hear this latest soap opera bullshit over wolfgang getting credit for music he has nothing to do with. In the end van halen will fall flat on its face without michael anthonys harmonies. good for michael to finally realize he doesn’t need this bullshit anymore. here-by congratulation you just lost me as a fan*eddies new slogan*(the king of used to be).

Noosic | 8/25/2007, 6:25 am EST

Once again we are subjected to Eddie Van Halen’s bullying. That guy would fire his own brother if Alex dared say a word. As for putting his fat 15 yr old brain dead kid up there, here’s another example of what EDDIE wants EDDIE gets. What a fucking joke.

VHaholic | 8/24/2007, 4:27 pm EST

Allright Wolfie… I hope you do excell at the speed of light because millions of us are praying you inherited dads abilities and are ready to prove it… Can’t wait to find out. Once in a lifetime does someone like Ed come along, and if you have “the gift” the whole world will love you forever.

whaaa! | 8/24/2007, 3:16 am EST

Okay first off NO BASS PLAYER IS IRREPLACEABLE.

Next move is for Wolf to replace all the bass parts and backing vocals on the back catalog, eliminating him entirely from the payroll. Ozzy did it with the whole band in Black Sabbath.

Dr. Ralph | 8/23/2007, 11:04 pm EST

I.C.All, “much better front man and songwriter”? I beg to differ… I bought VH, VHII, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down, 1984, 0U812, F.U.C.K, and said damn those last two albums suck compared to what I’m used to. Cabo Wabo is about my favorite Van Hagar song and I’m ready for some more Dave lyrics in front of the brown… change is good. Hey Eddie, whens that WVH Bass coming out? Epiphone is kicking out some killer axes in the old Gibson factory down here in Nashville and I know we’re on the next leg of the tour…

I. C. All | 8/23/2007, 6:17 pm EST

There is a reason why Dave stopped singing! He can’t sing! Hagar blows (and actually did) Dave off the stage. He’s a much better front man and song writer.

Eddie is just an angry old man! Maybe Wolfie can help him out.

Dr. Ralph | 8/23/2007, 4:54 pm EST

vhfan4ever, I’ve seen Eddie about fifteen times starting in 1979 but never play a Les Paul. He’s almost always on a Strat or Fender Stratocaster copy made by someone who is paying him millions to endorse the piece of crap. I have seen him play a Gibson but always an Explorer. I think I remember hearing that he recorded Panama on an Explorer. Maybe it was Hot for Teacher…?

Van Halen is Pathetic | 8/21/2007, 6:47 pm EST

Hey Van Hailen,
Can you airbrush President George Bush while you are at it.

rdrker | 8/21/2007, 2:09 pm EST

Red Heads Rule!!!!!

Van Shamelen | 8/20/2007, 10:13 am EST

Now they’ve pulled Michael’s credits for writing on the 1984 album. Check out the ASCAP site.

5150 cent | 8/20/2007, 3:47 am EST

The crowd will be singing the background vocals guaranteed. This tour is going to be off the chain!

5150 cent | 8/20/2007, 3:47 am EST

The crowd will be singing the background vocals guaranteed. This tour is going to be off the chain!

5150 cent | 8/20/2007, 3:47 am EST

The crowd will be singing the background vocals guaranteed. This tour is going to be off the chain!

Shitty One Shitty | 8/19/2007, 6:25 pm EST

Sombody, even. lol Sorry, I’m pissed.

Shitty One Shitty | 8/19/2007, 6:22 pm EST

Lame. Just lame. I USED to have so much respect for this band, now it’s just Ed and his never ending dramatical antics. Boy, he must really hate ol’ M.A., hmm? First he “re-hires” him for the ‘04 tour and now he’s attempting to strike him from the VH archives. What’s next? Maybe he’ll have Wolfie track over all of Mike’s previous work. Shit, why not hire George Lucas and ILM to digitally remove Mike from LWAN? What arrogant fuck tries to alter a classic rock album cover…no…ICONIC album cover just because he’s angry with someone? Edward Van Halen does. Let’s see if Wolfie can sing “Someone Get Me a Doctor” by himself. That’s what I thought. I ain’t payin’ to see this shit. It’s still 3/4 Van Halen even with Roth. Try again, Ed.

Dr. Ralph | 8/18/2007, 6:19 pm EST

Hell yeah I’m gonna drive from Nashville to Charlotte! Rock and roll is alive and well and the rebirth is 40 fucking days away…

VH fan | 8/18/2007, 3:57 pm EST

ONCE & FOR ALL THIS TOUR IS GOING TO JUST ROCK!!! ALL YOU “NAY SAYERS” JUST SHUT THE ****UP & BY ALL MEANS DO NOT BUY TICKETS BECAUSE THEN THERE WILL BE MORE FOR THE LOYAL REAL VH FANS!!! ROCK ON IN 07

vhfan4ever | 8/18/2007, 3:12 pm EST

it’s not a reunion..it’s e rebirth!! there was never any doubt in my mind that wolfgang would be in a band with his dad and uncle when he was old enough to do so. the fact that roth is the frontman shouldn’t matter to old-timers like me that just want to see eddie wail on his lespaul like he always has!!!
dave:sammy:gary(c heron e)mike; wolfgang;eddieand alex. its all one big VH family to me
VAN HALEN ROCKS FOREVER!!!!

