Sammy LOVES VAN HALEN

**Hagar4ever** · 08.15.06, 07:16 AM

SAMMY HAGAR: 'I Love Playing Music And I love VAN HALEN' - Aug. 15, 2006

Jeb Wright of Classic Rock Revisited recently conducted an interview with Sammy Hagar. An excerpt from the chat follows:

Classic Rock Revisited: Tell me how it was touring with Michael Anthony?

Sammy: It was awesome but it wore me out. If you listen to my voice then you can tell that I have a cold. Luckily, it was at the end and I made it through. It was the hardest vocal tour that I have ever done in my life but it is also the most rewarding show that I have ever done. I think my fans would have to vote this as the best Sammy tour in history. I really took them through a historical journey. We went from MONTROSE to the new single "Sam I Am" and every point in-between. We had an hour of VAN HALEN songs with Michael Anthony, who allowed me to feel comfortable playing an hour of VAN HALEN in a three-hour show. The reason I was comfortable was because I had half the band with me; that is why we called it THE OTHER HALF. Ed [Van Halen] and I wrote all of those songs together but I only felt comfortable playing that much VAN HALEN because Mike was there. I would never go out and just do a show of all VAN HALEN the way our man Diamond Dave [David Lee Roth] does.

Classic Rock Revisited: Was having the two of you called THE OTHER HALF any kind of a statement to the VAN HALEN brothers?

Sammy: Not really. A lot of people thought it was a slam but it wasn't. I originally had two halves of the rings from the VAN HALEN logo but I started getting a lot of criticism from my management. Some of my friends said, "You shouldn't be doing that. It makes it look like you're making fun of it." So, I chilled. It was really just me saying, "Hey, if these guys don't want to come out and play then I am going to find somewhere to play." If the VAN HALEN thing ain't gonna do it — I am not going to leave eleven years of my song writing out of my show. I play about two hours and twenty minutes with the WABORITAS and we play about four VAN HALEN songs. With Mike, it allowed me to play about ten VAN HALEN songs so it was great. I really, really think it was the coolest thing that we have done. A lot of people thought that we were burning the brothers and that we were separating from them. Fuck that. If they want to go out and play then they just need to call me up. If they would make it available and make it user friendly then I am in. I love playing music and I love VAN HALEN. I really didn't do it to cause trouble or make a statement. The only statement I am making is that these songs deserve to be heard — the fans want to hear them.

Classic Rock Revisited: Why is playing with Mike different than just playing the songs with other people?

Sammy: We like the same shit. We like our tequila and we like screwing around and making jokes and having fun. Mike and I just laugh all day and all night. Mike is one of the most clever guys you have ever met. He never really speaks on stage so no one ever gets to know his personality. You can tell just by looking at him that he is a fun guy but he is also very witty. If there is a beach and we have a day off then Mike and I are on it. If there is a bar then we are in it. If there is music then we are on stage playing it.

Love to hear him talk in a POSITIVE light towards Van Halen. He is right, I have been to every solo tour since he left Van Halen and this is the best Sammy solo show's that I have seen.

**ZORBA5150** · 08.15.06, 07:24 AM

It sounds like Sammy has a much different/better attitude about the band now. He sounds pretty humble too. He's basically saying how much he loves Vh and its music and is open to it again, but never bashed anyone in any way. Maybe he's getting ready for another reunion, or this is his olive branch to Eddie???

**KCHalen** · 08.15.06, 07:29 AM

In my opinion, this is what he should have been saying from the get go. The tour is over and the album is out so the hype machine is slowing down. I believe he really does love VH and would love to put it to bed right with a great album and world tour. However, part of me thinks he is a little nervous that a reunion with Roth would hurt his standing, because the allure of the VH speculation would be gone and attention diverted from him.

Maybe this is an olive branch, and maybe the VH boys will surprise us at teh bbday bash...

Who knows...?

**the_atomic_punks_rule** · 08.15.06, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by KCHalen

I
Maybe this is an olive branch, and maybe the VH boys will surprise us at teh bbday bash...

Not a chance in hell...

**smithjc** · 08.15.06, 07:57 AM

All it takes is a phone call.

I swear Sammy says so much stuff it's hard to keep track of what he really means sometimes. This sounds like a complete turnabout for some reason, at least to me. Maybe cause the tour's winding down.

**Lodewijk** · 08.15.06, 08:11 AM

I've got to be consistant here.....I wish Hagar would just shut the fuck up about the brothers !

