Roth talks Hall of Fame on Launch

**Grover** · 01.28.03, 07:24 AM

I'm guessing this quote came from an earlier interview but here is the story as it ran on Launch 1-28-03

FLASHBACK--Van Halen Releases Debut Single 'You Really Got Me'

Twenty-five years ago Tuesday (January 28, 1978), Van Halen released its debut single, a cover version of the Kinks' "You Really Got Me." The song didn't have a huge chart impact, spending just three weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at Number 36. However, it introduced the world to frontman David Lee Roth, drummer Alex Van Halen, bassist Michael Anthony, and Eddie Van Halen, who very quickly became one of the most influential guitarists of the last 25 years.

With it being the 25th anniversary of Van Halen's first release, the band has now met the criteria for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Roth, who left the group in 1984, says he fully expects the band to be honored: "It's inevitable--that music is a part of American culture, beyond just a stack of tunes. It represents a whole lot to a lot of people, and I'd be one of the very first to sign up."

**man of the people** · 01.28.03, 08:24 AM

Note to Sam, stay home.

**tonus** · 01.28.03, 08:29 AM

"Note to Sam, stay home."

Huh? Aren't they going to need somebody at the jam who can sing?

**Raldo** · 01.28.03, 08:32 AM

I'm sure Dave will be front and center for the induction. I don't think Dave and Sam will split the vocals on one song. Dave will do one of his and Sam will do one of his. Just an opinion.

**z28girl** · 01.28.03, 09:00 AM

If it happens, I certainly hope that they're all mature enough to recognize the significance of the moment and get up on stage all together. They don't necessarily have to share vocals on one song, but I think it would be really stupid if first Dave got up and then had to leave so Sammy would come on stage.

Still, seeing that the Mamas & the Pappas couldn't get over it and the same with Jeff Beck, I wouldn't be surprised if someone made an ass out of themselves and ruin the vibe for everyone, especially the fans.

**swampash** · 01.28.03, 09:48 AM

...or (in a VHlike situation) John Fogerty, who was suing and being sued by his bandmates and old record company and secretly rehearsed a backup band to play his CCR tunes. The other members showed up at the award ceremony and were humilated by not being allowed to get on stage at their own induction.

... or the Byrds, who despite the lawsuits against their former drummer for hi-jacking the name 'the Byrds' all got snot-slinging drunk and played and sang and let bygones be bygones.

**Crazy from the Hemp** · 01.28.03, 09:49 AM

Since the release of VH 1 is the demarcation point for this honor, I think the original lineup should be honored in this ceremony, with a separate ceremony held on the 25th anniversary of the release of 5150 for the Hagar lineup. I think it would be the right thing for Sammy to do as well, to show some respect to the original 4 people that created the Van Halen sound and influence. Why does he need to be there? He had nothing to do with VH1. I know that's not the way the HOF works, but it would help to avoid the conflicts they're going to continue to have.

Here's a question, if Eddie had changed the name of the band when Hagar joined, would Van Hager get into the Hall? I think they would on the strength of 4 straight Number 1's, but they'd be nowhere near the lock that VH Mach 1 is. Sammy's boasted all along how his version of the band was just as strong as Dave's is. I wonder if he'd be willing to put it to the acid test in this regard?

**Brett** · 01.28.03, 09:52 AM

Well you see, Sam (despite all the pointless slams) helped keep VH afloat and extremely successful after Dave left and certainly helped them keep their status as a rock and roll powerhouse. He deserves to be there and should be there, shit he was with the band as long as Dave was.

Being inducted into the Hall is an accomplishment for a band, not for an album. It just happens that you can only be inducted 25 years after your first release, it's not about the album "Van Halen," it's about the band.

**redfire** · 01.28.03, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by Brett:
Well you see, Sam (despite all the pointless slams) helped keep VH afloat and extremely successful after Dave left and certainly helped them keep their status as a rock and roll powerhouse. He deserves to be there and should be there...

Exactly, you can't tell me that Van Hagar wasn't still the biggest band out there after Dave left. I remember enough of the 80's to know that.

