SAMMY HAGAR DISCUSSES HIS NEW “HOUSE” BAND CIRCLE, THE POSSIBLE END OF CHICKENFOOT AND VAN HALEN
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
Honestly, I don’t put any time into thinking about a reunion. Pretty pointless. Each singer put a decade or so into VH, and moved on. One of the singers can still bring it, while the other can barely pull it off. But each have made great music during their careers, and it’s all in my “record” collection. If they come to town I’ll see them live, but I’m not holding my breath. VH seems to be working on their own “Chinese Democracy.” I’ll check back just before Eddie turns 70 to see if he released a new record by then.
Sammy won’t do it without Michael Anthony. Imagine doing his Van Halen monsters looking at Mike in the audience. Chickenfoot was expensive, it was a loss on the albums and probably barely a profit going out on the road with 5 star hotels/travel/crew etc.. Taylor Swift spends enormous time prepping songs before even entering a studio. She’s now pop. Money is no issue for her, her endorsements are millions of dollars and she plows it into her music/tours. Eddie Van Halen can’t get those riffs and lines together, the last album was a mess. I liked the “Chinese Democracy” line, that’s hilarious and true. Desmond Child please come to 5150.
One thing is that Sammy’s not getting any younger and at this point I think he has earned the right to do whatever he wants to do on his own terms. I think a lot of us forget how old Sammy is, probably because he doesn’t look it or act it and because his voice is as strong as ever. But who would want to put that much effort into something for the potential of a disappointing return, especially considering Sammy’s age? I get where he’s coming from. But I also think it’d be great if Van Halen reunited with Sammy and Mike with Dave still on board. Man, what an incredible show that would be! Realistically, I know the chances of that happening are very low but there’s nothing wrong with having hope, is there? If that show ever happens, I’ll be front row with my fists in the air and tequila on my breath screaming out lyrics to some of the greatest songs ever! And the next morning I’d wake up with the world’s worst hangover and say “Somebody Get Me A Doctor”! It’d be worth it.
Amen James, “Bottoms Up”! Cheers buddy! 🙂
I hope Joe Namath starts for the JETS this Sunday.
Paul McCartney 34 song set in 2014, sounds like records from decades ago. Age is no issue if you got it. Sammy still can bring it on.