I have nothing against The Wabo's - but I just think Sammy needs a new sound. If you listen to Marching To Mars and then his follow up albums with the Wabo's - the band just doesn't kick it like the musicians Sammy had assembled for Marching To Mars do.

I know Sammy loves his band, the music he makes and his life - but I just think if Sammy would put together a killer solo band, he could truly kick ass and be competitive to other bands. To me, the Wabo albums almost sound amateurish. And Sammy needs a true producer too. Bob Ezrin.

If you could create your own Sammy band - who would you pick.

For me -

Sammy Hagar - Vocals
Neil Schon - Guitars
Richie Kotzen - Guitars
Tony Franklin - Bass
Denny Carmassi - Drums

Sammy Hagar - Vocals
Eric Johnson - Guitars
Mike A - Bass
Me - Drums

Sam
Ed
Mike
Al

No way. Gotta be HSAS. :cool:

Mona is going to kick your ass.

Well she should be the first one to go. Sammy should have assembled his super group after Van Halen like DLR did.

I'm sure he keeps what he put together because they actually get along and like to work with each other. We've seen what happens when they don't.

Sam
Ed
Mike
Al

I was going to say the same thing.

One Way,

Well let's be honest here - Van Hagar doesn't work because of Eddie and Alex. Sammy couldn't be more easy going and I think he would get along with ANY band that he put together. Van Hagar not working has nothing to do with Sammy.

Yes, but you start throwing in other 'star' egos and you end up where we are now. His band knows where their bread is buttered.

Believe me, no wants more 'Missing You' type songs than I do.

One Way,

Well that's why I suggested Neil Schon. They would get along obviously. I don't think Tony Franklin, Denny Carmassi or Richie Kotzen would be a problem.They are known for much session work with various artists.

One Way,

Well let's be honest here - Van Hagar doesn't work because of Eddie and Alex. Sammy couldn't be more easy going and I think he would get along with ANY band that he put together. Van Hagar not working has nothing to do with Sammy.

I can't agree. Sam is no saint. I just fail to believe that it's all about Ed and Alex. I like Sam, think he has a pretty good attitude about life, love his live show, but I'm sure that he can be a pain in the ass too.

Sam Hagar.
Dave Coverdale.
Paul Rodgers.
Glenn Hughes.
Dee Snider.
Brett Michaels.
Sebastian Bach.

The ultimate supergroup, of course.

:rolleyes:

Well she should be the first one to go. Sammy should have assembled his super group after Van Halen like DLR did.

No he shouldn't! Sammy is not a VH tribute act like Dave his. Sam's solo shows include only a handful of VH tunes. Gotta be Mikey on the bass though, no question. Vic's cool, but I'd swap him for Richie Kotzen any day of the week. Sam needs to get a keyboard player, but not sure who. He should get Vinnie Paul on Drums! Ha Ha! That would kick ass!

Dave

Van Squalen,

Is it really that important to you to continue to bring the Coverdale thing up with me in every thread. We don't agree. Fine. Besides, take out Dee Snider and Sabastian Bach - then we might have something!!!

I just fail to believe that it's all about Ed and Alex. I like Sam, think he has a pretty good attitude about life, love his live show, but I'm sure that he can be a pain in the ass too.

At this point, it's next to impossible to offer any evidence contrary to that.


Still can't quite understand why virtually everybody around Eddie or connected to Eddie who's been asked, maintains to some degree that which some people in here still continue to deny. Sam. Dave. Mike. Valerie. Lukather. Assorted witnesses at Dimebag's funeral. Assorted run-ins with Joe Blow.

I guess people just don't like watching their heroes fall. But they do. 'Cause they're like...human. Not gods. No big shocker.

Van Squalen,

Is it really that important to you to continue to bring the Coverdale thing up with me in every thread. We don't agree. Fine. Besides, take out Dee Snider and Sabastian Bach - then we might have something!!!

Is it really that important to you to continue to throw out frequent variations on how the Van Halen family of musicians should mix it up, drop so and so, or add so and so?

Van Purple is a super idea. :thumb:

You nailed me...I lay awake at night thinking of how I can work the next Coverdale bash into one of your threads. :)

At this point, it's next to impossible to offer any evidence contrary to that.


