“I would run across the stage and ‘break’ the bass over my head while our sound guy played samples of trees cracking”: Described as the 4-string equivalent of painting with a sledgehammer, Van Halen’s Ultra Bass was not your typical bass solo

Michael Anthony bassist for Van Halen performs at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome during the Monsters of Rock concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 13, 1988.

Fresno, California, 1992: “I'd like to introduce the fourth and fifth members of Van Halen,” announced singer Sammy Hagar. “Prepare yourself for a pint-sized, whiskey-drinkin', crazy mother, because he's about to take the loudest, wildest, and most unusual rock ’n’ roll bass solo you've ever heard. Here they are – Mr. Michael Anthony and Mr. Jack Daniels!”

After a swig from a half-empty bottle of Tennessee sippin’ whiskey, bassist Michael Anthony cruises into his solo. His trademark J.D. bottle-shaped bass guitar pours out mellow, delay-enhanced notes that rise to the rafters.