In a recent interview with Anthony Marinelli, veteran engineer Ross Hogarth discussed the much-debated topic of Wolfgang Van Halen’s recruitment in Van Halen, replacing long-time bassist Michael Anthony.
Hogarth reflected on Eddie and Wolfgang’s natural bond and musical connection, emphasizing that their collaboration was more about family joy than professional favoritism. He noted:
“I will say something direct and honest. First off, everybody who knows Michael Anthony also knows he’s just an awesome guy, a beautiful cat. Somehow, there was all this animosity, but anyone who’s a father, and their kid plays music — one of Eddie’s greatest joys was to play music with his son. One of Wolf’s greatest joys was to play music with his dad, and now that his dad is gone, those moments would never have happened if Ed had just stayed with [the classic lineup].”
The Criticism And Joy Of Playing Together
He further explained how the transition period where Wolfgang replaced Anthony was natural and driven by familial bonds, saying:
“Everyone wants Michael Anthony with David Lee Roth, the original Van Halen. But there was nothing more than, ‘I want to play music with my kid.’ Plain and simple. I’m not gonna get any further into the dynamics, but I will say that to be around that beautiful joy — Uncle Al, playing music with his nephew, and Ed getting music to play with his son. What happens [is] family harmonies; you can’t get that sound [otherwise]. When those guys played together, there was a certain glue that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.”
Wolfgang’s Thoughts On Replacing Anthony
In a 2021 interview with Spin, Wolfgang also acknowledged the mixed reactions from fans to his joining the band. He admitted the situation appeared cynical on the surface but insisted it was more nuanced. Wolfgang explained that his father was struggling personally during this period, and Anthony was busy collaborating with Sammy Hagar and added:
“It was never like I went to my dad and said, ‘I should be playing bass.’ At that point, I just wanted to keep my dad alive.”
Wolfgang’s journey with Van Halen began in 2006 when Eddie invited him to jam at the 5150 studio. Despite only playing the bass for three months at that time, Wolfgang embarked on three tours and recorded a studio album with the band. This period allowed them to bond through music until Eddie’s passing in 2020.
Watch the rest of the interview below.