Still can't quite understand why virtually everybody around Eddie or connected to Eddie who's been asked, maintains to some degree that which some people in here still continue to deny. Sam. Dave. Mike. Valerie. Lukather. Assorted witnesses at Dimebag's funeral. Assorted run-ins with Joe Blow.

I guess people just don't like watching their heroes fall. But they do. 'Cause they're like...human. Not gods. No big shocker.

True, but Ed is human just like Sam. I'm not going to fault the failure of this band on one guy because they all play a part in this shit. From management right down to the band. Nobody is innocent here. It's so damn easy to point the finger at one guy instead of addressing ALL of the issues going on with this band.

True, but Ed is human just like Sam. I'm not going to fault the failure of this band on one guy because they all play a part in this shit. From management right down to the band. Nobody is innocent here. It's so damn easy to point the finger at one guy instead of addressing ALL of the issues going on with this band.


I used to believe that too. For twenty odd years.

But what kind of guy do you gotta be to piss off Mikey...and Valerie? Sam, Dave, sure...they're charismatic frontmen who've got monster egos, no problem seeing how they might be problematic.

I don't fault Ed for being human, nor the demise of Van Halen. They may snap back yet. I do think it was a mistake going on tour when he wasn't ready. I fault the reasoning of all of them for reuniting when everything hadn't worked out, teasing the fans with a lackluster summer taste after a six year draught, not having worked out intragroup issues as well as Ed's personal demons. It cheapens them and the music.

But I will pity Ed if everyone else tried, and he didn't rise to the occasion. Not for being a frail and addictive-personality human. But for failing to recognize he wasn't ready to step up publically yet, for the band, his fans, and most importantly, his son. I won't fault him. I pity him. And that's what sucks.

One thing about Schon and Sammy.

Sammy has had problems with Neil. I remember in a 5150 interview in GFTPM Sammy dogged Neil.

Said that he never stops playing and you can never get a lick in. It was not fun to play with him because he could never solo. I think he said Neil is a faucet that is constantly on.

Plus I think some stuff was said about Planet US when it did not pan out.

While I think Sammy is cool, unless you worked with him you can't say how he is. He is a sucessful human being. Generally with that you develop an ego. When two successful human beings get together, that is when you develop problems....Eddie for instance.

One thing about Schon and Sammy.

Sammy has had problems with Neil. I remember in a 5150 interview in GFTPM Sammy dogged Neil.

Said that he never stops playing and you can never get a lick in. It was not fun to play with him because he could never solo. I think he said Neil is a faucet that is constantly on.

Plus I think some stuff was said about Planet US when it did not pan out.

While I think Sammy is cool, unless you worked with him you can't say how he is. He is a sucessful human being. Generally with that you develop an ego. When two successful human beings get together, that is when you develop problems....Eddie for instance.

Talked to Jeff Scott Soto myself about the whole Planet Us thing, and Neal was NOT pleased with Sammy. They've since made up, but he was pretty pissed off that Sam left him hanging.

I have nothing against The Wabo's - but I just think Sammy needs a new sound. If you listen to Marching To Mars and then his follow up albums with the Wabo's - the band just doesn't kick it like the musicians Sammy had assembled for Marching To Mars do.

I know Sammy loves his band, the music he makes and his life - but I just think if Sammy would put together a killer solo band, he could truly kick ass and be competitive to other bands. To me, the Wabo albums almost sound amateurish. And Sammy needs a true producer too. Bob Ezrin.

If you could create your own Sammy band - who would you pick.

For me -

Sammy Hagar - Vocals
Neil Schon - Guitars
Richie Kotzen - Guitars
Tony Franklin - Bass
Denny Carmassi - Drums

I agree.

I used to believe that too. For twenty odd years.

But what kind of guy do you gotta be to piss off Mikey...and Valerie? Sam, Dave, sure...they're charismatic frontmen who've got monster egos, no problem seeing how they might be problematic.

