NEW SAMMY interview from AOL MUSIC

[simplerhym]

No band epitomized the excess of its era -- big riffs, big attitude, big hair -- as perfectly as Van Halen, a band that that could comfortably accommodate both guitar geeks looking to pay homage to the fleet-fingered Eddie Van Halen and piquant pepperpots seeking an audience with uber-lascivious frontman David Lee Roth. While never particularly beloved by pundits or critics, Van Halen have earned the ultimate people's band induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The Southern Californians managed to turn out some of the most titanic tunes of the late '70s and early '80s -- until Van Halen the immovable object and Roth's irresistible force caused the band to spin off its axis.

But the remaining members went out and found another irresistible force -- namely peripatetic veteran Sammy Hagar -- to fill the void. Hagar, formerly the frontman of '70s hard rockers Montrose, not to mention his own successful solo career as the crimson-clad singer-guitarist best known for his speed-limit protest song 'I Can't Drive 55,' brought to Van Halen his own peculiar blend of rock, raunch and roll. The results were another run of chart-topping hits along with a different sort of creative tension. Sammy is currently involved in several musical projects with ex-Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony -- that's when he's not urging on the bacchanalia at his Cabo Wabo nightclub in the Mexican resort town of Cabo San Lucas. In fact, that's where Spinner caught up with him.

How did you find out you were about to become a Hall of Famer?

Mike [Anthony] and I both high-fived and did a couple of shots of Cabo [Hagar's tequila brand]. We were backstage at the Cabo Wabo and getting ready to go on and jam with Chad Smith from the Chili Peppers. I have to admit when I first found out that Van Halen was going in, it didn't hit me. But now, when I'm getting gas or buying groceries, people are congratulating me, and that drives it home. I'm really excited.

Did being inducted make you stop and take stock of what you've done over the years?

It might be the first thing to ever make me really do that. I'm the kind of guy who's constantly moving forward. I don't even know where my gold and platinum records are. I've never been one to look back. This made me hit pause for a second. I can actually say I am in the Hall of Fame. As a singer, that's a crazy thing to think about.

And after pausing, what did you come away thinking?

That I'm the luckiest man in the world. I've been singing for the better part of my life, and I get paid extremely well to do it. I had regular jobs when I was young, but it's been a long, long time since I had to worry about where my next paycheck was coming from, and not many people are lucky enough to have that advantage. I'm just some guy who opens his mouth and gets paid. The entrepreneurial part, the tequila and all that, is just a byproduct. Singing, though, is such a personal thing.

Obviously, you weren't a rookie at the time, but was the idea of stepping in as Van Halen's lead singer intimidating in any way?

We all had a bug about me stepping in and replacing David Lee Roth. When I first joined the band, none of us wanted to do any of the old songs. We just were gonna say, "Hey, no, we're gonna do the new record," and then as we went along we said, "Well, maybe we better throw a couple in." But, you know it was almost like we were trying to prove a point. Well, all that's been done. Now I look at Van Halen as being a band with an amazing catalog and to leave any of that out is totally wrong.

What's been keeping you busy most recently?

Well, this whole [induction] thing has really given me a little kick in the ass. I own a studio, I have a band on call 24-7, but I've been a little casual about music -- treating it like a hobby. Now I realize that every time I do something, I've gotta do it on the level of being a Hall of Famer; I've gotta be like Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett. So I just demoed two songs that are real interesting -- they're with my main project, Chickenfoot, which also includes Chad and Mikey. The band is like Cream, without the jazz, and with funk mixed in. We'll get up, do a verse of a song and then just go for 20 minutes. It's pretty great.

What do you think about the class of '07?

It's pretty amazing. It's a really eclectic blend this year, and that's always a good thing. The fact that R.E.M. can be as functional as they are after this long is really incredible. And Patti Smith? Anyone who doesn't fall into line, she'll definitely chew 'em out [laughs]. She's one of the great, true rockers. She's so special. I'm really looking forward to meeting her. Whether she'd like to meet me or not is another matter [laughs]. We're kind of the odd band out -- we're the rock-star band, not that I really think of myself that way. You've got art, and you've got a bunch of nuts!

