Official Sammy Hagar/David Lee Roth/Van Halen Thread

[jameslofton29]

it's amazing how egos ruined what could have been more brilliant music from those 2.

I can't even imagine what a followup to 1984 would have been like. We had slight hints of what it would have been like from 5150 and Eat Em and Smile, although it most likely would have easily blown those two albums away. Also would have went in different directions then the two albums I mentioned.

[Fingers]

I would imagine the music would have been the same from 5150-you would have had Roth and different lyrics-that would have been interesting-I know Eddie stated that he usually wrote the music, then gave it to the singer-except for the ill-fated VH3-he wrote after getting lyrics from Gary

[bazgnr]

I would imagine the music would have been the same from 5150-you would have had Roth and different lyrics-that would have been interesting-I know Eddie stated that he usually wrote the music, then gave it to the singer-except for the ill-fated VH3-he wrote after getting lyrics from Gary

I'd also guess the songs would have very different meanings to them is Dave had stayed after 1984, even if the music didn't change much.  Sammy always struck me as having a deeper, more serious side to his lyrics *in addition to* the songs about women, having fun, and partying.  Dave always struck me as more one dimensional in that respect...a great showman, a phenominal and fun frontman, but not having that uhm...more mature? side that Sammy could show in his lyrics from time to time.

[jameslofton29]

I'd also guess the songs would have very different meanings to them is Dave had stayed after 1984, even if the music didn't change much.  Sammy always struck me as having a deeper, more serious side to his lyrics *in addition to* the songs about women, having fun, and partying.  Dave always struck me as more one dimensional in that respect...a great showman, a phenominal and fun frontman, but not having that uhm...more mature? side that Sammy could show in his lyrics from time to time.

Good point. Specifically on his first 3 solo albums after his VH departure(Crazy from the Heat, Eat Em and Smile, and Skyscraper). Pretty good albums in my opinion, but like you said, Roth never really took himself seriously in a more mature aspect. For Eat Em and Smile and Skyscraper, he had some incredible musicians in his band, but never took things to a level that was potentially there. The best he came up with in those solo 80's sessions was "Damn Good", and the rest was pretty much just pop fluff(although most of it decent).

[bazgnr]

I'd also guess the songs would have very different meanings to them is Dave had stayed after 1984, even if the music didn't change much.? Sammy always struck me as having a deeper, more serious side to his lyrics *in addition to* the songs about women, having fun, and partying.? Dave always struck me as more one dimensional in that respect...a great showman, a phenominal and fun frontman, but not having that uhm...more mature? side that Sammy could show in his lyrics from time to time.

Good point. Specifically on his first 3 solo albums after his VH departure(Crazy from the Heat, Eat Em and Smile, and Skyscraper). Pretty good albums in my opinion, but like you said, Roth never really took himself seriously in a more mature aspect. For Eat Em and Smile and Skyscraper, he had some incredible musicians in his band, but never took things to a level that was potentially there. The best he came up with in those solo 80's sessions was "Damn Good", and the rest was pretty much just pop fluff(although most of it decent).

Exactly.  Dave is excellent at what he does, and I have respect and appreciation for that.  However, it's all a bit too "one note" for me, and while I love me some good DLR from time to time, I usually go for music that has more than a superficial appeal in terms of subject matter or lyrics.  I was impressed by the track he did for the VH greatest hits, and surprised that how it showed a side of Dave that was missing from both his solo albums and early VH.  Hopefully, if the reunion happens, we'll see more of a mix between party Dave and "no longer in my 20s" Dave (and I mean that in a good way)...

[Malcolm]

Jonathan Cohen of Billboard.com reports that VAN HALEN, R.E.M., PATTI SMITH, THE RONETTES and GRANDMASTER FLASH AND THE FURIOUS FIVE will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame March 12 during a ceremony at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. To be eligible for induction, this year's class had to release their first single no later than 1981.

VAN HALEN faces the decision of whether to perform at the ceremony with ex-members. The group is without a lead singer, although rumors are swirling that original frontman David Lee Roth will tour with the outfit this summer. In addition, Eddie Van Halen's teenage son recently replaced longtime bassist Michael Anthony in the band.

