Michael Anthony Sobolewski, born on the 20th of June 1954, is famously known through his stage name Michael Anthony, for backing vocals and the bass player of the rock ‘n’ roll band “Van Halen”.
So how much is Anthony’s net worth? As of early 2016, it is reported to be $60 million, gained mostly from his decades of playing music, and currently his own business.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Michael was already a trumpet player at an early age because of his father’s influence, who is a player as well. Upon attending high school, their whole family moved to California where his interest in music blossomed.
Michael Anthony Net Worth $60 Million
During his years in Arcadia High School, Anthony was a member of many groups and clubs, but he focused his interest on playing guitar. His father later bought him a bass guitar and an amplifier to improve his craft, until it lead him to creating and playing with his own band. He subsequently played with many bands, including “Poverty’s Children”, “Balls” and “Snake”.
Michael began to create a minor noise in the music scene with his band “Snake”, but it was in college that his career in music took off. While attending Pasadena City College, he met fellow student Alex Van Halen, who was playing for another band called “Mammoth”. When Van Halen’s band lost their bass player, he recruited Anthony, and he became part of the band that later changed their name to “Van Halen”.
The group of four, including Van Halen’s brother Eddie on guitar and David Lee Roth on vocals, played in various venues along sunset strip, until Warner Bros. approached them and signed a contract. In 1978, they released their first studio album entitled “Van Halen” – it was followed by 10 more albums, and a series of concerts and worldwide tours, making them one of the most successful rock ‘n’ roll bands of the 80’s. The bands feat and popularity also made Anthony famous for his outstanding vocals and bass playing, and was where most of his net worth came from.
After a successful run with the band for almost three decades, Michael Anthony officially left the band after their reunion tour in 2004, but was at the band’s induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. He then collaborated with other bands and artists to maintain his visibility in the music scene, and his wealth. He also formed and played with several bands including “The Waboritas”, “Los Tres Gusanos” and “Planet Us”.
In 2008, Anthony formed another band called “Chickenfoot”, along with his former band mate Sammy Hagar, and Chad Smith, drummer of the band Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Joe Satriani. The band has released two studio albums, and reports say that a third album is on its way.
Aside from music, another source of his net worth is his own business “Mad Anthony Café”, a website on which he sells a variety of sauces and other similar products.
In terms of his personal life, Sobolewski has been married to wife Sue since 1981, who he met in high school. Together they have two children, and now reside in Newport Beach, California.
