Fans and former frontman Sammy Hagar, who performs with Anthony in Chickenfoot, have been campaigning for Van Halen to reinstate the bassist for years and now the guitar great has revealed why he won't have him back.

In a candid interview with Billboard magazine, Van Halen explains his son is a far better musician than Anthony, who he claims struggled to learn bass parts before tours.

The guitarist tells the publication, "Every note Mike ever played, I had to show him how to play. Before we'd go on tour, he'd come over with a video camera and I'd have to show him how to play all the parts."

And he also dismisses his former Van Halen bandmate as a backing singer, adding, "Mike's voice is like a piccolo trumpet, but he's not a singer. He just has a range from hell. Mike was just born with a very high voice. I have more soul as a singer than he does.

"People always talk about Mike's voice on Van Halen songs, but that’s a blend of Mike's voice and my voice. It's not just him."

Anthony has responded to the guitarist's Billboard remarks, stating, "I am proud to say that my bass playing and vocals helped create our sound. I've always chosen to take the high road and stay out of the never-ending mudslinging, because I believe that it ultimately ends up hurting the Van Halen fans."