[JONEZY]

YES!! Van Halen is going into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame!!   Its OFFICIAL!!!

I can't wait to see this!!!

[bazgnr]

The question is, what will we see exactly?  I'm thrilled about the news - VH deserves it, but it's sad when so many of the press photos that go along with the Hall of Fame story show Michael & Sammy.  Given the venom that (apparently) exists between the VH brothers and those two, things don't look to positive.  It's bad timing, and very sad.

What I *don't* want to see at the induction is 15-year old Wolfgang on bass.  Nothing against him at all, but I hope it doesn't come to that.

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Eddie's gonna play Eruption by himself. 

[mrlee]

how they ment to balance it out between dave and sammy?

id rather have dave anyday...but he did just as much with them....so what will they do.

[bazgnr]

Eddie's gonna play Eruption by himself.?

That might be their best move, really...avoid all the tempers and drama.  Sheesh.

[bazgnr]

From mtv.com:

It's not known just who will represent Van Halen at the Hall's induction ceremony (actually, it's not even clear who's in Van Halen at this point), but a trainwreck on the level of last year's onstage spat between current and former members of Blondie certainly seems possible (see "Metallica Thud, Blondie Feud At Rock Hall Of Fame Ceremony").

[Malcolm]

Van Halen's appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 12 "could go a lot of different ways," according to Sammy Hagar. That said, Hagar -- the group's second frontman, from 1985-96 -- tells Billboard.com he has high hopes that the famously combative group will take the high road on that particular night.

"My hope is that everyone lets everything go and we go there in complete respect of each other and in a loving way, with the attitude that 'I couldn't have done it without you' towards everybody," says Hagar, who received the official word of Van Halen's selection at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Mexico, where he and Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony have spent the past week jamming with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith in a newly developing side project called Chickenfoot.

But he also notes that, "The biggest fear for me is there'll be animosity and 'I won't talk to that guy' and maybe some harsh words towards each other or some sly remarks in speeches ... and it's not out of the question that that could happen. But in the end, no matter what happens, when you hear the music you're gonna go, 'That's one of the greatest rock'n'roll bands in the world, ever, and well-deserved the inauguration into the Hall of Fame."

Hagar says he hadn't spoken to anyone other than Anthony about the induction but planned to put in a congratulatory call to drummer Alex Van Halen. He expects that manager Irving Azoff "is gonna try to spin everyone together somehow" and says he'll "go with the flow" with induction ceremony plans, which Hagar expects will include a live Van Halen performance.

However, Hagar deemed talk of a Van Halen tour this year with original frontman David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen's 15-year-old son Wolfgang on bass speculative and voiced concern for that particular turn in the band's course.

Wolfie's a great guy; I love Wolfie. But I don't think Van Halen should bring a 15-year-old kid to replace Sam, Dave and Michael Anthony," Hagar says. "That's a lot of pressure for Wolfie. Just 'cause he's Eddie's son doesn't mean he can go out and play in arenas and perform and entertain an audience for two hours. I would love to see Eddie and Alex get behind Wolfie, with a kid of his age singing, and produce the record for him and help him launch a career. I'd rather see it go that way than come out and say 'Wolfie's the bass player in Van Halen and maybe singing, too.' Van Halen's got way too much history to have that put on him."

[Fingers]

They had an article in today's paper in Cleveland about it-already stated Gary Cherone will not participate-I have a feeling he will be erased from Van Halen history-they will never play a song off of 3 again

[mrlee]

do you think sammy n dave would be happy to perform one song each?

[bazgnr]

Van Halen's appearance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony on March 12 "could go a lot of different ways," according to Sammy Hagar. That said, Hagar -- the group's second frontman, from 1985-96 -- tells Billboard.com he has high hopes that the famously combative group will take the high road on that particular night.

"My hope is that everyone lets everything go and we go there in complete respect of each other and in a loving way, with the attitude that 'I couldn't have done it without you' towards everybody," says Hagar, who received the official word of Van Halen's selection at his Cabo Wabo Cantina in Mexico, where he and Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony have spent the past week jamming with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith in a newly developing side project called Chickenfoot.

