Former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony recently teased a potential new supergroup with guitarist Phil X and drummer Kenny Aronoff, prompting a humorous reaction from his longtime bandmate Sammy Hagar on Instagram.
Anthony shared a video of the trio jamming in the studio ahead of an upcoming performance, hinting at a new project.
“What are these guys up to?” Anthony wrote in the caption. “If you’re attending the Guitar Center drum off finale at the Fonda Theatre in LA Thursday evening you will find out! Jammin with Phil X and Kenny Aronoff. New band?”
Seeing Anthony play with other musicians prompted Sammy Hagar to jokingly comment on the post.
“This is like catching your partner cheating on you WTF thank God I love Phil & Kenny,” Hagar commented. “I guess I’m just jealous.”
Anthony quickly reassured his longtime bandmate with a brief response. “I still love ya brother,” Anthony replied.
The performance is scheduled to take place at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles. The tease has drawn attention not only for the playful exchange between Anthony and Hagar, but also because each musician brings decades of high-profile rock experience to the possible collaboration.
Michael Anthony served as Van Halen’s bassist and backing vocalist from 1974 to 2006 and later reunited with Sammy Hagar in the supergroup Chickenfoot. That long shared history makes Hagar’s joking reaction especially fitting.
Phil X adds a strong arena-rock pedigree to the mix. The Canadian guitarist has played lead guitar with Bon Jovi since 2013 and officially replaced Richie Sambora as a permanent member in 2016.
Kenny Aronoff is widely regarded as one of rock’s most in-demand session and touring drummers. He is best known for his longtime associations with John Mellencamp and John Fogerty, along with extensive work across classic rock and mainstream pop.
Aronoff’s inventive playing helped drive a string of Mellencamp hits such as “Jack And Diane,” “Pink Houses,” and “Hurts So Good” during his years in that band.
The Guitar Center Drum Off finale appearance at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles offers the trio a high-visibility stage. Whether the jam leads to a full-fledged new band remains to be seen, but the lineup already fits the kind of loose, all-star setting that has defined much of each musician’s career.
