During a recent conversation with THAT Rocks!, singer Sammy Hagar criticized drummer Alex Van Halen and former Van Halen vocalist, David Lee Roth for being indifferent about the Van Halen reunion.
About this, Hagar said the following:
“I comment personally on my stuff. I don’t have other people do it, and I probably said something like that because I do plan on going out. Not a Van Halen reunion, for God’s sake. Here we go. We’ll go right into this. I’m fine with this because it’s the same old story. […]
“It’s the same old f*cking story. Alex won’t respond to me. I reach out to him. I haven’t done it in a long time now because it’s like, ‘Hey, you want to talk to me, call me.’ So but there’s not going to be a Van Halen reunion.
”I mean, first of all, it’s too late. I’ve always said it a million times Wolfie’s doing such a great job at what he’s doing, and he would be the perfect guy, so that’s out.”
He added:
“Dave and I are still alive, but there’s no way he would cooperate with me. So if he goes out by himself, that’s not a Van Halen reunion. That’s half of a Van Halen reunion.
”If I go out by myself without him, it’s a half-Van Halen reunion. The only good news about that is that I could do it. I could sing his songs just fine.”
50 comments
Nobody cares about your version of VanHagar. Those were nothing but embarrassing years for the once mighty Van Halen. Your VanHagar version was a sellout copout low class no energy, no excitement no creativity bunch of garbage.
How dare you compare anything you did to what happened with Van Halen and David Lee Roth David Lee Roth is Van Halen he is the sound. He is the front man he is the entertainment he is the showman, and his voice is unique to the Van Halen chemistry and sound.
You Sammy Hagar do nothing but scream out your songs they sound stupid. They’re childish they’re uncreative and they’re a sellout for the radio. You are delusional, if you think that you brought any any form of greatness to Van Halen. As a matter of fact, quite the opposite any legacy that Van Halen actually had was ruined for the 10 years that you mocked up everything that they did you, Sammy Hagar could never ever sing any Van Halen songs. You stick to singing your own garbage. You were nothing more than a filler so that Alex and Eddie could say could continue to play.
A Van Halen reunion is never a Van Halen reunion without Eddie Van Halen a Van Halen reunion is never a Van Halen reunion without the only front man that ever made Van Halen famous and that is Mr. Diamond, David Lee Roth. No question, no doubt, no substitution will ever do. Your version of VanHagar is subpar at best you have nothing to say about a reunion with Van Halen. Whatever rights you may have acquired, go out and sing your lousy poundcake garbage and leave the real Van Halen music to the only one person that could actually deliver Van Halen music David Lee Roth.
Wow, you butthurt bro because he spoke the truth about Dave not willing to do anything? Man you sound so childish it’s embarrassing.
Eddie sure thought Sammy contributed. Go back and watch interviews from after Sammy joined the band. You really think Eddie liked being on stage with Roth on that final tour? If you do, you’re high as F@€K!
If that were true then why didn’t Eddie get rid of him and bring back sammy ?
So in your narrow little mind the 4 albums of music created by EVH are garbage that should never have existed. Ok DLR fanboy. Whatever.
Cracking wise
Your a COMPLETE MORON!
This coming from a guy that can’t spell “you’re.”
Couldn’t possibly disagree more with everything you said. Lol. David Lee Roth’s singing is literally as bad as “singing” has ever reached in the history of humanity. Yes..for a few years in his youth his bizarre style could at least exist alongside Eddie’s brilliance on the axe because quite frankly…it didn’t freaking matter. At all.
To compare the singing ability of Roth to Hagar is insane…and it’s not comparable. Hagar could always hit ALL the notes..low or very high…and without that dumb cracking/puking sound Issue that Roth forever dealt with. Just the thought of Roth attempting to sing Dreams…for example… is a hysterical thing to imagine. Lol. Yet there is nothing in Roth’s group of songs that Hagar couldn’t very easily sing…and sing MUCH better than Roth ever did…if you could even call whatever Roth did singing.