I don't fault Ed for being human, nor the demise of Van Halen. They may snap back yet. I do think it was a mistake going on tour when he wasn't ready. I fault the reasoning of all of them for reuniting when everything hadn't worked out, teasing the fans with a lackluster summer taste after a six year draught, not having worked out intragroup issues as well as Ed's personal demons. It cheapens them and the music.

But I will pity Ed if everyone else tried, and he didn't rise to the occasion. Not for being a frail and addictive-personality human. But for failing to recognize he wasn't ready to step up publically yet, for the band, his fans, and most importantly, his son. I won't fault him. I pity him. And that's what sucks.

I still believe it Squal. I'm not blaming Sam for Ed's addiction, but I did witness him pass Ed a shot of Cabo on the last tour. I know Ed's a grown man, but if that's my friend that kinda shit isn't going down. If he wants to drink on his own, fine, but to encourage him is just wrong. I've literally almost come to blows with a friend of mine who is now a recovering addict and tried to have a drink in front of me. I just wouldn't let it happen.

Off that though, I just feel that the band as a whole, management included is at fault, and I'll continue to stick by that. Maybe Ed and Al deserve most of the blame, but there's enough to go around.

I can't agree. Sam is no saint. I just fail to believe that it's all about Ed and Alex. I like Sam, think he has a pretty good attitude about life, love his live show, but I'm sure that he can be a pain in the ass too.

Absolutely, I don't believe for one second that Van Halen's problems lie solely with Ed and Al. Sam can say whatever he wants to the press to make himself out to the be the good guy all the time, but I don't buy it.

I still believe it Squal. I'm not blaming Sam for Ed's addiction, but I did witness him pass Ed a shot of Cabo on the last tour. I know Ed's a grown man, but if that's my friend that kinda shit isn't going down. If he wants to drink on his own, fine, but to encourage him is just wrong. I've literally almost come to blows with a friend of mine who is now a recovering addict and tried to have a drink in front of me. I just wouldn't let it happen.


So what you're saying is, if you were Sam, and Ed was off the wagon at the time Al and Sam talked reunion, you wouldn't have gone on tour with Ed in the first place. Or you would have preferred that Van Halen engage in a completely dry tour. Somehow, despite Mike and Sam's affinities for whiskey and tequila for the image, I think they would have agreed to that, had Ed requested it.

But I don't think Ed did.

I've been on both sides of that coin before. Yeah, it sucks, definitely. When somebody breaks sobriety in front of you, especially initially, you have choices...accept them as they are for their own decision, or try and intervene, or walk away. Must be even a harder line to tread when you're an infamous party band.

It's always their decision, man. To what degree you want to engage them and on what level, is certainly up to the associate in question. How does one reconcile an off-the-wagon friend, in that arena rock manner? Should they have made a statement to Ed by not drinking at all themselves? Should they have not presented that party band image as a whole?

Ed was still drinking outta those Gatorade bottles even if Sam didn't offer him a shot...I'm not defending Sam, believe me. But once the gauntlet's dropped, whaddya do? Walk away? Participate and hope for the best? Make a social statement onstage?

It's just a stretch to think Sam and Mike contributed to Ed's issues. Sure, blatantly offering booze and imbibing together onstage may have been in poor taste, given Ed's alcoholism, I agree with that. Then again, maybe they were just trying to capture that party vibe they had once upon a time. Maybe Ed's beyond that. Maybe Sam and Mike just wanted to give the fans what they wanted, no matter what it entailed, which we now know meant sacrificing a few components of integrity, including ego trips, salary cuts, petty peeves, and Ed's boozing. And sure, there was always the money and contract issues. Who knows?

One thing became clear from that '04 outing. Ed was not ready to tour.

I thought of a good guitarist for Sammy's band.

Dweezil Zappa.

Regarding the ever popular Sammy/Mike vs Ed debate I will throw this out.

We see these guys on stage. Some people might get some insider info but outside of maybe one or two people who have post here, actually can say they really know anybody in the band.

I don't buy that Sammy is a saint. We all thought in 1984 that VH was like a band of brothers. They looked like they had a great time up there and were having a blast. Looked how that turned out.

Then during the early 90's we thought the same thing. Hugging, kissing, etc. Ah Sammy gets the boot and Mikey dogs on him in the Insider.