**GMAN5150** · 01.28.03, 10:10 AM

Originally posted by Crazy from the Hemp:
Since the release of VH 1 is the demarcation point for this honor, I think the original lineup should be honored in this ceremony, with a separate ceremony held on the 25th anniversary of the release of 5150 for the Hagar lineup. I think it would be the right thing for Sammy to do as well, to show some respect to the original 4 people that created the Van Halen sound and influence. Why does he need to be there? He had nothing to do with VH1. I know that's not the way the HOF works, but it would help to avoid the conflicts they're going to continue to have.

Here's a question, if Eddie had changed the name of the band when Hagar joined, would Van Hager get into the Hall? I think they would on the strength of 4 straight Number 1's, but they'd be nowhere near the lock that VH Mach 1 is. Sammy's boasted all along how his version of the band was just as strong as Dave's is. I wonder if he'd be willing to put it to the acid test in this regard?

It's all about "VAN HALEN" as a "BAND"!It's not about "DAVE" or "SAMMY" so geez get over it already.All your doing by posting this crap is starting another useless Dave vs Sam thread.

**alex6261** · 01.28.03, 10:49 AM

Originally posted by z28girl:
If it happens, I certainly hope that they're all mature enough to recognize the significance of the moment and get up on stage all together. They don't necessarily have to share vocals on one song, but I think it would be really stupid if first Dave got up and then had to leave so Sammy would come on stage.

Still, seeing that the Mamas & the Pappas couldn't get over it and the same with Jeff Beck, I wouldn't be surprised if someone made an ass out of themselves and ruin the vibe for everyone, especially the fans.

You can assure yourself that Dave will fuck it up as he always does. I hope they deny that fuck the opportunity to even stand on the same stage.

**Grover** · 01.28.03, 11:07 AM

Guess what... Van Halen is not a lock to get into the Hall of Fame next year or any time soon.

The Hall has not looked kindly on either hard rock bands or groups that were "huge". And DLR's "act" is the kind of thing that puts off Hall voters.

Don't hold your breath on this one.

**man of the people** · 01.28.03, 11:28 AM

This is going to be a train wreck not to be missed. Dave, Sam and Gary each singing one song. I'll bet Roth is rehearsing his speech right now and Ed's cracking a cold one at the thought of it all.

**AVH Blues** · 01.28.03, 11:31 AM

I'm sure everyone in this room feels if Van Halen folded after Roth retired that the original band would be inducted but that would be because of Eddie's ground breaking guitar work. VH 78-85 is not the the only body of work for the band.

Should a band with no #1 albums and one #1 song get you into the hall of fame? I would say no in most cases except in VH case you have Eddie. You could argue how many units did eventually sell. You can also argue that many of those wouldn't of sold without a a band putting out current hits and monster tours. If history only gave of Van Roth then the only way VH would be in the Hall would be because of Eddie's work not Dave's. Hagar has every right to be there as does Gary and even I'll say let Dave go if you have too

**Crazy from the Hemp** · 01.28.03, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by alex6261:
You can assure yourself that Dave will fuck it up as he always does. I hope they deny that fuck the opportunity to even stand on the same stage.

You are obviously not a fan of the band, Van Halen, you are a fan of the Van Hagar era only. How is that Red Rocker deodorant, by the way?

Dave has every right to the recognition this honor confers. He was the singer who paid his dues in the bar, and helped build this band's reputation as superstar act. I am a fan of both eras of the band, and thought rather than the potential ugliness that may result, it would be nice if both eras could be honored seperately: I tend to think of them as two different bands, they were so different stylistically. Obviously the Hall won't do that, so it's wishful thinking.

As far as Dave fucking it up, I think back to his recent public appearances with Sam and it was Dave consistently being the bigger man, refusing to participate in the public mud slinging that Sam was slinging.

If you draw an analogy, Dave is the Tony Dungy to Sammy's John Gruden. He helped to build the band, sound, and reputation of Van Halen. Sammy came into a good situation off their greatest success and was smart enough not to screw it up, helping the team win their version of the Super Bowl (i.e. 4 straight No. 1's). You'll notice a lot of the Bucs players said after the game that the first person they were going to take the trophy to was Dungy. I suspect Eddie would feel the same about Roth. He knows how important he was to their success, even if you don't.