Longtime Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony regrets never rekindling his friendship with Eddie Van Halen before the music icon's death this past October.
While his longtime partner Sammy Hagar got back in touch with Eddie early last year, Anthony was not so fortunate.
Though it was common knowledge in the Van Halen circle that Eddie was sick, Anthony explained in a recent radio interview that few were aware of how serious the guitarist's condition had gotten. Had he known, he would have reached out.
"I actually did not have the chance to do that and I really feel bad about that," Anthony said. "We ... knew that he was ill but I didn't know to what extent, and he was very private about his illness.
"We all respect that, so we really weren't that much in touch before. I found out with everybody else that he had passed."
Anthony was confirmed to be among the former Van Halen band members due to take part in the band's 2019 reunion tour, which never came to fruition due to Eddie's cancer fight.
But friends of Eddie's, as well as his son Wolfgang, have said that even after the failed 2019 reunion, the guitarist remained eager to get healthy again and reunite onstage with Anthony.
The Van Halen family is planning a concert tribute to Eddie; Anthony and Hagar are both eager to take part.
Anthony has reconnected with Eddie's older brother Alex Van Halen; he says he plans to try and spend some time with Alex, once the drummer is ready
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