Net Worth Ranker
What Is Michael Anthony’s Net Worth?
Michael Anthony, the celebrated American musician, boasts a substantial net worth of $50 million. This financial success is largely attributed to his enduring career as the bassist and backing vocalist for the iconic rock band Van Halen. His journey to fame began at Pasadena City College, where he pursued an Associate’s Degree in Music and crossed paths with guitarist Eddie Van Halen. In 1974, Anthony joined the Van Halen brothers’ band Mammoth, which was subsequently renamed Van Halen. The lineup consisted of Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, David Lee Roth, and Michael Anthony. This marked the beginning of a 30-year association with the band, spanning from 1976 to 2006, albeit with a departure following their 2004 reunion tour. Besides his work with Van Halen, Anthony co-founded the band Chickenfoot, which features Sammy Hagar, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist Joe Satriani. Chickenfoot released its first studio album in Europe on June 5, 2009. Anthony has been married to his wife, Sue, since 1981, whom he met during his time at Arcadia High School. Together, they have two daughters and reside in Newport Beach, California.
Michael Anthony’s Early Life and Career Foundations
Born on June 20, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Michael Anthony’s early life laid the foundation for his future musical endeavors. His family relocated to California in 1966, and he attended Dana Junior High School in Arcadia, California, from 1967 to 1969. Growing up in a musical household—his father played the trumpet—Anthony’s interest in music began at an early age. He followed in his father’s footsteps by playing the trumpet and joining the marching band at Dana Junior High School. While at Dana Junior High, he was actively involved in sports as a track runner and baseball player (catcher), but he eventually focused solely on music during his high school years. During this period, he began exploring the guitar and bass. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1972 and continued his education at Pasadena City College, where he majored in music. Before joining Van Halen, Anthony played in several bands, including Poverty’s Children, Black Opal, Balls, and Snake. The band Snake, a three-person group featuring Anthony on lead vocals and bass guitar, covered songs by ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Foghat, and also performed some original songs. Snake once had the opportunity to open for Mammoth, the band of the Van Halen brothers before they formed Van Halen. Michael Anthony’s Net Worth is due in part to the foundation of his musical skill at a young age.
Michael Anthony’s Rise with Van Halen: Key Milestones and Financial Arrangements
While attending Pasadena City College, Anthony met Eddie Van Halen, leading to an audition for Mammoth after their bassist departed. He successfully joined the band, which was renamed Van Halen in 1974. The band, consisting of Anthony, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and David Lee Roth, signed with Warner Bros. in 1977 after creating a 29-track demo produced by Gene Simmons of Kiss. Their self-titled debut album was released on February 10, 1978. Over the next two decades, Van Halen released eleven studio albums, one live album, and two greatest hits compilations with Anthony as a member. Initially, Anthony held a 20% share of the band’s debts and profits, mirroring the other members and their manager, Noel Monk. However, in 1984, tensions arose, leading the Van Halen brothers and Roth to insist that Anthony relinquish all future songwriting credits and royalties, to which he agreed. This decision likely influenced Michael Anthony’s Net Worth over time. Around 1996, rumors began circulating that Anthony had been dismissed from Van Halen; however, he continued to work with the band, albeit in a reduced role. His involvement in the recording of the 1998 album “Van Halen III” was significantly less than in previous albums. He played bass on only three songs, with Eddie Van Halen playing on the remainder. Despite this, he joined the band on their 1998 tour and participated in the various reunion efforts in the early 2000s following Roth’s departure. After the 2004 reunion tour, he officially left the band. This marked the end of an era for Anthony, though he continued to pursue other musical projects.
Michael Anthony’s Post-Van Halen Career and Ventures
During his final years with Van Halen, Anthony explored other musical avenues. In 1998, he produced a demo for his brother’s band, Asylum Suite. He also began making periodic appearances with Sammy Hagar, a former member of Van Halen, during Hagar’s solo tours. Anthony often performed with Hagar’s bands, the Waboritas and Los Tres Gusanos. During the 2002 tour featuring both Roth and Sammy Hagar, Anthony made guest appearances at concerts. In 2002, Anthony, Hagar, Neal Schon, Deen Castronovo, and Joe Satriani formed the supergroup Planet Us. The group recorded two songs, including “Psycho Vertigo,” before ultimately disbanding. After leaving Van Halen in 2004, Anthony spent the summer of 2006 touring as a member of the Other Half with Sammy Hagar. The duo performed classic Van Halen songs from both the Roth and Hagar periods. In March 2007, Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Anthony and Hagar were the only members, past or present, to attend the ceremony, as Eddie Van Halen was in rehab, and Alex Van Halen and David Lee Roth declined to appear. In 2009, Anthony co-founded Chickenfoot with Sammy Hagar, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist Joe Satriani. The band released their first studio album in Europe on June 5, 2009, and in North America a few days later. In 2011, they released their second album, “Chickenfoot III.” In 2014, Anthony joined the supergroup Sammy Hagar and the Circle, which also includes Hagar, guitarist Vic Johnson, and drummer Jason Bonham. His continued work after Van Halen has helped contribute to Michael Anthony’s Net Worth.
Michael Anthony’s Personal Life and Real Estate Investments
While a student at Arcadia High School, Anthony met Sue Hendry, whom he married in 1981. They have two daughters: Elisha, born in 1985, and Taylor, born in 1992. Anthony and his family reside in Newport Beach, California. He is an enthusiast of classic cars and motorcycles, often attending car shows and occasionally appearing in televised interviews to discuss his hobby. Unlike many rock musicians, Anthony avoided the hard-partying and drug-fueled lifestyle often associated with rock and roll bands. In 2012, Michael Anthony invested $2.865 million in a waterfront home in Newport Beach, California. Prior to this, he owned a home in Glendora, California, which he sold in October 2011 for $1.77 million. He retains ownership of a modest property in Glendora. These real estate investments play a role in Michael Anthony’s Net Worth.