vhfan4ever | 8/18/2007, 3:12 pm EST

it’s not a reunion..it’s e rebirth!! there was never any doubt in my mind that wolfgang would be in a band with his dad and uncle when he was old enough to do so. the fact that roth is the frontman shouldn’t matter to old-timers like me that just want to see eddie wail on his lespaul like he always has!!!
dave:sammy:gary(cheron e)mike; wolfgang;eddieand alex. its all one big VH family to me
VAN HALEN ROCKS FOREVER!!!!

Former Former vh fan | 8/18/2007, 2:44 am EST

He’s fuckin’ dead; He must’ve shot himself in the head; I don’t know how it happened.

Dr. Ralph | 8/17/2007, 9:49 pm EST

Background vocals? Hell Wolfie’s balls haven’t even dropped yet, he ought to be able to hit the high notes. Obviously you posers errrrr posters missed the opening ceremony for the Fontana, California NASCAR race. Michael jumps onstage to “help” Sammy sing “I Can’t Drive 55″ and is hopelessly out of tune. It’s probably on Youtube if you want to re-live the horror. At least Ed got in a car when he did his NASCAR pub. Looked damn good too…

Former vh fan | 8/17/2007, 12:30 pm EST

Am so over van halen after TRYING to replace michael anthony, the vh bros arrogance knows no limits.. Sad and pathetic Michael anthony is so obviously IRREPLACEABLE
Also shows how pathetic dlr is, by trying to tell us the band has ‘upgraded’ lol total clowns lol
And insulting our intelligence by trying to tell us this is not a reunion tour LOL Yeah no new album lol Just a tour playing all our old songs, but ITS NOT a reunion tour! its a new band! lol How can they keep a straight face lol

This used to be my favourite band, now I am SO over them and would not ever see them live

I would happily go to see mad anthony express though :) A top class guy

wacf | 8/17/2007, 2:35 am EST

who will sing the high harmonies? they’ll need back up singers without m.a.

wacf | 8/17/2007, 2:34 am EST

who will sing the high harmonies? they’ll need back up singers without m.a.

DAZX | 8/16/2007, 9:54 pm EST

No mike anthony = no background vocals = NO classic VH sound

Dr. Ralph | 8/16/2007, 7:56 pm EST

Gimme a fucking break… hand me the bass in front of 100,000 screaming banshees and Eddie will still mesmerize the crowd. His world class fret work, blazing speed and ground breaking pioneering of the hammer on classical licks technique will bring in multi millions of dollars. Just sit a Jack bass on a stand and create your magic Eddie… it’s all good.

Jake | 8/16/2007, 5:09 pm EST

Bang Camaro Forever!

5150 cent | 8/16/2007, 1:35 pm EST

2 other points

Hagar’s lyrics were horrendous

Michael Anthony hadn’t actually played on a VH album in years. He also talked shit about Ed in the press during a time when he was really struggling in life. No class

Dave’s recent solo tours have kicked ass his singing/athleticism are better than ever.

When everybody has got something to prove everyone in this band is at its best.

If you dont like IT go see HAGAR AND WATCH THAT STUPID WORM POP OUT THE CABO WABO BOTTLE FOR THE 10,000TH TIME

Dan Halen | 8/16/2007, 12:25 pm EST

Looking at the Van Halen website, appears they are trying to rewrite history, no mention whatsoever of the Hagar era albums. Say what you will about Sammy and the change in direction of the band after DLR, buy EVH wouldn’t have been able to afford his costly rehab sessions without the change to Van Hagar.

Jojo | 8/16/2007, 11:02 am EST

van halen = classless

Reg Schofield | 8/16/2007, 10:53 am EST

Give me a break. It just shows how completely childish the world of rock is. The problem with many “rock stars” is they haven’t grown past being 16 . Plus you know what , many of these bands are so dated and boring,yes I mean Van Halen and many others , that I would not pay 5 cents to hear Roth and company play Hot for Teacher . Just go away it is a joke.

Van Halen News | 8/16/2007, 6:23 am EST

This just in: Michael Anthony has been completely wiped off the face of the planet. Also, Sammy Hagar died while choking on a bagel. Life is full of choices. . .sometimes!

David Lee Roth | 8/16/2007, 4:53 am EST

Why would anyone use “K Fed” as their screen name? When you figure that one out, kid, maybe then you can start commenting on rock and roll, but I doubt it!

