Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony recently broke his 25-year streak of performing at Sammy Hagar’s annual birthday bash, explaining his absence in a post shared on Instagram.
Anthony explained that he chose to skip the event this year to celebrate his wife Sue’s 70th birthday.
“Had to forgo Sammy’s birthday bash this year, my wife Sue is turning 70 tomorrow, and after 25+ years of her, spending her birthday in Cabo while I play for Sammy’s bash, she wanted to do something different so here we are,” Anthony said. “Hope everybody has a great weekend, if you’re in Cabo for the bash have a great time. I know Sam, Mona, Vic, Kenny, and whoever else shows up will be rocking it out!!”
Following Anthony’s message, Sammy Hagar also shared a statement to express his support for the bassist’s decision and to introduce Mona Gnader, who filled in on bass.
“Mikey and I talked about this months ago and he and Sue of course have my blessings. Mikey knew my long time wobble Rita Bass player. Mona was happy to once again joined the festivities. We’re having a blast, but of course we miss Mikey. Nobody’s more fun than Michael Anthony the other half,” Hagar said.
This marks the first time in over two decades that Anthony has missed the annual birthday concerts at the Cabo Wabo Cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
Anthony’s decision breaks a tradition tied closely to Hagar’s musical history and to the venue where the annual celebration first began. The birthday bash has been a fixture of Hagar’s calendar since the early 1990s, and Anthony’s absence is the first significant change to that routine in more than two decades.
The first birthday bash took place in 1990, the same year Hagar opened Cabo Wabo, and the event has since grown into a multi-night run of shows each October at the cantina.
Hagar opened the original cantina in 1990 in the then-sleepy fishing village of Cabo San Lucas, and the venue became known as “the club that Sammy and Van Halen built.” The business was founded by Hagar alongside Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen and Michael Anthony, with business partner Jorge Viaña, before Hagar bought out his bandmates’ shares.
The annual event has since become a multiday celebration for fans. Hagar’s 2025 birthday bash was scheduled across four nights at Cabo Wabo Cantina, on Oct. 7, 9, 11 and 13, with Michael Anthony among the musicians expected to take part.