Seriously....I like it alot better when he's a little bit more tactfull in his interviews. I still think Dave will be back before Hagar is.......There's just nothing left to squeeze out of that lime !

**eddiereallylovessammy** · 08.15.06, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by smithjc

All it takes is a phone call.

I swear Sammy says so much stuff it's hard to keep track of what he really means sometimes. This sounds like a complete turnabout for some reason, at least to me. Maybe cause the tour's winding down.

Sounds like a line of bullshit. I think the idea of his previous quotes has been something like "if eddie goes to rehab and gets his shit together, then i'll talk with him." Sometimes he is so full of crap. He spends the whole tour slamming eddie and now he wants to say "give me a call." It's been said many times before here, he should just shut up and do whatever he needs or wants to do. If that involves VH, great. If not, quit talking crap about other members (member) of the band.

**Hagar4ever** · 08.15.06, 08:21 AM

Sammy hasn't said anything that most people here have said. In the interview he says "user friendly." He has been saying that all along. Can you blame the guy for not wanting to play with Eddie when he is loaded and can't play the songs correctly? He said that the prices we were paying we deserved more, anyone disagree? To me, user friendly means, maybe changing the set list occasionally, better ticket prices, etc. Does Sammy fear a reunion with Roth, probably who wouldn't. He has said positive things about Dave as of late, so maybe he is trying to appease everyone so they can all tour....you never know.

**sickman** · 08.15.06, 08:32 AM

Well it is good to here him not bash Ed, but sometimes it takes time to get over being really pissed at someone. Maybe Ed has gotten help for his vices and this is sort of Sammy's way of saying hey I'm ready if you are. I would think that he knows what Ed's current condition is like, especially if he is still in contact with Al. Than again who the fuck knows. As the VH world turns.

**vhin04** · 08.15.06, 08:33 AM

Sam needs to shut the fuck up. If he wants to be in Van Halen, then that's what he should pursue, which means being willing to go into the studio for up to a year to work on a new release and not give up after 3 songs like last time. If he wants out of VH, then just say so already and go do whatever. First he says Eddie needs to get himself some help, now it's just a phone call. If it's just a phone call, why don't you phone Ed and talk to him about reforming the band and doing it right-full album then tour etc.? Sam wants it both ways. He wants VH when he's ready for it and wants the stupid Cabo Wabo solo shit when he gets tired of VH. Screw off Sam, the VH name deserves better than what you are offering.

**Van Squalen** · 08.15.06, 08:41 AM

**Greenpaw** · 08.15.06, 09:17 AM

I love Van halen

I love Pizza

I love Lamp

**Van Squalen** · 08.15.06, 09:25 AM

**Hagar4ever** · 08.15.06, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by vhin04

Sam needs to shut the fuck up. If he wants to be in Van Halen, then that's what he should pursue, which means being willing to go into the studio for up to a year to work on a new release and not give up after 3 songs like last time. If he wants out of VH, then just say so already and go do whatever. First he says Eddie needs to get himself some help, now it's just a phone call. If it's just a phone call, why don't you phone Ed and talk to him about reforming the band and doing it right-full album then tour etc.? Sam wants it both ways. He wants VH when he's ready for it and wants the stupid Cabo Wabo solo shit when he gets tired of VH. Screw off Sam, the VH name deserves better than what you are offering.

Why can't he have both? As far as I am concerned, I think they forsaw the possiblity of them not being able to complete work in the studio, so they wanted to get out and tour right away. Maybe it was because they missed playing live, or maybe they wanted to make sure they made there money. Either way, I am damn glad they only did 3 songs, because if they tried to do more, clearly we would not have had a reunion tour. He can have it both ways, all bands take time off, why not in his off time can't he work with the Wabo's?

The only person who brought discredit to the Van Halen name over the last few years is Eddie. I watched the Balance tour from Toronto the other night, thats the Eddie we all want to see. Not that set list, but, he was "spot on."

**Raldo** · 08.15.06, 09:52 AM

I remember when the 2004 reunion was going on. Didn't Sammy say (or maybe it was a rumor) that it would be all right to do the VH thing, then do the solo thing, then the VH thing. Anyone remember this?

Maybe know that he put out his album and did the tour, maybe he's itching to team up with Ed and write some new songs.

I do think that Eddie is the one who must really want to reunite for the right reasons and do it the right way.