Mean streets | 8/16/2007, 3:40 am EST

Removing Mike like that was real LOW, the dude was an original member & was in the band for more than 30 plus years! it’s evident we’re dealing with a very petty mentality, as much as i love this band EVH seriously needs to be taken down a peg or two. Every time he says ‘it’s the best it’s ever been’ but the man is a shadow of himself these days, sure a new Roth album will kick ass! but Ed you are an asshole, for fuck sake i don’t want to see a 16 year old on bass, couldn’t care if he’s your son, they better not fuck up this time or it will be the end of VH

K-Fed Up | 8/15/2007, 10:25 pm EST

Van Hagar rules!

Roth sucks!

Jojo | 8/15/2007, 9:30 pm EST

I dont know why all the hooplaw…its not like there gonna last…Dave cant sing anymore…eddie is not gonna stay sober and Al…well he is still Al.

5150 cent | 8/15/2007, 9:04 pm EST

Get over it. Mike was more loyal to Hagar than anyone else in the band and that’s where he ended up (by choice). No, Dave won’t be singing Hagar songs they are not very good. I think the changes are refreshing the band had been doing the same show year after year. Dave acts weird sometimes but you can’t deny the fact that even today he is one of the best rock and roll frontman of all time. Did Mike give a fuck when Dave left? No he didn’t. Did Mike give a fuck when Sammy left? No he didn’t

El | 8/15/2007, 8:52 pm EST

There’s a practical joke in there, somewhere. Edward? David? Which one of you is going to own up? ;)

Dave Barkley | 8/15/2007, 6:01 pm EST

three things… if they are calling themselves a new band and wants us to believe it why is there ANY album art on the website? Next, where’s the album art from 1986 onward? Is DLR so self conscience that he won’t acknowledge the Hagar years? That brings me to my final point, is DLR going to sing the newer hits like Hagar had to sing the old stuff?

Dave Chester | 8/15/2007, 5:06 pm EST

http://upload2.pos timage.org/259275/vh1_airbrush .jpg

Sorry, an extra space got in there and screwed up the link I just posted.

Dave Chester | 8/15/2007, 5:03 pm EST

This is the photo of the Van Halen I album cover that was on van-halen.com Monday and Tuesday.

http://upload2.pos timage.org/259275/vh1_airbrush .jpg

Erik D | 8/15/2007, 4:48 pm EST

Everybody knows the VanHalen brothers are FUCKIN ASSHOLES or the HIGHEST ORDER!!!

river city rascal | 8/15/2007, 4:22 pm EST

They DID alter the album covers. Absolutely no class whatsoever! Mikey, you did the right thing going with Sammy. You are too decent a human being to be associated with these assclowns!

Joe | 8/15/2007, 4:16 pm EST

Next Rolling Stone Weekend Poll

Which band member would YOU like to see removed from their respective band’s history?

Here's your evidence Ian !! | 8/15/2007, 3:24 pm EST

Here’s the doctored album cover:
http://s105.photobucke t.com/albums/m230/m85021/?acti on=view&current=Van_Halen.jpg

———————-
No Michael? No money!

boowarp | 8/15/2007, 3:18 pm EST

SAD-SAD-SAD-WHEN ARE FAN’S GOING TO WAKE UP AND I’M A FAN-NEWS ALERT-BEATLE REUNION-JULIAN-PAUL-DHANI-AND RINGO

boowarp | 8/15/2007, 3:18 pm EST

SAD-SAD-SAD-WHEN ARE FAN’S GOING TO WAKE UP AND I’M A FAN-NEWS ALERT-BEATLE REUNION-JULIAN-PAUL-DHANI-AND RINGO

JLS | 8/15/2007, 2:18 pm EST

I agree - no Mike, reunion, but they are stating that it shouldn’t be called a “reunion” but a new band. With that said, however, cutting Mike out of the picture is just awful. You can’t go back like that and act like he never existed - that’s just lame. Van Halen will not be the same w/out Mike. All the best to Wolfie but he’s got some HUGE shoes to fill.

Guitarman | 8/15/2007, 1:58 pm EST

I saw it with my own 2 eyes I know they did it Ian!!! If you had bothered to look at the site yesterday or the day before you’d have seen it for yourself!

Ian Moore | 8/15/2007, 1:26 pm EST

How about posting a pic before you launch an attack instead of saying “some fans” said this or that.. wtf is wrong with you guys?

If there’s “no question they did it” then POST THE EVIDENCE or SHUT UP.

DUDEMAN | 8/15/2007, 1:15 pm EST

NO MIKE … NO REUNION.

EmpyreLounge | 8/15/2007, 12:11 pm EST

this was pointed out on vhlinks.com & the rotharmy.com, as soon as the tour was announced and the site went live.

Dave Chester | 8/15/2007, 11:54 am EST

Mike’s pix were NOT there on Mon & Tues. I went so far as to suggest to my band that we drop our Van Halen covers in our set as a protest as this was a total slap in the face to a founding band member. But today, Mike’s pix are back. Finally, a good decision by Van Halen!

Andrew Burns | 8/15/2007, 11:38 am EST

There’s no question of “did they” -they did it. I saw it. The fans saw it. Cheers for fixing the slight…jeers for making it in the first place.

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