As the well known saying goes, "Behind every great man there is a great woman." Michael Anthony is no exception to that rule. Michael and Sue have been together since 1971, and happily married since 1981. They have two daughters. We are pleased to bring you this interview with the woman behind the man... Sue Anthony.

 Where are you from originally?

 I am from Southern California, born in Alhambra.

 Do you have any brothers and/or sisters?

  I have one sister, Laurie. She lives near us and we are very, very close. Best friends.

  How did you meet Michael? What did you do on your first date?

  I met Michael through his brother Steve, (Steve and I are the same age and went to  school together). When we first got together, I was supposed to go to this local Arcadia, California concert with Michael and some of his friends. We got there and I didn't have any money to get in. So we went back to his friend's house and just hung out and partied. The next day Michael came over to my house to make sure I got home alright. That's all it took, we have basically been together since then.

  Most of us have heard the story that you proposed to Michael at the McDonald's drive-thru; but  we'd like to hear the story in your words.

  This story is true, except the way I remember it we were on our way to McDonalds and we were talking about how he finally feels comfortable with his "job," I said, "Does that mean we can get married now?"
  
  Have either of your children expressed an interest in a career in music? If so, how do you feel about it?

  Both my girls have taken flute in school. But that is basically as far as it went. If they ever wanted to have a career in music we would help them as much as any parent should help their child with future plans. However, right now Elisha wants to major in Oceanography so she can be an underwater photographer. My youngest Taylor, wants to work at sea World!!

  What if one of your daughters wanted to marry a musician/rock star?

  If either daughter married a musician/rock star, I would treat it like my mom and dad treated our relationship. Meet the guy and hopefully start up a good relationship and not be too nosey or pushy, but know what is going on and let them find out things for themselves. I hope that they would talk to us about anything that bothers them and keep that trust going.

  I'm sure that you've been a lot of places on tours, etc. Where have you not been that you want to visit?

  When we went to Australia the girls and I had to leave when the band was going to the gold coast and surfer's paradise. Michael called me when I got home and said, "Sue, you left at the wrong time. I opened my sliding glass doors this morning and the beach is right there and the sun is shining!" Well I just said s___!! That's the one place I wanted to go, but the girl's school thing just got in the way!!

  If MTV offered you and Michael your own reality show (ala "The Osbornes"), would you? Comments?

  No way would I have a camera following me around like the Osborne's!!

  What is something about Michael most people would be surprised to know?

  People would be surprised to know that Michael is a wonderful husband and father. He fixes sprinklers, adjusts landscaping lights in the yard, takes Taylor to soccer practice (and helps coach), takes Taylor to volleyball, does carpool for school, homework and gets just as mad when the girls don't do well on tests or if Elisha is out too late at night. Oh, he also does the dishes!!

  What is the most outrageous thing that a fan has ever done in your presence?

  There are so many strange things that fans have done I can't even think of any one in particular.

  What is your favorite Van Halen song? album?

  On each of the Van Halen albums I have at least one or two favorite songs. They are all good. The same with the album, each one is fantastic.

  Who would you pick for the next lead singer for Van Halen?

  As for the next lead singer I am not saying anything!!

  Is there something relating to Michael's musical career that he hasn't accomplished that you'd like to see him do?

  I can't think of anything that Michael hasn't done that he wants to do musically. I don't know if he would want to produce a band or just work on his other projects he already has going on.

  At Peppers you offered us "the real dirt on Michael, Kevin Dugan, and Brad"...
(Use as MUCH SPACE AS YOU NEED! )

  Michael, Kevin and Brad "the real dirt on them," hey it was Peppers. I probably had too many margaritas! Besides, I love Kevin and Brad and I really want to stay married to Michael!!

Michael Anthony's  Support System -  Sue, and Kevin Dugan

  There is a group of women known as "Al's Gals" that will kill me if I don't ask you about Alex.  He is the only member of VH that hasn't been heard from recently and they are concerned about him.  Have you seen him?  What's he been up to lately?  Is he still wearing the neck brace?  (you don't have to answer any of these questions if you don't want to, but anything you can do to reassure these ladies would be greatly appreciated)

  As far as Alex goes I can't help you with any of those questions. But I know he is still alive!!

