VAN HALEN FRONTMAN DAVID LEE ROTH SAYS OF FORMER SINGER SAMMY HAGAR “THERE’S A CREDIBILITY ISSUE THERE,” VIDEO OF THEIR BILLBOARD AWARDS PERFORMANCE POSTED ONLIINE

davidleeroth David Lee Roth says he’ll never perform Sammy Hagar-era Van Halen songs, and says the reasons are obvious.

First, Roth was never sure about Hagar’s commitment to the work. Second, he says, the public has made it clear which edition they favor.

“Well, there’s a credibility issue there,” Roth said, back stage at the Billboard Music Awards. “Good, bad or in the middle, you know Roth means it; the other guy doesn’t. And that’s why it sold half as well — literally, Midas Bible half. Never did better than half. And why would you bring that into the proceedings? This hamburger don’t need no helper. Ain’t no rehearsing pants in my closet.”

Of course, Hagar has previously expressed his own opinion on this subject. “The difference between Dave and I in that band, besides all the other million things, is that he can’t sing any of the ‘Van Hagar’-era songs,” he explained in a 2012 interview with the Boston Phoenix (courtesy of Blabbermouth). “Maybe he could do Finish What You Started, possibly.”

Last night marked Van Halen’s first appearance at the Billboard Music Awards, which aired on ABC from Las Vegas (see the performance below). Roth just released his second project since returning to Van Halen, a live set titled Tokyo Dome in Concert. There, as with the band’s on-going concerts since his return, the setlists have focused on albums from Roth’s initial 1974–85 tenure, interspersed with songs from their 2012 comeback album A Diffferent Kind of Truth.

Hagar’s principal work with Van Halen stretched from 1985–96. Both singers had subsequent reunions with the group: Roth returned in 1996, and Hagar was back for 2003–05. Roth has fronted Van Halen ever since.

Asked about a potential studio follow up to A Different Kind of Truth, Roth struck a hopeful if non-committal stance. “I’m always writing and have written with a number of other people,” he said. “And I would always look forward to doing it again with Van Halen.”

source: ultimateclassicrock.com

49 Responses

  1. What credibility issue is Dave talking about? Sam had more number one hits and each of the albums up to VH % and DKoT, have all sold 22x platinum. The only no#1 they had with Dave was Jump, Every Sammy album had a number one hit and were number one albums. Lastly, Sam can still sing the lyrics and keep the songs in close to proximity to the original. One of these things is not like the other….

    1. So that is how you judge Van Halen? By how many Top 40 hits the had? LOL.

  2. Well, that’s kind of silly Dave, and I don’t think it’s entirely accurate.

    Number one Albums in the US with Hagar:
    5150
    0U812
    For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge
    Balance

    Number one albums in the US with Dave:
    Only one, if you count the Best of Vol. 1, which was half Sammy songs.

    Hey, I love VH, with both Sammy and Dave. I think they were very different bands, and sounded different. It’s just a load of crap to be taking pot shots at Hagar, when Dave was doing solo albums the whole time, most of which didn’t sell very well. Sammy has been singing those songs with Michael Anthony for forever now. Commitment to the work? That’s just silly Dave. Of course he can’t sing them, there aren’t many who can easily sing Hagar songs, his voice is amazing.

    1. #1 albums do not equal more albums sold especially in Van Halens case. Van Halen 1 sold more then 10 million and so did 1984. There was not one van hagar album that came close to those kind of sales so van hagar albums sold quicker but over time the roth years have crushed the hagar years when it comes to the amount of albums sold.

    2. Did you eat paint chips when you were a kid??? Your statement is moronic! I have no issue what Dave said because all Hagar has been doing is slinging ugly mud at the band since he’s been out. Good God dude, crawl out from under your rock and read the crap Hagar has been saying. Dave was pretty mild in his comments compared to Hagar.

    3. Add up the sales of VH1 and 1984 alone and those two outsold the 4 Hagar albums combined. How does an album that went Diamond not go number 1 on the charts? One word…Thriller!

  3. There is also the issue that Dave is unable to sing any of Sammy’s songs without looking completely ridiculous, not that Dave has had a problem with looking completely ridiculous in the past.

    1. Dave is never going to sing that crap that Hagar wrote even if he had a voice. Nor does he have to. Roth was first. Anyway why would you want to sing those crappy love songs anyway, at least when Roth writes a song with the word love in it like Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love you’re pumping your fist to it. Unlike the crap Hagar wrote

    2. It is a wonder, that after hearing Dave onstage, that Eddie hasn’t started drinking again. Dave’s vocals are not helping with the 12 steps.

  4. Can someone please tell me why Sammy Hagar to this day says that he sold more albums with Van Halen then Roth did?! Did the aliens he believes in plant this BS in his mind cause it’s just not true and I wish someone would finally call him out on it or explain exactly why he thinks his version sold more.

  5. And he’s so right! Good for you Dave! Spammy the Clown has been spewing dung from his mouth for a decade about all things Van Halen. It’s about time someone throws a dart back!

Leave a Reply