If you played bass for years with Van Halen as well as singing some vital harmonies only to find that you’ve been replaced by the guitarist’s 16-year-old son, you would understandably be upset. You’d be allowed to let out a few f-bombs, especially if you found out you’d been fired on the internet. And once you learned that somebody was actually photoshopping you out of classic album covers on the official website, you’d be allowed a good old fashioned rocker meltdown. Heck, Owen Wilson just attempted suicide for much less.

But that isn’t how Michael Anthony, comfortably gliding through his fifties, rolls. Not how a guy so devoted to the band that he inscribed the Van Halen logo on a tooth.

Maybe when Anthony was younger this drama might have bothered him, but when asked after receiving the ultimate bendover job from the Van Halen clan if he’d ever consider rejoining the band for a true reunion tour, he calmly replied:

At this point, I really don’t know, because I think they’ve chosen their path. They would be the ones to really ask. As far as myself, I think if the situation was right and everything was on the up and up I’d be interested in doing it.

Wow, talk about loving the music. Loving the fans. Putting aside the BS for rock and roll. Class, all the way.

If Van Halen with Diamond Dave fronting makes it to Seattle as planned this coming December 3 and if I make it to the concert (that’s the plan), should I buy and wear a “Where is Michael Anthony T-Shirt?” No offense to Wolfgang, who could turn out to be an amazing shredder on the bass, but there might not be a more classier bass player in all of rock and roll and certainly not a better recent example of taking the high road in a really lowdown dirty deal. Beyond the music, I don’t know the guy, but feel bad for him. I hope Van Halen finds some way to get him involved with this tour and reward his loyalty.

And as for Eddie VH being mad about Michael Anthony not wanting to sit around and home and keep his bass playing in tour form by joining Sammy Hagar for some jamming, that’s weak. I don’t know what else the guy has to do in order to get Eddie’s respect. Come on, Edward, this is home, not mean street and you’re being an atomic punk.

In the meantime, it’s ok Michael Anthony, you have permission to wind up that Jack Daniels bass and kick some out some angry bass lines. Revenge reverberating through the strings of a howling bass. Sometimes it makes sense to come down from the high road and give those excessively wronging you a flaming middle finger.

• Van Halen reunion plans “shut down”
• 3/4 of original Van Halen in Seattle 12/3/2007, barring another Eddie eruption
• Van Halen finally gets nod into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Diamond Dave drowned out by his band
• Michael Anthony short term erasure from official website album covers
• Van Halen concert tickets and earplugs, check