What you think you know with this band really does not amount to squat

I agree that Sammy needs a new band. The Waborita's aren't good enough to me. But Neal Schon isn't the answer, HSAS has a few good songs, but isn't great. The song I heard from Planet Us that they did was really bad too. Neal and Sammy don't have great chemistry together.

Sammy with Nuno Bettencourt or Joe Satriani, John Sykes, Zakk Wylde, John Petrucci etc. would be better.:thumb:

So what you're saying is, if you were Sam, and Ed was off the wagon at the time Al and Sam talked reunion, you wouldn't have gone on tour with Ed in the first place. Or you would have preferred that Van Halen engage in a completely dry tour. Somehow, despite Mike and Sam's affinities for whiskey and tequila for the image, I think they would have agreed to that, had Ed requested it.

But I don't think Ed did.

I've been on both sides of that coin before. Yeah, it sucks, definitely. When somebody breaks sobriety in front of you, especially initially, you have choices...accept them as they are for their own decision, or try and intervene, or walk away. Must be even a harder line to tread when you're an infamous party band.

It's always their decision, man. To what degree you want to engage them and on what level, is certainly up to the associate in question. How does one reconcile an off-the-wagon friend, in that arena rock manner? Should they have made a statement to Ed by not drinking at all themselves? Should they have not presented that party band image as a whole?

Ed was still drinking outta those Gatorade bottles even if Sam didn't offer him a shot...I'm not defending Sam, believe me. But once the gauntlet's dropped, whaddya do? Walk away? Participate and hope for the best? Make a social statement onstage?

It's just a stretch to think Sam and Mike contributed to Ed's issues. Sure, blatantly offering booze and imbibing together onstage may have been in poor taste, given Ed's alcoholism, I agree with that. Then again, maybe they were just trying to capture that party vibe they had once upon a time. Maybe Ed's beyond that. Maybe Sam and Mike just wanted to give the fans what they wanted, no matter what it entailed, which we now know meant sacrificing a few components of integrity, including ego trips, salary cuts, petty peeves, and Ed's boozing. And sure, there was always the money and contract issues. Who knows?

One thing became clear from that '04 outing. Ed was not ready to tour.

We've already gone waaaay off topic here, so I'll keep this short.

I would have preferred that the guys tried to squash all the issues before the tour. Ed was clearly not ready for it, and to completly ignore his issues, as well as all the other problems was just the wrong choice. The kinda scoffed at Metallica for handling things the way they did, but Metallica is still a functioning band. VH at this point is a joke.

Bakc on topic though, I really dug the Planet US band, especially with Satch on geetar. That would have been a stellar project. I dig the Wabo's, but agree that Mona could go, but the guy Sammy needs is Jesse Harms. He was really missed on that last tour IMO.

...teasing the fans with a lackluster summer taste after a six year draught, ...

Mmmm. Six-year draught.

I have to do it:


Sam isnt going to get a supergroup because it will cut into his profit and lifestyle...

It is pretty easy for him to control the situation now and pay them to do nothing when he doesnt feel like doing anything. He has 3 musicians ready for when he calls........No egos to deal with........Cant really blame him...When it is time for Vic to drink a Waborita on stage,Vic will drink it...
I dont mean that to be insulting....They are really a good match for Sam

I think we would all like more edge in sammys music, but he loves what he is doing and it show in his music and in his life. So more power to him. I get some decent rock tunes from him now and then, thats more than most any band I listen to these days. Except the hard working guitar greats like vai and sat... always working, but want nothing to do with the "band" thing.

There is no question that Mike needs to be a full time member. I have seen Mike with Sammy twice now and the place goes absolutely crazy. He brings so much energy to that band it is unbeleivable. I just got tickest to the Sammy show in my area and we are going to do the onstage thing. I think I am finally going to meet Mike. Sam and Mike are the coolest!

I have to do it:


Sam isnt going to get a supergroup because it will cut into his profit and lifestyle...

