Michael Anthony Says He Hasn’t Spoken to Other Van Halen Members Since 2004

Those rumors of a Van Halen 2019 summer stadium tour featuring the original lineup just got a bit of an ice bath, although certainly not a death knell.

Michael Anthony, who split with the band in 2006, commented on the rumors to Premiere Radio Networks, simply stating, “The only comment I have is that I haven’t spoken to any of the guys since we last played together back in 2004.” (Although according to Wikipedia it was actually 2006.)

While that certainly doesn’t look good for a VH reunion tour, consider this: it is quite possible that all communication and negotiations so far regarding Anthony’s participation in a potential reunion has been handled by managers, lawyers, etc. The relationship between Anthony and the Van Halen brothers has been notoriously chilly for decades even when he was still touring with the band, so it wouldn’t surprise me if that were the case — the less contact between Anthony and the other band members the better, with a smaller chance for old animosities to flare up.

It is also entirely possible that there are no plans for a reunion, and that Anthony kept his comment brief in the interest of not stoking the rumor mill.

We will, of course, keep you posted. The prospect of a stadium tour featuring the original VH lineup is certainly tantalizing.

[via Ultimate Guitar]