In a recent candid interview, Michael Anthony revealed that he has only one significant career regret related to his time with the legendary rock band Van Halen.

“The only regret that I have is how things, unfortunately, turned out for Van Halen,” he shared during an episode of Get on the Bus. “It should have gone out with a fricking bang that shook the world, and it was more like a whimper, the way everything ended.” This reflection underscores the emotional weight of his experiences within such an iconic band.

Despite this sentiment, Anthony fondly recalled that during their peak, being a part of Van Halen felt like living a dream or a fairy tale. However, he also acknowledged that increasing tensions and discrepancies among band members created a challenging atmosphere as time progressed, which ultimately affected their dynamic.

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“Unfortunately, Eddie Van Halen and I never fully resolved our differences,” Anthony explained. “We had some issues, and I’m confident that if he had not passed away when he did, we would have reconciled or at least calmed things down, because I did hear from Wolfgang Van Halen that there were plans for a big reunion tour involving all of us.” This statement highlights the lingering hope for reconciliation and the impact of missed opportunities in their relationships.

Michael Anthony Reflects on Lost Opportunities to Connect with Eddie Van Halen

As the longest-tenured bassist of Van Halen, Michael Anthony made the difficult decision to leave the band in 2006. He expressed his sorrow over not having the chance to speak with Eddie Van Halen before his death in 2020, a moment he deeply regrets.

“At that point in Ed’s life, I think he was more like, ‘Hey, the past is the past. Let’s all… Fricking water under the bridge,’ that whole bit,” he reflected. “But, unfortunately, it was not to be.” This poignant statement reveals the complex emotions surrounding their relationship, as well as the sorrow of unresolved issues.