All that being said…it always makes me roll my eyes when people take a huge stance on one side or the other…like little puppy dogs with total devotion to their rock frontman Lord. 🙄. It’s so ridiculous. Both eras had some awesome songs. Both eras carried a different vibe. I have no problem whatsoever going from Panama to Black and Blue on my playlist…and back and forth like that. It doesn’t hurt my feelings or wreck my inner peace. Lol. People can have their own preferences over who they liked better…that’s fine. You clearly think Roth was better…and all the songs were better with him. I think Hagar was better…and definitely prefer all the hits with him. Just a matter of different musical tastes. Not the end of the world. But certain things are not debatable…at all. Hagar is a real..legit …talented singer…who can carry a melody very well. Roth never was that. Just can’t do it. Could do all the theatrics and jump splits…yeah…but none of that ever mattered to me..and i always thought he was just a very weird dude. But hey it appeals to many others. No worries whatsoever. Thinking of all the absolute classic Hagar songs that I still love today from Van Halen..it’s crazy how many there are. When I try to list out all the ones I really loved from the Roth era..it’s definitely a shorter list for me…as in the songs that I can just put on repeat. Yep there are some of them for sure …but they had zero to do with Roth..everything to do with Eddie. With Hagar it was both of them. Add in the consistent needed backing vocals of Anthony for that true instantly recognizable VH sound and the high level drumming of Alex…and boom! Magic.
But hey…to each their own. 👍🏻. Any rain talk of a VH reunion is silly …btw…without Eddie their is no VH. It was ALL about him…and his brilliant sound. The rest was all window dressing on top of it.
Very well said!!!
Chill out man those four album’s with Hagar were just as good as anything during the Roth era minus the debut album. Sammy is a better singer than Dave and he doesn’t look like a total tool hopping around on stage like a kid on Ritalin.
Wrong.
WRONG! Ed’s keyboard playing had been overlooked until Sammy entered the picture. Hagar influenced Ed in such a way that it allowed him to play just about ANYTHING! Love Walks In, Feels So Good, When It’s Love, Dreams, Inside, Right Now, etc…are STILL underrated! HECK! We even got an EVH solo album from VH3 👍🏾
Hagar years with Van Halen were great.
Sammy’s era was fine. They had a lot of success. It was a different approach than with DLR. but there can never be a VH reunion without EVH and it’s pathetic that Sammy keeps trying to find a way “back in Van Halen.” Clearly he self loathes his Monttose and solo career.
You’d think Sammy started the band the way he talks . VH will always be the original lineup !
Rock and Roll was never about having the best singer , it’s always been about attitude and presentation.
If Sammy was all that , they’d never looked for another guy . Why doesn’t he talk about Gary ?
He knows the way band was introduced to the public is the way it will always be remembered!
Buddy you’re extremely delusional…Sammy Hagar’s version of Van Halen is the epitome of Van Halen…4 #1 albums, countless top tracks on the billboard charts…they never had a #1 hit album with DLR…
What are your musical contributions to the world?? A horrible set of Ears?? Dave never could sing. He was a drunk who forgot his own lyrics.. he wrote nonsensical lyrics. I played in a tribute Van Halen band. That played Roth era VanHalen. He played more cover’s than original songs. He wanted to be a Dance Band. Not a rock band. He was and is a spoiled child about most everything. It’s all about him. There wasn’t a reunion after the awards show because of his bad behavior with Beck. He’s a toddler not a frontman..
Wow….what a doofus…sounds like your whole manhood is threatened by anything that’s not Dave. Get a life and grow up. Multiple number one albums make you a liar .
Jesus I don’t what’s worse the fact this topic keeps coming up or you Roth boot lickers . Since he came back after leaving VH he’s done nothing but butcher the live shows and turn into a circus act . Whether you like it or not they were successful without Roth .
Sure they were still successful after DLR left, but they became a FM radio band instead of the party band they use to be.
What a hateful little person you are.
Dave sucked always has didn’t get a real Van Halen till Sammy came in he brought a whole new dimension to the band gave Eddie some time to relax so he didn’t have to cover up Dave’s singing why u think he had his amp so loud!!!!!!!
Your laughable. Was and is are two different things. DLR can’t carry a tune in a paper bag. We’re talking about now genius, not 1980s. Idiot.
Your comment is just stupid😂
David Lee Roth compared to Sammy Hagar, can’t be a comparison… Sammy brings more to the band, a stronger voice, and his writing was as successful when he joined Van Halen. Without Eddy, Roth was a garage band type of musician.
Absolutely on point !
You have no clue. Sammy screams his songs have you ever listened to Roth? That’s all he does. VH was way bigger with Sammy. They didn’t have any number 1 albums or had multiple straight nights sellouts in the same city with Roth. VH had 5 number 1 albums with Sammy. 5 straight if I recall. They set attendance records with Sammy. Sammy is way more talented singer and especially song writer. What has Roth done lately. He hasn’t done squat. When he first left VH he had one pretty good record. Look at all the record Hagar has put our and the successful bands he has been a part of. He works with a lot of other talented musicians because they want to work with Sammy. You don’t see this with Roth now. Nobody wants to work with him. Your take is funny and made me laugh
Dude, get over it and get a life
You are such a lifeless deprived soul. Roth sounds worse than Vince Neil. Sammy brought more heart and soul to Van Halen. Roth pissed off the band cause all he wanted to do was jump and dance around stage like a snowflake that he is
Hagar was the best part of that band.