It is pretty easy for him to control the situation now and pay them to do nothing when he doesnt feel like doing anything. He has 3 musicians ready for when he calls........No egos to deal with........Cant really blame him...When it is time for Vic to drink a Waborita on stage,Vic will drink it...
I dont mean that to be insulting....They are really a good match for Sam

I'm beginning to agree with that myself. He made a comment about him not wanting to compete with any of the other acts out there, and named Nickleback specifcally at the time. I'm sorry, but if you're content with what you're doing, than I really don't want you to front Van Halen. Here's a band that I believe still has so much in them, although they are past their prime. There is still new ground to be covered, and I just don't think that Sam wants to do that anymore. Given his age I don't really blame him, and the man BRINGS it live, but I want more out of him. Playing with musicians like Edward, Alex and Mike should push anybody to new heights, or atleast uncharterd waters musically speaking.

I have to do it:


Sam isnt going to get a supergroup because it will cut into his profit and lifestyle...

It is pretty easy for him to control the situation now and pay them to do nothing when he doesnt feel like doing anything. He has 3 musicians ready for when he calls........No egos to deal with........Cant really blame him...When it is time for Vic to drink a Waborita on stage,Vic will drink it...
I dont mean that to be insulting....They are really a good match for Sam


I have to agree with that--and that's not a knock on Sam.

Sammy said it best himself "I'm not worried about getting new fans, I just want to keep the ones I have." The man is pushing 60, why would he want to reinvent what's worked for him the past 10 years? He wants to enjoy his life and not deal with B.S. anymore.

Think of it like the guy who for years worked in a big corporation. Yeah, he made his money but there was a lot of grief along the way. Then the guy retires from the company, but even though he doesn't need the money, starts a side business. That business takes off and he's successful again--although on a smaller scale--and he's loving his life. He's the boss and he has full autonomy. Then the big corporation calls and asks him to merge his new company, tells him he could be doing even better if he'll take a few of their suggestions. If he doesn't need the money, why would he?


If Sam enjoys working with the Wabos and fans still come put to see him, why would he change things?

I don't know...it may just be me...but if Sammy wanted to just work with the Wabos...

wouldn't he just work with the Wabos?

It seems like this guy takes every out he gets...

If he loves them so much...quit doing 12 side projects...

If sam puts together some super group, then ticket prices would go way up. One thing I really like about sammy is that it is cheap to go see him. Less ticket money = more beer money :)

One good thing about Sam's band now is that it is relatively tight knit (with the excpetions of the keyboardist, which IMO they def need him back). Dave made a clone Van Halen, and it fell apart. Almost every new alblum Dave made, which became more few and far between, had a whole new line-up. The Waboritas arnt excepting VAN HALEN status, and are pretty much with SAM through thick and thin, and as long as that is true, and they pretty much are around each other ALL THE TIME, we can expect more music, which to me is all worth it.

Not only would many of like to see a new Sammy band with MA but now we have a Country Rock CD coming out?

One thing I really like about sammy is that it is cheap to go see him. Less ticket money = more beer money :)

Maybe the most important post ever.

Absolutely, I don't believe for one second that Van Halen's problems lie solely with Ed and Al. Sam can say whatever he wants to the press to make himself out to the be the good guy all the time, but I don't buy it.

Just to expound on Brett's post, while Sammy is indeed an easy-going guy to be around with, however during 1996 split he twisted and exaggerated some of his statements to the press to imply that he is the "good guy" in the whole fiasco and as a result contradicted himself on a few occasions.

One Way,

Well let's be honest here - Van Hagar doesn't work because of Eddie and Alex. Sammy couldn't be more easy going and I think he would get along with ANY band that he put together. Van Hagar not working has nothing to do with Sammy.

Ah...yeah, whatever. It's amazing how easy going one can be when it's your band and you're in charge. I think they're all a little bit to blame. Except probably Mike. Sammy is no angel and his efforts at writing lyrics certainly leave something to be desired. It's pretty well documented by several people that Sammy can be a pain in the ass to work with. Andy Johns, for instance. Sammy's refusal to cooperate and take some constructive critcism was an issue in the original breakup. Granted, the current mess would seem to lie at the feet of Ed. And I'm sure AL is probably a pain in the ass as well. But to say Sammy is devoid of some blame is just not reality.

If Sam enjoys working with the Wabos and fans still come put to see him, why would he change things?