But he also notes that, "The biggest fear for me is there'll be animosity and 'I won't talk to that guy' and maybe some harsh words towards each other or some sly remarks in speeches ... and it's not out of the question that that could happen. But in the end, no matter what happens, when you hear the music you're gonna go, 'That's one of the greatest rock'n'roll bands in the world, ever, and well-deserved the inauguration into the Hall of Fame."

Hagar says he hadn't spoken to anyone other than Anthony about the induction but planned to put in a congratulatory call to drummer Alex Van Halen. He expects that manager Irving Azoff "is gonna try to spin everyone together somehow" and says he'll "go with the flow" with induction ceremony plans, which Hagar expects will include a live Van Halen performance.

However, Hagar deemed talk of a Van Halen tour this year with original frontman David Lee Roth and guitarist Eddie Van Halen's 15-year-old son Wolfgang on bass speculative and voiced concern for that particular turn in the band's course.

Wolfie's a great guy; I love Wolfie. But I don't think Van Halen should bring a 15-year-old kid to replace Sam, Dave and Michael Anthony," Hagar says. "That's a lot of pressure for Wolfie. Just 'cause he's Eddie's son doesn't mean he can go out and play in arenas and perform and entertain an audience for two hours. I would love to see Eddie and Alex get behind Wolfie, with a kid of his age singing, and produce the record for him and help him launch a career. I'd rather see it go that way than come out and say 'Wolfie's the bass player in Van Halen and maybe singing, too.' Van Halen's got way too much history to have that put on him."

That's great.   I'm all for Sammy's perspective...put it behind you for the time being, and do whatever it takes to celebrate the legacy of Van Halen - Michael, Eddie, Alex, Sammy, and Dave.   He also has a great take on Wolfgang's involvement in the band...I still just can't see the kid playing as part of Van Halen.  As I've said before, I'll be happy to see the band back together no matter what, but it just doesn't work for me. 

Here's hoping for a great performance on induction night from a reunited Van Halen, even if it's only for one song.

[bazgnr]

They had an article in today's paper in Cleveland about it-already stated Gary Cherone will not participate-I have a feeling he will be erased from Van Halen history-they will never play a song off of 3 again

Wow.  I hadn't even considered Gary Cherone as a possibility, which goes to show how much of a forgotten blip VHIII was...

[Layne Staley's Sunglasses]

Best possible scenario:

For the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, have DLR and Hagar do an even number of songs.  Have Anthony on bass.

If Eddie can't patch things up with Anthony, Wolfie should tour with them.  DLR on lead vocals of course.  A tour is wayyyy different than a high level performance at the Hall of Fame.  Sammy's right, you can't have a 15 year old represent a classic band at such an important outing.

[bazgnr]

Best possible scenario:

For the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, have DLR and Hagar do an even number of songs.? Have Anthony on bass.

If Eddie can't patch things up with Anthony, Wolfie should tour with them.? DLR on lead vocals of course.? A tour is wayyyy different than a high level performance at the Hall of Fame.? Sammy's right, you can't have a 15 year old represent a classic band at such an important outing.

Exactly.  Will all due respect, I hope they don't even consider having Wolfgang involved with the induction.  It has to be Michael on bass, and either Sammy or Dave (or both) at the mic.  What a loss it will be if they can't get things together.

[mrlee]

Best possible scenario:

For the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, have DLR and Hagar do an even number of songs.  Have Anthony on bass.

If Eddie can't patch things up with Anthony, Wolfie should tour with them.  DLR on lead vocals of course.  A tour is wayyyy different than a high level performance at the Hall of Fame.  Sammy's right, you can't have a 15 year old represent a classic band at such an important outing.

Exactly.  Will all due respect, I hope they don't even consider having Wolfgang involved with the induction.  It has to be Michael on bass, and either Sammy or Dave (or both) at the mic.  What a loss it will be if they can't get things together.

id really like it balanced out, though dave era is where i stand, id like to see both singers have an equal share of recognition up there.