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
I think Eddie Trunk expressed my thoughts on the Van Hagar songs pretty well. Its a shame those songs will be completely ignored because there was great stuff during those years. Sammy was a great singer with limited charisma. Dave was a showman’s showman but had limited vocal skill. In either case, Eddie Van Halen is a Ferrari. It doesn’t matter if you put Goodyears or Pirellis on it. It’s still a Ferrari!
Those guys couldn’t even come up with new songs for “A Different Kind Of Truth”. The early stage demos of those tracks have been around for years.
What is wrong with re-visiting old demos? Many artists do that and in this case it produced an excellent record. I would love to hear “Me Wise Magic” performed live.
Credibility Issue? Commitment to work? While Roth was getting busted for buying marijuana in central park, Hagar was busting his ass onstage and in the studio, always giving 100% to VH. Dave, I love ya man, but you need a reality check! This soap opera bullsh-t has gone on long enough. Roth & Hagar both did some really great stuff with VH, outside of VH, sorry Dave, no contest. Sammy is “The Real Deal,” sings, plays guitar, writes, entertains, Dave? well, 1 out of 4 ain’t bad! Ever wonder why Sammy did some of his solo stuff while in VH, but Dave doesn’t? BTW, “When It’s Love” isn’t a pop song, it’s a ballad, and a good one! If you want a pop song, take a listen to “Stand Up,” not knocking the song Dave, it’s actually pretty good, for a pop song.
Don’t give me this Dave busted for Marijuana stuff. Sammy was smoking the stuff also. Geezo, where does this stuff come from?
Geezo Tre, where do you come from? Sammy never got busted for anything.
Doug, where do I say Sammy got busted for it. I said Sammy did it too. Busted just means you get caught. Why does busted matter?
Tre, point is Dave made some bad choices out on his own, like buying weed in central park. Everybody has skeletons in their closet, of course Sammy is no angel either, but he’s also not the “clown” or the bad guy that so many Hagar haters say he is. Remember, back in ’85 EVH wanted VH to go in a different direction, like doing ballads, and changing their sound a little bit, and Eddie wrote most of the music during that time, Sammy just filled in the blanks. So for all those people that keep blaming Sammy for the ballads and everything else, just remember, he was only 1-4th of the equation.
I thought Hagar did an awesome job while in Van Halen. I thought OU812 kicked ass. Love that album.
While DLR is the man and the debut of Van Halen will live forever, Dave’s a bit off his rocker and not in touch with reality currently.
Also Dave just can not sing the his old tunes anymore, just doesn’t have it. Meanwhile Hagar could go out and do all of his material that he did while in Van Halen.
Sammy’s old and still kickin’ ass.
Sorry Dave but you loose this battle.
Both lineups made great music .The problem is Sammy can sing both material. And Dave can’t even sing his own music anymore .And people forget Sammy isn’t a bad guitar player either.So for Dave to make those comments is ludicrous .I’ve seen the red rocker in the early 80.s and he was a one man show .I think Dave has been listening to all the critics about his terrible singing and is reaching for excuses.I for 1 would love to hear some of the van Hagar material thrown into the set list ,but Dave’s vocal talents won’t allow it .To here the guitar intro to summer nights would bring back some great memories,but I don’t think that will happen.