Exactly.

The Wabos are the perfect band for Sammy. The last 2 Wabo (studio) albums proved that they have matured and become tight band. Live there's no question they rock. I'm actually kinda glad that Harms is gone, nothing aginst the guy, but less keyboards is always good :)


That said, of course the best version is Ed, Al Mike and Sam ;)

Sam
Ed
Mike
Al that is the only line up sammy needs.

I'm sure he keeps what he put together because they actually get along and like to work with each other. We've seen what happens when they don't.

If VH ever does officially call it quits, Mona is gone from the Wabos, I bet she knows that.

but less keyboards is always good :)
)


Yes.

If VH ever does officially call it quits, Mona is gone from the Wabos, I bet she knows that.

I doubt that. Although I wonder if she'd step down voluntarily, knowing that the fans would dig Mikey being a permanent member.

So what you're saying is, if you were Sam, and Ed was off the wagon at the time Al and Sam talked reunion, you wouldn't have gone on tour with Ed in the first place. Or you would have preferred that Van Halen engage in a completely dry tour. Somehow, despite Mike and Sam's affinities for whiskey and tequila for the image, I think they would have agreed to that, had Ed requested it.

But I don't think Ed did.

I've been on both sides of that coin before. Yeah, it sucks, definitely. When somebody breaks sobriety in front of you, especially initially, you have choices...accept them as they are for their own decision, or try and intervene, or walk away. Must be even a harder line to tread when you're an infamous party band.

It's always their decision, man. To what degree you want to engage them and on what level, is certainly up to the associate in question. How does one reconcile an off-the-wagon friend, in that arena rock manner? Should they have made a statement to Ed by not drinking at all themselves? Should they have not presented that party band image as a whole?

Ed was still drinking outta those Gatorade bottles even if Sam didn't offer him a shot...I'm not defending Sam, believe me. But once the gauntlet's dropped, whaddya do? Walk away? Participate and hope for the best? Make a social statement onstage?

It's just a stretch to think Sam and Mike contributed to Ed's issues. Sure, blatantly offering booze and imbibing together onstage may have been in poor taste, given Ed's alcoholism, I agree with that. Then again, maybe they were just trying to capture that party vibe they had once upon a time. Maybe Ed's beyond that. Maybe Sam and Mike just wanted to give the fans what they wanted, no matter what it entailed, which we now know meant sacrificing a few components of integrity, including ego trips, salary cuts, petty peeves, and Ed's boozing. And sure, there was always the money and contract issues. Who knows?

One thing became clear from that '04 outing. Ed was not ready to tour.

I have to agree with Squal, on this one. In response to the fact that Sucka, you saw Sam give Ed a shot of Cabo one night on the 04' tour. Well in Hamilton, I saw Ed GRAB a cup of JD or watever it was in it, then he said cheers to the crowd and drank it with Mikey and Sam.

However, I do agree with the fact that, if Ed had asked, Sammy and Mikey shouldn't have been drinking much on stage or even backstage while Ed was around. However, like Squal mentioned, Did Ed make that request? I don't think it did. And it would be silly to blame Mikey and Sam for Ed's breaking of his soberiety.

I think the key thing here with Ed is that: Ed thinks he can still be sober while having a glass of wine or two every day and night. I personally believe (and I'm a 17 year old kid so I honestly have no experience on this) that if you were an alcoholic and you are now sober there is no I'm gonna have a glass of wine tonight or one beer. If you want to stay sober, I believe, you can't have another drink for the rest of your life. When you hear other guys that say that their sober what do they say? Do they say, "I can have one or two beers then stop" ? No they say, "I havent touched a drink in 10 years". And when you have a reputable drinking record as Edward surely does, there is no in-between sober and drinking. If Ed wants to stay sober he can't keep buying Smoking Loon and drinking 3 glasses of wine a night because once you are an alcoholic you will always be an alcoholic and that demon can always come back.

DISCLAIMER: This is my opinion and this is what I think. In no way am I trying to tell Eddie what he has to do. In no way am I trying to seem like I have the answers to these problems.

This was probably the wrong page to post this on but the whole drinking thing was brought up so I thought what the hell.