Patty Smyth Interview: Why Eddie Van Halen Asked Me to Replace David Lee Roth | PoR

**Wruff_ajax** · 12.19.20, 10:32 AM

Patty Smyth interview...
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After the Diamond success of Van Halen’s 1984, Eddie Van Halen and the band would part ways with their dynamic front man David Lee Roth. Before bringing on the Red Rocker Sammy Hagar Eddie developed a friendship and respect for the Scandal’s Patty Smyth who was coming off her own massive hit. Eddie asked Patty Smyth to join Van Halen as the new front person. Patty Smyth who has a new album out now, tells the story of this old urban legend, including what might’ve been.

**Rokgtar** · 12.19.20, 07:17 PM

She’s a hell of a singer. I think, like Patty says in the interview, that it would have been cool if they had done a record together. Maybe not have called it Van Halen, but essentially be VH with Patty Smyth on vocals. It would have been cool IMO.

**Heisenberg** · 12.19.20, 07:22 PM

She'd really have to shave her armpits though.

I guess this will be an ongoing thing now where every random artist with a VH comment will be a new daily story posted everywhere. Just mention EVH & their interview soundbites will be reposted on the VHND & other cut& paste hack rock sites.

Any 2- bit musical artist with an EVH quote gets there name on the net. I don't even recognize half the names.

The worst I've noticed is Sass Jordon. Good God what a freakin dork. She posted on her FB asking if they wanted more VH stories. I read the first paragraph until she said DLR wore assless chaps when she first saw VH in 1978 & he wasn't much of a singer .....well yeah ok....

Fuck Off.

No one cares about you only reading about EVH.

**Wruff_ajax** · 12.19.20, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Rokgtar

She’s a hell of a singer. I think, like Patty says in the interview, that it would have been cool if they had done a record together. Maybe not have called it Van Halen, but essentially be VH with Patty Smyth on vocals. It would have been cool IMO.

Agreed. I don't know what I would have thought at the time as I was a total Dave guy and didn't take well to the transition to Sammy (my tastes had gotten very heavy by 5150 time), so honestly sorta doubt I'd have been amped about the "Warrior" girl replacing Dave.
Looking back now though I think they'd have sounded great together and I'm curious now what a VH record w Smyth would have sounded like. Also looking back though I think I'm happy that she declined Ed's offer and that Sam got the gig 'cause I don't think that VH would have had near the run of success with Smyth that they did with Hagar. I think things probably worked out for the best for VH and their fans.

**VanRoth07** · 12.19.20, 08:26 PM

She’s a good singer, I agree that maybe they should have done something together but not necessarily Van Halen, but who knows, I loved what she had to say about Eddie, another great tribute

**Rokgtar** · 12.19.20, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by Heisenberg

She'd really have to shave her armpits though.

I guess this will be an ongoing thing now where every random artist with a VH comment will be a new daily story posted everywhere. Just mention EVH & their interview soundbites will be reposted on the VHND & other cut& paste hack rock sites.

Any 2- bit musical artist with an EVH quote gets there name on the net. I don't even recognize half the names.

The worst I've noticed is Sass Jordon. Good God what a freakin dork. She posted on her FB asking if they wanted more VH stories. I read the first paragraph until she said DLR wore assless chaps when she first saw VH in 1978 & he wasn't much of a singer .....well yeah ok....

Fuck Off.

No one cares about you only reading about EVH.

Different Patty with the hairy armpits bro. That’s Patti Smith. This one is Smyth.

**Daisy Hill** · 12.19.20, 09:22 PM

PATTY SMYTH 2 "y"s and a lot of hairspray. Married to John McEnroe power pop singer from the 80's

PATTI SMITH 2 "i"s and the armpit hair you mentioned. was married to guitarist Fred "Sonic" Smith until his death. avante guard feminist punk rock activist poet whose best known work is the song Because the Night (covered by Springsteen) the album Horses, the song People Have the power and the book "Just Kids" about her time with controversial artist Robert Mapplethorpe

same-ish name. Couldn't be more different

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 12.19.20, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Wruff_ajax

Agreed. I don't know what I would have thought at the time as I was a total Dave guy and didn't take well to the transition to Sammy (my tastes had gotten very heavy by 5150 time), so honestly sorta doubt I'd have been amped about the "Warrior" girl replacing Dave.
Looking back now though I think they'd have sounded great together and I'm curious now what a VH record w Smyth would have sounded like. Also looking back though I think I'm happy that she declined Ed's offer and that Sam got the gig 'cause I don't think that VH would have had near the run of success with Smyth that they did with Hagar. I think things probably worked out for the best for VH and their fans.

I think it would have been cool. Always loved her Smokey voice and she was hot, and she could rock:

**Wruff_ajax** · 12.19.20, 10:44 PM

^ That's more like it. She sounds great there.

**JUNGLE DRUMMER** · 12.19.20, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by Wruff_ajax

^ That's more like it. She sounds great there.

It's one of my favorite live tv performances. I don't know, I could've totally seen her following that up with Unchained or ATBL lol. To me, it would've been really intriguing, and I probably would've loved it, if she and VH had done something together.

**Daisy Hill** · 12.19.20, 11:03 PM

She can sing but I cannot imagine her as the lead singer for Van Halen. well, singer yes, but song writing partner? Nope. I just can't see that

**Little Dreamer** · 12.19.20, 11:19 PM

K... wasn't there a rumor that she and Ed were more than just friends? Petite brunette, that's right up Ed's alley. Just sayin.

**Heisenberg** · 12.19.20, 11:53 PM

+1- That thinks it would've been awesome.

Perfect replacement for David Lee Roth. Hell, no one would even notice the difference.

If not her they could've snatched up Pat Benatar. Maybe even Tina Turner. The sky is the limit.

**Brett** · 12.20.20, 01:23 AM

Van Halen replacing Dave with a woman in 1985 would’ve been one of the dumbest fucking things ever.

Even my wife who is like the biggest woman libber on on the planet thinks that would have been bizarre.

Scandal was a pretty nothing band frankly and certainly not the Van Halen vibe I don’t care how good of a singer she was. Blech. Whether or not she’s cute is irrelevant. And yes I’m sure her and Ed hooked up. Neither Val or Ed were admittedly faithful in their marriage.

You think people didn’t like Sammy Hagar and Van Halen. Think about a woman fronting the band in 1985. Oh my god they would have been absolutely ridiculed. All you +1 guys are funny though.

**Raldo** · 12.20.20, 02:19 AM

I follow the POR series on YouTube and the interviews are really good. Patty would NOT have been a good choice to replace Dave. Although, would love to have heard a few songs with her and VH or even just EVH.