Andy Greene of Rolling Stone spoke with singer Sammy Hagar. Key quotes from the interview appear below.
On performing some shows with drummer Jason Bonham and whether or not there will be more of them:
“Absolutely. As far as I’m concerned, that’s my new house band. It’s me, Jason Bonham, Michael Anthony and Vic Johnson. We call ourselves the Circle because this band has kinda taken me full circle in my career. I can play from every era, from Montrose to Van Halen to solo, Chickenfoot and some Led Zeppelin. In Chickenfoot, we didn’t play songs by the Chili Peppers or Van Halen, but the Circle plays my whole world and everyone else’s world that’s in the band. It’s been really special so far.”
Discussing if Chickenfoot will be making another record:
“Joe [Satriani] is my favorite writer to work with since Eddie [Van Halen.] I’d rather write a record with him than anyone else, but I don’t see any reason to make a new record. Going through the whole experience with a record label, and then going out and doing 150 interviews, a big tour and waking up at 4:00 a.m. to go on Howard Stern all to sell 35,000 CDs…It starts to feel like, ‘Hmmmm. Is this pay for play?’ I mean, I love making music. But doing it on Chickenfoot’s level means spending a half million on a record. We write and record for six months. It’s a lot of work, and then to not sell many records. It’s disappointing. I don’t like being disappointed. I like winning.”
Talking about the fan’s dream of a Van Halen reunion tour featuring both Hagar and Roth along side Michael Anthony:
“You mean that Sam and Dave tour with Van Halen as the backup band? Yeah, that would be a dream scenario for me too, but it would be the same old thing. On the reunion tour, we traveled on separate planes. You check into the hotel at different times so you don’t even see them in the lobby. You don’t really see them until the gig. I could deal with Dave on that level. [Huge laugh.] But he’d have to be cool.
A tour like that would be the coolest thing for the fans ever. I would do it for the fans. I wouldn’t do it just for the money. Everybody would have to be cool and have their hearts in it. I hate to give out bad news, but I just doubt it’ll ever happen. I would like to just see Mike back in the band with Dave. If that works, all right, I’ll come in next.”
Read more at Rolling Stone.
source: rollingstone.com
42 Responses
Man, wish I’d seen Sammy and Joe. Not surprised, though. He ‘s a great frontman, hopefully the Circle will actually remain and generate a tour.
“Man, wish I’d seen Sammy and Joe”
That is exactly why I bit the bullet, bought tix and flew to vegas last month I knew it would be the last time I would get to see Chickenfoot preform and hey we got four songs out of it!!!!!! 🙂 Chickenfoot’s Music was the best damn music made in the last twenty years IMHO.
Hey Jason why don’t you go away and spam elsewhere
I have a new podcast coming soon with Satriani where this is discussed.
Can’t wait for that one! 😉
Cannot wait Eddie, The night you had Satch on Sirius/XM or an interview was a blast
Love Sammy, Love Satch and will certainly miss the FOOT!!!!!
I like Hagar’s take on the Van Halen/Michael Anthony thing. He says that Eddie could’ve done a project with Wolfgang but he didn’t need to bring him into Van Halen and I agree totally . It’s ridiculous – and blatant nepotism – that Mike is out on his ass and Wolf is in the band.
This subject is just like with any other big named band that has 2 singer! You got the buckle heads that spew hatred towards the other singer. How come knowing bashes Eddie considering he was the one who let Sam in Van Halen but all they do is bash the singer who is just a hired guy in a big name band. Then you have the open minded fans who except it and as long as the music stands up they support. It. Dose not matter who it is a good catchy song is just that.
Sammy still has some of the best pipes in rock and roll, even at his age. Saw him on the Four Decades of Rock tour in San Francisco recently and he was as good as ever…great voice and highly energetic. He won’t quit touring I can tell everyone that, and if you get a chance to see him you should definitely go.
Van Halen rule and that’s it folks.