This article is clearly much more about the relationship between Ted and Eddie than Michael Anthony, with all respect to Michael. But Ted is well known for being a great all around guy who was never jealous of anyone, but rather has always been about making friends, and having fun.
It would have been easy for Ted to have been jealous of Eddie, like so many others were, as Ted was somewhat the “Jimi Hendrix Experience of America” when Eddie came along, and Eddie stole the title of best guitar hero away from him. No one could compete with Van Halen, as an overall band, and rather than simmer in jealous hate as so many other bands did, Ted just smiled and was thankful of the innovation that Eddie brought to the guitar.
While Eddie proved he was indeed a better guitar player, none of the other guitar greats can compete with Ted on personality. He is one of a kind. Honest, open, generous, and a true lover of America. My favorite tune by him is The Great White Buffalo. Here’s an amazing live extended version, including some of that signature commentary by Ted, that’s worth the time if you love good guitar and showmanship:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlAr3kUdBqI
Great vid! Shows both what Nugent did for rock and how EVH changed it.