Michael Anthony: Van Halen Tour “Not Gonna Happen”

Rumors have been circling for months that Van Halen would be embarking on a stadium tour of the U.S. this coming summer with Michael Anthony, who has been out of the group since 2006, back on bass. The rumors first started when David Lee Roth seemingly let slip plans for a show at Yankee Stadium, then gained steam as metal radio personality Eddie Trunk and someone claiming to be a Warner employee lended them credence, with six stadium shows allegedly planned featuring Anthony on bass in a guest role.

But now Anthony himself has now said it’s not to be. Responding to a fan’s question on Instagram, the Jack Daniels bass-wielding low-end slinger simply answered “VH tour not gonna happen.” When that fan followed up by asking whether there were ever any discussions about it, Anthony did not reply.

Big sad trombone is in order here. Unless it’s the case that either 1) Anthony is throwing fans off the scent, or 2) Van Halen WILL tour, just not with Anthony on bass. With summer mere months away we’ll find out soon enough.

From late April through early June, Anthony will be touring as part of The Circle with his former bandmate Sammy Hagar, drummer Jason Bonham and guitarist Vic Johnson. Dates here.

[via Loudwire]