--David Sprague

[Blount5150]

With comments from Sam flowing in, plus Dave's comments, and Gary's comments...It's kinda odd that we have arrived at the point in Van Halen's career where we are actually understanding, accepting, and agreeing with the lead singer's comments and not those from the "band".

[VHisback]

Now I realize that every time I do something, I've gotta do it on the level of being a Hall of Famer

Somebody has let this thing go to his head. Although, I guess that is a good thing if it gives him motivation to try to write even better music.

[darthadv]

Somebody has let this thing go to his head. Although, I guess that is a good thing if it gives him motivation to try to write even better music.

ouch! well, at least someone is appreciating their induction...

[Van Halens]

He just had to advertise Cabo Wabo ... again.

Anyways, congrats to SH. Hope Diamond DLR, MA, and SH show class at the R&RHOF ceremony. Too bad EVH and AVH will not be at the ONCE IN A LIFETIME celebration to accept the award or to jam with both lead singers. Oh well, you never know.

[dgarc88]

Somebody has let this thing go to his head. Although, I guess that is a good thing if it gives him motivation to try to write even better music.

Definitely a good thing. In the end the fans benefit if the performer feels that it's his obligation to deliver a certain level of quantity to the fans. It's a lot better than 'phoning it in' like what we saw on a lot of the 2004 shows.

[gproud5150]

Definitely a good thing. In the end the fans benefit if the performer feels that it's his obligation to deliver a certain level of quantity to the fans. It's a lot better than 'phoning it in' like what we saw on a lot of the 2004 shows.

Yeah, that's true. Plus, I just think Sammy is really excited about being inducted. Just because the Brother's VH could give a shit, doesn't mean the rest can't be genuinely enthused about this, and give themselves a little kick in the ass to give it their all when they play. Whether it's in front of a crowd or jamming in the studio.

[Raldo]

The honor is well-deserved for all members (minus Gary) of the band. Sammy stepped into an unbelievable situation and didn't drop the ball. Some of the diehards for the early music may see differently but the band had continued success with Sammy.

And, he is also accessible for interviews unlike some members of the band.

[edwardv]

Maybe Chickenfoot will tour....I would go..do they make Cabo minatures ?
I dont think they do. If Sammy wants to be like Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett
he should do a stint at Vegas ala Barry Manilow. BTW..I met Tony Bennett at an airport and he was so nice and we talked for like 5 min. Last of the big band singers.

[tbuenger]

More power to Sammy. I'm glad for him. He should be happy he's being inducted into the RRHOF. Hopefully the others are as well. We'll see this Monday.

[voivod]

3 - 2 - 1 Bring on the haters...

[AT]

He just had to advertise Cabo Wabo ... again.

Anyways, congrats to SH. Hope Diamond DLR, MA, and SH show class at the R&RHOF ceremony. Too bad EVH and AVH will not be at the ONCE IN A LIFETIME celebration to accept the award or to jam with both lead singers. Oh well, you never know.

Yeah, god forbid the guy mention something he loves doing, that he's known for, and that consumes part of his time. And he went off on such a long rant about it, too...

[servoguy101]

3 - 2 - 1 Bring on the haters...

Dang it , I hate Sammy, fucker living on the beach, banging a hottie, driving his ferrari's.... my cubicle just got a little duller....

[Pacfanweb]

Yeah, god forbid the guy mention something he loves doing, that he's known for, and that consumes part of his time. And he went off on such a long rant about it, too...

Not to mention, that's probably exactly what happened, so he just told the truth when asked a question.

I don't understand all this not wanting to play bullshit. WTF do these guys think this is...national security?
No, its MUSIC...that's it. It's really not all that important in the grand scheme of things.
So Dave says he won't sing with Sammy? Why? You sang with freaking Natalie Cole!!
He says it's a whole different band, approach to songwriting, etc....so freaking what?
It's a song....sing it. Sing two. Eddie and Alex, get your sorry, lying asses on stage with Mike, Dave and Sam, and play a few songs. It's just music.
Really....can't you be MEN for 15 minutes?

[vh_chick]

Really....can't you be MEN for 15 minutes?

Apparently not.