Bassist Michael Anthony enjoyed an eventful 2024 touring with his former Van Halen bandmate Sammy Hagar on The Best of All Worlds trek. Anthony helped ring in the New Year with a hilarious holiday video message posted on his social media pages in which he hinted at a cool new recording project involving Hagar and other musicians with whom Michael has previously worked.
The clip features Anthony sitting in a comfy chair in front of a Christmas tree with his two pet dogs sleeping in his lap. Mikey is holding a drink and wearing an elf hat, complete with fake ears. He’s also wearing an ugly Christmas sweater showing Santa Claus urinating off the roof of a house.
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“Hey, I hope everybody is enjoying my favorite time of the year—you can’t tell, right?” Anthony begins his message. “Anyway, I hope everyone’s having a great holiday season. Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah—however you celebrate. And I just want to take this minute here to thank everybody for all the love and support this past year. Everything from the Mad Anthony Café [merch store] to coming out and seeing The Best of All Worlds Tour this year.”
Michael continued, “I have nothing that I wrote out, nothing planned. This is all just coming straight from the heart. … But anyway, I want to wish everybody Happy Holidays, Happy New Year. Here’s to 2025, and let’s make it a … great year.”
Anthony Dropped a Hint About a New Recording Project
Anthony then briefly talked about his upcoming plans for 2025, noting, “We’ve got a lot of great stuff planned.” He then added with a slight wink, “Maybe some new Chickenfoot music.”
As he wrapped up his message, Michael pressed a button on his hat, which lit up and began moving and playing music. He also pushed a button on his sweater, which turned on a series of moving lights descending from Santa’s pee stream.
More About the New Music He and Hagar Have Been Recording
Chickenfoot, of course, is the supergroup featuring Hagar, Anthony, guitarist Joe Satriani, and Red Hit Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith that released two studio albums, in 2009 and 2011. Veteran session drummer Kenny Aronoff filled in for Smith when Chickenfoot toured in 2011 and 2012.
Meanwhile, the current lineup of Hagar’s The Best of All Worlds Tour band also features Anthony, Satriani, and Aronoff. In addition, Hagar recently revealed that that lineup has been recording new music together, including a new song paying tribute to Eddie Van Halen that Sammy says will be released sometime in early 2025.
Time will tell if these recordings are related to the new Chickenfoot music that Anthony teased in his video message.
Hagar Commented on Anthony’s Holiday Message
Hagar took to the comments section of Anthony’s Instagram page to share an affectionate message to his friend and collaborator.
“Who don’t love this man,” the Red Rocker wrote. “happy everything to you Mike and the dogs are cracking me up. That must be a comfortable spot … [y]ou got right there ha ha … 2025 is going to be the best musical year in a long long time for us my brother.”
Hagar’s Confirmed 2025 Performance Plans
As previously reported, Hagar has scheduled a Las Vegas residency with Anthony and The Best of All Worlds band that runs from April 30 through May 17. The nine-date engagement will take place at the Dolby Live venue at the Park MGM hotel and casino.
Prior to the Las Vegas residency, Hagar has four other performances scheduled for 2025.
The first will take place on January 17 in Scottsdale, Arizona, in advance of the Barrett-Jackson collector car auction. The second show is scheduled for February 20 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo in San Antonio, Texas. The third will be held February 21 at the Lucas Oil Live venue in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The fourth is an April 27 performance at the Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, California.
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