  What is the favorite holiday of the Anthony family?

  The Anthony family has many favorite holidays. But I think that (at least my favorite and I think my family will agree) is when we go to Maui. Pretty much every year I get Maui withdrawals. So I plan a trip to Maui. Usually our friends and their families go at the same time. These are really good friends that we have that also have condos where we do in Lake Havasu. There usually ends up being about 30 or so people. Maui is just so relaxing and just enough action to satisfy. We are going this Thanksgiving. Can't wait. Surprised it's not Disneyland? That's my second choice. We are going there this August for a few days for my daughter Taylor's 11th birthday.

  Do you have any pets?

  Do we have any pets!!! Oh boy do we!! 2 dogs: R.J. and Schmoopi (R.J. stands for Remy Jr. and Schmoopi is from Seinfeld and also a nickname for Elisha) they are brother and sister Airedales. 4 birds: Bailee (African Grey parrot), Nipper (cockatiel), Hula and Hana (parakeets). 95 gallon salt water reef tank with a few fish (we found Nemo). 2 Beta fish.

  Are you into sports? What is/are your favorite team(s)?

  I'm into sports when it's the championships. That's when I pick my team. I love to watch my daughters play soccer and volleyball.

  Activities, Charities, Hobbies, etc.?

  As far as activities, being a full time mom takes up most of my time. However I do volunteer in Taylor's Girl Scout troop (usually cookies) and help out at school as much as I can. I don't really have too many hobbies anymore, but I love to scrapbook. We also belong to Greenpeace, LASPCA, and Humane Society of Los Angeles. We give to the fireman's and police charities too.

  What is your biggest pet peeve?

  I have a lot of pet peeves. If I try to get my family together to do something like a movie or Disneyland, or even to dinner. I tell them we have to be somewhere at least 30 minutes earlier. It's always one of them that make us late for everything.

  Which single store would you choose to max your credit card?

  I am not a huge shopper but I could probably do pretty well at Nordstrom's.

  What is in your CD Player right now?

  I don't listen to CD's very often. So there is nothing in my CD player now.

  Last book you read?

  The last book I read was "Island of the Blue Dolphin." I was helping my daughter with a book report!!

  Do you play any musical instrument(s)?

  I took piano lessons when I was about 11 for awhile but never went any further.

  What is the most annoying thing people ask you?

  I don't have any annoying things people ask me, but I do get annoyed when people ask Michael for an autograph or picture when we are eating dinner. Before or after is much more polite.

  I'm sure that you've met a lot of "big names." Who is the one person you were most surprised to meet? Why?

  When we met John Entwistle for the first time I remember Michael being really nervous, I think we were in England at the time. Then he came to a show that Michael was playing at the NAMM show one year in Anaheim. Also Mick Fleetwood in the lounge at the forum. I like Fleetwood Mac a lot and it was really cool to meet them.

  What is your favorite television show of all time?

  I LOVE LUCY!!! I was just watching it while doing this interview.

  What was the last movie you saw?

  "Pirates of the Caribbean" was the last movie. We thought it was so good. My daughter fell in love with Johnny Depp!!

  What was the worst movie you've ever seen?

  I can't think of the worst movie I have ever seen. But, when Michael and I were dating we used to go to every horror movie at the drive-in. Michael's dad used to get us free passes. It was the movies that had a nurse on hand and gave you "barf bags" when you came in!! I still have all the passes and "barf bags" in a scrapbook!!

  If they made a movie of your life, what would the title be? Who'd be in the cast?

  I can't even begin to think of a movie of my life. Sorry but I can't help you with that one either!

What is your most memorable moment from Michael's career?

  There are sooooooo many moments in Michael's career it is hard to pick one. But I remember playing the US Festival. There were so many people in the audience. When Van Halen went on stage the crowd went nuts, and I was thinking wow this is big, this is really big!! I'm married to a rock star!! My sister was telling me before all this "Don't you know they are as popular as the Stones and Zeppelin." I think it hit me then and I was really proud of Michael and the rest of the guys.

Take-care:
Sue