1st album was great but then just a bunch of the same crap that Davie spewed out.
Not a vocalist just a screamer.
That’s awesome ,, well said and exactly right,,, Sammy screams out his songs they have no energy ,, Dave and Eddie were van halen no doupt about it ,,
See what these idiots don’t understand is Eddie Van Halen asked Sammy to play and join the band! People seem to over look that part! Lest ask a question here what would of happened if Sammy didn’t join Van Halen? Can anyone answer that? I bet not one person has ever thought to ask that one question!?!
Dave admits him and Eddie didn’t really get along. To be honest I’ve been a big fan of both guys so not taking sides here. I see lots of hate which I think is ridiculous, just because you’re not a fan of somebody doesn’t mean you have to bad mouth them.
I agree! Van Halen is not Van Halen without David Lee Roth!!!He was so great as their frontman!! Sammy thinks he can sing early Van Halen songs well i Dont think so!!!
Opinions, we all have them. Don’t agree with your opinion, but you can have it. If you can’t find quality in both, you don’t know music.
Wow!! You are definitely a knucklehead! Sammy is a true musician. DLR is talented yes but not a musician who is all about himself. Ps did you.ever hear his countryfied version of Van Halen songs…..? Lol. Besides Van Halen is about Eddie mostly. The difference is DLR was like high school and Sammy you graduated to college.
You are obviously a drug addled, tone deaf, mentally challenged piece of work.
I watched Sam and Dave on the same stage, and fortunately not at the same time. I was embarrassed beyond words for David Lee Roth. Sadly, he continues to climb on stage and sings the songs that he made famous 40 years ago. It’s not only embarrassing for him, but for every musician who is sharing the stage.
Sammy‘s voice may not last forever, but for now it’s as good as it ever was, and it was always better than David Lee Roth’s.
I totally agree 1000 percent!! I always have said put the first 4 Van Halen albums against any other group and Van Halen is always #1 Edward’s playing is undoubtedly the greatest with Roth and was relaxed with Hagar and Cherone !! When Roth came back with them and did A Different Kind of Truth Edward’s playing was like it was in the early years
You are not a true VH fan period If you were you would be a fan of all the singers, DLR has been terrible since the very late 80’s
calm down little guy, it’s ok….you’re gonna be ok
Actually a lot of people care about his version of Van Halen. And no one really cares about your opinion. Alex van Halen is a moron. Dave is a bigger one. And sam can sing anything. Dave can’t sing at all .
Why is AVH a Moran? Because he doesn’t want to speak to Sammy?
Very well said!
Hagar is nothing but a drama queen!
SCUM interviewers need to STOP asking Sammy about VH 👎🏾
I love both eras … DLR and Hagar brought something different but equally as brilliant. I’d, personally, love to see DLR, Sammy, Alex, Wolfe and Michael take the stage for a tribute someday. If there’s as much indifference as this article suggests it’ll never happen. I love all the VH albums.
Sam sorry but you have nothing to do with Van Halen…U never know when to keep that trap shut..U think u can still sing ..U haven’t hit a high not in 20 years so stop with the B.S. Even with Dave’s voice now I would rather see him then u anytime of the week n twice on Sundays…U CERTAINLY DON’T SPARKLE LIKE A DIAMOND
Y’ALL are morons lololol Van Halen was one of the greatest bands with David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar two different singers so shut the front door And you wonder why the world is the way it is all you haters love to hate!!! everybody has different likes they could have did a reunion when Eddie was alive, but Sammy didn’t want too so there you have it get over it!!! You can never have another Van Halen without Eddie maybe with Wolfie for the reunion but that’s it.
Dave has been cringy since the 90’s. His flamboyant vaudeville act expired after 1984. I felt sorry for him when he knocked himself in the head on the Fallon show. The never Hagar crowd should fly down to Cabo and kiss the ground that Sammy walks on for giving us that decade…
DLR Looks like the crypt Keeper…so there is that. He had to be a clown on stage to hide the fact that he is just not that great of a performer. The sad guy still is living off EVH playing jump and panama to survive. When was his last relevant album? Was it the bluegrass vam halen songs he did?
It’s all about the end product for me. The original VH is undeniably AMAZING. The other one is a big bummer, in my opinion. Hiding behind the keyboard and telling someone that their opinion sucks, is childish. So sad. Let’s have our own opinions and respect the others. They don’t have to be right. It’s what’s wrong with the internet and today’s politics. Mellow out everyone. Maybe take a big bong hit or something. let’s get back to civility.